Apr 08, 2013 — After founding his first stores elsewhere, Jefferson County's Frank Winfield Woolworth bought the building in Watertown where he'd gotten his start in the dry goods business, intending to raze it and build one of his own stores. Woolworth died before he could see it, but his company realized his plan and the building's a central part of the early history of the five-and-dime chain. After years of vacancy, two developers have plans to revive the landmark.  Go to full article

Rochester, NY, Dec 20, 2012 — The health industry in upstate New York is undergoing some rapid transformations, and all this week we're featuring reports from the Innovation Trail team on innovation in the region's health care sector. Today, imagine using your smart phone to avoid getting the flu. A new mobile app designed by researchers at the University of Rochester sifts through twitter feeds and alerts users to who around them might be contagious.  Go to full article

Rochester, NY, Oct 08, 2012 — A report from the New York State Labor Department shows the unemplyment rate in Upstate New York has gone up almost one percent in the past year, to 8.5 per cent as of August.

This past week, a mobile response team from the Labor Department began touring regions with the highest unemployment rates, with the goal of getting the long-term unemployed back to work.  Go to full article

Syracuse, NY, Sep 24, 2012 — It's estimated that one in four young people drop out of high school each year. This represents real trouble in terms of their future happiness, health and success, and it's a challenge to the ongoing development of an innovative and productive American workforce, as many young people feel disconnected from study and work.

In Syracuse, the situation is tough: The city's population is declining, and enrollment and funding for its schools are down. The city's graduation rate is barely 50 percent.

But a new program called "Say Yes to Education", implemented a few years ago, could improve the schools and the city.  Go to full article

Ithaca, NY, Sep 06, 2012 — Last summer, an anti-fracking group leaked a state transportation department document estimating the financial impact on New York's roads if hydro fracking for natural gas extraction goes ahead. The total expected was $200 to $400 million annually.

As the Innovation Trail's Ryan Delaney reports, many local governments have been working to make sure drilling companies will be accountable.  Go to full article

Buffalo, NY, Jul 12, 2012 — A small company in western New York wants to spark a "sensor revolution." They're going far beyond the household smoke detector. As the Innovation Trail's Daniel Robison reports, the startup has created buzz with a small keychain that reads temperature, dew point, carbon monoxide levels and more.  Go to full article

Buffalo, NY, Jun 11, 2012 — Since the founding of the United States, immigrants have played a role in creating communities. In some "rustbelt" cities, they're responsible for reinvigorating former manufacturing towns. In Buffalo, for example, more than 1000 refugees arrive every year. They are helping revive this shrinking city after a half century of decline.

Most immigrants are illiterate in their native languages, yet they are expected to learn English upon arrival. Literacy is seen as the refugees' the best chance to contribute to their new home and become successful in America. For our collaboration on literacy with WBEZ's Front and Center, Daniel Robison brings us this story from Buffalo, New York.  Go to full article

Niagara Falls, NY, May 24, 2012 — Over the last week, tightrope walker Nik Wallenda's been in Niagara Falls, practicing for his June 15th walk over the famous Falls. The Innovation Trail's Daniel Robison joined hundreds of people at the scene and found Wallenda's presence inspired an eclectic, carnival atmosphere in the hard scrabble city of 50,000.  Go to full article