Morning Edition: Sunday, April 3rd
Getting ready for the week ahead! The biggest stories and reader feedback on FingerLakes1.com.
Welcome to your Sunday Morning Edition!
Monday through Saturday this newsletter delivers the biggest headlines of the day, and helps you unpack the news from the day before. Getting caught up in 60 seconds or less is the goal. On Sunday's though, we're going to do something a little different.
The biggest stories - yes, but also reader feedback, analysis, and the questions that will guide our newsroom through the following week. That's what your Sunday Morning Edition will be. It will also be a primer for our Debrief Podcast, streamed LIVE on FingerLakes1.com's YouTube Channel at 11 a.m. on Monday.
What were the most talked about stories this week on FingerLakes1.com?
State regulators punt a decision on bitcoin mining: For environmental advocates it was another disappointing week, as state leaders from the DEC punted a decision on bitcoin mining. Advocates say there’s an environmental cost to the kind of data mining that’s taking place at a plant along Seneca Lake in Dresden, Yates County. However, the DEC said no decision would be made until after June’s primary elections. Does this give us a clue about the decision coming in a couple months?
Sheriff Povero says staffers actions ‘heroic’: On Friday, a student brought a loaded handgun with extra ammunition to the Red Jacket High School in Shortsville. Sheriff Phil Povero says the quick action of staffers inside the building were ‘heroic’ and likely prevented a tragedy. A 15-year-old was taken into custody, but little more is known about what led up to Friday’s lockdown. As expected, reaction from the community was swift — with support for law enforcement and staff — and questions about how something like this can be prevented in the future. What steps can/should schools take to mitigate the possibility of incidents that are statistically unlikely?
Officer involved shooting: Sheriff Rob Milby said after an officer involved shooting in the town of Ontario that the deputy who responded to the scene retreated a significant distance before firing his sidearm. The deputy was responding to a call from New York State Office of Mental Health for a person who was said to be unstable, off his medication, and possibly intoxicated while operating a vehicle. The person became aggressive, and when deploying a taser didn’t work — the deputy fired his weapon. No life threatening injuries were reported, but the debate on social media played out as expected. Some arguing that no force should have been used, while other applauded the deputy. Others were left asking: How can these situations be handled safely and adequately for all involved?
Another shopping mall in flux: Great Northern Mall in the Syracuse area has fallen into disrepair, but county officials don’t want it to be another ShoppingTown Mall. They purchased that one two years ago. So, with that scenario unlikely — big questions remain. As shopping malls disappear — vast structures remain — so how should they be repurposed?
Hiring struggles come to life: Thompson Health in Canandaigua has more than 250 openings right now. Last week a job fair was held and just 40 people showed up. Around half were hirable, according to reporting from the job fair. Unemployment numbers continue declining — which begs a fundamental question about economic viability: First off, how does healthcare in rural communities survive these massive labor gaps? Second, looking outside healthcare — how does an economy keep the wheels turning with virtually every business facing the same problem?
Gas tax holiday debated further: Lawmakers at the state and federal level are trying to find ways to hold back fuel prices. One story focused on the price of gasoline, and the need for relief at the pump. Another on home energy prices, as sky high utility bills are reported throughout Upstate New York. Is it time for major action to reduce the cost of gas?
What do you think? We want to hear your opinion! Share your thoughts on any of these stories — or questions — by clicking here, or emailing news@fingerlakes1.com.