Republican legislator Tim Burtis’ effort to create safe spaces outside places of worship met skepticism from Democratic legislators — and the promise of a lawsuit from a First Amendment expert.
Patrick McCarthy
Patrick McCarthy is a staff reporter at Central Current covering government and politics. A graduate of Syracuse University’s Maxwell and Newhouse Schools, McCarthy was born and raised in Syracuse and attended Nottingham High School.
Before joining the Central Current team, he worked as a writer at Friends of the Rosamond Gifford Zoo and wrote concert reviews for syracuse.com | The Post Standard. McCarthy also served as a contributing writer for TriplePundit, a publication focused on sustainability and corporate responsibility. In his role with Central Current, he provides access and transparency to elected officials – helping raise accountability and connecting readers to the decisions that shape Central New York.
Patrick McCarthy can be reached at pmccarthy@centralcurrent.org
Posted inSyracuse Housing Authority
Syracuse Housing Authority board elects new vice chair; Simmons resolute as Owens’ appointees take majority
Rickey Brown, a close ally of Mayor Sharon Owens, was voted in as the vice chair of the board of commissioners at Syracuse Housing Authority on Thursday.
Posted inCity of Syracuse
Syracuse lawmakers pass law banning biometric surveillance in public places
The ban follows the 2026 discovery that grocery giant Wegmans has been using biometric surveillance in its New York City stores.
Posted inLocal Artists
‘You must live’: Syracuse musicians, poet laureate to tell slain Gazan scholar Refaat Alareer’s story at benefit concert
Alareer, renowned for his depiction of life in Gaza under Israeli occupation, died in an Israeli airstrike. “Music for Palestine” is meant to spread the message of Alareer’s writings, organizers said.
Posted inCity of Syracuse
Syracuse lawmakers hear from expert about dangers of biometric surveillance ahead of vote that could the ban technology
Daniel Schwarz, senior policy analyst at the NYCLU, presented to Syracuse lawmakers about the dangers of biometric surveillance.
Posted inCNY Decides 2026
President Donald Trump has been pushing Congress to pass the SAVE Act. What would its passage mean?
As Democrats campaign to flip control of the U.S. Congress, Republicans hope to heed Trump’s calls to pass a controversial voter ID law before the upcoming midterm elections.
Posted inCNY Decides 2026
Is Central New York becoming a blue bunker for Congressional Democrats?
National and local experts expect New York’s 22nd Congressional District to stay blue. Candidates say different.
Posted inInterstate 81
Local advocates hope to avoid environmental inequality from I-81 demolition with new air quality monitors
Wary of past harm, three monitors will be installed at Syracuse community centers to boost residents’ air quality awareness as the I-81 viaduct comes down.
Posted inNews
Syracuse lawmakers table local law banning biometric surveillance in some public places
Three city councilors want to block businesses in Syracuse from collecting, storing, and sharing customers’ biometric information through proposed legislation that exempts financial institutions.
Posted inNews
Pulitzer-winning poet and Gazan refugee Mosab Abu Toha criticizes Le Moyne president for letter about his speech
An email issued by President Linda LeMura to the college’s community avoids mentioning Abu Toha by name but called attention to his use of the word ‘genocide’ in a speech at Le Moyne.