New study show one in four schools in Onondaga County have high lead levels in drinking water
27.3% of the schools in Onondaga County have at least one water outlet in public schools used for drinking or cooking that tested above the state’s standard of 5 parts per billion of lead.
LATEST REPORTING
After ‘horseplay’-less budget cycle, Onondaga County Legislature approves 2027 budget and $25 million housing program
County Executive Ryan McMahon had told legislators he would fund their priority project if there was no “horseplay” in the budget cycle. Everybody played along.
Video: The Laurie Woolever interview
Bestselling author Laurie Woolever is interviewed about her experiences covering the restaurant industry and working with Anthony Bourdain.
2026 Election Q&A: New York State Assembly 129th District candidate Maurice ‘Mo’ Brown
Brown, a Democrat, faces Republican Shawn Fiato in the race for the seat. The Democrat challenger took down longtime incumbent Bill Magnarelli in the Democratic primary in June.
I-81 AND PUBLIC HOUSING COVERAGE
Facing a labor shortage, SHA, developer host free construction workforce training for SHA residents
More than 150 people signed up for the training. Part of the challenge in hiring construction workers is the number of construction jobs happening in the region.
Syracuse Housing Authority breaks ground on second phase of public housing redevelopment
The new building will be called The Simmons to honor the decadeslong career of SHA’s former Executive Director Bill Simmons.
Meet new Syracuse Housing Authority board commissioner Bea González
González is Mayor Sharon Owens’ third appointee to the Syracuse Housing Authority board in the last year.
CULTURE
Sean Kirst: For three more months, at St. Lucy’s, cherishing ‘Father Jim’s Way’
A community surprise was unveiled last Thursday for a legendary priest, renowned for his outreach, who is set to retire on Jan. 1.
Sean Kirst: At birth, the doctors said Dave Murray might not live to be 5. A double lung transplant later, he just turned 70.
Born with cystic fibrosis, time and struggle taught Murray one especially vital key to daily life: Listening.
Sean Kirst: To honor a wife lost on Sept. 11, a guy who never forgets understands how the simplest moments mean everything
Twenty-five years later, Mark Morabito sees the greatest lesson in his life, amid vast grief, as following through on quiet things that matter most.
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EDITOR’S PICKS
Central Current presents: Laurie Woolever
Best-selling author Laurie Woolever will be interviewed live on Wednesday, September 30th about her work with Anthony Bourdain and how Syracuse sparked her journalism career.
Could the North Country get its Micron moment?
As the North Country makes a pitch for its role in the Micron supply chain, Micron has responded with donations.
What are the bottlenecks in housing production leading to Syracuse’s housing crisis?
Central Current dove into the issues clogging the pipeline of housing production and what city officials are doing to speed up construction as the region experiences unprecedented need.
SEAN KIRST’S UPSTATE JOURNAL
Sean Kirst: Jim Gifford’s life equaled faith in Elmwood. Saturday’s cleanup, in his memory, nurtures that spark.
An annual gathering in honor of a guy, lost to violence, whose everyday world represented full neighborhood commitment.
Sean Kirst: At newly-named Haudenosaunee Village, state fair goodbyes softened by all that’s coming next
Organizers say the excitement and pride intertwined with the new name only opens the door to the potential of a 2028 village centennial.
Sean Kirst: Until its last gasp, a second-hand lawn mower honored work of Syracuse small-engine wizard ‘Dr. Mark’
Fond memories of a throwback repair shop — and its memorable regulars — on Grand Avenue.
