As Democrats take power in the Onondaga County Legislature, they’re reckoning with what they can — and can’t — do
Legislature Dems are trying to set their priorities for their year in power. “We’re not moving at a pace that I’d love to see,” said one legislator.
CITY AND GOVERNMENT
Central New York lawmakers, sparked by Wegmans, begin efforts to rein in biometric technology
Onondaga County legislators have drafted a proposed biometric disclosure law after Wegmans was revealed to be using biometric technology in New York City.
Sean Kirst: In nation’s snowiest large city, snow-blocked sidewalks, one hard winter and the needs of those on foot
In Syracuse, which receives extraordinary annual snowfall, pedestrians deserve an extraordinary annual response.
Syracuse wants to break up with Flock. Not so fast, company says.
Syracuse officials are moving to replace Flock Safety license plate readers. But Flock isn’t leaving without a fight — and pledges taxpayers will pay the price.
FEATURED STORIES
To fix ‘broken immigration system,’ Mannion helped expand ICE’s powers. Now, he wants reform.
Mannion voted for the Laken Riley Act, supporting Trump’s pledge for ICE to go after “the worst of the worst”. A year later, Mannion says that’s not what the country got from Trump’s immigration agencies.
Sean Kirst: The dog who knew the way out of the room
A rescue dog named Bentley, start to finish, did his job.
A majority of Onondaga County legislators want to help transfer Maple Bay. Here’s what’s standing in their way
Some Onondaga County lawmakers want to fulfill their decade-old promise to return the land to the Onondaga Nation.
More News
SHA has missed deadlines on the Choice grant by at least a year. Does it matter?
SHA failing to close on a third or fourth phase this year emphasizes the importance of a need for transition at leadership levels, Mayor Sharon Owens said.
Why Syracuse lawmakers’ voting session became a meltdown between activists and lawmakers
Members of the local chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America protested the Syracuse Common Councilors’ choice of Axon Enterprise as the city’s license plate reader provider.
Syracuse Common Council’s ‘good cause’ caucus flips key vote
Syracuse lawmaker Donna Moore, who previously and publicly pledged to vote against the legislation, said a tenant helped flip her opinion on ‘good cause.’
Syracuse lawmakers approve contract for Axon license plate readers, plan to block Flock Safety from city streets
Syracuse lawmakers plan to ground Flock Safety readers about a year and a half after introducing them to city streets. Lawmakers voted to replace them with Axon readers.
Sean Kirst: In Syracuse, marathon pioneer Kathrine Switzer returns to heart of storm
In an extraordinary JMA Wireless Dome ceremony, Switzer’s Boston Marathon bib number will be raised to a high place in the dome.
Syracuse police to pitch lawmakers on switching license plate reader provider
Police department officials plan to pitch Syracuse lawmakers on buying license plate readers from Axon, a longtime provider of police technology. Like Flock Safety, Axon has strong ties to the federal government.
Onondaga County Legislature rejects $1M settlement to end decades-long legal saga
Lawyers for the estate of Hector Rivas, who was accused of killing his ex-girlfriend in 1987, sued the county and alleged DA William Fitzpatrick used faulty evidence to convict Rivas.
How Syracuse lawmakers say they’re going to vote on ‘good cause’
Syracuse lawmakers are split on ‘good cause’ without about half saying they will vote for the legislation.
Mayor Sharon Owens is committed to the Children Rising Center project. Can Syracuse make it happen?
Almost a year after the development of the Children Rising Center came to a standstill, Mayor Sharon Owens’ 2026 State of the City address provided a glimmer of hope to restarting the project.
Syracuse lawmakers disappeared ‘good cause’ from their agenda. After a year, it’s back.
Housing advocates have heralded the legislation as a step forward for tenants. Now that ‘good cause’ is back, will it pass?
Sean Kirst: In Minneapolis shootings, a Lyncourt native wounded at Kent State hears familiar echoes
Tom Grace, one of 13 people shot by the Ohio National Guard in 1970 at Kent State, sees haunting parallels unwinding now.
Onondaga County to pay $100K to woman who in 2022 gave birth at jail to baby who later died
Cheree Byrd gave birth to her daughter Ayanna at the Onondaga County jail after jail and healthcare employees ignored for days Cheree’s claims that she was in labor. Ayanna later died.
Hochul proposes limited anti-ICE bill as Central New Yorkers rally for New York For All
Gov. Kathy Hochul proposed the “Local Cops, Local Crimes Act,” which would prohibit formal collaboration between local police officers and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
What could Mayor Sharon Owens’ 1st year in office have in store for Syracuse?
Housing, immigration, public safety and taxes are central for Mayor Sharon Owens, she said at her first State of the City speech.
The I-81 viaduct removal could create 12 acres of valuable land. Stakeholders still disagree on who should own it
City and state officials have disagreed for about two years who should own the land. The state has declined to identify where the land under I-81 will be.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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