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Syracuse hires Bryan Blair to take over as athletic director following 4 years at Toledo 40-year old Bryan Blair replaces John Wildhack, who had previously announced he is retiring in July following a 10-year tenure.

Syracuse University has hired former Toledo athletic director Bryan Blair to lead its athletic department as the school seeks to regain its competitive edge.

www.wrvo.org/2026-03-12/s...

Proposed bill in NYS would increase protections for child victims of prostitution A New York bill aims to close a legal "loophole" by making it a felony to buy sex from 15- to 17-year-olds, a crime currently charged as a misdemeanor.

New York is considering a bill to make buying sex from children aged 15 to 17 a felony, closing a loophole that currently classifies the crime as a misdemeanor.

www.wrvo.org/2026-03-12/p...

Energy prices, election security big topics at Mannion town hall meeting Rep. John Mannion (D-Geddes) held a town hall meeting at Cayuga Community College in Auburn Tuesday evening.

Rep. John Mannion addressed rising utility costs and defended current election security measures during a town hall meeting in Auburn on Tuesday.
www.wrvo.org/2026-03-11/e...

Syracuse police provide new details on man arrested on SU campus with a rifle and ammunition Police say Mateu Healey-Parera was waiting for a bus to Ithaca, where he is a student at Cornell, while carrying a case containing a rifle and two boxes of ammunition.

Police are investigating why a Cornell student was found with a rifle and ammunition on the Syracuse University campus Saturday.

www.wrvo.org/2026-03-09/s...

How can New York get more people to volunteer for firefighting and EMS? Since the early 2000s, there has been a significant decline in the number of volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel in New York State.

The Firefighter Association of the State of New York is proposing a new legislative package to address a significant decline in volunteer emergency responders.

www.wrvo.org/2026-03-06/h...

Republicans in New York continue to call for the repeal of state's climate law Fallout continues after it was revealed last week that New York’s clean energy law could cost residents more than expected.

Republican lawmakers in New York are calling for the repeal of the state’s 2019 climate law following reports of potential cost increases for residents.

www.wrvo.org/2026-03-04/r...

Oswego landlord previously charged with sexual harassment arrested again In 2019, Doug Waterbury reached an $850,000 settlement with the Department of Justice that bars him from managing any properties, after being accused of sexual harassment.

State Police arrested Oswego landlord Doug Waterbury for attempted rape and bribery following a June 2025 incident involving a prospective tenant.

www.wrvo.org/2026-03-03/o...

Syracuse University names J. Michael Haynie as 13th chancellor Haynie has been at Syracuse University since 2006, and currently serves as vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation.

Syracuse University has named J. Michael Haynie as its 13th chancellor.

www.wrvo.org/2026-03-03/s...

Kristi Noem set to face senators over DHS shutdown, immigration enforcement The focus of the hearing is likely to be on how Kristi Noem is pursuing President Trump's mass deportation efforts in his second term, after two U.S. citizens were killed by immigration officers.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is scheduled to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee at 9 a.m. ET Tuesday regarding the agency shutdown.

www.wrvo.org/2026-03-03/k...

Can Gov. Hochul stop staged car crashes in New York? There were nearly 44,000 suspected instances of auto insurance fraud last year.

Governor Kathy Hochul is proposing changes to state auto insurance laws to crack down on staged car crashes and reduce high premiums for New York drivers.

www.wrvo.org/2026-03-02/c...

CNY Native who spent 7 months in space joins board of Syracuse foundation A foundation that helps Syracuse’s South Side is taking its mission to new heights, with the addition of retired NASA astronaut Jeanette Epps to its board.

Syracuse native and NASA astronaut Jeanette Epps is joining the board of a local non-profit to support community investment on the city's South Side.

www.wrvo.org/2026-03-02/c...

Activists want city lawmakers to end contracts with companies tied to the Dept. of Homeland Security Syracuse activists are urging the Common Council to end contracts with DHS-linked companies to limit federal immigration enforcement infrastructure.

Activists are urging the Syracuse Common Council to end city contracts with companies tied to the Department of Homeland Security.

www.wrvo.org/2026-02-26/a...

'Tax the Rich' rally descends on Albany Hundreds of supporters boarded buses in New York City bound for the State Capitol.

The "Tax the Rich" rally brought more than 1,000 people to the New York State Capitol on Wednesday to call for higher taxes on the wealthy to fund state programs.

www.wrvo.org/2026-02-25/t...

NY prisons still staffed by National Guard amid ongoing vacancies a year after strike Lawmakers are demanding a longer-term solution to address the dearth of jail guards.

New York officials say roughly 3,000 National Guard troops remain stationed in state prisons due to 4,600 unfilled corrections officer positions.

www.wrvo.org/2026-02-25/n...

NPR Special Coverage: 2026 State of the Union Address Join WRVO for live NPR special coverage of President Trump’s 2026 State of the Union address on Feb. 24 at 9 p.m. EST. Hear the speech and Democratic response with analysis from Tamara Keith.

