Rachel Ward, Editor

Photo by Gerry Szymanski
@InnovationTrail

Editor of the Innovation Trail.

Rachel Ward is based at WXXI in Rochester.  She edits the multimedia work of the Innovation Trail crew and oversees the project's content and editorial vision.

Prior to joining the Innovation Trail, Ward reported on business and the economy in western New York with NPR's Economics Training Project, and hosted All Things Considered at WXXI-AM. Her reports have appeared locally and nationally.

Ward came to WXXI after earning a master's degree in telecommunications through Ohio University's public broadcasting fellowship program, where her thesis research centered on how public broadcasters are reacting to new technologies like podcasting.

Ward has also worked for the Association of Public Television Stations, and interned at WAMU-FM in Washington, DC. Her undergraduate degree in anthropology and English is from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.

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10:30am

Wed February 22, 2012
Morning trail mix

Incubator struggles with growth, Dryden wins drilling ban

To start off this morning, we'd like to offer a big welcome to Investigative Post, an investigative journalism project for western New York, hosted by Jim Heaney, formerly of the Buffalo News.  They crew starts off with a bang: a debrief on the governor's plan to spend a billion dollars in economic development money in Buffalo.

And today in your Trail Mix:

Business incubation ain't easy.

A small town wins the first round in the fight to ban drilling.

Plus, a thaw in sales forecasts at the Syracuse auto show.

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10:37am

Tue February 21, 2012
Morning trail mix

Gas boom could pass New York by as regulators mull drilling

DEC commissioner Joe Martens has said that some drilling applications could be processed this year - but gas drillers are starting to look elsewhere as New York's regulatory process continues.
Matt Ryan / WMHT

Today in your Trail Mix:

Fracking wastewater issues, and a pipeline in the Southern Tier.

Cornell University reaches new heights.

Buffalo's pricey transition from pedestrians to vehicles.

Plus, a moving argument against the DNA databank.

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7:57am

Wed February 15, 2012
Morning trail mix

Mixed message for Niagara Falls base in budget

Three C-130 cargo planes based in Niagara Falls are on the chopping block in military restructuring, putting jobs at risk.
Official U.S. Air Force / via Flickr

Today in your Trail Mix:

The feds can't make up their mind about the fate of the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station.

The changing face of Syracuse's downtown.

And students in Syracuse flex their engineering skills on robots.

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10:29am

Tue February 14, 2012
Morning trail mix

Love business thrives in Niagara Falls

The Honeymoon Capital of the World is still in the business of making marriages merry - at least to begin with.
cecily dyer / via Flickr

Today in your Trail Mix:

Our Valentine to you - and upstate New York!

Kodak gets to keep confidential its bankruptcy credit line details.

A Niagara Falls Air Force base could see more jobs.

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5:34pm

Mon February 13, 2012
Valentine's Day

Why you love upstate

vaula / via Flickr

We asked our friends on Twitter, Facebook and elsewhere what they love about upstate New York, for a special upstate Valentine.  

Turns out, you love mountains and lakes, snow and sun, orange and blue, and a certain grocery store chain.  

Now, without further ado:  

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9:35am

Mon February 13, 2012
Morning trail mix

IDAs net $500 million in tax exemptions in 2009

401K / via Flickr

Today in your Trail Mix:

We need your help writing a Valentine for upstate - tell us why you love it!

Industrial development agencies fly under the radar, spending millions to uncertain effect.

Saratoga County's changing demographics.

Cutting back on drilling in the Marcellus Shale.

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11:45am

Fri February 10, 2012
Upstate Valentine

Why do you love upstate?

Show a little love for the other New York - upstate New York!
CarbonNYC / via Flickr

Valentine's Day is coming, so it's time to let the one you love (or the one you tolerate) know what makes your heart strings sing. 

Let us know why you love upstate in the comments, on Facebook, or on Twitter

If your answer makes us tear up (or crack up) we might include it in our Upstate Valentine!

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10:52am

Fri February 10, 2012
Morning trail mix

STOCK act passes House to tamp down on insider trading

Both the Senate and House have now passed legislation that would prevent their members from profiting from Congressional knowledge.
Joye~ / via Flickr

Today in your Trail Mix:

Anti-insider trading legislation for congressional members passes Congress.

Pennsylvania maps where drilling impact fees will pile up.

What the mortgage settlement means for New Yorkers.

Plus, upstate's most romantic city.

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10:33am

Thu February 9, 2012
Morning trail mix

Kodak drops digital camera manufacturing

The company that invented the digital camera is shuttering its digital camera manufacturing, along with digital photo frames and pocket video cameras.
Jukie Bot / via Flickr

Today in your Trail Mix: 

Kodak says goodbye to the camera making business.

The governor admits he slowed down the process on fracking.

The Buffalo Auto Show kicks off.

And six SUNY schools are best buys.

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10:46am

Fri February 3, 2012
Morning trail mix

Rochester, Glens Falls, NYC regain most jobs in NYS

Glens Falls joins NYC and Rochester in beating the state average for regaining jobs, post-recession.
SnapshotsofthePast.com / via Flickr

Today in your Trail Mix:

The comptroller looks at which cities have won - and which have lost - following the 2008 recession.

Ft. Drum may face reductions, but could be less at risk of closure in next round of base consolidations.

Plus: Scrap metal for fun and profit.

Jobs report

A report from the state comptroller has "bleak" news about New York's attempts to recover jobs after the housing crash and recession (Karen DeWitt, New York State Public Radio).

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