Damage to the brain and the nervous system, headaches, hearing loss and other illnesses can all be caused by lead poisoning. On this edition of Need to Know Rochester we look at new stats in the Greater Rochester community on this preventable disease. Also on the show – from a body bag to a stage sharing his story around the country. We’ll learn about local man Fantastic Frank Johnson’s journey to turn disability into ability and his hope of inspiring millions in the process. And NPR’s Michele Norris makes a stop in Rochester to give us a peek into America’s views about race through her Race Card Project.

Friday marks the fifth anniversary of  the disappearance of Brittanee Drexel, the Chili teen who went missing while on spring break in Myrtle Beach.

Brittanee’s mother is still working to remind people that the search is still going on. Dawn Drexel is a lot closer now to the area where 17 year old Brittanee disappeared in 2009. Earlier this year, Dawn moved to the Myrtle Beach area. She says police in that region have kept this case active, but by her being close by, it helps her keep tabs on how the investigation is going.

As part of the YWCA’s Stand Against Racism, Rochester attorneys came together Thursday to discuss the past, present, and future of the right to vote.

On the minds of many in the room were numerous cases that have recently gone before the Supreme Court that affect voting rights around the nation—including the 2013 elimination of certain provisions of the 1965 Voting Rights Act.

Astrophysicist & Cosmos host Neil deGrasse Tyson (who comes to MCC April 30) talks about teaching kids science.

Also on hand, Sarah Carbone, biology teacher at Gates-Chili High School, talking about the value of science education. And, of course, reacting to what Tyson says.  

Former Rochester Councilwoman Ruth Scott  talks about her memoir; 

In the second half-hour, AutisumUp is here to talk about new, higher autism prevalence rates. They preview their annual gala, and talk about new approaches.

Guests include:  Sarah Milko and Jennae Moran of AutisumUp, and Lynn Cole of the Kirch Center at Strong.  

The city of Rochester is lining up a summer of special events at the Public Market.

City officials gathered at the market to outline the schedule which includes plenty of food and music, and a new event this summer: the Flour City Brewers' Fest on August 22nd.

Commissioner of the Department of Recreation and Youth Services, Marisol Ramos-Lopez, says the events highlight the growth of the Public Market.

The Republican candidate Rob Astorino is 30 points behind incumbent Governor Andrew Cuomo in the polls. But the candidate is undeterred, he says has identified a path to victory in the fall elections.

Astorino, in an interview with public radio stations and NYS- PBS's New York Now, says he’s already been through a race where he was behind by double digits, with a voter base that was two thirds Democratic. And he says he won that contest, for Westchester County Executive, and recently was re elected to a second term.

(AP & WXXI News ) Thousands of postal workers around the country are expected to protest the opening of postal counters in Staples stores that are staffed with retail employees. 

Thursday's protests are planned at 50 locations in 27 states, including one being held from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Staples store on East Ridge Road in Irondequoit.

Rochester area day care providers heard from a leading environmental health researcher this week about how toxic chemicals can impact our health.

Dana Dolinoy, head of the University of Michigan's Environmental Epigenetics and Nutrition Laboratory, says they've done research with pregnant mice that were exposed to the chemical bisphenol A (BPA).  It showed that their offspring were adversely impacted by that exposure.                  

  The WXXI news staff checks newspapers and websites to help keep tabs on what's happening in communities across New York state.