Chris Bolt

Central New Yorkers have grown all too accustomed to occasional beach closures over the summer due to unsafe levels of bacteria in the water. Cornell University and a bio-technology device maker are working on a new and much faster way to test the water and get swimmers back in the lake. 

For Ruth Richardson, this is where she says her heart meets her science.

The city of Syracuse is looking for some answers after a portion of wall fell from the elevated train tracks downtown Thursday.  Mayor Ben Walsh says for now, the debris has been cleaned up, but the portion of Clinton Street remains closed between Jefferson and West Onondaga streets.  He explains jurisdiction for the rail lines and the viaduct rest with the Federal Rail Administration and the New York Susquehanna and Western Railroad. 

Walsh wants to know if anyone knew the bridge was dangerous … and he’s looking for some information.

The Interim President of SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry is finding the college and its faculty are ready to put the tensions with the past president behind them.  Dr. David Amberg was chosen to spend a year or two repairing some of the damage.  President Quentin Wheeler announced his resignation last March … effective June 30th.  Amberg knows where he has to start bringing the college together.

It can be difficult and lonely being the caregiver for a veteran or member of the military here in Central New York … but some help and support is now available.  Kristin Muir is taking care of her husband Justin, who spent two tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“Some days he does really well and some days are really hard.  Sometimes he needs help getting out of bed; sometimes he needs to be stretched.  A lot of times it’s emotional helping him with his flashbacks and memories and just trying to keep him back on track.”

Many Central New Yorkers were directly affected by the Supreme Court ruling on the travel ban.  Recent refugees and immigrants, as well as local residents, were impacted emotionally and in concrete ways if they were hoping to be reunited with family members from other countries.  Local Islamic groups had a response some might find surprising.

In response to last week’s Supreme Court decision on the travel ban, Central New York Islamic Groups had a different reaction than just coming out in opposition.  And that came from the communities’ response to them.

Many Central New Yorkers worry about the costs of prescription drugs – whether that’s for prescriptions you’re now taking or medications you might need in the future.  Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has a proposal to stop whet she’s calling ‘price gouging.’

The setting of a health care institution – Crouse hospital – served as the backdrop for Kirsten Gillibrand to announce her plan to keep prescription drug prices as affordable as possible.  She notes the average cost of medications jumped 9-percent last year, four times inflation. 

It’s no secret what the main tactic will be for Republican Governor’s candidate Marc Molinaro this year.  During a visit in Syracuse Thursday, he raised numerous examples, linking Andrew Cuomo with ethics problems and corruption.  The question remains whether that can unseat the two-term governor. 

The two-day Jazz music event that’s part of Syracuse’s Arts Week will be back for its tenth year … as part of a series of summer concerts. 

The Northeast Jazz and Wine Festival gives jazz music fans their only major event, since the former M-and-T Jazzfest was cancelled for this year.