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.

Pages

10:32am

Fri March 30, 2012
Morning trail mix

New York adds nearly 140,000 jobs in past year

The money for flood projects is coming from NY Works, Governor Cuomo's economic development department.
Koffiemetkoek / via Flickr

Today in your Trail Mix:

New York's jobs picture is looking up, once again.

A wind development deal for the Great Lakes.

Plus, Cornell goes "BOOM."

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11:03am

Thu March 29, 2012
Morning trail mix

NYC to buy 300 subway cars from Plattsburgh's Bombardier

All aboard: An upstate manufacturer has nabbed the bid to make new subway cars for the MTA.
TenSafeFrogs / via Flickr

Today in your Trail Mix:

New York City and an upstate manufacturer work out a deal.

Landowners in Tioga County are hoping they've found a loophole in the state's moratorium on fracking.

SUNY funding stable in budget, community college cash is up.

Plus, jobs picture still bleak at a Niagara Falls job fare.

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10:17am

Wed March 28, 2012
Morning trail mix

Governor emphasizes jobs, infrastructure in budget agreement

The state budget is en route to passage, with $1.2 billion slated for roads, bridges, and other construction projects.
racoles / via Flickr

Today in your Trail Mix:

The governor repeats the "jobs, jobs, jobs" refrain in praise of his state budget.

Kodak employees get hit with a pay freeze.

Plus, the shale boom has ups and downs for small business owners.

Budget

The governor says the newly agreed-upon state budget is all about jobs and economic development, including $1.2 billion for infrastructure spending (Jimmy Vielkind, Times Union).

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10:35am

Tue March 27, 2012
Morning trail mix

Fracking ban fails in state budget, activists push on

Anti-fracking groups are creating a coalition around a statewide ban on the drilling technique.
Matt Richmond / WSKG

Today in your Trail Mix:

Anti-fracking activists targeting the state budget, a WNY senator, and a fracking ban.

Occupy Buffalo "attends" an IDA meeting.

Plus, a new look for Canadian cash.

Natural gas

Anti-fracking activists are targeting Buffalo senator Mark Grisanti in his role of chair as the Environmental Conservation Committee. They want him to clear through a bill that would ban fracking (Eileen Buckley, WBFO).

Low natural gas prices have drillers scaling back their production (David Robinson, Buffalo News).

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10:16am

Mon March 26, 2012
Morning trail mix

State budget passage on tap for this week

Marie Cusick / WMHT

Today in your Trail Mix:

Prognostications on the passage of the state budget.

Fighting fracking with $100,000 in prize money.

IDA reform in western New York.

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10:37am

Fri March 23, 2012
Morning trail mix

Anti-insider trading law for Congress passes Senate

Joye~ / via Flickr

Today in your Trail Mix:

The STOCK Act clears the last legislative hurdle - but its sponsors still want it to be stronger.

New York's "wet gas" is unlikely to wind  up at a Pennsylvania processing facility.

Tip on the tightrope in Buffalo.

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10:16am

Thu March 22, 2012
Morning trail mix

Drilling boosters seek to woo hunters in Albany

Some sportsmen (and women) are wary of how drilling might affect their hunting grounds.
dottygirl / via Flickr

Today in your Trail Mix:

Drillers woo hunters.

The second of our stories profiling how IDAs recruit business to their communities.

Delta's new NYC flights create winners and losers.

Plus, Binghamton University pushes for startup culture.

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9:27am

Tue March 20, 2012
Morning trail mix

Rush on rebates for refrigerators, more efficient washers

Don't leave your old fridge in the woods! Take New York State up on a rebate to replace it!
Rusty Clark / via Flickr

Today in your Trail Mix:

Snapping up rebates for new appliances.

Watchdogging how IDAs spend your tax dollars.

Kodak retirees' day in court.

Plus, the sustainable, comfy cow.

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10:15am

Mon March 19, 2012
Morning trail mix

Long road ahead for casino legalization in New York

New York is gambling on casinos improving its economy.
Håkan Dahlström / via Flickr

Today in your Trail Mix:

It's a fight! (Over who gets to run the state's still-hypothetical casinos).

Buffalo thinks it's so awesome it wants ANOTHER Center of Excellence.

The EPA weighs in on Dimock's water.

Plus, New York's improving graduation rates.

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10:22am

Thu March 15, 2012
Morning trail mix

Ups and downs in New York's yogurt boom

JelleS / via Flickr

Today in your Trail Mix:

The trials and tribulations of New York's dairy industry.

Vestal citizens turn out for a drilling ban.

Casino gambling clears a hurdle in the state legislature.

Plus, Cornell's rare flower is set to bloom.

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