Sean Kirst: Eighty years after Jackie Robinson’s minor league heroics, a spotlight on his courage and pain in Syracuse
The Montreal Royals, Robinson’s old team, are now the Syracuse Mets — while community elders hope what he endured playing here is not forgotten.
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LATEST REPORTING
Onondaga County legislators approve industrial wastewater district for Micron
All but two Onondaga County Democrats voted to approve the wastewater district, though they expressed skepticism about the vote over what they deemed a lack of information provided by the county.
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.
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.
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I-81 AND PUBLIC HOUSING COVERAGE
Emails appear to undercut SHA board member’s allegation that board chair was ‘pushing so hard’ for contractor
A series of emails indicate that Hueber Breuer was hired by SHA’s development partner nearly 11 months before Ryan Benz was appointed to the board.
SHA Chair Ryan Benz asks city clerk to step down from board over allegation
“I wondered if one of the reasons why Ryan was pushing so hard for [Hueber Breuer was] so they can profit,” said SHA Commissioner Patricia McBride.
SHA Executive Director Bill Simmons accuses board chair of conflict of interest; board chair denies allegations
Simmons sent an email to HUD alleging Board Chair Ryan Benz had a conflict of interest with an SHA contractor, leading to a spat between board members.
CULTURE
Sean Kirst: For Arlene Abend, legendary Syracuse artist, a daughter’s quest to create a living memorial
The hope that Abend — whose welding helped shatter artistic barriers for women — will inspire similar courage and vision in ongoing generations.
Sean Kirst: For two Buffalo families after racist mass killing, Rev. Jesse Jackson saw ‘a torch’ within their burning grief
In Rev. Jesse Jackson’s passing, memories of solace at the hardest moment from a giant of civil rights.
Sean Kirst: In nation’s snowiest large city, snow-blocked sidewalks, one hard winter and the needs of those on foot
In Syracuse, which receives extraordinary annual snowfall, pedestrians deserve an extraordinary annual response.
EDITOR’S PICKS
Federal immigration agents accessed Syracuse drivers’ data through secret Flock Safety deal
Privacy and civil rights watchdogs have called on Syracuse to terminate its Flock contract. SPD says it’s comfortable contracting with the company, which is facing Congressional investigation.
‘From Snob Hill to Slob Hill’: Tenants say conditions at once luxurious apartments forced them to sue owner
Ten tenants have sued the owners of Nob Hill to push for repairs of the apartment complex, which has 48 open code violations.
A herd, a hide and a 50-year friendship: How the Onondaga Nation brought the buffalo back
A gift 50 years ago has allowed the Onondaga Nation to raise a herd of about 70 buffalo in southern Onondaga County.
SEAN KIRST’S UPSTATE JOURNAL
Sean Kirst: The dog who knew the way out of the room
A rescue dog named Bentley, start to finish, did his job.
Sean Kirst: In Syracuse, marathon pioneer Kathrine Switzer returns to heart of storm
In an extraordinary JMA Wireless Dome ceremony, Switzer’s Boston Marathon bib number will be raised to a high place in the dome.
Sean Kirst: In Minneapolis shootings, a Lyncourt native wounded at Kent State hears familiar echoes
Tom Grace, one of 13 people shot by the Ohio National Guard in 1970 at Kent State, sees haunting parallels unwinding now.
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