Press Releases
WCNY Presents Community FM
by
February 20, 2023
WCNY, Central New York’s public communications organization, is proud to bring you a new radio station for our region, Community FM. This new community-supported station is broadcast on WCNY 91.3 HD-3 in Syracuse, WUNY 89.5 HD-3 in Utica, and WJNY 90.9 HD-3 in Watertown. Live streaming is also available at wcny.org, on the TuneIn app, and on an Amazon Alexa device by saying, “Play WCNY!”
WCNY Radio Station Manager Ron Lombard, a veteran Central New York news leader, and the architect of the new community radio initiative, says, “The station provides people with an outlet to talk about the many things that make Central New York a great place to live and work, while also exploring new and exciting local topics and happenings. We are very pleased to be able to provide this unique service to people across the 19 counties served by WCNY.”
WCNY President and CEO Mitch Gelman says, “The goal of Community FM is to showcase local people and local perspectives from across the Central New York region.”
Through Community FM, people in the WCNY community are given the opportunity to share their stories and use their voices. The station currently features these original local programs and locally produced podcasts, with more to come in 2023:
Community FM Original Local Programming:
Built to Serve – This monthly show spotlights the crucial work being done by our local non-profit and charitable organizations.
Central Current Radio – In partnership with org, this bi-weekly show focuses on the work being done by Central New York’s new non-profit local news source, and the state of local journalism in general.
Check It Out – Our friends from the Onondaga County Public Libraries bring you the latest news about books and libraries, especially their many services and programs designed for children.
Checkup From the Neck-Up – Hosted by Cycle of Health’s Dr. Richard O’Neill, this monthly program gives practical advice for us all to live healthier, both physically and mentally.
CNY Heroes – Hosted by retired NewsChannel 9 anchor Dan Cummings, this monthly program tells compelling stories of our local veterans and explores programs and services available to them and their families.
Innovate to Educate – Discussing new and often unique approaches to education being utilized in our Central New York schools, this monthly show is hosted by local educator Jody Manning.
Our New Neighbors – Immigrants and refugees from around the world who have settled in Upstate New York tell first-person stories of leaving their homeland to start new lives in our region.
Science Today – Each month, local physician Dr. Rich Kopecky details fascinating findings from worldwide science journals.
Syracuse (On)Stage – Host Melissa Crespo pulls back the curtain to explore the process of creating live theater in Central New York, featuring the artists and creators at Syracuse Stage and beyond.
Thursday Morning Roundtable – A weekly public service program, produced by Syracuse University’s Office of Community Engagement, features experts on local, state, and national issues of concern to the community.
Local Podcasts Aired on Community FM:
CNY Latino Podcast – Content for and about the Latino community, across Central New York and beyond, produced by the region’s premier Hispanic media outlet, CNY Latino.
From Suarez’s Basement – Winner of a prestigious Signal Award as one of the best podcasts in the industry, SUNY-Oswego Professor Francisco Suarez talks to Hollywood’s movers and shakers to give us an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at some of our favorite TV shows, movies, play, musicals, concerts, and more.
Funky Foodies, Inc. – Tween foodies, Frankie and Fern, share a passion for food and its impact on the environment. This locally-produced podcast pledges to “Save the Planet, One Veggie Burger at a Time.”
Shadow//Yaddo – This podcast from the renowned artists’ retreat in Saratoga Springs features conversations with various artists that inspire curiosity, humor, resistance, and hope.
THIS Is Ithaca – This podcast is about one of our region’s most-unique communities, and the people who make it so different.
North Words – Host Mitch Teich of North Country Public Radio zooms in on the people and culture of the North Country with interviews, on-site recordings, and special features.
In addition to Community FM’s original local programming and local podcasts, listeners can also hear the audio portion of WCNY’s outstanding local TV programs like, “Ivory Tower,” “Cycle of Health,” “On the Money,” “Behind the Woman,” and “CONNECT NY,” plus special WCNY productions.
For more information, a program schedule, and to listen to any of Community FM’s original programs and podcasts on-demand, visit wcny.org/communityfm.
About WCNY
WCNY was founded in 1965 as The Educational Television Council of Central New York. Today, it is a public communications organization that produces content across multiple platforms, including television and radio programs, dynamic web and targeted email content, the WCNY CONNECT magazine, and social media. Through its media platforms, in-person and virtual events, WCNY brings local coverage and educational services to Central New Yorkers. WCNY operates four digital, pledge-free broadcast channels and three radio stations. Classic FM is one of a few radio stations in the world dedicated to locally programmed classical music.
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