Syracuse Police Department awarded funds to curb gun violence
In total, the state awarded about $13 million to different law enforcement agencies on Tuesday. Onondaga County was the only county in central New York to receive funds. Read more »
State
Some SUNY-ESF students are concerned about the effects of free college tuition
While some SUNY-ESF students are celebrating the governor’s free SUNY tuition plan, others have expressed doubt about some of its requirements and concerns about how it might affect admissions. Read more »
New York state Gov. Andrew Cuomo discusses central New York highlights of 2018 budget
During his speech, Cuomo discussed his initiatives to reduce taxes on the middle class, invest money in the Syracuse airport and transform the State Fair in Syracuse. Read more »
Gov. Cuomo signs legislation enacting free public college tuition program
The Excelsior Scholarship was passed earlier this week as part of the state’s fiscal year 2018 budget. Students from families making up to $125,000 attending SUNY and CUNY schools will be eligible to apply for the scholarship. Read more »
New York state Assembly passes bill banning conversion therapy on minors for 3rd time
The last two times the Assembly passed a bill banning conversion therapy, a highly controversial practice, the Senate has failed to vote on it. It is again up to the Senate to vote on it. Read more »
Cities RISE program to prioritize areas with high poverty rates for funding
The Cities for Responsible Investment and Strategic Enforcement program will award money to municipalities from 2017-19 to help fund housing improvement and blight elimination efforts. Read more »
Uber’s legalization in New York state was years in the making
Ride-hailing services will be authorized to operate throughout New York state in about three months. Here’s a look at how the state arrived at this point. Read more »
Agreement on fiscal year 2018 budget reached, approving ride-hailing services in upstate New York
The $153 billion budget gives a green light for ride-hailing service companies to operate in upstate New York. Read more »
New York expands medical marijuana program to include patients with chronic pain
Doctors can now prescribe medical marijuana for chronic pain, but some advocates say that is not enough. Read more »
New York lawmakers pass extension on budget deadline amid stalled negotiations
Facing a government shutdown over a stalemate on the budget, New York state lawmakers voted on Monday to extend the deadline for passing a budget for two months. Read more »
Cuomo announces new funding for New York state airports
Cuomo said that $20 million in new funding is available for improvements to airports in the state. This comes after he announced in January that the state will make renovations to the airport in Syracuse. Read more »
SUNY-ESF and Nature Conservancy partner to ensure forest is ‘climate-resilient’
The Tug Hill Plateau, a unified forest spanning 150,000 acres about 70 miles north of Syracuse, will be the site of the project, which aims to increase ecological resistance to climate change. Read more »
Schumer wants to stop health care plan 'before it’s too late'
Reconciliation rules should give pause to Republicans still hesitant on the proposed health care bill that would replace the Affordable Care Act, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) stressed on the Senate floor Wednesday. Read more »
Internet companies and business organizations fight Cuomo’s proposed internet sales tax
A proposal in New York state Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s budget would require major online marketplaces to collect sales tax on behalf of vendors who sell to New Yorkers through their sites. Many business organizations are fighting it. Read more »
State will give $2,000 rebate for the purchase of electric cars
A $70 million plan will provide rebates to electric car buyers and will contribute to building more charging stations and electric-car technology development. Read more »
Cuomo warns of Affordable Care Act repeal consequences
Republicans in the House of Representatives have proposed the American Health Care Act, a bill aimed to replace Obama’s Affordable Care Act also known as Obamacare. Read more »
New York experienced record number of data breaches in 2016
In 2016, 1.6 million New York residents had their personal records exposed because of data breaches, according to a statement from the state’s Office of the Attorney General. Read more »
Chuck Schumer calls on Trump to apologize for wiretapping claims
In a series of tweets about two weeks ago, Trump said former President Barack Obama had tapped his phones during the “very sacred election process.” Read more »
New York State Assembly bill could legalize ride-hailing services in upstate New York as early as this summer
UPDATED: March 27, 2017 at 9:30 p.m. A New York State Assembly bill currently under consideration could allow ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft to… Read more »
State Attorney General appoints prosecutors investigating public corruption, possibly Trump
New York state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman hired two prosecutors to cases that may include allegations against President Donald Trump. Read more »
Proposed subsidy to make low income eviction less likely
The Family Eviction Prevention Supplement program will provide additional funding to residents whose rent is above the regular shelter allowance owed to them. Read more »
Syracuse and Onondaga County each receive more than $100,000 in counterterrorism funding
Onondaga County and the city of Syracuse both separately received a tactical team targeted grant and an explosive detection canine grant. Read more »
Syracuse’s drinking water could indirectly be contaminated by the I-81 replacement project, some officials believe
Experts said it’s unlikely a spill like the one described by multiple Finger Lakes region officials and residents would occur or drastically affect the city’s water supply. Read more »
Cornell Cooperative Extension looking to educate community through action
Researchers are looking for locals to help preserve the purity of Skaneateles Lake, one of the region's most precious resources. Read more »
