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

Wednesday, January 02, 2013  While the nation focuses on the macroeconomics of the fiscal cliff deal, dealnews.com came out with its annual list of "12 things that will be more expensive in 2013."

Tuesday, December 11, 2012  Better than even chance of a White Christmas

Friday, November 23, 2012  Traditionally thoughts turn to picking out a Christmas tree on the day after Thanksgiving. In Central New York, neighbors can take comfort that the summer drought that's affected so many crops across the nation has not impacted tree selection. Now, the key to keeping your tree fresh through the season is water.

Thursday, October 18, 2012  Restaurants are getting a taste of the Midwest drought. It's driving up prices for corn, chicken and meat and restaurants are struggling to keep menu prices the same.

Tuesday, September 25, 2012  Experts are predicting an unavoidable shortage of bacon and other pork products in the coming year because of this year's drought.

Monday, September 24, 2012  The drought took a toll on the green, green grass of homes nationwide, but now through November is when you get going with repairs.

Monday, September 24, 2012  This year's wine grape crop from upstate New York is high in quality with a bit less quantity.

Monday, September 17, 2012  The experts say unusual warmth earlier this year, a cold snap and then stretches without rain in some parts of the state won't have much effect on this fall's foliage color in New York.

Monday, September 03, 2012  Some dairy farmers in upstate New York say they will be forced to buy more forage to feed their cattle or downsize their herds because of smaller harvests of corn and hay after a dry summer.

Monday, August 20, 2012  A dry summer is taking a toll on various crops across New York state, and the State Fair is feeling it, too.

Thursday, August 16, 2012  You may have noticed some trees are already starting to lose their leaves. Dr. Donald Leopold, Professor of Forest and Wetland Ecology at SUNY-ESF, says the lack of rain this summer is starting to pose a threat to certain trees.

Wednesday, August 15, 2012  Arkansas farmers are seeing record numbers for this year's harvest. Warm spring temps allowed their crops to beat the heat of summer and now they're reaping big profits, despite a summer scarred by a drought.

Tuesday, August 14, 2012  Farmers in the midwestern U.S. are turning to cross-breeding to create hardier stock and weather the severe drought conditions.

Monday, August 13, 2012  The USDA says crop production in 2012 for New York is expected to be mostly higher compared to last year.

Sunday, August 12, 2012  After some local apple farms reported an 80 percent loss of their crop due to freezes early this Spring, the forecast for apple picking season was grim. But, some local farms are saying it was not a total loss for everyone, reporting the 90 to 95 percent of their crop is still intact.