Neeti Upadhye

A national charity awarded the RPD ballistic vests (and gave Amy Pierson a onesie for her 10-month-old daughter):

RPD awarded grant for protective equipment The Spirit of Blue Foundation, with help from the Rochester Lancers, donated the equipment, including ballistic vests.

It's with a heavy heart that the D&C bids farewell to Karen Miltner, our hilarious & highly talented food writer for 15 years!

Food writer says goodbye with cookie recipe Karen Miltner put together this Cornmeal-Coconut-Lemon Cookies recipe.

Sewn Seeds fashion show was quite the event- drink, dance, fundraising and, of course, exquisite local fashion:

Sewn Seeds surpasses expectations The sold out Sewn Seeds fashion show featured three local designers, craft cocktails and dance.

ICYMI: Gilda's Club auctioned off men for a good cause Friday.
You wouldn't believe how much some of these men went for!

Bachelors auctioned for charity 25 men participated in a bachelor auction to help fundraise for cancer support programming.

A city official was suspended over a racist Facebook comment:

City official suspended over Facebook remark Steve Cusenz, deputy emergency communication director, given five days without pay.

We've brought a new Senior Engagement Editor on board- one of many changes happening at the D&C:

It's time for us to break a few things Meet our new senior engagement editor, Julie Philipp. What exactly does a senior engagement editor do? It might be easier to understand if we call it what it really is: game changer.

Do you know the new stuff Greentopia Film Festival did this year?

Greentopia Film Festival embraces change The film festival added new events and offered ticket deals to reach a wider audience.

Explore Rochester is bringing the local Instagram community together (join us for today's :

#ROCstaMeet builds local Instagram community The Explore Rochester Instagram account is hosting the as part of a worldwide event.

Brockport addresses the racist "toxic discourse" on campus and on Yik Yak:

SUNY Brockport reacts to racist Yik Yaks The college has held severa; diversity workshops and written a letter to Yik Yak founders.

ICYMI: my coverage of St. Paddy's Day "It's no longer a party at this end -- its an alleyway to pass through":

Vibrant crowds for altered St. Patrick's parade Area businesses had mixed reviews about the parade route change.

Here was my story about Holi in Rochester! "It was such a lovely exchange of cultures"

Holi festival draws diverse crowd to Henrietta temple Holi, known as the Festival of Color, is an Indian holiday that celebrates the coming of spring.

Did you make it this year's Ugly Disco? Read about how older folks outpaced the young ones:

'70s fans dig Ugly Disco charity bash The Ugly Disco — an annual charity party now in its 12th year — was on course to bring in more groovy people and charitable dollars than ever before.

Using arts to change the world- I'm proud to tell the stories of inspiring black artists in our community:

Using the arts to change the world Local African-American artists are using their talents to bring about social change.

"They were friendly...they treated you like a human being"

Read Sarah's story (& watch my video) about why African-Americans moved here from the South --- and what's drawing them back now.

P.s. We made today's front page :)

African-Americans leave Rochester for jobs in South African-Americans move South for opportunities after families migrated North years ago.

Sen. Gillibrand came to UR today to discuss her latest campus sexual assault bill: "The biggest change in this bill is transparency"

Gillibrand, students discuss sexual assault bill Gillibrand, students discuss sexual assault bill

The Black Heritage Gala was a great way to wrap up Black History Month.

Black Heritage Gala focuses on culture Black History Month culminated in the 13th annual Black Heritage Gala on Saturday night.

A "few" cases of necrotizing fasciitis aka. "flesh-eating bacteria" are being treated at Rochester General Hospital

Flesh-eating bacteria cases at Rochester General A few cases of necrotizing fasciitis have been treated recently at Rochester General Hospital.

Here's a sneak peak inside the Rochester Auto Show:

Get ready for the 2015 Rochester Auto Show Dick Sherman, the car show manager, talks about some of the impressive vehicles on display.

Here are 10 things you can do this weekend (while I'm in Miami):

10 things to do this weekend Options include RYP’s Casino Royale Gala and the Wine About Winter fest.

Two urban artists are offering workshops this weekend in yoga, capoeira, rap and more to inner city families for $5 or less!

Restorative arts offered to urban families Bread & Water Theatre has moved to 172 W. Main St. and has launched a new project.

Worlds collided last night when a hip hop concert for peace was held at the Memorial Art Gallery

Hip hop concert at MAG promotes peace Hip hop concert at MAG promotes peace

Daniel Tosh, host of Tosh.0, is brining his comedy to Rochester. Ticket's go on sale Friday!

Tosh.0 host coming to Rochester Tosh.0 host coming to Rochester

Here's the story behind the winning yoga Instagram image! Thanks for participating - it was a lot of fun :)

Winning Instagram yoga photo had 'symmetry, simplicity' "I loved the symmetry, simplicity and symbolism encapsulated in the image," said reporter Neeti Upadhye.

The Roc Awards was a glamorous, uplifting night in Rochester. In case you missed it, here's how our local mini-Grammys went:

Roc Awards shine positive spotlight The 3rd annual Roc Awards honored nearly 45 people Sunday night.

Friends and neighbors: 19-year-old Pittsford homicide suspect was a nice boy: "From what I knew of him, he wasn't a cold-blooded killer."

Neighbors: Pittsford homicide suspect polite Police said Charles Tan allegedly killed his father, Ling Tan, 45, who was found dead inside 37 Coach Side Lane in Pittsford.

How do you get young professionals to the RPO? Beer, of course!

Beethoven & Brews draws younger crowd to RPO Rochester Young Professionals and Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra teamed up for the event.

I'm hosting an Instagram yoga challenge! Join in the fun & post pics with the hashtag . The challenge runs from Feb. 1-13- here is everything you need to know:

Picture This Rochester: Yoga challenge From Feb. 1-13, post yoga photos to Instagram using the hashtag . Join me on my first ever 30-day yoga challenge, show off your own unique poses or share photos of anything that takes you to a peacefu

How was your experience buying a record player? The true story of losing my vinyl virginity:

Joining the vinyl revival vinyl records record archive turntable