Chris Bolt
Senior Reporter/Professional in ResidenceChris Bolt, Ed.D. has proudly been covering the Central New York community and mentoring students for more than 30 years. His career in public media started as a student volunteer, then as a reporter/producer. Dedicated to keeping local news coverage alive, Chris also has a passion for education, having trained, mentored and provided a platform for growth to more than a thousand students. Career highlights include having work appear on NPR, CBS, ABC and other news networks, winning numerous local and state journalism awards. Recent reporting has focused on health and medicine, environment, elderly, substance abuse and culture reporting.
Chris has a doctor of education in executive leadership from St. John Fisher College and a master’s in broadcast journalism from the Newhouse School.
In addition to coverage of our community, equally satisfying has been the success of so many WAER alumni, students who have won and succeeded in jobs in news, sports and elsewhere in media, many of whom won awards at local, state and national levels as students. He has also taught classes at Newhouse and at OCC. Chris also enjoys connecting WAER with the community through moderating debates, facilitating and hosting public meetings, giving media training workshops and other events.
Chris and his wife Anne live in downtown Syracuse. They have two grown sons, Carter and Donovan, who both remain in the area. Their family enjoys all things Upstate New York, including myriad outdoor activities in the Adirondacks, Finger Lakes, music and other cultural events, and just about anything on a trail or on the water.
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This election pits progressive candidates, many touting Democratic Socialism, against conservative & right-leaning opponents after a Trump visit to CNY. Central Current's Patrick McCarthy joins us. -
The new AIRaCuse network dashboard tells you how safe the air is closest to you. The project from SUNY ESF and Onondaga Environmental institute monitors changes during and after I-81 construction. -
Professors Nick Bowman and Joshua Foust have grown up playing games. Now they study the industry's place in culture, and strategic communications. They also discuss stereotypes and career options. -
Middle East peace and the war in Gaza are important issues to Central New Yorkers, but will they affect the election in the 22nd Congressional district? Central Current's Patrick McCarthy weighs in.
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The New York State Department of Labor plans a major upgrade to unemployment insurance system that will require a shutdown of between 9 & 12 days. Existing & new clients have to file by Nov 2 or wait. -
Democrat Toby Shelley is trying to keep his post versus republican challenger RJ Lenhart. Both tout their experience, but which will convince voters? Central Current Laura Robertson describes the race.
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NY State Attorney General Letitia James has an updated guide to help voters spot fraudulent info about voting. She warns messages can be enhanced by AI to look, sound like official people or sources. -
The University at Albany hosted the Clean Energy Pathways workshop to identify barriers and opportunities for renewable energy growth. UAlbany's Bruce Bailey comments on challenges and his optimism. -
The 129th NYS Assembly race between Shawn Fiato & Maurice 'Mo' Brown will mean a new representative replacing long-time incumbent Bill Magnarelli. Key issues are affordability, housing, neighborhoods.
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The Brennan Center for Justice & Common Cause New York explain to public that elections are locally run, with no role for the federal government. The say candidates can also ease fears, promote trust.
