A note from our Executive Director:In January, it would have been impossible to predict the path this year would take. You all rallied around Central Current in 2024 to help us add momentum and achieve milestones that we could never have achieved on our own.Our burgeoning newsroom is growing in readership, staff, and support. The coverage we have produced has increased accountability for public officials, shifted how residents understand and discuss local issues, and highlighted stories that would otherwise have gone unreported.Foundations in CNY and nationally are partnering with us to help advance this work. The generosity of readers like you has led to our most successful end-of-year fundraiser ever. By July of 2025, Central Current will have more reporters than ever before. Readership and subscriptions have seen tremendous growth.In a time when more than two newspapers shut down each week across the country, we are proud to be adding new staff, producing more coverage, and growing our footprint.All of us at the newsroom have seen firsthand the thirst that Central New Yorkers have for reporting of depth and for a publication that serves as a mirror for the community it serves. As we prepare to send our staff on a much deserved vacation over the holidays, we wanted to share some of the biggest milestones from this year. None of this would have been possible without the dedication and support we received from our many readers and donors.Thank you for believing in the future of journalism here in Central New York, we are honored to be entrusted with this work.Maximilian Eyle, Executive DirectorSelect a section title below to navigate:Adding staff Growing readership A new office Fundraising successes Public events Coverage highlightsGrowing our staffIn March, I was hired as Central Current’s first executive director to lead the business side of the organization. This role ensures that Central Current’s reporting is reaching as many people as possible and that the newsroom has the resources to sustain and expand its coverage.In April, Kari Cotter, CPA, joined Central Current as a part-time finance director to oversee our accounting needs and support our financial health. She has spent 25 years working with nonprofits and businesses, including as the finance manager for the Hiscock Legal Aid Society.Central Current also hired its second full-time staff reporter, Patrick McCarthy, to cover a government and politics beat. Patrick is a Syracuse native and a graduate of the Newhouse and Maxwell schools at Syracuse University. Since we hired him in August, he’s published nearly 40 stories about local elections, policing, the city and county budgets, transportation and more. In December, Central Current was awarded $55,000 in funding through the John F. Marsellus Fund at the Central New York Community Foundation to hire a housing and infrastructure reporter. This position will also be supported by Report for America — a national nonprofit organization that provides multiyear funding and support to place journalists in local newsrooms toreport on under-covered issues and communities.Focusing on the I-81 viaduct removal, the community grid construction, and public housing redevelopment, this new staff reporter will help tell the intersecting stories of some of Syracuse’s most significant projects and systems. Expanding and engaging our readershipFrom January through December, Central Current saw its average monthly readership more than triple in size and its newsletter subscribers increase by 25%.We also created new opportunities to engage with our readers in person, through a series of listening sessions, panel events, and partnerships with other regional nonprofits. In April, Central Current worked to capture the perspectives of Syracuse residents with New York Focus, a statewide newsroom, hoping to learn more about the news needs of all New Yorkers. The results of the project can be found here.Moving into a bigger officeCentral Current’s growing staff quickly outgrew its old offices. The newsroom has put down roots in a beautiful space located in the Dey Brother’s building at the corner of Jefferson and Salina streets.The new space has allowed us to put our vision for the future on our whiteboards, store documents and more closely work together. The picturesque view of the historic courthouse is icing on the cake.The historic courthouse in downtown Syracuse as seen from Central Current’s offices.Fundraising: more grants, donors, and sponsorsIn 2024, we were able to bring over $100,000 in national grant dollars to Central New York from funders including the Google News Initiative, LION Publishers, the Inasmuch Foundation, and Report for America. These partnerships have galvanized our newsroom, demonstrating that the work we are doing to strengthen local reporting in CNY is attracting the attention and support from funders outside of our region.Central Current has also received significant and ongoing investments from local foundations including the Dorothy and Marshall M. Reisman Foundation, the Allyn Family Foundation, the Central New York Community Foundation, and the Gifford Foundation. These grants have been a crucial support in our continued growth, and show that the regional philanthropic community is serious about sustaining community journalism as an essential civic resource.For our end-of-year campaign, Central Current was challenged by a national funder to raise $15,000 in individual donations under $1,000. Our readers stepped up and broke the previous year’s record: more than $20,000 in eligible contributions were pledged or received from Nov. 1st through Dec. 31st.This year also saw the launch of our sponsorship program. A growing number of local and regional businesses and organizations made contributions to Central Current to help underwrite our coverage, including PathFinder Bank, Wegmans, the Central New York Community Foundation, Maguire Automotive Group, Crouse Health, and Bousquet Holstein PLLC.Launching a public event seriesThrough funding from the UpMobility Foundation, Central Current launched its Current Conversations series in October. These public forums bring members of the public together to discuss and understand pressing local issues. They