Chris Bolt
Senior Reporter/Professional in ResidenceChris 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. 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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New York State plans to plant 25 million trees by 2033. SUNY ESF Sustainable Resources Professor Colin Beier says trees effectively reduce CO2 and have other benefits. But the plan has challenges -
Syracuse Auditor Alexander Marion says most snowplows do not have the required city license. Registration allows the city to check liability, workers comp, safety and insurance, while providing revenue. -
New York's Attorney General releases Pennies for Charity report showing fundraising activities of 300 nonprofits. Donors can check groups' legitimacy and use of funds before making holiday donations. -
A student multi-media project, Unlocking NY, allowed journalism, photography, digital media & other Newhouse students to create more than 30 stories around the Erie Canal as it reaches 200 years old. -
Senator Chuck Schumer is demanding the Trump administration reverse a decision to cancel naturalization ceremonies. Events in Onondaga and other counties were abruptly halted this week. -
Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon & Centerstate CEO President Rob Simpson share observations about the approval of the Micron chipmaking project's environmental and tax incentive agreements. -
The rise in AI and cryptomining create the need for huge data centers using large amounts of energy & water. Duke's Sanford School of Public Policy researches impacts and possible policy & innovation.
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Residents want more accountability and money for local impacts it the tax and incentive deal for the Micron project.Onondaga County officials are set to finalize it Nov 17. -
Onondaga County Industrial Development Agency unanimously voted to accpet as final Micron’s environmental Impact Statement. The lengthy document addresses numerous concerns and measures to mitigate impacts. -
Governor Hochul declared an emergency over end of SNAP food aid, adding $65 million in aid for food banks. A coalition of groups says it’s not enough. NYS should fund entire month of SNAP benefits.
