Latest local news, weather and sports for Syracuse and Central New York

Today at 1:42 PM  Efforts to legalize professional mixed martial arts in New York have foundered again with the state Assembly's Democratic leaders refusing to allow a vote on the measure.

Yesterday at 9:11 PM  The Republican-led House has passed a far-reaching anti-abortion bill, giving conservatives a claim to progress in their campaign against legal abortions and Democrats another reason to claim that the Republican agenda is anti-women.

Monday, June 10, 2013  Gov. Andrew Cuomo's proposal to strengthen state abortion rights is energizing not just his liberal Democratic base, but outnumbered opponents who claim it's a "stealth expansion" of abortion.

Monday, June 03, 2013  The day before candidates can begin their petition drives, the Democratic primary in Syracuse is heating up. On Monday, Syracuse Councilor Pat Hogan announced he will run against Democrat incumbent Stephanie Miner for Mayor of Syracuse.

Tuesday, May 14, 2013  New York Senate Republicans say Monday's murder conviction of a Philadelphia abortion doctor bolsters their opposition in Albany to Gov. Andrew Cuomo's abortion proposal.

Thursday, May 09, 2013  As the case against the man accused of holding three women prisoners against their will in his Cleveland home for a decade awaits grand jury action, details unravel in the case, with strings attached to one of his sons, a newspaper article, and even Western New York.

Monday, May 06, 2013  State Sen. John Sampson has been indicted on charges of embezzlement, obstruction of justice and lying to the FBI.

Wednesday, April 24, 2013  Republican Assembly members are calling for a constitutional amendment that would allow voters to recall their elected officials for corruption and other reasons.

Saturday, April 13, 2013  Democrat Alfonso Davis announced on Saturday that he will be running for mayor of Syracuse.

Tuesday, April 09, 2013  The Senate's top Democrat says there will be a showdown vote on Thursday on his party's effort to enact new gun restrictions.

Wednesday, March 20, 2013  The state Senate's Independent Democratic Conference says the state budget will include five-figure tax credits to employers to hire recent veterans as a way to reduce the high unemployment rate of service members returning from combat.

Tuesday, March 19, 2013  The prospects for congressional approval of an assault weapons ban appear to be even slimmer as Democrats remove an assault weapons ban from a gun control bill.

Monday, March 18, 2013  Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New York legislative leaders hope to announce agreement on the third straight on-time budget.

Thursday, March 07, 2013  Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy says it's time for Congress to take steps to reduce gun violence.

Wednesday, March 06, 2013  The White House says President Barack Obama picked up the dinner tab at a tony Washington restaurant where he had dinner with 12 Republican senators.