are offered at no cost to attendees.The first, entitled “Reimagining Public Housing”, was held downtown and included a panel with representatives from the City of Syracuse, the New York Civil Liberties Union, Syracuse Housing Authority, and Blueprint 15. Nearly 60 people attended, including many residents from the affected public housing units. The crowd at Central Current’s first “Current Conversations,” a discussion of the redevelopment of public housing. Credit: Ike Wood | Central CurrentThe second event, held at the historic Dunbar Center on Syracuse’s south side, explored the decline of local news in Central New York. Attendees broke into small groups to discuss coverage gaps, information consumption habits, and perceptions about local media.The Current Conversations series will continue in 2025. Scheduled events will include additional programming on housing as well as a forum featuring Syracuse’s emerging mayoral candidates during the spring primary. This event will be held in partnership with FOCUS Greater Syracuse.2024 Stories of the YearCentral Current seeks to pursue stories of depth that promote accountability, transparency, and understanding across our region. Read more of our favorite stories of the year below:Syracuse City Hall April 16, 2024. Photo by Michelle Gabel | Central Current City reverses decision, Syracuse police drones to be reviewed by oversight group After Central Current reported that city officials planned to bypass a surveillance oversight process for new police drones, city officials reversed their decision. The drones will be reviewed by the Surveillance Technology Working group created four years ago by Mayor Ben Walsh. This oversight committee will likely recommend rules that will curtail the drone use.“You provide a critically needed independent source of news in CNY.” – Richard | CNY residentOnondaga Nation council member Brad Powless looks at one of Fellows Falls. Credit: Mike Greenlar | Central Current The Onondaga Nation reclaimed 1,000 acres of land. Now it seeks restoration. After the Onondaga Nation recovered 1,000 acres of land in Tully from Honeywell International, Reporter Patrick McCarthy joined Tadodaho Sid Hill and Nation attorney Joe Heath in exploring the territoryMcCarthy weaves a story detailing the history of the area, its relationship to the Onondagas, and the conservation efforts underway to protect and restore the land from the damage caused by salt mining.“I especially appreciate your coverage of the Onondaga Nation and the big picture coverage of political and economic aspects.“ – Suzi | CNY residentUpstate University Hospital. Mike Greenlar | Central Current. Will Upstate University Hospital stand in the way of plans for Syracuse’s Near Eastside? Anais Mejia used archival reporting along with shoe-leather journalism to reframe how we look at properties owned by Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse’s Near Eastside. Her analysis revealed how the hospital’s ownership of downtown real estate places it at the heart of a debate over gentrification, housing access, and economic development.“I support the commitment [Central Current] makes to be on the ground and in the community talking with those who are making things work.  I regret not knowing about you earlier! “ – Pam | CNY residentOswego City Hall | Photo by Michelle Gabel Credit: Michelle Gabel | Central Current Oswego wanted to be ‘ahead of the curve’ on public homelessness. So the city criminalized it. Eddie Velazquez’s story on the city of Oswego criminalizing public homelessness was one of our most read stories this year and also one that shined a light on a brutal policy. The city codified a law that allows police officers to fine residents $100 or jail them for 15 days for setting up encampments or sleeping in public places. Velazquez’s helped identify the local effect of the United States Supreme Court ruling that municipalities could enact such legislation. “Locally based, unbiased information is crucial to a civil, democratic society.” – Lynne | CNY residentCredit: Peter Pietrangelo | USA TODAY NETWORK; Getty Images Credit: Peter Pietrangelo | USA TODAY NETWORK; Getty Images How a Syracuse police officer crashed department cars 12 times and remained on the force Central Current Managing Editor Chris Libonati is a part of the investigative team producing the Driving Force series along with members of USA Today/Gannet and Syracuse University.Because of this series, the Syracuse Police Department is just now beginning to deal with the problem of police car crashes. The problem was rampant — the department had hundreds of crashes over a 10-year span that injured drivers and officers while costing taxpayers millions of dollars. They’ve bought new technology and started thinking more creatively about how to punish repeat offenders. “I always enjoy reading the news on Central Current – I find that you often bring to light news that other news outlets do not consider “click-worthy” enough to report. Thank you for shining light in the dark places.”“ – Sharon | CNY residentKwasi Owusu, owner of Timbuktu African Imports at 500 South Ave. in Syracuse N.Y. Mike Greenlar | Central Current. Syracuse’s South Side says goodbye to community staple Timbuk Tu African Imports after 30 years In one of our most read stories of the year, Yolanda Stewart profiled Kwasi Owusu as he was preparing to close his business. An iconic shop with a strong following, Central Current broke the news of its closing and paid tribute to its founder and owner.“I support Central Current for its refreshing, positive coverage of community achievements, showcasing the great things happening around Syracuse, especially in arts and culture “ – Rita | CNY residentSyracuse Police headquarters on South State Street in downtown Syracuse. Credit: Julie McMahon | Central Current A study found Syracuse’s new license plate readers make frequent mistakes. Councilors didn’t know before approving them. Patrick McCarthy’s investigation into the City of Syracuse’s new license plate reader program shone a light on how technical errors with the software could put drivers at risk for unwarranted police stops. The post 2024: Central Current’s year in review appeared first on Central Current.