Features

Cannabis has long held a complex place in society—stigmatized in some circles, celebrated in others. But one truth is becoming increasingly clear: when used responsibly, it can positively influence the creative process.  Across music, visual art, writing, and other mediums, artists cite cannabis as a tool that enhances focus, opens perspectives, and sparks new ideas. Moderate use can reduce stress, encourage divergent thinking, and support emotional well-being, helping creati

New research from the American Cancer Society shows that colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer death in people under age 50 in the United States. Three out of four people under age 50 diagnosed with colorectal cancer are found to have cancer at a late stage, when it is harder to treat. Katlyn Newberry March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. The Cancer Services Program (CSP) of the Finger Lakes Region wants people to know that this trend can be changed. Gett

It took just a single word to ignite an international conversation, a word no one invited, no one expected, and that, for one man, came unbidden. At the 79th BAFTA Awards, John Davidson, a Scottish advocate for Tourette’s syndrome and inspiration for the film I Swear , experienced a vocal tic that produced a racial slur as Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented an award. What was meant to be a celebration of life and resilience suddenly became a lightning rod for debate

From the neighborhoods of Rochester to doctoral halls and district leadership tables, Dr. Shalonda Garfield’s life traces a line many systems were not built to accommodate — yet one she refused to let define her limits. Born and raised in Rochester, Garfield describes her childhood as “interesting” — marked by poverty, yet animated by imagination. As a little girl, she played school with her siblings, already rehearsing a future she could not yet see but somehow sensed. She w

Demitria Lawton-Greggs On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, I talked over the phone with Demitria Lawton-Greggs, principal of Flower City School No. 54, to talk about legacy, not as abstraction or slogan, but as something lived daily in classrooms, hallways, and hard conversations. For Lawton-Greggs, King’s legacy is not simply remembered; it is practiced. “King opened doors,” she told me. “The fact that we can have all types of people sit in one room, not worry about status, not

AI created image of President Donald Trump When Donald Trump has mused publicly about serving a third term as president, the response from many allies and critics has been familiar: dismiss it as a joke, provocation, or “Trump banter.” Supporters often frame the comments as sarcasm meant to irritate opponents or excite crowds, while even some Republican lawmakers insist the Constitution makes such speculation moot. But Trump’s political history complicates that dismissal. Aga

As the Buffalo Bills prepare for the NFL playoffs, M&T Bank is rolling out 25,000 newly designed “Billieve Together” flags at its branches across Rochester and Buffalo, offering fans a free way to show their team pride. The flags are part of M&T’s “Football Brings Us Together” campaign, an initiative highlighting the shared values and community spirit that unite Bills fans throughout Western New York. The banners, commonly seen at tailgates, inside the stadium on game days an

Reconnect Rochester hosted a community event Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, at the Little Theatre featuring a screening of the PBS documentary Walkable USA , followed by a panel discussion with local leaders about efforts to make Rochester a more walkable city. Panelists: Shawn Dunwoody of Dunwoode Design and vice president of Hinge Neighbors; Galin Brooks, president and CEO of the Rochester Downtown Development Corporation; and Erik Frisch, deputy commissioner of neighborhood and b

When a seminary built for contemplation decides its place is no longer above the city but within its noise, movement, and longing, the ground shifts beneath it. After more than a century overlooking Highland Park, Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School (CRCDS) has stepped off its hilltop and into the pulse of downtown Rochester. For a 206-year-old institution, the move to the historic Sibley Triangle Building signals more than a change of address. It signals a shift in mora

Rapper Toosii, a Syracuse native, Announced He Will Join Syracuse University Football Program Syracuse native and platinum-selling rapper Toosii is returning to his roots — not on stage, but on the field. The 24-year-old artist, known for hits like “Love Cycle”  and “Favorite Song,”  is set to join the Syracuse University football program, the school confirmed Monday. Toosii, born Nau’Jour Grainger, will enroll as a non-traditional student-athlete and participate as a walk-on

Shoppers across the United States are pouring into stores and scoured online retailers Friday as Black Friday 2025 kickes off, but early indicators show consumers are spending more cautiously than in previous years despite an aggressive push from retailers to offer deep discounts. According to retail analysts, this year’s Black Friday traffic is strong, but shoppers are prioritizing essential items, gifts, and modest electronics over large luxury purchases. Economic pressures

Sister Grace Miller, who dedicated decades of her life to serving the city’s most vulnerable, died Thursday at age 90. Known for her radical compassion and unwavering advocacy, Miller’s work transformed Rochester’s response to homelessness and left a lasting legacy of care, dignity, and inclusion. Who was Jesus the Christ? Scholars, theologians, and seekers have offered countless answers: a Jewish rabbi, a rebel against Rome, a Buddhist sage, a Hindu avatar, the Messiah, God