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
-
A spate of repeated break-ins strained businesses last fall. More recently, late-night disturbances have spilled out of the Westcott Theater into area streets. -
Ted Fox began as a zookeeper in 1991, and served in other key roles before becoming director in 2011. -
No one was injured, but bullets struck businesses in the area following a late-night event over the weekend. -
B. Thomas Golisano is Upstate's largest benefactor. He has donated a total of $20 million for facilities that support pediatric medical care, as well as child and adolescent mental and behavioral health programs. -
The department is using a $1 million state grant to improve outreach and intervention services. -
The Democratic line on the ballot will be empty due to a court order. But two independents filed petitions this week to join the Republican candidate. -
The normally uneventful process was unusually heated after councilors presented last-minute budget-cutting amendments. -
President Trump's executive order cancelled $150,000 in grants for the museum. But there's more concern about the impact of future funding cuts. -
The vote ends the most contentious budget process of Mayor Walsh's tenure, and perhaps the last decade. Walsh says department heads are working on contingency budgets for the fiscal year starting July 1. -
The museum was counting on a $25,000 grant for exhibit enhancements.
