Good morning, Syracuse.

Hundreds attended the funeral at Bethany Baptist Church for former Syracuse Common Council President Van Robinson, a civil rights advocate who helped restore black neighborhoods affected by I-81—Gov. Hochul said she will work to have key portions of the highway project renamed in his honor.

The 2025 Food Truck Battle starts today at the State Fairgrounds and runs through Saturday—over 60 food trucks, live music and craft vendors are set to serve food and fun for all ages while tickets cost $10 with free entry for kids 12 and under.

Organizer Nick Sanford said the event is bigger and better this year.

On Thursday, May 15, a tractor trailer caught fire on I-90 eastbound between exit 38 and exit 37 near Liverpool—fire crews arrived at 5:44 a.m. and blocked the right lane, which slowed traffic.

In April, Syracuse added 5,400 private sector jobs with a 2.1% growth— the highest state increase— while the state overall gained more than 14,000 jobs; nearby Utica-Rome saw a 0.6% decline and Rochester grew by 1%.

Onondaga Community College celebrated a milestone Thursday when it honored its first cohort of 12 electro-mechanical technology program students who will graduate next weekend.

The program prepares students for semiconductor jobs and partners with companies like Micron — which plans to break ground on a facility in Clay this year.

The Syracuse City School District held its annual Tony Awards ceremony at the Palace Theater in Eastwood to honor parents for their contributions and role modeling in schools — organizers noted that the selection process began in September.

The event celebrated the support given to students and city families throughout the school year.

Acting Council President Pat Hogan said the council will vote to override Mayor Walsh’s vetoes on a budget that cuts $16 million from his plan to address a $27 million deficit.

Mayor Walsh said he will veto any changes and warned that city departments may have to cut staff.

DOT will begin tearing down the elevated I-81 in downtown Syracuse in about one month and will use measures like Class B containment—tarps that hold debris—to protect nearly 3,500 local residents.

Officials will set up monitors for air, noise and vibration and hold meetings to answer questions as work continues.

Su Su Dim Sum opened in early 2024 on East Brighton Ave in a former diner space and now serves a mix of traditional dim sum dishes - from crispy duck noodle soup to steamed and pan-fried dumplings - that are prepared with housemade broths and seasonings.

The restaurant seats 60 but fills quickly with takeout orders, and it offers convenient hours with friendly service for a relaxed dining experience.

South Jefferson moved back to second in the girls lacrosse poll after teams like Jamesville-DeWitt, Westhill, and Skaneateles lost their games—Marcellus climbed four spots and Cazenovia joined the rankings—and polls will update each Thursday until the playoffs.

12th Annual PWP 5K

4 AM — 201 Cherry Rd, Syracuse, NY — Prices vary — Participate in a community-focused 5K event with multiple distance options to support local initiatives.

Bicentennial Brew Release Party

1-7 p.m. — Willow Rock Brewing Company — Free entry — Cheers to the official Bicentennial Brews Project release and enjoy Derrick's presentation.

Ian Campbell Live

8-11 p.m. — Asil's Pub — Check the door for cover charge — Experience heartfelt folk rock stories from Ian Campbell's debut album in an intimate setting.

Open House Event

11 AM - 1 PM — 477 Audubon Pkwy, Syracuse, NY — Free entry — Explore a variety of properties at this engaging real estate open house.

Dave Matthews Band Concert

7:30-9 p.m. — Empower FCU Amphitheater at Lakeview — Tickets available — Experience the iconic sounds of Dave Matthews Band with fan-favorite hits and new material.

Avril Lavigne: The Greatest Hits Tour

7-8:30 p.m. — Empower FCU Amphitheater at Lakeview — Tickets available — Experience live all the greatest hits from Avril Lavigne's extensive catalog.

NYSAFC 119th Annual Conference & FIRE 2025 Expo

8 a.m. – 1 p.m. — The Oncenter — Fees vary — A premier expo for first responders to explore the latest in fire, rescue, and EMS technology and training.

Luke Bryan Concert

7-9 p.m. — Empower FCU Amphitheater at Lakeview — Tickets available — Experience country superstar Luke Bryan with special guests in a highly anticipated summer show.

Birdhouses for Fair Housing Auction

5:30-8:30 p.m. — SKY Armory — $40 per person — Bid on unique birdhouses while supporting fair housing efforts in Central New York.

2025 NBHA Syracuse Super Show

Jun 13-15 — New York State Fairgrounds — $10,200 Added Money — Compete in thrilling barrel racing events with awards and prizes for top riders.