WAER News Round Up: Jan. 16-20

WAER | By Yoki Tang

Published January 20, 2023 at 5:13 PM EST

Among this week's top stories, Hector LaSalle doesn't get enough votes to be the next chief judge, the Syracuse community grieves the loss of a young girl due to gun violence, and advocates push to create a . Read more of the WAER News Round-Up to catch up on the week's news.

1. NYS Senate committee rejects Hector LaSalle for chief judge

Justice Hector LaSalle sits before the NYS Senate Judiciary committee Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023. The committee rejected his nomination to the state's highest court.

The New York State Senate Judiciary Committee dealt a political blow to Governor Kathy Hochul when it voted Wednesday to reject her nominee for the next chief judge of the state, Hector LaSalle.

2. Police working on leads in drive-by shooting that killed 11-year-old honors student

A vigil is seen on the side of the road. There are two flags with balloons and stuffed animals. — A vigil for Ortiz is seen with balloons and stuffed animals. (Jan. 17, 2023)

Several law enforcement organizations are looking into a shooting that killed an 11-year-old girl in Syracuse on Monday. Officials are asking the public for assistance.

3. Syracuse's ongoing work to address gun violence following homicide of child

The City of Syracuse is trying to figure out the best ways to offer outreach and support to prevent more tragedies like this week’s deadly shooting of an innocent 11 year-old girl.

4. CNY group pushes unemployment program aimed at helping non-traditional workers

Workers' Center director Jessica Maxwell explains that the program would benefit workers and stabilize communities.

Advocates are proposing a program that would aid thousands of workers in Central New York who are not normally eligible for standard unemployment insurance

5. Hamlin's injury spotlights similar (but rare) risk in youth sports

A young player in a green jersey and white baseball pants slides into home plate, as a catcher wearing a red jersey tosses the baseball to a pitcher also wearing a red jersey. — A player slides into home plate during Opening Day for Syracuse Little League in 2019.

Buffalo Bills Safety Damar Hamlin's suspected episode of commotio cordis has brought attention to blunt force trauma in other sports, including among younger athletes. The National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment says while commotio cordis sports fatalities are rare, killing about 15 to 25 athletes a year, most occur in youth sports.

6. Syracuse-area twins first to test promising RSV prevention tool