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Dining out in central New York, like elsewhere in the country, looks very different this year. The fallout from COVID-19 has changed the landscape of the industry here, putting some eateries out of business and forcing others to reinvent themselves. Conditions could improve for some restaurants in downtown Syracuse soon, now that New York state is lifting the restrictions on indoor dining in the city. But even with that change, many restaurant owners are still figuring out how to navigate in these uncharted waters, hopeful that 2021 will mark the end of this difficult period. 

Syracuse Democratic mayoral candidate Michael Greene kicked off his campaign last week at an abandoned KFC restaurant on the city’s north side. The 33-year-old city councilor said it was the perfect context to highlight the problems facing the city.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has lifted restrictions on restaurants in orange zones. That means these establishments, including many in central New York, will be able to invite patrons inside for dinner.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday unveiled an ambitious plan to bring more green energy and what he said will be thousands of jobs to New York state.

New York state is opening up five mass distribution centers for the coronavirus vaccine this week, including one in central New York. Residents over the age of 65, as well as first responders, teachers and others eligible to sign up for the vaccine, have started getting the shot at the New York State Fairgrounds near Syracuse.

NUAIR, the nonprofit organization overseeing drone testing and development in central New York, has a new president and CEO. Ken Stewart, who formerly worked with General Electric aviation, will be charged with taking the region's Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-testing site and 50-mile drone corridor to the next level.

New Yorkers 65 and older and those who are immunocompromised can now sign up for a COVID-19 vaccine. Gov. Andrew Cuomo made the announcement as the state’s vaccine rollout continued to be plagued with problems.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo detailed his plans to use rapid coronavirus testing in 2021 to reopen restaurants, theaters and arts venues -- including New York City’s Tribeca Film festival in June -- even before most New Yorkers are vaccinated.

During the first of four State of the State speeches, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said on Monday that fighting the COVID-19 pandemic will be the top priority.  

As the number of people eligible to get the coronavirus vaccine expands in New York state, so do the number of places it’s available in central New York. But supply will dictate how many people actually get the shot.

The rollout of the next phase of New York’s COVID-19 vaccination plan continued to experience glitches on Monday, with sites for seniors to sign up for vaccines not working or overwhelmed.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo, after nearly a week’s delay, is scheduled to deliver his State of the State speech on Monday. He said in the midst of a worsening pandemic and economic losses, the message will be a bit brighter now that Democrats are set to control both houses of Congress, and President-elect Joe Biden said he’ll push for a bailout for states like New York that were hit hard by the pandemic.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo, bowing to pressure from local governments, is agreeing to expand the state’s vaccination sites for front-line health care workers.

Body cameras have now been deployed to every uniformed officer in the Syracuse Police Department.  This is the end of a process that started almost four years ago.

New York State Senator Rachel May represents the 53rd State Senate district, and is starting her second term. She chairs the Senate Aging Committee and the Legislative Commission on Rural Resources. The 53rd Senate district consists of Madison County and part of Oneida and Onondaga Counties, including the majority of the city of Syracuse. She speaks with Grant Reeher about the covid response, the state budget, taxes and recreational marijuana.

SUNY Upstate Medical University has distributed all of its first shipment of the COVID-19 vaccine, and is now administering the second dose. Upstate has vaccinated 6,000 people in the first phase of New York’s vaccination program.

The Trump mob attack on the Capitol stunned the nation this week, and many are asking how it happened. That includes Syracuse-area Rep. John Katko (R-Camillus), who was in the Capitol building when it was breached.

The New York State Legislature began the 2021 session with a strengthened Democratic base and intensifying challenges, including the ongoing pandemic and the growing budget deficit. 

Oneida County officials are rallying resources as they begin vaccinating individuals for COVID-19.

For the first time, most New York employees now have access to paid sick leave. 

County leaders in New York said Tuesday that their health departments have been developing vaccination plans for years and can help smooth the rocky rollout of the state’s vaccination program, but they need more cooperation from Gov. Andrew Cuomo and his administration.