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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It's the first time the competition will be held in the western hemisphere. -
The public can weigh in before the vote at the 6:30 meeting. -
The majority caucus put forth four nominees last week to replace four existing board members. Terms had expired for two of them, and the other two have been removed mid-term. -
The $13.3 million project includes "full-depth" pavement repairs of a six mile stretch of the highway. -
The 1.2 million visits to Lake Placid's legacy Olympic venues were spurred in part by the Winter Olympics in Italy. -
They're planning to vote on the appointments at Tuesday's session. -
The Bodow Recycling building was about to collapse into N. Salina St. -
The legislature wants more oversight of the money that might flow from the not-for-profits to county government. -
The NYS Attorney General said Miles Burton Marshall ran a decades-long Ponzi scheme that lined his own pockets. -
The Onondaga County Legislature's Ways and Means Committee forwarded the $7.075 million resolution to be considered by the full legislature next week.
