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.

Monday, June 25, 2012  Job seekers lined up Monday this morning in East Syracuse for a job fair.  Aldi's is looking to hire 15 to 20 new employees at its Syracuse area stores.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012  Congressional leaders are gauging lawmakers' reactions to a tentative deal extending a 2 percentage-point payroll tax cut and extra jobless benefits through 2012, a pact bargainers reached after House Republicans conceded that the tax cut would not have to be paid for with spending cuts.

Friday, December 23, 2011  GOP aides say House Republican leaders have agreed to a two-month extension of Social Security payroll tax cuts and federal unemployment benefits

Friday, November 18, 2011  A Hall couple is accused of stealing thousands of dollars from an elderly man.

Friday, September 02, 2011  State Police say 40-year-old Ronald Willard, of 1366 Sherman Street, illegally collected $4,556.25 in state unemployment benefits.

Thursday, July 21, 2011  State police say 53-year-old Glenn Bickel collected more than $4,000 worth of unemployment benefits through the State Labor Department while employed.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011  Gov. Andrew Cuomo has signed into law an extension of federally funded unemployment benefits through 2011.

Wednesday, December 01, 2010  Extended unemployment benefits start running out today for an estimated 2 million Americans.

Friday, November 12, 2010  State labor officials are preparing for the possibility that 200,000 New Yorkers could lose their unemployment benefits if Congress fails to extend the emergency benefits.

Monday, October 11, 2010  A state audit has found $1 million worth of errors in New York unemployment insurance benefits, including checks paid out to 14 dead people.

Thursday, July 22, 2010  Federal checks could begin flowing again as early as next week to millions of jobless people who lost up to seven weeks of unemployment benefits in a congressional standoff.

Thursday, July 22, 2010  State unemployment agencies are gearing up to resume sending unemployment payments to millions of people as Congress moves to ship President Barack Obama a measure to restore lapsed benefits.

Wednesday, June 30, 2010  Governor Paterson has proposed legislation raising New York's unemployment benefit by $70 a week starting next year.

Friday, June 25, 2010  After the U.S. Senate failed to extend unemployment benefits to people out of work for more than six months, New York Labor Commissioner Colleen Gardner says the department's phones "have been ringing off the hook."