Investigating Lead in City Schools’ Drinking Water
In January, a critical investigation into lead levels in the drinking water of Syracuse city schools revealed alarming results. Reporters Maggie Hicks and Michelle Breidenbach analyzed state testing data from 2023 and 2024, finding that nearly every building in the district had lead levels exceeding the state’s safety limits. Their findings highlighted 138 sinks and 36 drinking fountains with unsafe lead levels. Despite recommendations from outside experts to install filtered filling stations for students’ water bottles, a district spokesperson claimed it wasn’t necessary. However, after the publication of their story and a subsequent editorial, a water supply company donated $104,000 worth of filtered water stations to the district.
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Exposing Issues in the I-81 Neighborhood Rebuild Plan
Reporter Michelle Breidenbach, who has spent over three years covering the I-81 project, published a significant scoop in February. She revealed that the centerpiece of the plan to rebuild the public housing project next to the highway was facing serious challenges. The Child Rising Center, a $32 million facility intended to offer childcare, preschool programs, and indoor sports and fitness activities, was at risk due to in-fighting, incompetence, and a lack of leadership. Her reporting led to Mayor Ben Walsh expressing his loss of confidence in the Housing Authority’s ability to manage the project. This issue has become central in the mayoral race this year.
Highlighting Dire Conditions in the Emergency Room
In March, reporter Doug Dowty and video journalist Scott Trimble provided an inside look at the emergency room at Upstate Medical University Hospital. Their coverage revealed an overcrowded and overwhelmed ER, where patients often waited for hours in hallways. Their reports showed that one in seven adult patients left without being seen due to long wait times. Local lawmakers and hospitals used their coverage as part of their lobbying efforts, leading to the inclusion of $450 million in the state budget for a new emergency department and annex.
Examining the Impact of Trump Administration’s Immigration Policies
Immigration has been a contentious issue since President Donald Trump returned to office. In June, the New York attorney general’s office launched a civil rights investigation into the Oswego County Sheriff’s Office following reports of traffic stops that raised concerns about racial profiling. Reporters Michelle Breidenbach and Rylee Kirk reviewed body camera footage and federal court records, uncovering aggressive tactics by Border Patrol and ICE agents. They also interviewed Mike McMahon, a farmer in Cortland County, who discussed the challenges of finding workers for dairy farms due to the lack of work visas.
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Uncovering the Details of a Gruesome Murder Case
Earlier this year, a gruesome murder case in the Canandaigua area captured national attention. Reporters Marnie Eisenstadt and Greta Stuckey investigated and wrote the first in-depth account of Sam Nordquist’s death. The 24-year-old transgender man met his girlfriend online and traveled from Minnesota to New York, only to be held captive and tortured to death. Arzuaga and six others have been charged in the case. The reporters interviewed over a dozen people and reviewed court documents and social media to piece together the tragic events.
Early Access to Micron’s Environmental Impact Statement
In May, reporter Glenn Coin obtained a copy of Micron’s draft environmental impact report, which Onondaga County officials had been withholding. The 20,000-page report was scheduled for release in late June or early July, giving residents just 45 days to provide feedback. Glenn’s persistence secured an earlier copy, allowing him to break down the report into a digestible format for Central New Yorkers affected by the construction. His reporting provided a clear picture of the benefits and challenges of the Micron project, including its impact on air quality, traffic, job creation, and wildlife.
If you have story ideas or topics you’d like to see covered in the second half of the year, feel free to reach out.
