☀️ Today’s Weather
Winter isn't quite ready to let go. Expect a blustery, cold day with on-and-off snow showers and flurries, with a high near 35°F. Wind chills will make it feel like the teens to 20s, and westerly gusts could hit 30 mph. The good news? This is the last hurrah! Warmer days are on the way, so hang tight.
📰 Top Stories
1. Shoppingtown Mall Finally Has a Real Shot at a Future After six years of sitting empty and being a sore subject for DeWitt residents, the old Shoppingtown Mall had its latest public community meeting Monday night, and senior housing is emerging as the crowd favorite for what comes next. Onondaga County is accepting redevelopment proposals through May 14 and is asking $25 million for the 65-acre site, though they'll consider lower offers if the vision is right. It's been a long road (the county even had to use eminent domain to grab the old Macy's parcel), but things are actually moving and CNY might finally get something worth talking about on that corner of DeWitt.
2. Liverpool School District Tables a Budget That Would Cut Nearly 80 Jobs The Liverpool school board held a long, tense meeting Monday night and ultimately tabled a budget proposal that would eliminate close to 80 positions across the district. The district is staring down a roughly $17 million deficit, a gap driven by declining enrollment, rising costs, and years of staffing growth that didn't keep pace with student numbers. Nothing is finalized yet, but with a budget vote coming in May, parents and staff in the Liverpool community have a lot riding on what happens next.
3. Michigan Stuns the Country, Wins First Title Since 1989 In case you stayed up for it, Michigan outlasted UConn 69-63 Monday night in Indianapolis to claim the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Championship, their first title in 37 years. It was an ugly, grind-it-out game, neither team could buy a three-pointer early, but Elliot Cadeau stepped up with 19 big points down the stretch to seal it. For the record, UConn had been undefeated in championship games before last night (6-0 all-time). Not anymore. It's also the first Big Ten title since Michigan State won it all back in 2000.
⚡ Quick Hits
An unknown substance (currently pending testing) brought into Mohawk Correctional Facility in Rome sent five people to the hospital, a corrections officer is in critical condition in the ICU, and a visitor has been charged.
Two Onondaga County smoke shops owe over $1 million in state taxes, according to state records, adding to a growing list of local tax headaches.
A building in Geddes collapsed due to water buildup on the roof, not a gas leak as initially feared, though neighbors said they heard a loud boom before it came down.
Seven Syracuse Women's Basketball players are expected to enter the transfer portal, signaling a significant roster shakeup heading into the offseason.
SU officially introduced three new assistant basketball coaches under Gerry McNamara, including familiar face Arinze Onuaku, the former Orange big man.
📅 Events This Week
Dog Man The Musical — Tonight, Tuesday, April 7 at 6:30 PM at the Oncenter Crouse Hinds Theater; a great pick for families with young Dav Pilkey fans.
CNY Ballet: Depth & Desire — April 11–12 and April 18–19 at the Everson Museum's Hosmer Auditorium; original choreography plus a fresh take on Bizet's Carmen, with Saturday shows at 2 PM & 7 PM and Sundays at 2 PM.
The American Game: A Book Talk with S.L. Price — Saturday, April 11 at 12:30 PM at the Skä•noñh Great Law of Peace Center in Liverpool; a conversation on lacrosse's deep cultural roots, perfectly timed before the Syracuse-Virginia game.
AmeriCU Spring Game — Saturday, April 11 at 7:30 PM at the JMA Wireless Dome; Syracuse football's free spring game, but grab your tickets online in advance, they won't be available at the door.
Stay warm out there, CNY. Spring is close enough to taste it. We'll see you tomorrow.