UTICA/ROME -- The City of Utica is in line for some pretty positive attention in the national spotlight this summer. Interestingly, some might credit the well-publicized controversy over plans for a new mosque near Ground Zero in New York City earlier this year. Utica's the focus of an upcoming episode of State of the Re:Union, slated to air on more than 250 NPR affiliate stations nationwide.
Locally, the episode will air in July on Oswego-based WRVO, which is simulcast in Utica market on 91.9 WRVN.
According to the Utica Observer-Dispatch, producers were attracted to Utica when -- during the Ground Zero controversy -- they had heard that Utica was open to a new mosque in its own downtown, without any national-level arguments. Producers told the paper they visited Utica in January and spoke with residents to find out what they like about Utica.
The O-D reports there "is no set schedule" when the program will air. CNYRadio.com contacted WRVO Assistant GM for Content Fred Vigeant, who says the show will air on the WRVO Stations on Sunday, July 10 at 3pm. The program will be repeated the next day at 10pm. (The series, in general, will begin airing on June 19 at 2pm, with additional episodes to follow every Sunday.)
Because State of the Re:Union is "a short run occasional series," Vigeant explained, "[it] doesn't have a coordinated air time like most other programs we air." He says the program is produced "in batches of 5 episodes and then WRVO is free to air them whenever." (So, if you're a CNY native who has since moved elsewhere, check with your own local NPR affiliate to see if/when they will air the show.)
State of the Re:Union also has the episode, entitled "Utica, NY -- City With a Warm Heart" (and the rest of its Season Two episodes), available for download on the show's own website.