☀️ Today’s Weather
It is a big weekend in Syracuse, and the sky is going to keep things interesting. Saturday brings a mix of clouds and sunshine with temperatures climbing to a high of 63, which is actually a welcome change from the chill we have had. There will be some light rain showers in the morning and midday if you are south or southeast of Onondaga County, but the early-to-middle afternoon should dry out nicely. The bigger concern is after sunset, when a new system slides in and brings the best chance for showers and a thunderstorm, so if you are headed to any evening events, keep an umbrella handy.
Sunday, which happens to be both Mother's Day and SU Commencement, starts with a pleasant mix of sunshine and clouds as temps finally return to near-normal levels, though a spotty shower or sprinkle could show up anywhere from midday through dinnertime, so plan accordingly and maybe keep the rain jacket in the car just in case.
🗞️ Top Stories
1. I-81 Construction Is Crashing Commencement Weekend If you are heading up to the Hill this weekend for Syracuse University's graduation, you are going to want to leave extra time and check your route. The ongoing I-81 construction is creating real headaches for families trying to get to campus, with lane closures and detours adding significant delays around the university. Parking is also at a premium, so the city is encouraging graduates and their guests to use shuttle services and public transit where possible.
2. Oswego Landlord Doug Waterbury Arrested Again on Stalking Charge Doug Waterbury, an Oswego landlord with a documented history of sexual misconduct against tenants, has been arrested yet again, this time on a stalking charge. Waterbury has faced accusations of sexually exploiting tenants for decades, and this latest arrest suggests the legal troubles are far from over for him. It is the kind of story that is hard to read but important for anyone renting in the Oswego area to know about.
3. FLOX Intelligence Wins $1 Million at GENIUS NY Here is some good news to end on: a company called FLOX Intelligence just won the top prize at the GENIUS NY pitch competition, taking home $1 million as Central New York continues to build its reputation as a serious player in the tech and innovation space. GENIUS NY is one of the nation's top business accelerator competitions focused on drone and autonomous systems technology, and a local win like this is a big deal for the region's economic momentum.
📅 Events
Food Truck Battle at the NYS Fairgrounds (Chevy Court) — Saturday, May 9, 11 AM to 10 PM; 55 trucks, live music, and something for the whole family (it also ran Friday night if you missed it).
Guided Nature Walk at Rice Creek Field Station — Saturday, May 9 at 11:00 AM, 193 Thompson Road in Oswego; about an hour long and open to everyone, free and fun for all ages.
SU Commencement for the Class of 2026 — Sunday, May 10, 9:30 AM to noon at the JMA Wireless Dome; expect heavy traffic around the Hill all weekend, so give yourself plenty of time if you are in that area.
🏀 Sports
New York Yankees play a two-game interleague series in Milwaukee against the Brewers on Saturday at 7:10 PM and Sunday at 2:10 PM. The Yankees are rolling at 26-13, so this is a good series to tune into if you want to see a team that actually knows how to win right now.
New York Mets head to Arizona to face the Diamondbacks on Saturday at 7:15 PM and Sunday at 4:10 PM. At 14-23, the Mets have not exactly been inspiring confidence this season, but hey, there is always this weekend.
New York Knicks host Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday at 3:30 PM. The Knicks lead the series 3-0, so they have a chance to sweep right into the next round. Do not miss this one.
Syracuse Women's Lacrosse heads to Annapolis on Sunday at 1:00 PM to take on top-seeded Navy (19-1) in the NCAA Tournament second round. The Orange (14-5) knocked off Loyola in the opening round, and while Navy is a tall order, Syracuse has the talent to make it interesting.
Syracuse Men's Lacrosse hosts Yale at the JMA Wireless Dome on Sunday at 5:00 PM in the NCAA Tournament first round. Both teams are fairly evenly matched, with Syracuse sitting at 11-5 and Yale at 9-5, so this should be a good one to catch in person or on a stream.
Syracuse Mets host the Rochester Red Wings at NBT Bank Stadium on Saturday at 1:05 PM and Sunday at 1:05 PM. The Chiefs Mets are 20-15 and have been one of the better stories in the International League this year, so if you want a fun, affordable weekend afternoon, the ballpark is a great option.
Have a great weekend, Central New York, and whether you are celebrating a graduate, treating your mom, or just trying to stay dry, we hope it is a good one.