Chris Bolt
General ManagerChris 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. He has been the news director for WAER since 1995. 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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The redevelopment of the former Shoppingtown mall in Dewitt faces a court hearing next month that could finally give Onondaga County control over the site. -
Amid heat waves, a Climate Central data scientist describes link between extreme weather & climate change. Heat, heavy rains, hurricanes are clearly linked. Vulnerable people are most affected. -
The summer's last Jubilee Homes concert is this Sunday in Spirit of Jubilee Park. -
Syracuse University political expert finds campaign offices can boost local elections, turn outcomesResearch by Syracuse University Professor Josh Darr finds offices set up for national campaigns could benefit local candidates and parties if kept open, possibly reducing polarization. -
Onondaga County Sheriff's and Syracuse Police participate in national event to improve police-community relations. Local events take place Tuesday, August 5th. -
New York’s governor announced support for communities leading the way in sustainably reaching zero-emissions -
A new law passed unanimously by the Syracuse Common Council creates a violation and fine for parking and blocking a bike lane. Advocates say it's for safety, bicyclists won't be forced into traffic. -
Attorneys with Harvard Law's Environment and Energy Program see regulation, staff cuts seriously weakening pollution & climate protections. Syracuse, New York & other governments can be line of defense. -
A bill that has passed both the state senate and assembly will give Onondaga County drivers free tolls on the thruway for local travel. Drivers avoid congestion as I-81 construction intensifies. -
Gas prices dipped once again in the final week of July, according to analysts at GasBuddy.com. The average of $3.08 is lowest in more than 4 years, could continue to drop into August.
