Central Current Radio launched in summer 2022 with host Roosevelt "Rick" Wright Jr., who is also a founder of Central Current. One of the first guests was reporter Chris Libonati, pictured at right, with Wright in center and producer Joel Stockton at left. Credit: Julie McMahon

Central Current’s nonprofit news source is partnering with WCNY’s Community FM on a regular radio talk show.

Roosevelt “Rick” Wright Jr., a founding board member of Central Current and Syracuse radio legend, is hosting the program with Editor-in-Chief Julie McMahon.

Wright is a professor emeritus at Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. He has been a popular DJ and talk show host on the radio airwaves in Syracuse and across the country for decades.

Central Current Radio will host weekly guests, journalists and newsmakers to discuss the most pressing issues, challenges and opportunities facing Central New York. We’ll discuss the news of the day and introduce you to interesting voices and perspectives.

In addition to online, the show is broadcast over HD radio frequently throughout the week: at WCNY 91.3 HD3 Syracuse, WUNY 89.5 HD3 Utica, and WJNY 90.9 HD3 Watertown. 

New episodes air every other week.

Interesting in appearing as a guest on our show? Email McMahon at jmcmahon@centralcurrent.org.

All episodes

August 10 airdate – A Central Current Update with Tony Malavenda
June 28 airdate – Joyce Suslovic, retired Syracuse City School District teacher who works with New American students.
June 15 airdate – Eddie Velazquez, freelance reporter for Central Current, on New York state legislative session
May 18 airdate – Megan Craig, freelance editor for Central Current, and reporter Chris Libonati
May 4 airdate – Dustin Czarny, Democratic Onondaga County election commissioner, and reporter Chris Libonati
April 20 airdate – Michael John Heagerty, co-founder of Wildflowers Armor, and reporter Yolanda Stewart
April 6 airdate – Rita Paniagua, of Jubilee Homes, and local baker Keren Cepeda
March 22 airdate – Christina Whiteside, Central Current chief of staff, and Chris Libonati, Central Current reporter
March 9 airdate – Sarah Dolgin, part-time reporter at Central Current covering Ukrainian Americans
Feb. 23 airdate – Chris Libonati and Julie McMahon, journalists at Central Current
Feb. 9 airdate – Carl Mellor, arts & culture writer and contributor to Central Current
Jan. 26 airdate – Dr. Marvin Druger, Syracuse University biology professor, author and poet
Jan. 12 airdate – Daphne Jones, former executive and author of Win When They Say You Won’t: Break Through Barriers and Keep Leveling Up Your Success
Dec. 29 airdate – Yolanda Stewart, Central Current’s newest reporter who will expand our arts and culture coverage
Dec. 15 airdate – Alex Lawson, who runs the website In the Salt City and serves on the Transportation Committee for the community advocacy group Uplift Syracuse.
Dec. 1 airdate – Freelancer writer Ken Sturtz on the Oswego Holocaust refugees’ operetta
Nov. 17 air date – Reporters Chris Libonati and Eddie Velazquez break down midterm elections
Nov. 3 air date – Chris Libonati, Central Current reporter covering Micron deal
Oct. 20 air date – Eddie Velazquez, Central Current contributor and freelance journalist
Oct. 6 air date – Lekia Hill, founder and creator of the ‘Powerful Voices’ app
Sept. 22 air date – Julie McMahon, Central Current Editor-in-Chief
Sept. 8 air date – Dustin Czarny, Democratic Elections Commissioner
Aug. 24 air date – Bishop H. Bernard Alex, pastor at Victory Temple Fellowship Church
Aug. 11 air date – Ken Jackson, editor and publisher of Urban CNY
July 28 air date – Larry Bousquet, attorney; board treasurer and co-founder of Central Current, Inc.
July 14 air date – Chris Libonati, Central Current reporter
June 30 pilot – Tony Malavenda, co-founder of Central Current, Inc.

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