☀️ Today’s Weather
Friday's looking a little rough to start. Morning rain and clouds will hang around through midday, but things should clear up enough for some sunshine by late afternoon. Temps will be running about 10 degrees above average with a high of 46°F, so it'll feel more like a late-March day than early March. If you're heading to the Syracuse Crunch game tonight at Upstate Medical University Arena (7 p.m., Mental Wellness Night!), bring a light jacket, winds out of the SE could gust up to 20 mph, but it should be dry by puck drop.
🗞️ Top Stories
1. Goodbye, Great Northern Mall… Hello, Whatever Comes Next The wrecking ball is officially swinging at Great Northern Mall in Clay, and honestly, it's hard not to feel a little nostalgic. Demolition is estimated to cost $2.5 million and is part of a broader plan to replace the site with a "lifestyle center" featuring apartments, hotels, and a medical campus anchored by SUNY Upstate Medical University. The entire mall structure could come down within two months, though a few buildings, including the former Dick's Sporting Goods space, will stick around. RIP to the food court memories. Can't wait to see what takes its place.
2. A Syracuse Basketball Player Is Detained by Federal Immigration Agents A recent Syracuse men's basketball player, John Bol Ajak, who came to the U.S. after his family fled civil war in South Sudan, has been detained by federal immigration agents. It's the latest in a wave of immigration enforcement actions that have touched Central New York directly, with local Syracuse immigration attorney Jose Perez reporting roughly 150 clients detained since ICE has cracked down in the region. The story is still developing, but for a community that has long embraced refugees and immigrants, it's hitting hard.
3. SU Women Hold On, Advance in ACC Tournament Despite Injuries The Syracuse women's basketball team gutted out a 70-59 win over California in the ACC Tournament, and they did it shorthanded. Two players went down with injuries during the game, but the Orange dug in and got the job done anyway. It's the kind of gritty performance that reminds you why tournament basketball is must-watch TV. Follow their next game closely, because this team is playing with something to prove.
⚡ Quick Hits
A major milestone has been reached on the I-81 Viaduct Project — The long-awaited transformation of downtown Syracuse's highway is moving forward, and the city is one step closer to reconnecting its neighborhoods.
A barricaded man with a shotgun in Cortland County has been charged following a hours-long standoff with law enforcement — Thankfully no one was hurt.
A second hotel owner has pleaded guilty to stealing over $223,000 in taxpayer funds — Because apparently one wasn't enough of a cautionary tale.
Big Bills news: Buffalo is trading for wide receiver D.J. Moore from the Chicago Bears, per the AP — Mafia, it's time to get excited.
SU grad Katie Verderber is competing for Team USA in mixed curling at the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games — Go get 'em, Katie!
📅 Events This Week
Maddox Batson: Live! — Tonight (Fri., Mar. 6) at 7:30 p.m. at the Landmark Theatre; catch this rising singer-songwriter for an intimate night of live music.
Syracuse Crunch vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins — Tonight (Fri., Mar. 6) at 7 p.m. at Upstate Medical University Arena; it's Mental Wellness Night, so grab your crew and enjoy some hockey therapy.
Grand Kyiv Ballet: Swan Lake — Sat., Mar. 7 at 7 p.m. at the Landmark Theatre; full classical ballet — drag someone along who appreciates drama, tutus, and the occasional tear.
F.I.R.E. Festival — Sun., Mar. 8 at Middle Ages Brewery; a women-focused music showcase with live performances, local vendors, and serious community energy.
That's your Friday edition of CNY Insights — now go find some sunshine before it disappears again. Get ready for the Weekend Edition tomorrow!