☀️ Today’s Weather
A line of thunderstorms will sweep through from west to east between 6–8 AM, followed by widespread rain through late morning. The good news: things clear up a bit by midday with some peeks of sunshine. The bad news: more scattered storms are possible again late afternoon and evening, mainly south of the Thruway, with a marginal risk for severe weather and localized flooding. It'll feel warm and sticky with highs near 77°.
🗞️ Top Stories
1. Syracuse's New Aquarium Has a Name, and Kids Picked It
The Onondaga County Aquarium officially has a name: Harborview Aquarium, and it came straight from a county naming contest won by a family of 10 kids. County Executive Ryan McMahon made the announcement Tuesday, revealing that Amazon, The Allyn Foundation, and the William & Mary Thorpe Charitable Fund are among the sponsors now on board. The aquarium, nearing completion at the Inner Harbor, is on track to open this September with over 13,000 species: including eels, lionfish, and a rare Western Australian seahorse. Not a bad haul for $103.8 million. Democrats in the legislature, though, are pushing for more transparency around the 41 anonymous donors who helped close the funding gap, so that debate isn't going anywhere just yet.
2. Chris Brown and Usher Are Coming to the Dome
Mark your calendars, R&B fans: Chris Brown and Usher are bringing their co-headlining R&B Tour (short for the Raymond & Brown Tour, if you want to be fancy about it) to the JMA Wireless Dome on Saturday, August 1. It's being billed as one of the biggest R&B shows to hit CNY in years: think decades of hits, full production, and a whole lot of choreography. Tickets go on sale publicly on Monday, April 27 at noon via Live Nation and Ticketmaster. 93Q is also giving away tickets the week of April 20 if you'd rather not pay Ticketmaster fees, which, fair.
3. The Cupcake Vending Machine Explosion Has a Whole Story Behind It
You may have seen the headlines last week about an explosion rocking a building on Oak Street (and yes, it really was a cupcake vending machine). Surveillance video (which is now out there online, and yes, it's wild) caught a man placing a device inside the pink machine owned by Kadesha Carter of Cupcakes R Me before running out right before the blast. Her ex-boyfriend, Bay Rosario, 30, has since been charged with first-degree arson, among other charges. Carter, who is pregnant and due in three months, has launched a GoFundMe to help rebuild. It's one of those stories that's equal parts unbelievable and heartbreaking. If you want to support her, a quick search for her GoFundMe will bring it up.
⚡ Quick Hits
A 15-year-old has been charged in connection with the fatal shooting of a man outside Destiny USA back in March, the investigation had been ongoing for weeks.
Joe Biden returned to Syracuse University on Tuesday for the unveiling of his official law school portrait, telling the crowd he "never stopped striving for democracy."
A memorial monument honoring fallen officers Michael Jensen and Lt. Michael Hoosock was unveiled on Tipp Hill Tuesday, a long-overdue tribute to two of CNY's own.
More than 70 animals were killed in a barn fire in Cayuga County, a devastating loss for the farm and a tough reminder of how fast these situations can turn tragic.
Five SU men's lacrosse players were selected in the PLL Draft, another solid showing for the Orange program on the national stage.
📅 Events This Week
Kathy Mattea — Wed., April 15, 8 PM at the Center for the Arts in Homer; Grammy-winning country/folk legend in an intimate venue, a perfect midweek escape from the rain.
Killer Queen: A Tribute to Queen — Thurs., April 16, 8 PM at the Landmark Theatre; one of the best tribute acts around in one of the most gorgeous venues in Syracuse.
DaBaby – Be More Grateful Tour — Fri., April 17, 6 PM at Sharkey's under the Burritt Motors Pavilion in Liverpool; solid Friday night hip-hop show just north of the city.
Syracuse Wine Festival 2026 — Sat., April 18 at The Oncenter; two sessions (1–4 PM and 6–9 PM, VIP entry at 5 PM for Session 2), grab Session 2 VIP tickets before they sell out.
Cavalcade of Cars — Sat.–Sun., April 18–19 at the NYS Fairgrounds Expo Center; two days of hot rods, classics, and customs, a true CNY spring tradition.
Geek/Art CONfluence 2026 — Sun., April 19, 11 AM–5 PM at SU's Schine Student Center; free comic-con style fun with cosplay, vendors, games, and creators, bring the kids.
Stay dry out there today, CNY. We'll see you back here tomorrow with whatever this city throws at us next.