Gov. Kathy Hochul announced plans for the state’s power authority to develop another nuclear reactor to provide more energy to the state. The announcement touched off debate among renewable energy advocates.
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 inElections
Fresh off primary loss, Syracuse lawmaker Amir Gethers plans run against Rachel May
Gethers tallied 16% of the vote in a four-way Democratic primary for an at-large seat on the Common Council. May is one of Central New York’s most progressive members in the state delegation.
Posted inElections 2025
Syracuse Democratic leaders pick the losing candidate again
For the third straight mayoral cycle, voters rejected the Democratic party endorsed candidate. Deputy Mayor Sharon Owens trounced Councilor Pat Hogan, the designated candidate.
Posted inOnondaga County
Chad Ryan defeats Tammy Honeywell in Democratic primary for Onondaga County Legislature’s 8th District
Ryan will face incumbent Republican Shawn Fiato in November’s general election. Honeywell was designated by the Working Families Party and will be listed on the November ballot.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Should government punish polluters? Why New York’s Climate Superfund became a federal flashpoint
New York passed landmark legislation to make polluters pay for climate harm. But a series of Republican lawsuits look to end NY’s Climate Change Superfund before it begins.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
We asked the 3 Democratic mayoral candidates your questions. Only 1 responded.
Sharon Owens is the only candidate who responded to the 10 questions, most of which were submitted by Syracuse residents who attended Central Current’s mayoral forum.
Posted inCity of Syracuse
Syracuse police have access to a nationwide network of license plate reader data. Who has access to theirs?
Deputy Police Chief Richard Shoff said the department is looking into whether it opted into sharing its license plate reader data with other police departments.
Posted inCity of Syracuse
Syracuse lawmakers, Walsh spar again over payroll modernization project
The Common Council on Thursday held a committee meeting about an unreleased audit of the project. Mayor Ben Walsh released the report an hour later.
Posted inElections 2025
Watch mayoral candidates clash at Central Current’s 2025 Democratic primary forum (video)
In addition to the video of the forum, you can read the transcript.
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.