Morning Edition: April 5th, 2022
Still no budget in Albany, Sheriff Schenck gives update on fatal accident, New Congressional maps under fire, and Palmyra Supervisor Ken Miller has salary cut by board after incident last month.
Welcome to your Morning Edition!
Here’s what our newsroom is working on today!
STILL NO BUDGET: Democratic lawmakers control all three chambers of government, but that doesn’t mean a state budget is imminent. Funding for the Buffalo Bills’ new stadium and bail reform remain sticking points.
UPDATE ON FATAL ACCIDENT: Sheriff Schenck gives update on Amtrak train accident in Cayuga County over the weekend. The person who jumped from the moving train has been identified.
NEW CONGRESSIONAL MAPS: A judge has stayed an order ruling that New York ‘s newly-drawn Congressional and legislative districts are unconstitutional. Oral arguments are scheduled in the case Thursday.
Streaming Spotlight: Here’s what you missed!
Debrief Podcast: Bitcoin mining, school safety after Red Jacket incident, regional malls continue their decline, and ongoing worker shortage.
#ICYMI: The biggest stories from the last 24 hours
NYS Health Commissioner advises Central New Yorkers to wear masks
COVID-19 cases and new hospital admissions are currently above above the state average in Central NY. In an April 1 press release, Commissioner Bassett urged Central New Yorkers to get fully vaccinated, boosted, tested if feeling unwell, and recommended wearing masks in all indoor public spaces regardless of vaccination status.
Palmyra Town Board plans to cut Supervisor Ken Miller’s salary
The Palmyra Town Board announced its plans last week to reduce the salary of Town Supervisor Ken Miller and set specific work hours following an incident in early March. The Town Board held a special meeting on Thursday, March 31 led by acting Supervisor Jim Welch, who is filling the role while Miller is on leave until April 12.
Auburn’s Seymour Library offers curbside pickup while renovations underway this month
Renovations planned for the library’s West Lobby (Main Lobby) include a new layout, furniture, elevator modernizations, and energy-efficient lighting. The addition of new bay windows will add more reading and study space for library-goers.
Game species disappearing across New York as human footprint expands
A new report from the National Wildlife Federation found game species across the country lost, on average, 6.5 million acres of habitat over the past two decades. It is a trend advocates contended will continue unless lawmakers take action.
Reader Feedback: Shopping malls should have a second life
There have been countless stories about shopping malls declining. There are several in the Finger Lakes and Central New York that fit this description. Over the weekend, we featured a story about Great Northern Mall in Clay, New York. It's in a state of disrepair, but Onondaga County says it doesn't want to be part of a purchase to get the property on the right path.
It begged the question (which we posed to subscribers!): What should be done with shopping malls as they empty out and physically decline?
Here’s one of about a dozen responses that proposed addressing the affordable and senior housing problem that exists in suburbs and small urban communities.
"When I see unused shopping malls, I see potential for Senior Housing Community. Many have movie theaters and food courts for people to gather and be entertained. Large anchor stores could be broken up used for single unit housing. Other spaces could be used for gym and physical therapy space, a dollar store, medical office for minor problems, library, computer lab, classroom, and a place to do crafts. They don’t have to be fancy, just convenient."
Editor’s Note: Special thanks to everyone who submitted feedback, including Toni, who is quoted in today’s newsletter.
Let us know what’s on your mind!
We want to hear from you all week long. Our newsletters are here to serve the community — and reader feedback is a crucial part of the exchange! Unfortunately, we won’t be able to implement every idea that makes it to our inbox — or include everyone’s responses to individual stories in the newsletter — but we will certainly be incorporating more as times goes on.
Say hello by emailing news@fingerlakes1.com!