Scott Willis

A number of additional improvements are greeting visitors to this year’s New York State Fair, but what’s planned for next year that could transform the venue year-round.  Governor Andrew Cuomo helped open the fair this morning, and says while he’s impressed by this year’s new midway sky tram, there’s something else he says will truly boost attendance and tourism.

"I'm even more excited for the new Expo Center next year...130,000 square feet...the largest convention expo center north of New York City...in the entire Northeast," Cuomo said.

The results of this year’s Common Core related standardized tests show scores for New York’s school children inching up. Around one fifth of the children boycotted the tests altogether, due to continued controversy over the Common Core learning standards.

State Education Commissioner Mary Ellen Elia says she’s pleased with the progress made in the 2017 test results. While scores improved by nearly 2% from last year, the results show that only around 40% of students in grades three through eight are considered proficient in English and math.

Though not directly in its path, Central New York was abuzz Monday afternoon over the first total solar eclipse to cross the U.S. since 1979.  Hundreds of Syracuse residents gathered on Syracuse University campus for an Eclipse Party, hosted by the university’s physics department, sharing safety glasses and telescopes to catch a glimpse of the moon’s shadow.  Thrilled spectators found that communities often band together to share such unusual celestial experiences.

"It's so exciting!"

"I'm really excited...I'm hyped."

Central New Yorkers will be joining others from across the state and country Monday to catch a glimpse of a total solar eclipse.  Science shows the rare celestial event is part coincidence, but it was often misunderstood in ancient times.

Imagine you lived thousands of years ago, knew nothing of the planets and solar system, and the sun suddenly disappeared for a few minutes.  Cornell Astronomy Professor Phil Nicholson says it would be a surprise.

The tradition of progress and equality in Central New York is providing guidance in a dark moment gripping our nation.  Syracuse University’s Bird Library Friday hosted an impromptu showcase of rare documents, photographs, and other materials celebrating the work of activists and revolutionaries like Susan B. Anthony, Martin Luther King, and Gandhi.  While library exhibits usually take a year to prepare, Special Collections Research Senior Director Lucy Mulroney says recent events caused staff to organize the showcase in only a day.

Dozens of vendors will be on hand Friday evening at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo showcasing cuisine and art from a number of continents.  The Arts and Culture Festival is an effort to bridge cultural gaps and promote the area’s diversity.

While the festival was planned long before the violence in Charlottesville, founder and executive director of Believe in Syracuse John DeSantis says the celebration comes at a perfect time.

Distracted driving.  School bus safety.  Pedestrian awareness.  All were part of The Onondaga County Traffic Safety Advisory Board’s annual “Share the Road Expo” Wednesday at Destiny USA.  Police and experts from many agencies provided safety information, impaired driving simulators, and even a mini bike rodeo. Sergeant John Seeber at the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Department says it’s about staying safe and educating people of all ages about traffic safety.

Public health care in Central New York is safe for another year.  Utica-area Congressmember Claudia Tenney was awarded the Health Center Supporter Award by the Family Health Network of Central New York at a stop Wednesday in Cortland.  Network CEO Walter Priest commended Tenney for helping to secure $1.5 billion in federal health center funding in the 2018 House budget before the money ran out.