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

Tuesday, April 30, 2013  Clergy against mixed martial arts visited lawmakers on Tuesday, lobbying against legalizing the sport in New York State. But locally, back in Syracuse, martial artists defended their sport, saying the detractors do not understand it.

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.

Tuesday, March 26, 2013  Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver says New York will spend $27.74 million to develop the first statewide electronic handgun permit database as part of its new gun control law.

Thursday, March 21, 2013  Gov. Andrew Cuomo and legislative leaders say they have an agreement on a state budget that would include raising the minimum wage to $9 an hour over three years.

Wednesday, March 20, 2013  The tax rebates would go to families with a household income of $40,000 to $300,000, with one or more children.

Friday, March 15, 2013  New York state police have charged a Hudson Valley assemblyman with marijuana possession following a traffic stop for speeding on the Thruway.

Thursday, March 07, 2013  State Assemblyman Al Stirpe is apologizing for his foul language during a meeting last week with gun control protesters.

Wednesday, March 06, 2013  Hydrofracking may not be allowed in New York State for another two years.

Tuesday, March 05, 2013  New York's Assembly has voted to increase the minimum wage to $9 an hour with automatic increases tied to inflation, putting pressure on Senate's Republicans who are seeking business tax cuts in a potential legislative deal.

Monday, February 11, 2013  Education issues are on the agenda in Albany as state Assembly lawmakers hold another in a series of public hearings on Gov. Andrew Cuomo's budget proposals.

Wednesday, February 06, 2013  A coalition of 65 state lawmakers is asking Gov. Andrew Cuomo to release the Department of Environmental Conservation's review of potential health impacts of shale gas drilling for public comment before deciding whether to allow drilling to begin.

Tuesday, February 05, 2013  Students, faculty and staff at Christian Brothers Academy, in Dewitt, gathered to celebrate the school’s cultural diversity on Tuesday.

Wednesday, January 30, 2013  Cuomo has proposed three privately run casinos off Indian land to boost the upstate economy.

Wednesday, January 23, 2013  The push to increase New York's minimum wage affecting millions of workers got a boost and hit a snag in Gov. Andrew Cuomo's proposed budget.

Tuesday, January 15, 2013  New York's Legislature has passed the nation's toughest gun control law and the first since the Newtown, Conn., school shooting.