Good morning, Syracuse.

Mary Nelson is hosting her annual school supply giveaway on Aug.

15 at Meacham Field in Syracuse. She needs little backpacks for small children; donations can be dropped off at the Mary Nelson Youth Center (2849 S. Salina St.) as nearly 5,000 families have registered.

This weekend, Central New York hosts diverse community events — including the Taco and Margarita Festival at the Inner Harbor on Saturday, Scottish Games at Long Branch Park, Towpath Day at Camillus Erie Canal Park, Fillmore Days in Moravia, and a fundraiser featuring NFL running back Latavius Murray.

The American Red Cross announced it will no longer operate its 20-year Park It Forward fundraiser at the local fair after Crucible sold its donated parking lot.

That move risks a $150,000 loss for services — the board has launched a $10,000 matching challenge.

Barrel racing competitors pulled out of the New York State Fair because a new safety policy bars vehicles on the grounds from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Competitors said the rule forces impractical unloading times — officials maintain the measure protects visitors.

Researchers at the College of Arts & Sciences have developed GOOSE, a computational tool that designs disordered proteins and tests thousands of sequences quickly.

A regional symposium on this emerging research will be held later this fall as Syracuse bolsters its role in innovative science.

Four Syracuse University faculty received NSF Early CAREER awards totaling $2.8M to fund research and teaching projects that boost robotics, physics, math, and neuroscience — including a NeuroBootCamp for high schoolers and interactive lab demonstrations for local students.

Bernard Appiah, an associate professor at the Maxwell School, explained his radio drama model that uses segments of 10, 10 & 30 minutes to boost public health messages.

His work, based on lessons from his Ghana childhood, has raised immunization rates, including in a project in Ethiopia.

The New York Attorney General’s Office filed a contempt motion against landlord William D’Angelo for failing to meet settlement deadlines—repairing lead paint hazards at 10 properties including 121 Hoefler St. in Syracuse.

The office demands new risk assessments and timely repairs to protect public health.

Over the Cuse Deli & Grill serves its popular steak, egg and cheese sandwich all day, drawing 150 to 200 new customers who praise its fresh ingredients and special yellow sauce.

The restaurant offers all-day breakfast with varying hours from morning until late night.

John Albanese converted a former doctor’s office into a single-family home at 312 Elm Street in Fayetteville after a year of restoration (this house now boasts new plumbing, a modern kitchen, updated baths and classic details).

The home is move-in ready.

The 2026 edition of Central New York’s Parade of Homes introduces a scattered site format that features eight custom-built houses in different communities & offers a fresh look at local housing designs.

Data from the Greater Syracuse Association of Realtors shows average home sale prices in three Onondaga County towns have risen by over 20% since last year — Fabius increased by 24% to $312,400 while Marcellus and Van Buren saw gains above 21% amid a countywide rise to $343,400.

Central New York home values surged, with Onondaga showing over $288,000 in June up 6.48% from last year and Oneida rising to over $241,000 up 8.09%, ranking among the nation’s top counties per Zillow; low inventory has driven bidding wars + cash offers near Syracuse.

Jeff Nixon transitioned to an NFL-style coordinator role when Syracuse promoted Dennis Thomas to manage the running backs, freeing Nixon to work with every position group to boost the offense’s efficiency.

His changes came after a season marked by several off-season staff adjustments.

The Syracuse Mets rallied from a 5-run deficit to beat the Columbus Clippers 10-6 on Thursday night at NBT Bank Stadium, scoring four runs in the eighth inning with Jack Wenninger earning the win.

Billy Idol Concert

7:30 PM — Empower FCU Amphitheater at Lakeview — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy a night of classic rock with Billy Idol in a vibrant outdoor setting.