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6 days ago | 
waer.org | John Smith |JOhn Smith
Syracuse residents will soon have better access to affordable homes. Gov. Kathy Hochul unpacked her $500 million dollar housing strategy in Syracuse on Thursday. The plan also helps builders to secure funding to build smaller, starter homes. Her goal is to address the need for housing over the next decade by constructing 30,000 homes as Micron gradually opens. Hochul said Syracuse was one of the first cities to embrace her plans.
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1 week ago | 
waer.org | John Smith |JOhn Smith
One out of every 2 young families in Syracuse are struggling to afford diapers. The CNY Diaper Bank is holding its 10th annual “Make a Mother’s Day” Diaper Drive throughout the month of May. The organization’s founder believes no child should ever go without. Michaela Hugo says a month supply of diapers costs about 100 dollars and, the price is even more if families can’t afford to buy in bulk.
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2 weeks ago | 
waer.org | John Smith |JOhn Smith
Drivers on Interstate 81 North through the City of Syracuse can expect delays through April 29 as crews finish bridge work. Expect single lane restrictions from Exit 18 Adams and Harrison Streets and the onramp to I-81 North from Pearl Street between the hours of 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Drivers need to slow down in work zones, look for flaggers, detour signs, and added traffic control devices. Fines double in work zones.
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2 weeks ago | 
waer.org | John Smith |JOhn Smith
A coalition of environmental groups are requesting an extension for Micron’s Draft Environmental Review. However, the county executive claims the amount of days scheduled are already extended. Micron plans to break ground in November for construction on its massive semiconductor chip fab. Before that happens, an Environmental Impact Statement must be completed. The county presently has the draft version from Micron known as the DEIS and plans to release it in early June.
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3 weeks ago | 
waer.org | John Smith |JOhn Smith
Central New York heavy metal fans are looking forward to this weekend’s Metallica concert in Syracuse. However, one of the band’s original members won’t be there… but, he is playing concerts to benefit the Everson Museum this summer. Any true Metallica fan, and even those who just like to rock out occasionally probably know the bass groove of “Enter Sandman.” The bass player is none other than Jason Newsted. "Whenever I hear it though...
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4 weeks ago | 
waer.org | John Smith |JOhn Smith
Central New York, like the rest of the country, is facing a nursing shortage that’s only worsened since the pandemic began in 2020. It’s creating healthy competition for nursing schools enrolling students. We're taking a look at what Bryant and Stratton College is doing to meet the demand. The college’s Liverpool campus has transformed a former pool and spa showroom into a state-of-the-art lab.
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1 month ago | 
waer.org | John Smith |JOhn Smith
Corcoran High School students gained some insights today/Tuesday as to what it takes to become a successful astronaut for NASA. School alum Jeanette Epps gave a presentation complete with video from her mission in space last year. Epps says she wasn’t tested the least bit when she had an extended stay because she always dreamt of going there. She said the galactic skyline was breathtaking.
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1 month ago | 
waer.org | John Smith |JOhn Smith
The steps of Syracuse City Hall were packed Wednesday with protestors speaking out against the Trump Administration’s ICE raids and detentions. Leaders from Central New York Advocacy groups rallied hundreds of Syracuse residents to support the immigrant community. The New York Immigration Coalition, Mohammad Ali Seraji encouraged everyone make sure immigrants to know their rights in America, if they’re approached by authorities. “In Upstate New York, we know what to do when ICE is on the way...
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1 month ago | 
waer.org | John Smith |JOhn Smith
The warmer days and cold nights couldn’t be more perfect for Central New York’s maple syrup producers as it’s their last chance to tap the sap! SUNY ESF maple producers in Tully already had to wait longer than usual this year due to the very cold winter temperatures. We sent WAER’s John Smith to Heiberg Forest to capture the sights and sounds from harvesting the sap to cooking up maple syrup in a wood-fired evaporator. Take a listen to the produced audio story.
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1 month ago | 
waer.org | John Smith |JOhn Smith
Boosting wages for those who work for the city of Syracuse and its many contractors is a possible solution to reduce the city’s highest poverty rate. A new report on the Living Wage Ordinance from City Auditor Alexander Marion reveals it’s been difficult to enforce the 2005 law. It requires city vendors to pay their workers at a rate higher than the minimum wage. Marion said none of the city’s vendors were instructed to participate. He says the Living Wage Ordinance needs a makeover.
