Haudenosaunee see harbingers of harm in Upstate New York’s reindustrialization akin to the disastrous environmental impact of past industrial development.
Patrick McCarthy
Patrick McCarthy is a staff reporter at Central Current covering government and politics. A graduate of Syracuse University’s Maxwell and Newhouse Schools, McCarthy was born and raised in Syracuse and attended Nottingham High School.
Before joining the Central Current team, he worked as a writer at Friends of the Rosamond Gifford Zoo and wrote concert reviews for syracuse.com | The Post Standard. McCarthy also served as a contributing writer for TriplePundit, a publication focused on sustainability and corporate responsibility. In his role with Central Current, he provides access and transparency to elected officials – helping raise accountability and connecting readers to the decisions that shape Central New York.
Patrick McCarthy can be reached at pmccarthy@centralcurrent.org
Posted inCity of Syracuse
Syracuse city clerk helped create ‘unprofessional work environment,’ according to previously unreported documents
The head of the city’s human resources office chastised Syracuse City Clerk Patricia McBride for her conduct. An independent investigation in 2025 found some substance to complaints against McBride.
Posted inImmigration
Central New York folk artists hope to fuel resistance through benefit concert for immigration resource network
The May Memorial Unitarian Universalist Society on Wednesday will host the “Songs of Hope and Resistance Benefit Concert” from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Posted inHousing
In a city of renters, landlords win
Syracuse lawmakers capped a nearly two year back and forth by voting down ‘good cause eviction’ legislation.
Posted inOnondaga County
Central New York lawmakers, sparked by Wegmans, begin efforts to rein in biometric technology
Onondaga County legislators have drafted a proposed biometric disclosure law after Wegmans was revealed to be using biometric technology in New York City.
Posted inPolicing
Syracuse wants to break up with Flock. Not so fast, company says.
Syracuse officials are moving to replace Flock Safety license plate readers. But Flock isn’t leaving without a fight — and pledges taxpayers will pay the price.
Posted inPolicing
To fix ‘broken immigration system,’ Mannion helped expand ICE’s powers. Now, he wants reform.
Mannion voted for the Laken Riley Act, supporting Trump’s pledge for ICE to go after “the worst of the worst”. A year later, Mannion says that’s not what the country got from Trump’s immigration agencies.
Posted inPolicing
Why Syracuse lawmakers’ voting session became a meltdown between activists and lawmakers
Members of the local chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America protested the Syracuse Common Councilors’ choice of Axon Enterprise as the city’s license plate reader provider.
Posted inHousing
Syracuse Common Council’s ‘good cause’ caucus flips key vote
Syracuse lawmaker Donna Moore, who previously and publicly pledged to vote against the legislation, said a tenant helped flip her opinion on ‘good cause.’
Posted inPolicing
Syracuse lawmakers approve contract for Axon license plate readers, plan to block Flock Safety from city streets
Syracuse lawmakers plan to ground Flock Safety readers about a year and a half after introducing them to city streets. Lawmakers voted to replace them with Axon readers.