Scott Willis
Host, Reporter, ProducerI’ve always been enamored with the intimacy of radio. It forces you to listen…and listen only. I grew up listening to mostly top 40 radio in Detroit, and eventually discovered the area’s all-news station. I loved knowing what was going on, and the intensity with which they told stories. I often wondered what it would be like to be the first to know what was happening, and then tell others. Maybe that’s why I pursued a career in news.
I would go on to serve as an intern at that all-news station, and it was amazing and maybe a little overwhelming to see what it took to put out a constant stream of news. But something was missing. It wasn’t until after I graduated from college that I actually discovered Detroit’s public radio station at my alma mater. What a difference! You had time to write and tell engaging, meaningful stories. That’s when I knew public radio was for me.
I would hone my skills on and off for almost three years at WDET, producing daily stories for newscasts. I was also given the privilege of producing long-form features on topics that interested me, and that people knew very little about. Now THAT was cool. What budding reporter could ask for more?
I landed here in Syracuse in June 2001. Today, I’ve come full circle, and now teach the craft to dozens of student reporters every year. We work hard to choose informative stories, find the most engaging sound, and edit copy for clarity and accuracy.
Outside of work, I spend time with my wife and little boy. We like to take walks, travel, and read. When I can, I’ll hop on my bike for a quick ride.
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the honor and privilege of bringing the day’s news and in-depth feature reporting to WAER’s dedicated and generous listeners. Thanks for listening
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Members of Onondaga County’s redistricting commission met Tuesday, and received new census data that they will use to re-draw legislative district maps. But some are still raising concerns about the rushed process and how the commission is operating.The draft maps are due by the commission’s next meeting October 27. -
The three way race for Syracuse mayor has presented some interesting political and party dynamics for candidates and their supporters. WAER News found out that issues rather than party labels seem to be driving the contest between an independent incumbent, a democrat, and a republican.
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Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh Friday highlighted the progress of his administration over the past four years, and presented a plan he says will continue that momentum should he win a second term. He says they’ve taken on some of the most intractable challenges facing the city that have eluded predecessors.
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Onondaga County’s Redistricting Commission is forging ahead with its plans to redraw legislative district maps before election day despite strong objections from one commissioner. There’s concern about the tight timeframe for the commission to do its work and for the public to offer its feedback.
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Syracuse University and Le Moyne College held and event to examine "Moral Injury", a sense of damaged conscience many feel. The concept is linked to the abrupt withdrawal, leaving afghan translators and other helpers behind, and uncertainty of the value of their service. Syracuse has the Moral Injury Project.
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State Attorney General Letitia James brought her Heal New York tour to Utica and Syracuse Tuesday, delivering nearly $37 million to the region to combat the opioid epidemic. The nearly $1.5 billion being distributed statewide comes from different settlements negotiated by her office following the March 2019 lawsuit against manufacturers and distributors of the painkillers.
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Columbus Day festivities went on as planned late Monday morning in Syracuse’s Columbus Circle, despite plans to remove the monument. Later in evening, in the same location, proponents of removing the monument held a “Replace Columbus” observance.
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Onondaga County will consider additional COVID-19 mitigation measures if case numbers don’t flatten out soon. But County executive Ryan McMahon wouldn’t say what they might do. Central New York has one of the higher 7-day positive rates in the state.
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Onondaga County voters in traditionally republican legislative districts may have received a knock on the door from democratic candidates trying to challenge the status quo. It’s part of a concerted effort by the democratic party to change the balance of power on the legislature called Flip the Leg. WAER News takes a deep dive into why democrats are mounting such a strong challenge, and some of the history behind county governance.
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The last-minute agenda items would appear to fast track the redistricting process ahead of the results of the upcoming election. Democrats questioned the timing and ethics of the party-line vote.
