☀️ Today’s Weather
We're waking up to a mild, mostly cloudy Wednesday with highs near 69°F, almost record territory after Tuesday actually did break a nearly 50-year-old warm weather record. But don't get too comfortable: scattered showers and storms roll in around midday, with a real risk of severe weather from 11 AM to 6 PM and wind gusts up to 40 MPH by late afternoon. The good news? If you're heading to the Syracuse Crunch game tonight at 7 PM, the rain should start tapering off, just button up on the way out because by morning we're looking at a hard drop down to 32°F. Welcome to March in CNY.
🗞️ Top Stories
1. G-Mac Is Going Dancing, Just Not in an Orange Uniform Former SU legend Gerry McNamara led his Siena Saints to the MAAC Tournament title Tuesday night, punching their ticket to March Madness for the first time since 2010. It's a feel-good story for CNY hoops fans, even if it stings a little, while his old program was bowing out in Charlotte (more on that below), GMac was busy building something special in Albany. In just his second year at the helm, he's taken a program that went 4-28 before his arrival all the way to the Big Dance. We're rooting for you, Gerry.
2. The Season Is Over, Now What? Syracuse basketball's year ended Tuesday with an 86-69 loss to SMU in the ACC Tournament, finishing Adrian Autry's three-year tenure at 49-48. Autry was candid afterward: "I didn't get the results that we wanted." Now the whole fan base is in wait-and-see mode. Autry's future with the program is unclear, SU still needs a new Athletic Director, and the question of whether GMac might eventually come home is already swirling. It's a lot to process. Spring will be interesting.
3. Golisano Nurses Are Being Put Through the Wringer A growing crisis at Upstate Golisano Children's Hospital: youths who have been abandoned there with no medical needs are reportedly attacking nurses, pushing the hospital to the breaking point. Staff ordered martial arts gear to protect themselves. These are nurses who showed up to care for sick kids, and they're being put in genuinely dangerous situations. It's an important story about a broken system landing on the shoulders of some very dedicated local healthcare workers.
⚡ Quick Hits
A raging fire destroyed a Central New York home Tuesday, with crews battling the blaze for roughly two hours, and separately, a woman was arrested after allegedly setting fire to her DeWitt apartment.
An audit found significant cybersecurity gaps in the Syracuse City School District's IT systems, not exactly a comforting headline for parents and staff.
The Rosamond Gifford Zoo is welcoming new animals and a new director, a fresh chapter for one of CNY's favorite family spots.
West Genesee's proposed $77.9M capital project is stirring up big feelings in the community, with passion and pushback on full display at a recent public meeting.
Fugitive of the Week update: William Eason has been caught, one less name on the list.
📅 Events This Week
Tonight (Wed, Mar 12) — Syracuse Crunch Home Stand, Upstate Medical University Arena. The Crunch play three home games this week: Toronto Marlies Wed Mar 12 at 7 PM, Lehigh Valley Phantoms Fri Mar 13 at 7 PM, and Laval Rocket Sat Mar 14 at 5 PM — pick your night (or go to all three).
Thu, Mar 13 — Dylan Scott "Till I Can't, I Will" Tour, 7:30 PM @ Landmark Theatre. Country fans, this one's for you — grab tickets if you haven't already.
Thu, Mar 13 — "Possible Worlds" Exhibition opens @ SU Art Museum. A multi-artist show celebrating 20 years of the Wynn Newhouse Awards — free and worth a look.
Sat, Mar 14 — Syracuse St. Patrick's Day Parade, Downtown Syracuse. The city's beloved annual parade — festivities run all day, so make a whole thing of it.
Sat, Mar 14 — SKY Armory St. Patrick's Parade Day Party, ~11 AM–4 PM @ 351 S Clinton St. Indoor party with live music, Irish dancers, food, and parade views — a great option if the weather's iffy.
Through Fri, Mar 14 — Downtown Dining Weeks. Last few days to grab prix-fixe deals at local downtown restaurants. Don't sleep on this one.
Stay warm this morning, stay dry this afternoon, and stay safe out there, it's going to be a wild weather day. As always, we'll see you tomorrow with more of what's happening in Central New York.