Our newsroom welcomed new readers and new reporters during our most transformative year yet.
Chris Libonati
Chris Libonati is the managing editor of Central Current. He is a founding editorial member of the organization and was hired as Central Current's first reporter. He previously worked at the Syracuse Post-Standard as crime and policing reporter before briefly covering Syracuse City Hall.
Chris was born and raised in a suburb of Rochester before attending Syracuse University. Contact Chris with a tip by phone at 585-290-0718 or by email at libonati@centralcurrent.org.
Posted inPolicing
Before the deportation
ICE agents came looking for a French national and the husband of a beloved Hawley-Green business owner, forcing the couple to contemplate a new, uncertain future.
Posted inElections 2025
Sharon Owens wins, will be Syracuse’s 1st Black mayor
Owens, who has served as deputy mayor for nearly eight years, is now set to serve another four years leading Syracuse.
Posted inElections 2025
Watch Central Current’s 2025 Syracuse mayoral forum
The candidates talked about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the redevelopment of Syracuse’s public housing stock and more.
Posted inElections 2025
Onondaga County elections guide 2025
Central Current reporters have conducted policy-focused Q&As with city and county candidates. See what they said.
Posted inAnnouncements
Central Current to host Syracuse mayoral forum
Syracuse mayoral candidates will be interviewed in a free public forum on October 23rd at the Everson Museum’s Hosmer Auditorium.
Posted inCity of Syracuse
Syracuse is set to change how it hands businesses tax breaks for the first time since 2016
The tax breaks intend to incentivize development around bus rapid transit routes, in priority neighborhoods and on brownfield sites.
Posted inCity of Syracuse
Draft audit of delayed payroll project delivered to Syracuse officials ahead of Thursday meeting
The Common Council on Thursday is meeting about the draft, which will not yet be made public at the time of the meeting.
Posted inNews
Central Current’s Patrick McCarthy appears on ‘Newsmakers’ program to talk Syracuse’s budget spat
McCarthy spoke with NewsChannel 9 reporter Andrew Donovan about this year’s budget cycle, which showed the divisions in city politics.
Posted inCity of Syracuse
Democratic mayoral candidates spar over budget, housing and more at Central Current forum
The three Democratic candidates for mayor — Deputy Mayor Sharon Owens, Councilor Pat Hogan and Councilor Chol Majok — will be on the ballot in June. On Thursday, they shared a stage to talk about the challenges facing Syracuse.