Ellen Abbott

Fayetteville

Freelance Reporter at WRVO-FM (Oswego, NY)

Reporter for WRVO Public Radio in Central New York.

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Articles

REAL ID deadline is coming soon

1 week ago | wrvo.org | Ellen Abbott

After 20 years of stops and starts instituting REAL IDs in New York state, the deadline for getting the federally accepted Driver’s License is only weeks away. It could become more difficult to fly domestically, or enter federal facilities without a REAL ID starting May 7th. The thought of some New Yorkers not making the deadline keeps New York State Department of Motor Vehicle Commissioner Mark Schroeder, up at night.
State lawmaker fights for more housing funds in budget

1 week ago | wrvo.org | Ellen Abbott

As state lawmakers and Gov. Hochul (D-NY) continue negotiating over a more than two-week late state budget, one Syracuse area lawmaker is lobbying for more funds for housing. State Sen. Rachel May (D-48th District) is a fan of a plan that’s already in the budget, to create a fund of $50 million that will make it easier for upstate New Yorkers to build new homes. "This would be a new process for the state to create a revolving fund at low rates,” May said.
Mayoral candidate Sharon Owens shares housing vision

1 week ago | wrvo.org | Ellen Abbott

Syracuse democratic mayoral hopeful Sharon Owens is putting housing at the top of her list of priorities. Owens calls it her "Thriving Neighborhoods" policy agenda. She says the plan emphasizes investment in affordable housing, vacant property revitalization and public infrastructure improvements, to deal with what she calls the most critical needs for city residents. "Over the course of my years working with families, I didn't meet them on the street. I met them in their kitchens.
Hunter hopeful Hochul and legislative leaders will reach a budget deal soon

1 week ago | wrvo.org | Ellen Abbott

Negotiations continue in Albany as the state budget is now two weeks past the April 1 deadline. Four policy issues are on the table as lawmakers and the governor’s office try to reach common ground. Syracuse-area Assemblymember Pam Hunter (D-Syracuse) admits the late budget can be frustrating. Not just for the state, but for organizations that rely on state funding. "Municipalities, school districts, not for profits.
Walsh proposes $348 million budget that includes 2% tax increase

2 weeks ago | wrvo.org | Ellen Abbott

Syracuse Common Councilors have started digging into Mayor Ben Walsh’s proposed 2025-26 budget, a $348 million plan that asks taxpayers to help reduce a budget deficit of $27 million. The challenge, according to Walsh, is stagnating state aid and sales tax revenue, forcing the city to ask for the 2% property tax hike.
Oneida County may sue NYS over order barring fired corrections officers from state jobs

1 month ago | wrvo.org | Ellen Abbott

Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol has interviewed more than four dozen of the fired corrections officers who want to continue their career in law enforcement at the county jail. He said the governor's executive order, which removes the fired officers from something called the Law Enforcement Registry, is getting in the way of that. "I have people who want to start working for me, literally, well not tomorrow, but literally in the in the very near future," Maciol said.
Cortland Standard prints last edition this week

1 month ago | wrvo.org | Ellen Abbott

After 157 years of providing local news coverage to the greater Cortland area, the Cortland Standard has printed its final edition. The family owned newspaper has filed for bankruptcy, creating a news desert in a community that learned who was born, who died and what happened in between from, the daily paper.
After 157 years, Cortland Standard prints its final edition

1 month ago | wamc.org | Ellen Abbott

After 157 years of providing local news coverage to the greater Cortland area, the Cortland Standard has printed its final edition. The family owned newspaper has filed for bankruptcy, creating a news desert in a community that learned who was born, who died and what happened in between from, the daily paper.
Upstate New York Poison Center warns of increase in cannabis-related calls

1 month ago | wrvo.org | Ellen Abbott

The Upstate New York Poison Center took more than 50,000 calls from New Yorkers from Buffalo to the Hudson Valley last year, with questions about potential poisonings. There are a couple of areas officials are keeping a close eye on. Most of the calls come from homes, with more than half involving children. They are getting into familiar items, like pain medications, prescription drugs or household cleaning products.
CNY infectious disease expert looks back at five years of Covid-19

1 month ago | wrvo.org | Ellen Abbott

Much of the world shut down in early March of 2020, as the nation grappled with an unknown virus, capable of killing millions. Upstate Medical University infectious disease expert Dr. Stephen Thomas was part of a group of local health and government leaders preparing for the pandemic five years ago. He recalls everyone taking it seriously, with the singular purpose of preparing Upstate New York for what could come. That included some hard decisions.