WRVO will air live NPR special coverage of the State of the Union address tonight starting at 9 p.m.

www.wrvo.org/station-anno...

Good Cause Eviction law fails to gain enough support among Syracuse lawmakers The Syracuse Common Council failed to pass the Good Cause Eviction law in a 4-4 tie vote. Supporters now look to a potential housing task force for the city.

The Syracuse Common Council failed to pass the state’s Good Cause Eviction law following a four-to-four tie vote on Monday.

www.wrvo.org/2026-02-23/g...

Syracuse men describe ICE arrest and detainment, as their legal fight continues Alex Gonzalez and Yan Hidalgo say they were told when they arrived in the United States, "Welcome. You are safe." But at a scheduled immigration hearing in October, they were detained by ICE officials...

After months in ICE detention, two Upstate Medical University employees are back home in Syracuse as they fight a deportation order to Ecuador.
www.wrvo.org/2026-02-22/s...

Supreme Court strikes down Trump's tariffs The 6-3 ruling is a major blow to the president's signature economic policy.

From @npr.org: The Supreme Court ruled Friday, Feb. 20 that President Trump’s use of emergency powers to impose broad tariffs is unconstitutional.

www.wrvo.org/2026-02-20/s...

Will Barclay reflects on more than two decades in Assembly The Republican Assemblyman from Oswego County stepped down from his position as Minority Leader and will not seek reelection in the fall.

Assemblyman Will Barclay is reflecting on his 24-year career in the New York State Assembly as he prepares to leave office at the end of the year.

www.wrvo.org/2026-02-20/w...

'Fund it right': Lawmakers, advocates outline priorities for Black community During the 100th anniversary of what is now known as Black History Month, lawmakers of color in Albany are highlighting key priorities for this legislative session.

During the 2026 Caucus Weekend, New York lawmakers called for education funding and sentencing reform to address the state's racial wealth gap.

www.wrvo.org/2026-02-19/f...

Police say Boonville church explosion was caused by a damaged propane line Four Town of Boonville firefighters and the pastor of the Abundant Life Fellowship Church were injured in the explosion Tuesday.

NY State Police say a damaged propane line caused the explosion at Abundant Life Fellowship Church in Boonville on Tuesday.

www.wrvo.org/2026-02-18/p...

Syracuse lawmakers poised to vote on Good Cause Eviction law The Syracuse Common Council is expected to vote on Good Cause Eviction legislation on Feb. 23, potentially bringing new rent protections to city residents.

Syracuse lawmakers are expected to vote on "Good Cause" legislation on February 23 to limit rent increases and increase tenant protections.

www.wrvo.org/2026-02-18/s...

Oneida County church explosion injures 5 people, including firefighters Officials say the blast erupted at Abundant Life Church in Boonville on Tuesday morning. New York State Police say the church reportedly used propane cylinders for heat.

Five people were injured Tuesday when a gas explosion destroyed the Abundant Life Church in Boonville.

www.wrvo.org/2026-02-17/o...

Magnarelli hopeful drugged driving bill makes it through state legislature this year New York is one of only four states that requires a drug to be listed in statute to trigger a drugged driving violation, a loophole Assemblyman Bill Magnarelli wants to close.

New York is one of only four states that requires a drug to be listed in statute to trigger a drugged driving violation.

www.wrvo.org/2026-02-16/m...

Historic Utica ski hill gets an upgrade Utica celebrates the reopening of the historic Val Bialas Ski Facility following a $2 million renovation of its snowmaking and lift equipment.

Utica officials celebrated the reopening of the historic Val Bialas Ski Facility following $2 million in equipment upgrades.

www.wrvo.org/2026-02-16/h...

Traffic infractions to get more expensive in New York starting Monday Starting Monday, February 16, the state will increase the number of points given for various traffic offenses, some of which had no points penalties in the past.

New York is increasing point penalties for traffic violations starting Feb. 16 to target reckless driving.

www.wrvo.org/2026-02-12/t...

Onondaga County asking local kids to help name new aquarium Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon is asking local students to help name the new $100 million aquarium, which is slated to open in central New York in 2026.

Onondaga County is asking local students to submit name ideas for the new $100 million aquarium through March 20.

www.wrvo.org/2026-02-11/o...

Watertown budget faces potential increase of about $5 million Watertown City Manager Eric Wagenaar presents a preliminary $63.6M budget. Council members warn of potential job cuts and tax hikes to close a $5M gap.

Watertown City Council members are reviewing a preliminary budget proposal that includes a $5 million increase over last year.

www.wrvo.org/2026-02-11/w...

Ford expects Novelis plant in Oswego to resume production by mid-2026 Ford officials expect the Novelis aluminum plant in Oswego to resume production by mid-2026 following two major fires that cost the automaker $2 billion.

Ford officials expect the Novelis aluminum plant in Oswego to resume production between May and September of 2026 following two major fires.

www.wrvo.org/2026-02-11/f...