WCNY Community FM

It is the triumphant return of the one and only Check It Out. The amazing library podcast for the little ones (and their parents). So fantastic to have Maggie and Tom back, and we look around many of the libraries in Onondaga County to see what they are doing to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year. Parties, crafting, music, and even Santa... all on this week's Check It Out.

The community garden grows and so does an unexpected friendship between the Ditzy Daisies and the Funkies. Everyone learns that working together to plant good will, always grows something special. Funky Foodies is a podcast for kids, and it’s produced right here in Central New York. Tween foodies Frankie, Fern, and Zara share a passion for food and its impacts on the environment. Adventures follow...

On the latest episode of Repeating History, we welcome Dr. Tom Keck, Michael O. Sawyer Chair of Constitutional Law and Politics at Syracuse University. The conversation touches in various facets of Professor Keck's upcoming book on free speech jurisprudence, the courts, and democratic backsliding amidst the retreat of democratic norms and government here in the US and around the world. What role s...

*Trigger Warning* This episode of CNY Heroes discusses first hand experiences of tragedy and loss during combat which may be triggering for some individuals. On this edition of CNY Heroes Dan continues his conversation with Vietnam veteran Vito Lovecchio, Jr. In this segment, Lovecchio remembers American public opinion about the Vietnam war during his time in the service, and the changing attitude...

Why are ultra processed foods so popular? Some scientists believe it is because they are actually addictive substances. This month on "Science Today", also learn about the pros and cons of the keto diet, incredible Antarctic microbes, and a possible new animal model for Alzheimer’s.

Child literacy remains a persistent challenge in Syracuse. According to 2019 data from the Early Childhood Alliance, only 22% of SCSD students are reading on grade level by the 3rd grade. Guests Laurie Black and Dr. Maria Murray are each tackling this challenge from different angles: As Community Education Director for the United Way, Laurie Black has grown their Book Buddies program to reach over...

(#86, 12/02/25) In these episodes for December of CNY Latino: cnylatinonewspaper.com/Podcast, we have placed a series of several famous and recognized members of our Culture, offering Christmas greetings and salutations for the upcoming New Year. En estos episodios de diciembre, hemos colocado una serie de varios miembros famosos y reconocidos de nuestra Cultura, ofreciendo saludos Navideños y sal...

Actors Gavin Lambert, Jojo Harper-McNeal, and Kenley Sample talk with Youth Actor Supervisor Joe McCurdy about “A Christmas Story” playing now at Syracuse Stage.

After a storm destroys the community garden, the Funkies want to give up, but some unexpected visitors show up and surprise them by offering encouragement and pitching in. Funky Foodies is a podcast for kids, and it’s produced right here in Central New York. Tween foodies Frankie, Fern, and Zara share a passion for food and its impacts on the environment. Adventures follow after they form an allia...

It’s been almost two years since the Onondaga County Public Libraries started their Ready Runway at SYR; grab a free book before you get on the plane! Also, hear what’s coming next for the SYR Community Art Program from our guest, Matt Szwejbka, Public Communications Officer for the Syracuse Regional Airport Authority.

The ARISE - EFR podcast comes to WCNY Community FM from ARISE in Syracuse. Hosted by CEO Bruce Drake, each episode introduces listeners to someone in our community supporting access and independence for those with disabilities. On this episode Bruce Drake sits down with Scott Pecoy, Ramp Coordinator for their community mobility program. Discover how this incredible volunteer-driven initiative desi...

In anticipation of Syracuse Stage’s upcoming production of “A Christmas Story,” Michelle DiBernardo, the Executive Director of the Syracuse International Film Festival, speaks with Joann Yarrow about how film intersects, inspires and creates new versions of the same story for audiences on stage.

Katherine Scott is leading an effort at a tiny museum in rural Ontario to repatriate objects from its collection to indigenous tribes in the U.S. and Canada. Plus, the little-known story of the first New York subway - built in secret under Broadway and powered by air. From North Creek to South Colton, from Old Forge to New Bremen, North Words brings you interviews, on-site recordings, and special...

Figuring out what plants need in order to grow is top of the Funky’s to-do list. Thanks to Zacky Z, they’re on the right track to an abundant community garden. Funky Foodies is a podcast for kids, and it’s produced right here in Central New York. Tween foodies Frankie, Fern, and Zara share a passion for food and its impacts on the environment. Adventures follow after they form an alliance called F...

On this edition of Our New Neighbors, host Maryna Bagovska is joined by Haoyang Zhou. Born in Beijing, China, Haoyang Zhou moved to the United States at the age of 14 to study abroad in Asheville, North Carolina. He is now a PhD student attending Syracuse University’s Physics department where he works with granular locomotion.

So, it’s 3rd and goal and you need someone to run your library book into the endzone: who do you call upon? Why none other than our Check It Out guest for the week, former NFL running back (more importantly former Betts Branch patron), Latavius Murray. The Onondaga Central grad was in town and sat down with Yona and Tom to discuss his favorite Betts memories growing up, books that bring back memor...

On this edition of Checkup From the Neck-Up, Dr. Neckup Rich O’Neill’s guest is psychiatrist, researcher, and author Dr. Seetha Ramanathan. She talks about initially wanting to be a nuclear physicist, how cultural and family influences led her to choose medicine, how a question from a patient sparked a career change from surgery to psychiatry, and what is now giving her the freedom for a dramatic...

On the latest episode of Repeating History, our guest is Dr. Thomas Guiler, Director of Museum Affairs at the Oneida Community Mansion House. Dr. Guiler is the author of the brand new book, The Handcrafted Utopia: Arts and Crafts in America's Progressive Era. This excellent new monograph examines the fascinating history of three of the nation's most important utopian communities, Byrdcliff, Rose V...

In these episodes for November, we are going to demonstrate how small 'country style' towns in the United States, celebrate their anniversary, by showing and walking around one of our Hometown - Tully, NY. We also will be showing around the beautiful northern Maritime town of Alexandria Bay, and how it is during a 'Summer Day', as a possible similarity to the Oceanic or 'sea-like' towns, we have i...

Zacky Z shows up with a wagon filled with plants, but explains to the Funkies that there’s more work to be done before planting can begin. Funky Foodies is a podcast for kids, and it’s produced right here in Central New York. Tween foodies Frankie, Fern, and Zara share a passion for food and its impacts on the environment. Adventures follow after they form an alliance called Funky Foodies, Inc., p...

While cancer rates are falling overall, the opposite is true in younger people. What factors are causing this? What can be done to slow this worrisome trend? Also this month on science today, why do some families have multiple children of the same sex, and a mysterious disease killing sea stars is identified.

*Trigger Warning* This episode of CNY Heroes discusses first hand experiences of tragedy and loss during combat which may be triggering for some individuals. On this edition of CNY Heroes Dan begins a two-part conversation with Army veteran Vito Lovecchio Jr. of Cicero, NY. Lovecchio talks about his father’s service in World War Two, and his own deployment to Vietnam in 1969. He was a combat infan...

On this week’s Check It Out, it’s our musical episode! Not with Maggie or Tom (no one wants that). We welcome in Donna B, whose music can be heard at any number of libraries. She will even play a few tunes for listeners. All this week on Check It Out.

Mr. Bookman steers the Funkies to the Sprout & Share lending library at the public library, where they can borrow all the tools they need to dig into the community garden.

With an annual budget of over $250 billion, New York State’s public spending exceeds that of most countries. Decisions made in Albany impact New Yorkers across the state in nearly every aspect of their lives. Akash Mehta wants to close the distance between state residents and their representatives in Albany by providing accessible and in-depth coverage of state government. At the age of 22, Akash...