Mayor Sharon Owens appoints new ally to SHA board to replace administration official
Douglas Reicher was appointed to the Syracuse Housing Authority board after Stephanie Pasquale’s hiring by the city disqualified her from serving on the board.
CITY AND GOVERNMENT
How a state bill proposed by state Sen. Rachel May could reshape property taxes in Syracuse — and spur development
Mayor Sharon Owens has expressed early interest in the bill, which could allow Syracuse to opt into a pilot program to change how property is taxed.
Sean Kirst: As Sean McDermott leaves Bills, two families he helped amid great loss offer their thanks
“This was just a very kind human being,” says Veronica Borjon — a witness to how McDermott quietly showed up, at the hardest time, to offer comfort.
Owens to ask councilors to ‘double down’ on funding her vision for Syracuse after last year’s budget battle
Mayor Sharon Owens is beginning her first term by trying to prevent last year’s budget brawl between the Syracuse Common Council and city administration.
FEATURED STORIES
Syracuse lawmakers to urge governor, state legislature to enact ‘New York For All’
The state legislation seeks to protect immigrants from dangerous elements of Trump’s deportations, including ICE collaboration with local police departments.
New Syracuse Housing Authority board member — at least temporarily — cannot serve
New city Chief Strategy Officer Stephanie Pasquale cannot serve on SHA’s board. It’s unclear whether the city will move to replace her.
Sean Kirst: For Dr. King’s Day, a voice of witness and a reminder to ‘stand when you’ve got to stand’
Pastor Ester Daniels, mother of new Mayor Sharon Owens, offered a civic message that is preface to everything we remember today.
More News
At least $85M at risk for Onondaga County after Trump freezes funding for low-income families
The freeze is tied to a Minnesota fraud scandal. Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon, a Republican, called on Trump to restore funding to New York counties.
Onondaga County legislators are still getting emails asking them to stop the aquarium. It’s too late, they say
Legislators acknowledged the aquarium will open this year and plan to turn their attention to making the aquarium work for residents.
Sean Kirst: For fervent ‘Mama J,’ legendary Bills fan from Camillus, a victory hug with Josh Allen’s mom
Amid jubilation in Jacksonville — Joanie DeKoker’s 259th straight Bills game — an unexpected moment with parents of beloved QB.
Sean Kirst: Straight from Camillus, ‘Mama J’ earns her place among greatest Bills fans of them all
Joanie Podkowinski DeKoker will mark her 259th straight Bills game in Jacksonville — while sharing the playoff dream every Bills fan knows so well.
Upstate county lawmakers are pushing legislation to enforce biometric surveillance disclosure. Will Onondaga County follow suit?
Recent downstate reporting revealed Wegmans is using biometric surveillance to scan customers’ faces. Some upstate legislators want to make businesses like Wegmans disclose surveillance tools to customers.
A bill sponsored by a Central New York state senator could stop biometric surveillance at stores like Wegmans
State Sen. Rachel May, D-Syracuse, in 2025 sponsored a bill that could stop biometric data collection in places like grocery stores. Wegmans has began biometric surveillance of customers in New York City.
Section 8 has expanded for Pioneer Homes residents. Is Onondaga County’s housing stock ready?
In August, Section 8 expanded for Pioneer Homes residents. Just five families of 34 who took a Section 8 voucher to temporarily leave public housing have found new housing.
Sean Kirst: Through a ‘year in quotes,’ a columnist reflects on struggle, love and inspiration in 2025, from Syracuse and beyond
A courageous parks commissioner, after great loss. A new mayor inspired by the sheer resilience of her mother. The passing of a selfless humanitarian legend, in Buffalo: Words put to heart and soul, in 2025.
Wegmans added facial recognition technology to NYC stores, won’t say if it plans the same for Central New York stores
Wegmans’ stores in New York City are scanning and storing customers’ faces, eyes, and voices.
Sean Kirst: In fitting gesture for last game at Highmark, Bills provide tickets for America’s first ‘Boomer’
Buffalo’s Al Nachreiner, longtime Bills fan and first ‘Baby Boomer’ to reach 80, feeling strong to be there despite treatments for lung cancer.
