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

Friday, May 03, 2013  U.S. employers added 165,000 jobs in April, and hiring was much stronger in the previous two months than first thought. The gains trimmed the unemployment rate to a four-year low of 7.5 percent.

Wednesday, March 20, 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.

Friday, March 01, 2013  Here's a bright spot amid the doom and gloom of the government's automatic spending cuts: They shouldn't delay tax refunds.

Friday, March 01, 2013  Automatic federal spending cuts take effect Friday after lawmakers were unable to reach an agreement. President Barack Obama says it may take a couple of weeks or a couple of months to reach a deal to end Washington's battle over spending cuts.

Thursday, February 28, 2013  The cuts could delay a new food safety law that requires the agency to boost inspections and directs farms and food facilities to ensure their food is safe.

Wednesday, February 27, 2013  The White House is conceding that efforts to avoid $85 billion in automatic budget cuts are unlikely to succeed before those cuts kick in on Friday.

Tuesday, February 19, 2013  Company and union officials say the job cuts, expected to start this spring, are a result of concerns over automatic spending cuts pending in Washington.

Wednesday, December 26, 2012  U.S. holiday retail sales this year are the weakest since 2008, after a shopping season disrupted by storms and rising uncertainty among consumers.

Thursday, October 25, 2012  The New York comptroller says the state is spending about $12 billion a year to deal with obesity, which is reaching "epidemic proportions" in children, affecting nearly one-third of them.

Tuesday, October 23, 2012  Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner issued a statement following the final presidential debate.

Thursday, October 04, 2012  Romney used Big Bird and PBS as an example of programs he would cut funding to if elected President in November.

Monday, August 13, 2012  Voters are just getting to know Paul Ryan and what he stands for, but the fact that he's at the top of the ticket means he could have an important impact on congressional races throughout the nation and Central New York.

Tuesday, March 27, 2012  Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the New York Legislature are poised to pass a state budget on time for a second year in a row.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012  Record warm temperatures are really good news for communities facing budget struggles like Syracuse. A lack of snow equals a surplus of cash.

Tuesday, March 13, 2012  About fifty people showed up to a public hearing about the Jamesville-Dewitt High School budget Monday night.