The plan to merge Jamesville Correctional Facility with the downtown Justice Center is under review by the state commission of corrections; new legislation in Albany would protect New York abortion providers. Central New Yorkers of Ukrainian heritage remained steadfastly optimistic one year after the Russia attack.
Catch up on more of the week's news below:
1. State commission reviews county executive's proposal for controversial jail merger
![The Justice Center, located in downtown Syracuse, is at the heart of the controversial plan.](https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/1f28465/2147483647/strip/true/resize/880x^/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F43%2Ffe%2F22785147457b949a4c3deaf88a7e%2Fcommision.jpg)
A proposal detailing the county's controversial plan to merge Jamesville Correctional Facility with the downtown Justice Center is under review by the state commission of corrections.
2. New legislation would protect New York abortion providers
![Dozens of stairs lead to the entrance of the New York State Capitol in Albany.](https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/e5aad20/2147483647/strip/true/resize/880x^/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fab%2F8e%2F74660aef4601b83a13fde3708541%2Flegislation.jpg)
Proposed legislation in Albany would mean increased protections for women's healthcare providers.
3. Central New Yorkers support Ukraine 1 year after Russia attacks
![A person holds a cardboard box with the inscription "Donation for Ukraina" on the outside.](https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/aae9a40/2147483647/strip/true/crop/921x420+0+0/resize/880x401!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F6d%2F6d%2F1ea807b34d4697a5cd7577325f11%2Fukraine-box.png)
Central New Yorkers of Ukrainian heritage who’ve been watching Russia pummel their country remain steadfastly optimistic one year after the invasion began.
4. Central New York is seeing a rise in home sale prices
![Three houses in a Syracuse neighborhood sit next to each other.](https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/8713939/2147483647/strip/true/resize/880x^/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F16%2Fdf%2F7467bbf447a787f4759b340b5257%2Fhousing.jpg)
The price of home sales in Central New York is rising compared to last year.
5. Indigenous studies teaching certificate to be introduced in New York
![The purple and white flag of the Onondaga Nation is shown on the Syracuse University campus.](https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/43e4958/2147483647/strip/true/crop/800x517+0+0/resize/880x569!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F97%2Faa%2F5fa036234adc9df8441e60606ca4%2Fc9398ddb-a2fa-4715-b27c-93e26496c12d.jpg)
New York's education department is proposing a new teacher certification to expand instruction in indigenous studies
6. Upstate and SUNY partnering for optometry education program
![Cars drive under the sky bridge that connects the parking garage to the Upstate Medical University Hospital in downtown Syracuse.](https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/2b48dc2/2147483647/strip/true/resize/880x^/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F34%2Fa0%2Fbda6c70846da98d6f23a808245c0%2Fupstate.jpg)
Upstate Medical University and SUNY College of Optometry are creating a partnership to develop an eye care education program in Central and Western New York.
7. Documentary captures human impact from US withdrawal in Afghanistan
![AIDO Commando in the foreground talks to a group of Afghan kids in the background. You cannot see the AIDO Commando's face as he is turned away and facing the kids.](https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/ffc91d9/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2048x1364+0+0/resize/880x586!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F5c%2F63%2F133530914b4491a6555007461eda%2F62eeb7ee58ad150f6f07620e-humanitarian-drop-off.jpg)
A new documentary screening at SU Veterans Center captures the chaos and sacrifice of that months-long process since the Biden Administration announced it would remove U.S. troops from Afghanistan.
8. More Black women are opening businesses in downtown Syracuse
![The Black Citizen's Brigade opened in Bank Alley in late 2022.](https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/634a805/2147483647/strip/true/resize/880x^/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ff0%2Fee%2Fc0c35ebe4bec94848978d9d2a81f%2Fblack-women.jpg)
A new survey from the Downtown Committee of Syracuse shows that an increasing number of Black women are opening businesses in downtown Syracuse.
9. Black writers, creators on display at Syracuse University exhibit
![A collection of abstract sketches on a wall.jpg](https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/67367eb/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4032x3024+0+0/resize/880x660!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F30%2F28%2Fe94fc6c94bb6a134523323080633%2Fsupreme-image01.jpg)
The Black Arts and Power movements are the focus of a new exhibit at Syracuse University.