local news

NY Senate GOP Votes Down Democrats Gun Control Measures; Sen. Schumer: "Package Ready by Week's End"

By Person: Scott Willis & Natalie Fahmy & Karen DeWitt • Feb 28, 2018

The leader of the New York State Senate Democrats says she’s disappointed that her Republican colleague voted down a package of gun control measures that Democrats brought to the floor Wednesday. Andrea Stewart-Cousins says she was initially optimistic.

Southwest Community Center Hopes to Send Powerful Messages with Black History Play

By Leo Tully & Natalie Fahmy • Feb 28, 2018

The Southwest Community Center in Syracuse has been spending time during Black History Month rehearsing an emotionally-heated play that premieres this Friday. It follows African Americans from the Civil War through today. Valerie Hill is the Director of Community Services at Syracuse Community Connections and the woman responsible for writing the play. She spoke about a pattern of unfortunate incidents that inspired her to write it.

Child Sex Abuse Survivors Turn up Heat on State Senators

By Scott Willis & Karen DeWitt • Feb 28, 2018

Advocates who want the Child Victims Act passed in New York are stepping up the pressure on Republicans in the State Senate. Some GOP Senators are the final hold outs against a bill that would extend the statute of limitations and open up a one year window for past victims to file civil lawsuits.

The measure would allow someone to take court action up until the victim is the age of 50. The current age limit is 23.

SCSD's $24 Million Budget Deficit Might Not be as Bad as it Seems

By Scott Willis & Ford Hatchett • Feb 27, 2018

A gap of $24 million in the Syracuse City School district budget might not sound good. But Chief Financial Officer Suzanne Slack says it’s actually smaller than past years.

"We usually have between a $30 and $40 million gap each year that we work to close through the budget process. When we came in under 30 we were a little bit excited about that. It's still a problem, but to know that it's going in the right direction was a bit of a surprise."

U.S. Supreme Court Case on Union Dues Could Have Big Impact in New York

By Scott Willis & Karen DeWitt • Feb 27, 2018

A case heard Monday in the U.S. Supreme Court and to be decided later on this year could have a big impact on public worker unions in New York.

The case, known as Janus v AFSCME, was brought by Mark Janus, a public employee in Illinois, who is challenging his state’s policy of requiring that he pay union dues to the Illinois branch of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, even though he does not want to be a member.

Janus and his lawyers say the mandatory payments violate his First Amendment right to not be compelled to fund political speech.

How Might DeWitt Police Handle Reports of a Student Who Might be a Threat?

By Scott Willis • Feb 26, 2018

The police chief in DeWitt says numerous entities are ready to jump in to action if there’s a report of someone who might become a threat at a school or in the community at large. Meanwhile, the debate continues in Florida over what people knew about the shooter and what could have been done to stop him.

Syracuse Common Councilors Join National Effort to Levy a Carbon Fee

By Scott Willis & Web Editor & Olivia Proia • Feb 26, 2018

Syracuse Common Councilors jumped aboard a larger national movement that would levy a carbon fee on fossil fuels and return that money to households. The Carbon Fee and Dividend climate change resolution, sponsored by councilor Joe Driscoll, would add a $15 fee to every ton of fossil fuel. He said that figure is based on the environmental costs of CO2 emitted by the fuel.

Etan Thomas to Discuss Activism in Athletics and His New Book at SU

By Vivian Whitney & Chris Bolt • Feb 26, 2018

SU alum and former NBA player Etan Thomas will give a talk at Syracuse University tonight about athletes' role as activists and their ability to speak out against societal issues like race relations, police brutality, and sexual assault.

In his recent book, “We Matter: Athletes and Activism,” Thomas describes recent and past activism in athletics and its perception by the public and the media, informed by both experience and over 50 interviews with notable athletes and figures. Thomas explains his support for activism by athletes and its history and future.

What Makes the Olympics Special for Spectators? Expert Says Reasons Vary from Culture to Sports

By Lileana Pearson & Leo Tully • Feb 24, 2018

The past couple of weeks, Central New Yorkers from all walks of life have been focused on and excited about one major world event, the Winter Olympics.

As the Winter Olympics come to a close, now is the opportunity to ask yourselves: what is it about the Olympics that everyone loves? Jason Burns instructs a sports in American society course at Excelsior College in Albany.

Boys and Girls Club of Syracuse has QA Session with Astronaut Aboard International Space Station

By Allegra Craver & John Smith & Leo Tully • Feb 23, 2018

The Boys and Girls Club of Syracuse talked to an astronaut aboard the International Space Station Friday morning, asking him questions about his job and life in space. The ISS was traveling at about 17,000 miles per hour as Astronaut Mark Vande-Hei took the time to answer a series of questions from the children. 12-year old Mhubiri was excited for the opportunity to talk to the astronaut.

“I actually thought about being an astronaut so today was a very exciting event for me so I was very happy I was able to talk to him and ask him some questions.”

Pages