Tom Magnarelli

In his first term, Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh has had to address the city’s finances, deal with a pandemic, rising violent crime and implement police reform. As he runs for a second term this year, Walsh’s message is focusing on what he's done over the past four years, while recognizing there’s still more to do.

Two years ago, Microsoft selected the city of Syracuse for a new “smart cities” technology hub to be located downtown. It was meant to analyze city data, help startup tech companies and provide workforce training.

The Syracuse International Film Festival returns with in-person screenings this weekend, after going virtual last year, due to the pandemic.

Democrats in Onondaga County are trying to do something they haven’t done in decades; flip the county Legislature out of Republicans’ control.

The New York State Thruway Authority is partnering with Syracuse-based NUAIR on a pilot program to have drones inspect bridges and overpasses. Drones cost less, can get the job done faster and are safer for workers.

The first meeting of Onondaga County's redistricting commission got off to a shaky start Wednesday. Democrats are calling for a longer, more open process, while Republicans say only minor changes to the district maps are needed.

New York Attorney General Letitia James announced Tuesday that $37 million is coming to central New York, from settlements reached with opioid drug manufacturers and distributors. All of the funding will go towards opioid treatment and prevention.

Monday is Columbus Day and two events will be held at Columbus Circle in downtown Syracuse: one honoring the Italian explorer and another protesting him. This comes as Mayor Ben Walsh has promised to remove the Columbus statue and a lawsuit is pending to stop him. Opinions on Columbus remain divided, even among Italian Americans.

One of the races for the Onondaga County Legislature pits two Democrats against each other. Charles Garland won the June primary against the incumbent, Vernon Williams Jr. Williams is not backing down and is running on the Working Families Party line. Williams is calling out Garland for not filing any campaign finance reports.