Kevin Ryan’s decision not to OK county executive term limits for the November ballot leaves court as the likely route to settle Democrats’ and Republicans’ disagreement.
Laura Robertson
Laura Robertson is a staff reporter covering Onondaga County. Prior to joining Central Current, she lived on the edge of the Bering Strait in Nome, Alaska, where she worked as a reporter for a year. She graduated from Princeton in 2024, and speaks English, Farsi, and some Thai. She grew up just west of Binghamton in Tioga County and is excited to return to upstate New York.
Laura won the 2025 Nellie Bly Cub Reporter Award from the New York Press Club for her story on an infirmary profit model that led to dozens of deaths in New York State jails. A 2024 recipient of an Overseas Press Club scholar award, she’s interviewed Alaskan gold miners, Russian draft dodgers, and former Syrian freedom fighters, and reported from Tajikistan. She’s particularly interested in money flows, the intersections of business and politics, and how those things affect people on the ground.
You can reach her at lrobertson@centralcurrent.org with tips about things going on around the county, or with recommendations of ways to get to know Syracuse better!
Posted inNews
With New York State Fair naturalization ceremony canceled, a quiet ceremony in the Onondaga County Courthouse
Rowan Wilson, the state’s top judge, had planned on presiding over the state fair ceremony but traveled to Syracuse to preside over Wednesday’s instead.
Posted inOnondaga County
The Onondaga County Legislature got a lawyer back in April. The Democratic majority is using it to fight McMahon
Legislature legal representation is again at the center of a conflict after County Executive Ryan McMahon’s accidental signing of his own term limits.
Posted inNews
No takebacks: Democrats try to enforce McMahon’s accidental approval of his own term limits
McMahon, the county executive, sent an email to legislature clerk with a signed adoption document but later tried to send the clerk a veto.
Posted inUncategorized
Micron ceremonial concrete pour filled with celebration of American manufacturing
“I’m here to say: as goes Micron, goes America,” said New York Gov. Kathy Hochul.
Posted inOnondaga County
Onondaga County Legislature passes three term limit for county executive, comptroller
For the legislation to become law, County Executive Ryan McMahon has to sign off on it and a majority of voters have to approve it.
Posted inImmigration
Looming threat of ICE casts a shadow over Syracuse’s World Refugee Day
Organizers canceled World Refugee Day’s typical festival out of fear of ICE crackdowns. The event typically draws about 500 people, organizers said.
Posted inEconomic Development
Micron, Clay agree on $30M deal that could offset some effects of Micron’s arrival
The agreement between Micron and Clay still needs to be approved by the Clay town board to become final.
Posted inElections
Brown leads incumbent Magnarelli in Democratic primary for Assembly seat but race is too close to call
If Brown’s lead holds, he could be poised to complete one of the biggest upsets in Central New York political history.
Posted inElections
Charlene Tarver leads Democratic primary for Onondaga County Legislature’s 16th District
Charlene Tarver leads Nyatwa Bullock in the race. The winner is not likely to face a Republican candidate in the general election and could replace Legislator Charles Garland.
