Student Reporters Played Critical Role in WAER 88.3 FM’s Election Coverage

In keeping with the tradition of producing community-focused, quality journalism for Central New York, the news team at WAER 88.3FM, Syracuse University’s Public Radio Station, produced 48 stories related to the 2020 election in the final two months of the campaign through Election Day.

From “Your Election Blueprint,” an issue-oriented series of in-depth reports chiefly produced by James Corrigan G’21, to a series of feature-length stories highlighting various issues and races, culminating in WAER’s live election night broadcast which included a special one-hour “Syracuse Speaks,” followed by live updates during NPR’s programming.

Student work was heavily featured in interviews and reporter debriefs, contributing to important content to add to the public education and debate over this year’s election.

WAER’s election coverage featured reporting from:

Dan Baldwin G’21 (Broadcast and Digital Journalism)

• “Women Join Dana Balter in Condemning John Katko’s Campaign Ads“

Evan Beebe ’21 (Broadcast and Digital Journalism)

• “Long Lines For Early Voting Prompts Onondaga County Board of Elections To Extend Weekend Hours“

Kyle Chouinard ’24 (Broadcast and Digital Journalism)

• “CNY Voters Flock to Early Voting Sites on First Day as Political Leaders Urge Turnout“

James Corrigan G’21 (Broadcast and Digital Journalism)

• “The Climate Crisis on Minds of CNY Voters in Your Election Blueprint“
• “CNY Voters Flock to Early Voting Sites on First Day as Political Leaders Urge Turnout“
• “Race Relations in the Country and Community on Minds Voters Say in Your Election Blueprint“

Geoffrey Goose ’24 (Broadcast and Digital Journalism)

• “‘Project Vote’ Continues to Educate Syracuse Voters, Help Them Get to the Polls in Final Days“
• “Local Community Organizer Brings Art, Youth to Get-Out-the-Vote Efforts“

Brad Klein ’22 (Broadcast and Digital Journalism)

• Part of election night team, reporting live from GOP candidate gathering.

Brianna Langlois ’21 (Broadcast and Digital Journalism)

• Part of election night team writing about the chance for changes in policy on COVID-19 and international relations after the election.

Yasmin Nayrouz ’24 (Magazine, News and Digital Journalism)

• Part of election night team writing stories about 24th Congressional Seat Race; Board of Elections turnout review.

Ben Schiller ’24 (Broadcast and Digital Journalism)

• Election day coverage from polling places on turnout and why people wanted to participate in record numbers.

“WAER takes our local news obligation very seriously and nothing exemplifies that more than election coverage,” says Chris Bolt, news and public affairs director for WAER. “Syracuse University student reporters play a critical role in expanding our news resources to cover more ground, both physical ground to be at more events and topical ground of covering more issues and races. We had a goal of informing the Central New York audience about candidates, issues, controversies in the campaigns and details of the various voting methods. Students increased the knowledge of our community, as well as their own expertise, by participating every step of the way,”

To learn more about WAER’s 2020 election coverage, visit waer.org.