Common Council delays vote on SPD reform plan
The plan outlines the SPD's efforts to enact reform in hiring, policy, community relations and other areas. Read more »
Syracuse Common Council
Mayor Ben Walsh announces reelection campaign
Walsh will need to collect at least 750 signatures, starting April 13, to appear on the ballot. Read more »
‘Reliving history’: Residents fear I-81 project could displace communities
If the I-81 viaduct is removed, the land leftover could lead to gentrification and displacement for families whose homes were already destroyed when the highway was built. Read more »
Blueprint 15 aims to protect East Adams residents after I-81 overhaul
A Syracuse nonprofit developed several strategies to prevent displacement in the East Adams neighborhood. Read more »
Relaxed regulations not enough to recover, Syracuse restaurant owners say
Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced in a Feb. 14 executive order that New York state would extend mandated closing times for bars, restaurants and gyms by one hour. Read more »
Syracuse NAACP rejects city’s claims of partnership on police reform plan
The city will submit a plan to Albany in April as part of a state mandate for local police reform. Read more »
Democrats nominate Common Councilor Michael Greene for mayor
Greene will face Republican candidate Janet Burman and incumbent Mayor Ben Walsh, who is seeking reelection as an independent candidate. Read more »
Syracuse museum launches career exploration program for Black students
The “Future Innovators” program aims to build interest in STEM among Black students through local site visits and mentorship from Black professionals. Read more »
Syracuse will open New York's first STEAM school in next 2 years
The school, which will cater to high school students who want to pursue a career in STEAM fields, is part of the city’s Syracuse Surge, an initiative that aims to improve the city’s economy through technological advancements. Read more »
Here's who's eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine in New York, and how to get one
As of Wednesday, 9.4% of the state population had received the first dose of the vaccine, and 3.2% had received the second dose. Read more »
Common Council approves grants for additional police, fire equipment
The Syracuse Common Council has approved $203,000 in federal grants for additional equipment for the Syracuse Police Department and Fire Department. Read more »
Walsh: Syracuse on ‘right track’ despite financial setbacks from COVID-19
Walsh focused on how the city has been recovering from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and provided updates to several long-term city projects. Read more »
Common Council approves police brutality settlements against SPD officer
The city will issue and sell $200,000 worth of bonds to pay its settlements. Read more »
Common Council unanimously appoints SU alumnus Ronnie White Jr.
White will fill the spot of former Councilor Tim Rudd, who resigned after accepting a job as Mayor Ben Walsh’s budget director in September. Read more »
Common Council denies funding to community leadership training program
The Common Council voted Monday not to fund a community leadership program, citing budget concerns. Read more »
Common Council passes police reform legislation 'Right to Know Act'
The Right to Know Act is designed to increase transparency in interactions between Syracuse Police Department officers and city residents. Read more »
Common Council passes legislation to protect tenants of unregistered houses
The rental registry, established in 2007, requires landlords to register their one- and two-family properties with the city. Read more »
City activists call for expansion of SPD review board
Members of Syracuse’s Citizen Review Board think the group’s power should be expanded to ensure police officers are disciplined appropriately. Read more »
14 Syracuse advocacy groups present list of demands to reform SPD
The groups demand that the city of Syracuse demilitarize the SPD and that the Syracuse City School District remove all school resource officers, investing instead in counselors and other support staff. Read more »
Mayor Walsh asks for federal aid in letter to congressional leaders
Walsh asked Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell for support for local and state governments during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more »
City workers put on temporary unpaid leave due to revenue losses
The two main factors affecting the city’s financial status are a decrease in sales tax revenue and cuts in state aid. Read more »
Common Council to crack down on negligent landlords
The properties, many of which are rentals owned by limited license corporations, will be sold to the Greater Syracuse Property Development Corporation for $151 each. Read more »
Common Councilors detail disputes with city law department
Syracuse’s Common Council shares the same legal counsel as the mayor’s administration. It’s a relationship that councilors said holds potential conflicts of interest. Syracuse’s law… Read more »
Common Council proposes new lead ordinance
The drafted ordinance would require city inspectors to test all properties for lead paint before they’re rented out and cite the presence of lead as a code violation. Read more »
