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

Monday, May 06, 2013  Even as the economy continues to improve, more people are using SNAP benefits with a 105% increase in Onondaga County since 2000.

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.

Tuesday, April 09, 2013  The Cuomo administration says employers should save $1.2 billion from changes to New York's worker's compensation and unemployment insurance programs.

Wednesday, April 03, 2013  About 200 employees of the New York state Thruway Authority are expected to lose their jobs as part of layoffs announced by the Cuomo administration earlier this year.

Wednesday, April 03, 2013  Officials have released preliminary data showing the unemployment rate in upstate New York was 9.2 percent in February, unchanged from a year earlier.

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 12, 2013  According to a new report by the New York State Labor Department, unemployment is slightly up here in Central New York.

Monday, February 25, 2013  The number of people participating in 401k retirement plans reached an all-time high last year.

Friday, February 22, 2013  Central New York has seen a sharp decline in manufacturing jobs recently, but as the industry moves toward a more technologically-based focus, some think we can turn it around.

Friday, January 18, 2013  Officials say New York's unemployment rate dropped to 8.2 percent in December from 8.3 percent a month earlier

Friday, December 28, 2012  Officials say New York's unemployment rate dropped to 7.9 percent in November from 8.3 percent a month earlier.

Tuesday, December 04, 2012  New York is among five states planning to add at least 300 hours of learning time to the calendar for some schools starting next year.

Friday, November 16, 2012  Officials say 5,900 new private sector jobs were created in New York State in October.

Friday, October 19, 2012  State labor officials say New York gained about 2,900 private sector jobs in September and the unemployment rate stood at 8.9 percent, down 0.2 percent from a month earlier.

Friday, October 12, 2012  A Liverpool woman was arrested Friday afternoon on accusations she stole four family members' identities to file for unemployment insurance.