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.

Thursday, March 28, 2013  Less than two weeks after a Syracuse-area man was charged with killing a woman and raping a 10-year-old girl who was with her during a carjacking, the state Senate has voted to increase penalties for carjacking vehicles with a child inside.

Monday, January 14, 2013  New York's Senate where Republicans hold strong sway has approved what supporters say will be the toughest gun laws in the nation.

Wednesday, December 19, 2012  A former Tioga County jail guard who was caught on tape beating a prisoner has been sentenced to six months in federal prison.

Sunday, July 08, 2012  Hints that there might be a push, after November elections

Thursday, July 05, 2012  New York's brutal fight for control of the state Senate is under way.

Thursday, June 07, 2012  New York Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos says the governor's proposal to reduce the penalty for public possession of a small amount of marijuana won't pass his chamber.

Friday, May 25, 2012  Advocates for the poor are getting help from some business operators in their quest to raise the minimum wage.

Wednesday, May 23, 2012  Local leaders say a proposed new law amending the Family Court Act, could hurt the efforts of Social Services agents and lawyers to protect children in abuse and neglect cases across New York State.

Thursday, March 15, 2012  New York would see up to seven Las Vegas-style casinos, a doubled DNA database to fight crime and free innocent people, and a less cushy pension for future public workers under deals struck behind closed doors Wednesday.

Wednesday, February 22, 2012  The family of Maggie Wilcox, the four year old girl who died from Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in August, is speaking out following a State Senate report.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012  New York State lawmakers haven't had a pay raise in the last 13 years, not since 1999.

Friday, January 20, 2012  The often contentious New York Senate clashed Thursday over whether women are solely responsible for bearing children.

Thursday, December 08, 2011  New York's second major income tax increase in two years will charge millionaires more, but give 4.4 million middle-class residents a rare break worth $200 to $400 a year.

Monday, July 25, 2011  Opponents of New York's gay marriage law are suing to overturn it one day after weddings began.