Syracuse University and Baldwinsville schools avowed Flock’s merits while Congress heard testimony decrying license plate reader companies.
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 inJustice & Equity
Without confidence in Le Moyne’s commitments to free expression, Palestinian-American student plans to ensure campus can ‘hear it from the source’
Le Moyne College pledges a commitment to “genuine dialogue,” but a student who has sought an exchange of ideas on Palestine with their school’s leader said she hasn’t found it.
Posted inCNY Decides 2026
Rep. John Mannion declines Central Current debate, appearing to avoid only debate with live audience
Campaign manager Josh Ludden cited a lack of capacity when declining the forum, which appears to be the only local debate that would have allowed constituents to directly question candidates.
Posted inCNY Decides 2026
With two months to go until midterm elections, affordability could define the race for New York’s 22nd Congressional district
As Americans reel from rising costs of living, NY-22 candidates offer disparate plans to increase affordability.
Posted inImmigration
Congress has a plan to fight retail crime. Advocacy groups call it a ‘Trojan horse’ to expand federal surveillance, deportation initiatives
Retail industry leaders and bipartisan federal lawmakers say a new fusion center in the Department of Homeland Security will fight sophisticated crime rings. Civil liberties advocates see a thinly-veiled expansion of ICE’s stated mission.
Posted inEconomic Development
New York paused AI data center development for a year. In the interim, lawmakers want to block tax breaks
Gov. Kathy Hochul has signaled support for a Syracuse-based state lawmaker’s proposal to ban IDAs from floating tax breaks to woo data centers.
Posted inPolicing
A week after waffling, Citizen Review Board to resume investigations into Syracuse police misconduct
The board four months ago paused investigations because of legal advice from the city’s top lawyer. After three attorneys argued the city’s lawyer was wrong, the Common Council directed the board to resume its investigatory work.
Posted inPolicing
Councilor rules out resolution that CRB chairman says is necessary to resume investigations; board to meet Wednesday to discuss future
At the board’s last meeting, residents called on board members to accept the common council’s directive to resume police misconduct investigations, or resign.
Posted inCity of Syracuse
Research, edits and Thurgood Marshall’s voice: How Syracuse officials are using AI
Central Current set out to learn more about the role that AI is playing in local governance, and what Syracuse officials see as the ideal role of AI moving forward.
Posted inNews
Syracuse lawmakers direct Citizen Review Board to resume investigations of police, going against mayor, city lawyers
The decision followed a hearing at which three lawyers and advocates of the CRB pushed back against city lawyers.
