Central Current

05/21/2025

Introducing our newest reporter: Debadrita Sur

Sur is one of 107 incoming corps members responding to the local news needs of communities across the country today. They are joining our newsroom in July to cover the I-81 project and public housing redevelopment.

Get to know Deb and learn more about her work: https://centralcurrent.org/introducing-our-newest-reporter-debadrita-sur/

05/15/2025

Join us in two weeks to hear directly from the candidates running in Syracuse's Democratic mayoral primary.

Sharon Owens, Pat Hogan, and Chol Majok will answer questions and share their positions on the issues facing our city in a structured interview moderated by our Managing Editor Chris Libonati and Reporter Patrick McCarthy.

Register today to reserve a seat and submit your own questions for the candidates. The event is free and open to the public.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/current-conversations-dem-primary-mayoral-forum-tickets-1320309353819?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

05/13/2025

We pride ourselves on delivering fact-based, reliable, local journalism that keeps readers informed and holds our most powerful to account.

But we can’t do it alone.

During our spring campaign, will you show your support and help keep Central Current thriving?

https://centralcurrent.fundjournalism.org/?campaign=701Rb00000RlYXSIA3

05/12/2025

Amy Betros co-founded St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy in Buffalo. She died April 30, leaving behind a legacy of helping families in need.

Betros co-founded St. Luke's Mission of Mercy in Buffalo. She died April 30, leaving behind a legacy of helping families in need.

05/12/2025

Did Syracuse lawmakers abuse the state’s open meetings law while making budget cuts? Two transparency advocates say they did

Two transparency advocates say lawmakers caucusing to discuss amendments to the city’s budget is an abuse of the state's open meetings law.

05/10/2025

Mayor Ben Walsh and several city department heads excoriated the Syracuse Common Council in a briefing after councilors approved $16 million in cuts to the mayor’s proposed budget.

The Council voted unanimously to approve 82 amendments to Walsh’s $348 million budget proposal. The amendments reduced many departments’ budgets by about 7%. Common Councilors framed the cuts – which were informed by a $20,750 external audit performed by the Bonadio Group – as a fiscally responsible check on Walsh’s budget at a time of economic uncertainty.

Deputy Mayor Sharon Owens said the Common Council used a "sledgehammer, not a scalpel" to make cuts to the administration's budget.

05/09/2025

Van Robinson early on adopted the notion that the Interstate 81 viaduct should come down. Van — a civic titan and former Syracuse Common Councilor who died Saturday at 87 — championed the project, which is now coming to fruition.

Linda, Van's wife, wants to take sledgehammer to the I-81 viaduct as it comes to come down in 2026 in Robinson's honor.

“That’s all I want,” said Linda Brown-Robinson. “I’m not letting it go.”

By Sean Kirst

Van Robinson was a civic titan in Syracuse, spending 18 years as a member of the Common Council. He championed removing the I-81 viaduct.

05/08/2025

The Common Council plans to vote Thursday on its amendments to Mayor Ben Walsh’s budget. The public won’t have access to The Bonadio Group’s analysis of Walsh’s budget until Tuesday.

Lawmakers plan to vote on their amendments to the budget. The public won't have access the budget analysis until Tuesday.

05/08/2025

Sean Kirst and Mike Greenlar dreamed of working together again. Now, they are.

Sean Kirst and Mike Greenlar dreamed of working together again. Now, they are.

05/07/2025

County Executive Ryan McMahon first floated the plan at his State of the County speech. Republicans approved the plan on a party-line vote.

County Executive Ryan McMahon first floated the plan at his State of the County speech. Republicans approved the plan on a party-line vote.

05/06/2025

Over the weekend, Central Current earned 5 Syracuse Press Club Awards including first place for print/digital news investigative story or series for our series on police car crashes in partnership with Syracuse University and the USA TODAY Network.

Our newsroom is proud to deliver this reporting for free to our readers.

See the full list and read the award-winning articles by visiting: https://centralcurrent.org/central-current-earns-5-syracuse-press-club-awards/

05/05/2025

Chad Norton began visiting Webster Pond about 30 years ago. He’s become a fierce advocate for it.

Chad Norton began visiting Webster Pond about 30 years ago. He's become a fierce advocate and a caretaker for the pond.