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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Debbie Urbanski says she wanted to write a book on a "realistic apocalypse" that makes readers uncomfortable.
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They hope to study the gravitational waves caused by rising or falling columns of air during the eclipse.
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There are about 5,500 more non-enrolled voters in the county than enrolled Republicans. Enrolled Democrats outnumber Republicans by nearly 33,700.
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Less than 1,000 of nearly 198,000 enrolled Democrat and Republican voters have cast ballots during early voting for the presidential primaries.
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11-year-old Ashton DeGonzaque died of an accidental drug overdose at a home used for drug dealing. Five-year-old Nefertiti Harris was allegedly beaten to death by her mother before she buried her remains in a wooded area.
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Nefertiti Harris was only recently reported missing after not being seen for months. Police allege she was murdered my her mother in early January and disposed of her body.
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Still, the $3.38 Syracuse average is five cents below what motorists were paying at this time last year, and 15 cents lower than the national average.
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The state attorney general's office says Todd Hobsb repeatedly failed to address lead safety violations at multiple properties.
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NYS Attorney General Letitia James reached a settlement with Todd Hobbs, the latest in a series of landlords found to have repeatedly flouted lead safety laws.
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Crews are expected to start tearing town the massive complex of buildings in early April.