Democratic county legislators appoint Nicole Watts chair of the legislature — but not without drama
Before the session, the Republican caucus sent out a press release accusing the Democratic appointments of signaling “far left chaos.”
Sean Kirst: A reflective ‘Mr. 1946,’ point man as ‘Baby Boomers’ reach their 80s, appreciates why Bills took all-or-nothing chance
Despite a cancer diagnosis that he tries to take in stride, Al Nachreiner looks back on his life and says: ‘I’m happy.’
Will New York state legislators bring New York For All to a vote?
State Democrats say New York For All could blunt parts of Trump’s deportation agenda — but in five years they’ve never brought the legislation to a vote.
Sean Kirst: A ‘Resolution Run’ with New Year’s chance to light candle for young readers
A fitting opportunity to honor Eric Carle, a Syracuse-born children’s literature legend.
Sean Kirst: Ben Walsh sometimes made choices in reverse of his mayoral ‘grampa,’ but believes higher goals bind them still
Separated by 60 years, Bill Walsh and his grandson Ben had different City Hall visions of growth and planning — but identical visions of service, the mayor says.
Onondaga County lawmakers approve $550M plan to upgrade wastewater treatment plant amid concerns about sewer rates
Legislators also voted to approve the issuance of up to $515 million in bonds, the most in the county’s history, according to Comptroller Marty Masterpole.
Sean Kirst: On Christmas morning, a card with our wish for longtime readers
For a gray-haired columnist, a Yuletide reflection of gratitude about renewing bonds forged over many years.
Sean Kirst: For 34 new citizens, a judge who sees their dreams given voice by the ‘Mother of Exiles’
For one couple from Iraq, young children in their arms, a gateway to new hope after a long, hard journey.
Syracuse Housing Authority to close on financing for second phase of East Adams redevelopment
The redevelopment of public housing, valued at $1 billion, will be stretched across several phases.
Blueprint 15 taps Sarah Walton LaFave as executive director
The interim executive director at Blueprint 15 will stay on as its leader during the redevelopment of public housing on Syracuse’s Southside.
Sean Kirst: In mist of snow, graveyard quests of “hearts and souls” lead to wreaths for veterans
At the Onondaga County Veterans Memorial Cemetery, family members used their hands to dig out tombstones, hidden by deep snow.
Why Onondaga County legislators may approve the largest bond issuance in the county’s history
For Micron to come to Central New York, it would need a significant upgrade to the Oak Orchard Wastewater Treatment Plant. A supermajority of legislators would have to vote to issue up to $515 million in bonds.
Why Flock will get to keep Syracuse drivers’ ‘anonymized’ data even if lawmakers cancel their contract
Against the advice of his own working group, Mayor Ben Walsh granted Flock the right to keep Syracuse drivers’ anonymized data.
Sean Kirst: As ‘Freedom of Espresso’ turns 30, recalling a Chuckie Holstein truth to fit the milestone
The fight against a corporate giant is the famous story, but maybe the real lesson for Syracuse is what 30 years represents.
Gov. Kathy Hochul again spikes bill meant to reform nonprofit contracting with the state
Nonprofits in Central New York and throughout the state have pushed for Hochul to sign multiple versions of the bill.
Progressive Maurice ‘Mo’ Brown exploring run against longtime state legislator Bill Magnarelli
Magnarelli has represented Syracuse in the New York State Assembly since 1999. He has not faced a primary challenge since at least 2012.
Sean Kirst: In shadow of state football playoffs, city dreams — old and new — at Roosevelt Field
Remembering a landmark game, 62 years ago, that marked changing eras on a South Side field the city school district hopes to restore.
Former city school board member to run for Charles Garland’s Onondaga County Legislature seat
Garland is not running for re-election next year, a promise he made to colleagues if they made him chair of the legislature. “I don’t have to become chair to keep a promise,” he said.
Syracuse Housing Authority could begin redevelopment of Eastwood Heights in early 2026
SHA officials say they expect to close on financing for the $25.9 million redevelopment project by the end of 2025.
Onondaga County Legislature Democrats, Republicans have spat over ‘lame duck’ appointments
Democrats argued the appointments should have waited until the party in January takes control of the legislature.
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