WAER News Round up: July 25-29

WAER | By Wanshi Zhang

Published July 29, 2022 at 12:47 PM EDT

Here are some of the big stories this week: JMA Wireless hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony at its new facility on Syracuse’s Southside. Upstate Medical’s outpatient pharmacy will offer free prescriptions for pick-up, mail or delivery through the “Medications for Hope” program. The proposed aquarium project went before the Onondaga County Ways and Means Committee.

Stay up to date on all the news of the week with the WAER News Round up:

1. JMA Wireless bringing manufacturing back to Syracuse with $100 million facility in Southside

JMA Wireless hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday morning at its new facility on Syracuse’s Southside. The $100 million manufacturing campus produces the world’s most advanced all-software-based 5G platform.

2. Passage of Senate "chips" bill brings Central New York closer to new manufacturing opportunities

White Pine Commerce Park in Onondaga County could be one of the sites to benefit from the semiconductor chip legislation. The County has been marketing the property as a prime location for a chip plant.

New York Senator Chuck Schumer is celebrating the passage of a bill in the Senate that aims to boost tech manufacturing in the U.S. Schumer has long advocated for the bill and says the legislation could lead to transformative economic development opportunities for the region.

3. Gov. Kathy Hochul signs new legislation to celebrate 32nd anniversary of ADA

Gov. Kathy Hochul has been making progress in legislation for Americans with disabilities, seen earlier this year appointing a chief disability officer.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul is marking the 32nd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act by signing legislation to further uphold and strengthen the rights of New Yorkers.

4. Upstate Medical’s new pharmacy program makes medications accessible to county’s uninsured

Eric and David from Upstate Medications for Hope Taking a picture together.

Upstate Medical’s outpatient pharmacy will now offer free prescriptions for pick-up, mail or delivery through the “Medications for Hope” program. Director Eric Balotin said the initiative is the first of its kind in the county.

5. State funnels nearly $4 million to expand child care facilities in CNY

Children play classroom in the Salvation Army's daycare facility.

Over $3.8 million in state funds will be distributed between 23 new child care programs opening up in Central New York’s childcare deserts. In total, the state awarded over $68 million to 344 new programs across New York.

6. Syracuse aquarium still facing controversy as lawmakers expected to put it to a vote

A banner that reads "Inner Harbor" hangs off a lamp post at the waterfront in Syracuse.

A large public audience gathered Tuesday for the Onondaga County Ways and Means Committee meeting to hear more details on the proposed $85 million aquarium project.

7. A new survey reveals voters 50 and older in NY-22 are more likely to lean Republican

The following graph shows the voters' party preferences for certain issues.

A new survey from AARP New York reports that voters 50 and older in the state’s new 22nd congressional district are leaning Republican.

8. New parking meters could mean fewer issues for Syracuse drivers

A parking meter stands near the corner of University and Madison avenues in downtown Syracuse.

Syracuse parking meters are slated for a makeover. The 10-year-old machines often have problems taking both cash and credit payments, which causes headaches for drivers. But relief is on the way.

9. New York receives a C- for drinking water infrastructure, but improvements are ongoing

The Onondaga County Water Authority plant.

The American Society of Civil Engineers released its 2022 Report Card just last week. And it gave the state’s drinking water infrastructure a C-.