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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Textile recycling, clothes, mattresses, rugs, etc., is challenging, generally not handled by municipalities. Other groups such as Planet Aid, are tackling it through donations, innovative methods. -
Deputy Chief Mark Rusin was named Syracuse's next police chief by incoming Mayor Sharon Owens. He shared thoughts on crime, reform, community and transforming the department. -
Conservation efforts, emergency diversion by the Onondaga County Water Authority are helping keep taps running while a major water supply line is fixed. Residents & businesses urged to keep saving. -
Nine new buses will help deliver more frequent pick-ups and minimal stops. -
Elise Stefanick released a statement Friday saying she will not run for Governor in 2026, nor will she seek reelection to her house seat. -
AAA of Western & Central New York predicts more than 122 million people will travel 50 miles or more. They suggest early arrival, car safety prep, planning travel routes & times, and patience. -
New York has a plan to plant 25 million trees to help with greenhouse emissions. SUNY ESF professor Colin Beier says it can work, but takes time. He notes other challenges and benefits as well. -
Governor Kathy Hochul signed a bill that helps make costs for solar power projects in New York more transparent. Advocates of renewable power say it will help finance projects and retain green jobs. -
Onondaga County Industrial Development Agency pays Azalia King $3 million for her home and about 6 acres. The property is key for the multi-billion dollar Micron project, with site work starting soon. -
Leaders in wind energy resources are moving swiftly to restore locally produced, clean renewable energy, where it’s needed most in NY.
