Syracuse local news

Central New York reactions continue after the insurrection in Washington D.C., including calls to remove the President for promoting violence.  WAER’s Chris Bolt reports on legal ramifications and how to move forward after the shocking activities in the seat of our government.

A Syracuse common councilor announced his bid to run for Mayor Tuesday. Democrat Michael Greene made his campaign launch in an admittedly uncommon location. 

In New York State, like in most of the nation, the COVID-19 vaccination roll out is behind schedule, and Governor Andrew Cuomo is threatening to withhold new  doses from hospitals that do not speed things up.

An upstate New York conservation group has purchased hundreds of acres of land that will protect some of the finger lakes from pollution … and ultimately protect drinking water.  The Nature Conservancy move, aided by a state matching grant, adds to work by the Finger lakes Land Trust to conserve areas that could have been farmed or developed – activities that contribute to harmful algal blooms the lakes have suffered. 

A former Syracuse Parks official is settling into a position to improve relations between Syracuse Police and the community.  The new role comes after summer protests and years of strained interactions with local residents over police conduct. 

Restaurant and other tipped workers are facing increasing harassment and more threats to their incomes, according to a new study by a labor group.  They seek better conditions and a living wage for the group embattled by the coronavirus pandemic.

Restaurant and bar workers have already had to deal with layoffs, limited capacity for their customers, switching to take-out-only service.  Now a study shows they’re also seeing their tips plummet and sexual harassment at work spike.