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.

Ways to Connect

LISTEN: Andreatta talks about his new role as CITY editor

By Beth Adams • Aug 22, 2019

Dave Andreatta will be the new editor of CITY Newspaper starting September 16.

WXXI acquired CITY in May, and the hiring of Andreatta was announced Wednesday by WXXI’s subsidiary, Rochester Area Media Partners.

Andreatta brings to the position nearly 20 years of experience as an investigative journalist and columnist for a variety of newspapers, most recently the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.

He will succeed CITY co-founder and co-publisher Mary Anna Towler, who is retiring.

80 dogs from Naples cruelty case will be available for adoption soon

By Beth Adams • Aug 21, 2019

Most of the dogs seized several weeks ago in an animal cruelty case in Naples will soon be looking for new homes.

The Ontario County District Attorney’s office says Richard Justice agreed to surrender all 85 of the dogs and Jane Justice relinquished her rights to 80 of the dogs taken from the couples' home.

Dianne Faas, shelter manager at the Ontario County Humane Society, says the dogs will soon be available for adoption, and there's no lack of interest.

Alleged victims of child sexual abuse in New York get their long-awaited day in court

By Beth Adams • Aug 13, 2019

Kevin Higley can't remember if it was the summer of 1987 or the summer of 1988, but he does know he was 14 years old and serving as an altar boy at St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Scottsville.

He said a parish priest, Father Paul Cloonan, asked him to go with him to visit a nearby monastery.

"And in the car on the way back from the monastery, he asked me if I could help him with a medical issue," Higley said.

Medical center uses theater-based training to help employees address bias, micro-aggression

By Beth Adams • Aug 12, 2019

Health care providers and staff at the University of Rochester Medical Center recently participated in an interactive training project to help them to deal with racism, bias, and micro-aggression in the workplace.

The training was prompted by reports from employees that they were encountering extremely biased patients, according to Adrienne Morgan, senior director of URMC's Center for Advocacy, Community Health, Education, and Diversity.

Macedon may be home to Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz' new arts center

By Beth Adams • Aug 9, 2019

A project with a lot of star power behind it may soon be coming to the town of Macedon.

Grammy-winning singer and songwriter Alicia Keys and her husband, hip-hop recording arist and music producer Kasseem Dean, known professionally as Swizz Beatz, are in the process of buying a 100-plus-acre former industrial site on Route 31.

That's where they want to locate a music and art campus for up-and-coming musicians and artists.

From despair to healing: A suicide survival story

By Beth Adams • Aug 7, 2019

On a warm, sunny July morning in Parma Town Park, Connor Stevely is playing fetch with Ella Mae, a big, panting chocolate Lab. Despite the increasingly intense sun, the dog never seems to tire of the game.

The Stevely family loves its pets – three dogs, a cat, and a hamster. But Ella Mae is special: She saved Connor's life on Dec. 2, 2017.

That's what Connor's mom, Diane Stevely, believes.

She and Connor’s younger sister, Morgan, had gone into town for a community Christmas party that night. Connor’s father, Greg, was at work.

73 dogs seized from Naples home

By Beth Adams • Aug 2, 2019

Authorities in Ontario County are asking the public for help after dozens of dogs were seized from a home at 7047 Lawyer Road in Naples.

In the home, 73 Carin terriers or mixed-breed terriers, were covered with fleas and matted hair. They were taken to a shelter in Canandaigua on Wednesday night after a complaint came in about several dogs running in the road.

Dianne Faas, shelter manager at the Ontario County Humane Society, says the dogs are also being treated for internal parasites. She thinks this was a case of animal hoarding.

Can Rochester dominate comic cons with Super City festival?

By Beth Adams • Jul 29, 2019

A Rochester business owner is planning a three-day festival on Aug. 23 through 25 to celebrate comics and pop culture.

Comic cons are typically held in one location, like a convention center, but Jason Hilton wants to turn that model on its head.

Hilton, the owner of Pop Roc on East Avenue, is calling the event Super City Rochester, a multi-venue, citywide festival in the style of the Fringe Festival or the jazz festival. Most events will be free.

12-year-old charged in racist graffiti incidents in Geneva

By Beth Adams • Jul 26, 2019

Police in Geneva said their investigation of two incidents of racist graffiti has led them to a 12-year-old suspect.

A swastika and the words "white power" were spray-painted on a storage shed, and two swastikas were spray-painted on the outside of a church.

A search warrant was issued for the suspect's home Thursday night. Police said they found enough evidence there to support the filing of a hate crime. They said the 12-year-old is the only person involved in the crimes.

The suspect, whose name has not been released, is being treated as a juvenile defendant.

Why TV frequencies are changing and how to tune in

By Beth Adams • Jul 25, 2019

Maybe you've heard our announcements about the fact that the FCC is mandating certain television stations to change broadcast frequencies, or perhaps you've had trouble tuning into WXXI-TV in the last day or so.

Beth Adams

Ways to Connect

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