CNY Decides

Episode 2: USPS changes could impact your vote & the Congressional race in Dist. 22

By Robert Beck,

Published May 8, 2026 at 4:59 PM EDT

CNY Decides is a partnership between award winning Syracuse newsrooms WAER and Central Current. In this second episode of the limited political series, we look at how federal cut backs to the U.S. Postal System are impacting first-class mail deliveries and ask what impact that might have on upcoming mail-in ballot process.

Then, WAER host Bob Beck checks in with reporter Patrick McCarthy to learn more about this week's Central Current story on the U.S. Congressional race in New York's District 22. Normally a blue district, but challengers argue they have a way to flip it.

CNY Decides is supported by the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University.

Tags

Robert Beck

Bob Beck, a veteran media professional, currently serves as a part-time editor/host at WAER Public Radio and an adjunct professor at Syracuse University. Beck retired as News Director at Wyoming Public Radio in 2022 after 34 years. During his time, Beck won 5 regional Edward R. Murrow awards and 5 Public Media Journalists Association awards for reporting. He also won 11 PMJA awards for the news and public affairs program Open Spaces. He was awarded the Wyoming School Bell award for education reporting and was part of two Emmy Award winning television productions. You can find him on X under the name @butterbob.<br/><br/><br/>

See stories by Robert Beck

Jacob Berr

Jacob Berr is an undergraduate studying Political Science at Maxwell and Journalism at Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. He is expected to graduate in May 2029. As a content producer working at WAER, Jacob helps produce digital and radio stories for the station.

See stories by Jacob Berr