Writer, editor, reviewer, reader.

This App Helps Immigrants Reclaim Their Stolen Wages

In the United States, wage theft is the crime of the century. Immigrant and migrant workers are far too often victimized by employers, but the Justicia Lab is fighting back with the new app Reclamo.

This Initiative Reduces Recidivism by Teaching Incarcerated People to Code

When Dirk Van Velzen founded the Prison Scholar Fund while incarcerated in 2006, he dreamed of the chance to gain a college education during his sentence to prepare him for a new life upon his release.

In Post-Roe America, Companies Must Show, Not Tell, That They Value Employee Health

In recent years, corporations have increasingly become involved in issues of social justice. Yet almost two months after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, corporations have been far more reluctant to take a public stand.

Brands Are Silent on Surging Police Violence. Were They Ever Loud?

For all the lofty words, the condemnations of violence and commitments to change, most corporations have quietly shifted back to their standard messaging and practices, even as police violence increased.

Coal is Totaled. Will Coal-stalgia Continue to Impede Renewable Energy Investment?

Coal is like America’s first car — it’s not much to look at, but it got us where we needed to go. It took awhile for us to warm up to it, but coal helped create some of America’s best memories and achievements. Yet every first car eventually reaches a point when the cost of upkeep becomes greater than the cost of something new.

Uptick in Police Violence Offers a Chance for Brands to Address the Root of the Problem

In 2020, corporations donated billions of dollars to under-served and over-policed communities hoping to correct the deep-rooted systemic injustice that breeds police violence and brutality and underscores every aspect of our country. It didn’t work. 

Seneca Solar Seeks Equitable Solutions for the Climate Crisis

In its search for equitable climate solutions, Seneca Solar is rectifying historical injustices and freeing Indigenous communities from the yokes of extractive energy development models.

Who Pays For Climate Change? Where Countries Falter, Corporations Fund

At the COP27 climate talks in November, world leaders agreed to establish a loss and damage fund to help developing countries cope with the impacts of climate change. But it will be years until the fund is up and running — leaving many questions unanswered, chief among them: Who pays for the climate crisis?

What Your Neighborhood is Missing: More Trees

Everyone wants to have it made in the shade, and new research suggests that shade can actually save lives. Normally, planting more trees is done with clean air in mind, but a recent study concluded that efforts to plant more trees could save lives by offering vital reprieve from unbearable heat.

Documenting the Andean Bears of Machu Picchu

In the summer of 2023, a team of scientists and conservationists geared up for an expedition with the goal of studying the living residents of an ancient empire. The team wasn’t studying a human population, though – their focus was the Andean bears of Machu Picchu!

Humans Fueling Steady Rise in Ocean Heat Levels, Creating Adversity for Aquatic Species

According to the Primordial soup theory, life originated in the ocean. Now, rising marine temperatures threaten mortal peril to oceanic species, and complications to life on land as well.

Snow Leopard Conservation Has Gained Two Unlikely Allies: Bees and Fruit Trees

In snow leopard range countries, new agricultural development has proven fruitful in more ways than one. Fruit trees and little bees are making a surprising yet sizable positive impact on snow leopard conservation in the species’ range countries.

What Will It Take to Save the Monarch Butterfly?

“America’s insect” is on the verge of extinction. The migratory monarch butterfly is dying, and the decline of the beloved bugs threatens a “butterfly effect” on entire ecosystems.

As Activists Swarm to Save Endangered Monarch Butterflies, Most Companies Sit Idle

The loss of the endangered monarchs could result in its own disastrous “butterfly effect” across the global food system. To that end, a tornado of activists are flapping their wings to give a helpful wind of momentum and allow the population of monarch butterflies to recover. 

Why the EPA’s Decision on Coal Ash Matters

In case you missed it, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently rejected requests from energy facilities to dump coal ash, a byproduct of coal-fired power plants, into unlined surface impoundments. 

Iconic Species Brings a Bit of Australia to the Syracuse Zoo

Koalas are as iconic as they are rare. These big-eared Australian marsupials are known throughout the world for their charming smiles and sleepy demeanors. Like big-name Hollywood celebrities, everyone is familiar with koalas, yet most people have never had the opportunity to see one in person.

Red Wolf Evie Gives Rare Species a Boost

With only 200 red wolves in human care and an estimated 10-20 remaining in the wild, the species is the most endangered canine on earth. Having once gone extinct in the wild, “America’s wolf is the focus of significant ongoing conservation efforts.

With Zakk Wylde’s help, Pantera unites 2 generations of metal fans with fire in Syracuse

The new-look cowboys from Hell demanded their “Re! Spect!” for members past and present on Tuesday in a furious 85-minute set at the St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater, and a crowd of all ages came out to give the veteran shredders their due.

Bob Dylan surprisingly sharp in sold-out, phone-free Rochester concert

Bob Dylan wasn’t rough or rowdy on Tuesday night at the Rochester Auditorium Theatre, treating nearly 2,500 fans to a spectacular 18-song performance that featured surprisingly sharp vocals.

Shania Twain turns a packed St. Joe’s Amp into ‘party central’ 

The Amp has never been so amped.

Shania Twain impressed a sold-out crowd of loyal fans at the St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater on Saturday night with a hit-filled set lasting more than two hours.

JID shows the future of hip-hop is in good hands

In the past week, the Suburban Park stage has hosted hip-hop legends Slick Rick and Ludacris, but JID’s set Friday night was a statement piece for the new school of hip-hop. Young people came out in droves to see the Atlanta-based Dreamville rapper tear through a slew of hits, and JID delivered in earnest.

‘Hey wet Syracuse!’ Faithful Jazz Fest fans endure rain for Herbie Hancock Friday night

The Clinton Square ice rink became a water rink on Friday night after heavy rains, but that couldn’t deter a loyal Syracuse crowd, who happily donned ponchos and waded through an inch of water just to get a vantage point of jazz legend Herbie Hancock’s phenomenal performance.

Phish celebrates jam-packed Syracuse homecoming by sucking on a vacuum cleaner

Phish fans were packed like sardines Sunday night at the Lakeview for a three and a half-hour performance from the legendary jam band, their first Syracuse show in seven years.

In marathon show, Father John Misty brings his ‘fake jazz’ to Ithaca’s State Theater

Father John Misty featured old classics, new hits (which he calls “fake jazz”), deep cuts, and an unreleased tune at the Ithaca State theater on Wednesday night.

Five Finger Death Punch’s metal militia takes the St Joe’s Amphitheater by storm

The Lakeview on Tuesday night played host to brass knuckles, baseball bats, mosh pits, and fire and smoke galore. This was no apocalyptic riot; it was just a Five Finger Death Punch concert. The Las Vegas-based heavy metal group treated fans to a high-octane, haymaker-filled 85-minute set.

Former Syracuse student Claud reflects on their new album

Though they’re a ways away from basement shows in the Euclid neighborhood now, Claud Mintz still recognizes the Syracuse community for helping them develop and hone their musical chops. The 21-year-old bedroom pop scion released their debut full-length album on Feb. 12.

Ready to tour: 10,000 Maniacs to ‘blow the dust off’ at Beak and Skiff on Friday

Performing for live audiences may be the best part of the job for the members of 10,000 Maniacs, who toured consistently throughout the last decade, but a break from the stage created space for a creative renaissance.

Diving Down the Rabbit Hole of Guitar Effects Pedals

How do you write a guitar effects encyclopedia that is exhaustive but not exhausting? You dive down the rabbit hole of guitar stompbox pedals and see where it takes you, said Kim Bjorn, Danish electronic musician and co-author of the new book, Pedal Crush.