Beth Adams

Morning Edition Host

Beth Adams joined WXXI as host of Morning Edition in 2012 after a more than two decade radio career. She was the longtime host of the WHAM Morning News in Rochester, where she was recognized for her work by the New York State Associated Press Broadcasters Association and the New York State Humane Society. Her career also took her from radio stations in Elmira, New York to Miami, Florida.

Beth is active in the Rochester community, having volunteered for organizations including the Humane Society at Lollypop Farm, the Heart of Gold Children's Foundation, the Rochester Press Radio Club Children’s Charities, and the Rochester Broadway Theater League Education Committee. She is an avid reader of historical fiction and a devoted animal lover. Beth is married to award-winning writer and author Scott Pitoniak.

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'Mission Accomplished': Conkey Cruisers founder sees the end of the road

By Beth Adams • May 6, 2021

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Conkey Cruisers founder Theresa Bowick believes this will be the program's final season.

Theresa Bowick is not one to cower in the face of a challenge.

The founder of Conkey Cruisers has kept the neighborhood cycling program going through difficulties with drug trafficking and homelessness along the El Camino Trail where young and old learn to ride. When the organization's entire fleet of bikes was stolen in 2015, Bowick rallied the community to replace them with an even bigger collection.

The registered nurse has even persevered despite her own chronic illness -- a rare disorder that causes painful, golf ball-sized tumors to form on the soles of her feet.

But this next challenge may be insurmountable, even for Bowick.

New upstate tourism campaign appeals to cravings for road trips and local food

By Beth Adams • May 5, 2021

New York tourism experts say the great American road trip is back, and they're counting on people's pent-up desire for travel and cravings for regional food specialties to lure them upstate this year.

"That's what our data tells us," said Ross Levi, vice president and executive director of tourism at I Love New York, who added that people want to travel to close destinations reachable by car.

Tourism organizations from Buffalo to Binghamton are collaborating on a new campaign called "Upstate Eats Trail."

All-girls elementary charter school proposed in Rochester

By Beth Adams • May 4, 2021

A 10-member board is proposing an all-girls elementary school in Rochester.

The proposed Innova Girls Academy Charter School would focus on a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) curriculum for girls in kindergarten through sixth grade.

The board is also collaborating with Girl Scouts of Western New York to establish the school as the state's first Girl Scouts Academy.

Online groups form in support of embattled Gov. Andrew Cuomo

By Beth Adams • May 3, 2021

Many people from across the political spectrum have called for Gov. Andrew Cuomo's resignation in light of a series of scandals, including numerous allegations of sexual harassment.

But various groups of Cuomo supporters are organizing and getting more vocal on social media. An East Rochester woman moderates two online groups supporting the embattled governor.

Mixed messaging confuses organizers about whether to hold events

By Beth Adams & Megan Mack • Apr 28, 2021

Even as COVID-19 vaccination rates grow and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention eased its recommendations for outdoor masking, another Rochester summer festival has been canceled.

Some say government leaders are sending inconsistent and confusing messages on what is and isn't safe.

Expanded child tax credit will have impact, but some may miss out without knowing

By Beth Adams • Apr 28, 2021

Congress passed the expanded federal child tax credit as part of the latest stimulus package. While eligible families can get the credit, some may miss out because their income is below the income threshold for filing taxes.

Environmentalists concerned about pollution created by disposable masks

By Beth Adams • Apr 22, 2021

On Earth Day, environmentalists are calling attention to the pollution caused by disposable face masks.

The marine conservation organization Oceans Asia estimates that 1.5 billion of them ended up in the world's oceans in 2020.

Most disposable masks are made from multiple types of plastic.

Foodlink phasing out emergency drive-through food distributions

By Beth Adams • Apr 21, 2021

Foodlink is phasing out its drive-through food distribution events in Monroe County that started over a year ago at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic.

The effort was never intended to be more than an emergency stop-gap measure.

"It enabled us to get a lot of food to a lot of households in a very safe manner as we were struggling through this public health crisis," said Foodlink president and CEO Julia Tedesco. "We knew it couldn't last forever; it's not a very sustainable model."

Prevention program played key role in exposing alleged abuse at Hilton school

By Beth Adams • Apr 20, 2021

It was a call to a hotline that triggered an investigation into the alleged sexual abuse of nine students at Northwood Elementary School in Hilton.

"This child indicated that he was empowered and he found a safe adult, and the safe adult took it from there," said Stefanie Szwejbka, manager of community education at Bivona Child Advocacy Center.

COVID vaccine pop-up sites coming to New York farms

By Beth Adams • Apr 15, 2021

New York farm workers are now eligible to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

The Cuomo administration was criticized for not including them among other groups of essential workers who became eligible weeks ago.

The state and local health departments are coordinating pop-up clinics at farms to bring the vaccines directly to farm workers.

Mary Jo Dudley, director of the Cornell farmworker program, says designated migrant health centers, such as Finger Lakes Community Health, will also be part of the effort.

Beth Adams

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