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read more of central current’s coverage
Sean Kirst: In Syracuse, in a season for ghosts, Donald Trump collides with legacy of president who served when Trump was born
Seventy-four years ago, on his own campaign visit to Syracuse, Harry Truman described an American landscape powerfully opposite to how Donald Trump portrayed it Friday night.
Trump implores CNY Republicans to ‘pretend’ he is on the ballot ahead of midterms. Will they listen?
President Donald Trump’s visit to Syracuse is part of a nationwide campaign ahead of a critical midterm election that could decide the fate of Republicans in Congress.
Trump’s pitch to Central New York: Despite war, rising prices, a ‘golden age’ in America
The president spoke in Syracuse about New York energy, his own successes and the unfairness of the Nobel Prize Committee.
New study shows one in four schools in Onondaga County has high lead levels in drinking water
27.3% of the schools in Onondaga County have at least one water outlet in public schools used for drinking or cooking that tested above the state’s standard of 5 parts per billion of lead.
After ‘horseplay’-less budget cycle, Onondaga County Legislature approves 2027 budget and $25 million housing program
County Executive Ryan McMahon had told legislators he would fund their priority project if there was no “horseplay” in the budget cycle. Everybody played along.
Video: The Laurie Woolever interview
Bestselling author Laurie Woolever is interviewed about her experiences covering the restaurant industry and working with Anthony Bourdain.
2026 Election Q&A: New York State Assembly 129th District candidate Maurice ‘Mo’ Brown
Brown, a Democrat, faces Republican Shawn Fiato in the race for the seat. The Democrat challenger took down longtime incumbent Bill Magnarelli in the Democratic primary in June.
Sean Kirst: Jim Gifford’s life equaled faith in Elmwood. Saturday’s cleanup, in his memory, nurtures that spark.
An annual gathering in honor of a guy, lost to violence, whose everyday world represented full neighborhood commitment.
Syracuse’s Flock readers may have been removed, but the readers still flourish in Central New York
Syracuse University and Baldwinsville schools avowed Flock’s merits while Congress heard testimony decrying license plate reader companies.
Facing a labor shortage, SHA, developer host free construction workforce training for SHA residents
More than 150 people signed up for the training. Part of the challenge in hiring construction workers is the number of construction jobs happening in the region.
Syracuse Housing Authority breaks ground on second phase of public housing redevelopment
The new building will be called The Simmons to honor the decadeslong career of SHA’s former Executive Director Bill Simmons.
AOC comes to Syracuse in an effort to reengage dormant Democratic voters
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’ Monday trip to Syracuse was the last leg of a three-city tour across Upstate New York. She also visited Ithaca and Buffalo.
Sean Kirst: For three more months, at St. Lucy’s, cherishing ‘Father Jim’s Way’
A community surprise was unveiled last Thursday for a legendary priest, renowned for his outreach, who is set to retire on Jan. 1.
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.
‘All Are Welcome:’ All Saints Church rallies to remain a ‘safe space’ for LGBTQ+ Catholics
The parish, which ministers to the LGBTQ+ community, opposes the Syracuse Diocese opening a chapter of Courage International.
Democrats in CNY and labor unions disagree on how to regulate data centers. Why?
Unions and Democrats have long had a tight relationship. However, in Central New York, they are split on how to regulate data centers.
In November, you can vote on whether the Onondaga County executive will have term limits. How will it work?
This November, voters will have to turn over their ballots and decide: Do they want the county executive’s and comptroller’s term capped at 12 years, 16 years or not at all.
Sean Kirst: At birth, the doctors said Dave Murray might not live to be 5. A double lung transplant later, he just turned 70.
Born with cystic fibrosis, time and struggle taught Murray one especially vital key to daily life: Listening.
Podcast: The bottlenecks stalling Syracuse’s housing production
Reporter Debadrita Sur unpacks the zoning, permitting, and funding barriers that are keeping housing production goals out of reach.
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.
County Executive Ryan McMahon’s proposed 2027 budget: new housing initiatives, food pantry support and airport upgrades
The Onondaga County Legislature will hold weeks of budget hearings before the legislative body votes on whether to approve the budget.
Meet new Syracuse Housing Authority board commissioner Bea González
González is Mayor Sharon Owens’ third appointee to the Syracuse Housing Authority board in the last year.
Sean Kirst: To honor a wife lost on Sept. 11, a guy who never forgets understands how the simplest moments mean everything
Twenty-five years later, Mark Morabito sees the greatest lesson in his life, amid vast grief, as following through on quiet things that matter most.
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.
Sean Kirst: At newly-named Haudenosaunee Village, state fair goodbyes softened by all that’s coming next
Organizers say the excitement and pride intertwined with the new name only opens the door to the potential of a 2028 village centennial.
McMahon signs term limits compromise, ending spat until November
Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon repeatedly pointed out the similarities between the compromise reached through a judge and the one he proposed in late-July.
Syracuse Housing Authority Board Chair Ryan Benz resigns
Former Executive Director Bill Simmons complained to the federal government earlier this year accusing Benz of having an “apparent conflict of interest”— a claim that SHA counsel has dismissed and the developer has denied.
At the New York State Fair, Waymo sells its future as inevitable. Is it?
The company is gaining establishment political support and for a day has its own space at the Great New York State Fair.
Sean Kirst: Until its last gasp, a second-hand lawn mower honored work of Syracuse small-engine wizard ‘Dr. Mark’
Fond memories of a throwback repair shop — and its memorable regulars — on Grand Avenue.
Announcing an expanded twice-weekly newsletter
Central Current readers will now receive two newsletters each week: “Staying Current” and “One Big Story”.
Ahead of budget season, Onondaga County Legislature’s advisory board shares proposed solutions to housing crisis
The board derived its solutions from months of community work. Legislature Chair Nicole Watts hopes the proposed solutions end up in County Executive Ryan McMahon’s proposed budget.
Onondaga County Legislature takes next step in ending term limits spat
The term limits bill approved by the legislature would create a November referendum. The last step for its approval is for County Executive Ryan McMahon to sign off on it.
In Micron lawsuit, DOJ’s filing raises a question: Does national security trump state environmental law?
The DOJ has been using the threat of national security to pressure courts around the country to rule against environmental lawsuits. Now, that strategy has come to Central New York.
Sean Kirst: To Indigenous elder, what you feel at Lake Ontario is in the name itself
A Mohawk linguist says the essence of the lake — a female entity within his ancient language — is intertwined with the origins of the word “Ontario.”
New York shifts from reactive to proactive on lead safety in homes. Advocates question whether it’s enough.
The state has started ramping up its enforcement of a lead rental registry program approved in 2023 by lawmakers and Gov. Kathy Hochul.
