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WAER News Round-up: April 17-21

A graphic of a notebook paper lists text about the top stories of the week of April 17-21, 2023: Budget struggles continue, first Black chief judge, violence in Syracuse, trash pick up changes, retaining county attorneys.
Yoki Tang
/
WAER
A graphic of a notebook paper lists some of the top stories of the week of April 17-21, 2023.

Gov. Kathy Hochul celebrated a win this week with her chief judge pick receiving approval, but it comes as the lawmakers and the governor are still struggling to approve a budget well past deadline.

Meanwhile, a Syracuse Congressional candidate kicked off their campaign for the 2024 election, a city school drew praise from the national teacher's union and the mayor is worried about violence in the city.

1. Lawmakers ready to pass fifth extender as state budget talks drag

The bright lights within the New York State Capitol building can be seen at nighttime in Albany, N.Y.
Matt Ryan
/
New York NOW
The bright lights within the New York State Capitol building can be seen at nighttime in Albany, N.Y.

New York state lawmakers have the weekend off, after they failed to reach an agreement on the state budget, which is now three weeks late. Before they left, they passed another spending extender to keep the state going until Monday.

2. Rowan Wilson confirmed as New York's first African American chief judge

Judge Rowan D. Wilson.
New York State Court
Judge Rowan D. Wilson.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul's nominee for the position of chief judge, Rowan Wilson, was approved by a 40-19 vote in the State Senate. Wilson's confirmation marks a historic milestone as he becomes the first African-American to hold this position.

3. Sarah Klee Hood says she's running again to be CNY's Congressional rep

Sarah Klee Hood, a Democrat and former Air Force veteran, has announced her candidacy for the 2024 congressional election in Syracuse.

4. Flow of guns into state driving up Syracuse crime rate, mayor says

Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh speaks during the State of the City Address at Corcoran High School in Syracuse, N.Y. on Thursday, January 26, 2022.
Isaiah Vazquez
/
WAER
Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh speaks during the State of the City Address at Corcoran High School in Syracuse, N.Y. on Thursday, January 26, 2022.

Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh has stated that the increase in violent crime rates in the city during the first few months of the year is linked to the continued proliferation of guns.

5. Syracuse's semi-auto trash pick up gets June kickoff

Chris Bolt/WAER News

The city of Syracuse is set to begin the first phase of its semi-automated trash pick up plan in June, with approximately 20% of residents receiving new 96-gallon bins. Sanitation employees are currently training to operate the new semi-automated trucks.

6. Syracuse school's hands-on learning draws national union's attention

A man types at a computer at a desk with engineering instruments in a classroom.
Laddie Springer
/
WAER
A student types a program into his computer at the Institute of Technology Syracuse Central, April 18, 2023.

The Institute of Technology at Syracuse Central is using innovative methods to help teachers address the learning loss caused by the pandemic, as shown during a recent visit by the head of the national teacher’s union.

7.Onondaga County DA's office presents plan to address lawyer shortage

Seven men and women sit around a large oval table in a meeting room.
Scott Willis
/
WAER News
First Chief Assistant DA Joe Coolican, back right, describes the challenge facing his office to the legislature's public safety committee Apr. 19, 2023.

The Onondaga County Legislature's Public Safety Committee is set to consider a proposal to address the loss of lawyers from the district attorney's office.

8.New York state Board of Regents votes to end Native American mascots and imagery

Public schools in New York will no longer be able to use Native American names, mascots and imagery. Districts will have until the end of the 2025 school year to finalize the changes that take effect May 3rd.
Twitter @CCS_Indians
Public schools in New York will no longer be able to use Native American names, mascots and imagery. Districts will have until the end of the 2025 school year to finalize the changes that take effect May 3rd.

New York public schools are prohibited from using Native American names, mascots and imagery, following a unanimous vote by the Board of Regents.

9. New York's renewable energy projects coming along

Solar panels on top of an apartment building.
Max Brady
/
WAER
Solar panels on top of an apartment building.

In celebration of Earth Week, New York State has completed multiple renewable energy projects, including wind, solar and hydroelectric developments.

Yoki Tang was raised in a big city of China called Shanghai. He speaks Mandarin, Korean and English. His majors are Broadcast Digital Journalism and Selective Study In Education and would be graduated in May 2023. The desire to get the facts right and the quest for accurate facts made Yoki want to study broadcast and journalism in the first place.