Lucas Willard
Assistant News Director, Host/Producer, The Best of Our Knowledge and WAMC Listening Party/ReporterLucas Willard graduated from the State University of New York at Fredonia in 2010 with a Bachelor of Science in Communications. He also attended the Salt Institute for Documentary Studies in 2010, where he studied audio and multimedia storytelling.
Prior to joining WAMC in 2011, Lucas worked with the Sound and Story Project of the Hudson Valley, the Big Shed Audio Documentary Podcast, the Albany Broadcasting Company, WDVL & WCVF-FM Fredonia, and WSUC-FM Cortland.
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On this episode, we’ll learn how an introduced fish population in the Adirondacks has evolved to avoid capture. New research has revealed neurons tied to binge drinking. And we’ll spend time with historians working to bring back a centuries-old barn in the Berkshires. -
The fight for clean water in Hoosick Falls is chronicled in a new book by Mariah Blake called “They Poisoned The World: Life and Death in the Age of Forever Chemicals." -
The flooding in central Texas caused by extreme precipitation last week has killed more than 100 people, and more than 160 people are still missing. -
The “One Big, Beautiful Bill Act” passed by GOP lawmakers and signed into law by President Trump last week contains a number of policy changes, tax breaks, and spending cuts to execute the Republican’s second-term agenda. -
Playlist for Saturday, July 5th, 2025 -
Smallmouth bass are prized by anglers but, when introduced to waters outside of their natural range, can outcompete native species.Despite years of eradication efforts in the Adirondacks, researchers at Cornell University find small mouth bass populations have not decreased significantly and have, in fact, evolved.WAMC's Lucas Willard spoke with evolutionary biologist Dr. Liam Zarri, now a Smithsonian postdoc at the National Zoo in Washington D.C. -
The Best of Our Knowledge explores topics on learning, education and research.Unlocking a genetic mystery, scientists studying an unusual jellyfish-like creature have determined the animal to have multiple lineages.A new report examines an adolescent literacy gap.And we’ll visit a new museum dedicated to all things pinball. -
Playlist as aired on Saturday, June 28th, 2025
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The Best of Our Knowledge explores topics on learning, education and research.On this episode, we’ll learn how artificial intelligence is allowing scientists to understand brain function. A new algorithm illuminates the brain’s internal wiring. Researchers are gaining new insight into the brain’s reward system. -
Playlist for Saturday, June 21, 2025
