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

Tuesday, May 14, 2013  New York Senate Republicans say Monday's murder conviction of a Philadelphia abortion doctor bolsters their opposition in Albany to Gov. Andrew Cuomo's abortion proposal.

Tuesday, May 07, 2013  The chairman of a Senate committee says the sexual battery arrest of the Air Force officer who led the branch's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response unit underscores how far the Defense Department has to go in addressing the plague of sexual crimes in the military.

Monday, May 06, 2013  The Senate has passed a bill that could end tax-free shopping on the Internet for many shoppers.

Monday, May 06, 2013  State Sen. John Sampson has been indicted on charges of embezzlement, obstruction of justice and lying to the FBI.

Monday, May 06, 2013  Attention online shoppers: The days of tax-free shopping on the Internet may soon end for many of you.

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.

Tuesday, March 19, 2013  The prospects for congressional approval of an assault weapons ban appear to be even slimmer as Democrats remove an assault weapons ban from a gun control bill.

Thursday, March 07, 2013  Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy says it's time for Congress to take steps to reduce gun violence.

Tuesday, March 05, 2013  Cuomo says he's not open to changing the provision that requires no more the seven bullets in an ammunition magazine, down from 10 allowed before the law was enacted.

Tuesday, February 05, 2013  With 11 Democrats voting for the City University of New York professor, three Republican senators on the committee voted to forward her nomination without recommendation.

Monday, February 04, 2013  The Senate is trying again to accomplish what Congress failed to do last year - extend the federal government's chief means of protecting women from domestic abuse while broadening those protections for Native Americans, gays and lesbians.

Wednesday, January 30, 2013  Cuomo has proposed three privately run casinos off Indian land to boost the upstate economy.

Wednesday, January 30, 2013  A Senate aide says wounded former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords will be a surprise witness at Wednesday's Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on how to curb gun violence.

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.