Politics & Government

Central New York contractors and business advocacy groups are hoping the approaching new year finally brings reform to a nearly 130-year-old liability law.     "The scaffold law is such an indicator of what we refer to as the old New York."

Brian Sampson is with the pro-taxpayer and economic growth group Unshackle Upstate…

  New York is throwing fewer than half the children and teens in jail than it did a decade ago.  The state was singled out by the National Juvenile Justice Network, which is trying to further reduce youth incarceration.  

This week’s Syracuse Common Council Meeting marked the last for second district councilor Pat Hogan.  He’s represented parts of the city’s north and west sides for eight years, and term limits kept him from running again. But Hogan DID run for mayor, ultimately conceding he couldn’t win against a well-funded, party backed incumbent.   

Pat Hogan’s final term representing the Syracuse Common Council’s Second District ends December 31st.  He’ll be succeeded by Chad Ryan.  

  Retired Onondaga County Sheriff's Supervisor Toby Shelley wants to be the first new face in the job in 20 years.  He made the announcement Monday that he'll run for Sheriff in 2014, after an unsuccessful bid in 2010.  That's when Kevin Walsh won his 5th term in the post.  Walsh previously said he'll make a decision on running for reelection in January or February.  

EXPERIENCE ON DIFFERENT LEVELS

Around the world, people are mourning the passing of former South African president, Nelson Mandela. He is remembered as a revolutionary against Apartheid and as a world leader.