Sal Curran, the executive director of the Volunteer Lawyers Project of Central New York, presented to the council.
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 inPolicing
City reverses decision, Syracuse police drones to be reviewed by oversight group
City and Syracuse police officials planned on skipping the city’s surveillance technology oversight process until reporting by Central Current revealed their plan.
Posted inPolicing
Why Syracuse police, city officials plan to bypass surveillance tech review process to get ‘sci-fi-inspired’ drones
The new drones would fly to the site of a 911 call before officers arrive, often flying over areas unrelated to the call. City officials bypassed a surveillance technology review process they created to get the new drones.
Posted inCity of Syracuse
City auditor: Syracuse’s work on bike infrastructure behind; just 11% of work promised 12 years ago done
The city promised to improve bike infrastructure 12 years ago but has only completed 11% of the work, per a report by the city auditor.
Posted inNews
Syracuse Common Council approved $250K for police drone first response program
The drones could allow the department to send drones instead of officers, said Deputy Chief Richard Shoff.
Posted inOnondaga County
Onondaga County Legislature to take public feedback on proposed district maps
Onondaga County Democrats sued in 2022 Republicans and County Executive Ryan McMahon over maps they claimed were drawn improperly.
Posted inElections
How Onondaga County’s Democrats and Republicans each found disappointment in 2024’s elections
Local wins couldn’t offset Democrats’ anxieties over losing the presidency. Donald Trump’s win couldn’t offset the gut punch created by local Republican losses.
Posted inElections
Pamela Hunter holds off challenge to earn 5th term in New York State Assembly
Hunter has represented the district since 2015. She defeated Republican challenger Daniel Ciciarelli in the race.
Posted inElections
John Mannion unseats Rep. Brandon Williams in CNY Congressional race
Mannion will be the first Democrat to represent Syracuse in Congress since Dan Maffei’s term ended in 2015.
Posted inElections
New York state voters pass constitutional amendment that could protect abortion rights, AP projects
The amendment, labeled Prop 1, could also protect trans rights, supporters say. The Associated Press called the vote on Tuesday night.