Senator Chuck Schumer in Syracuse

New York Senator Chuck Schumer was in Syracuse today. Schumer is introducing new federal legislation that is promising millions of dollars to rejuvenate the West Side, also known as The Salt District.

People living on the West Side have been trying to make changes to the neighborhood for years.

“Everybody’s doing something,” says June Wright who has lived in this area since she was thirteen. “With a little bit of funding that they are saying we are going to get, it will help it all. Like the housing and people getting jobs. It will help with all the crime.”

The projects main goal is to decrease the number of abandoned homes in the area which can be an eyesore in the neighborhood, deterring buyers from moving in to vacant homes.

Wright’s son, Mark Wright Sr., hopes that the increase in funding will do more than fix the abandoned buildings.

“I hope it brings more people here. We need more life residents,” says Wright Sr.

Cuse Car

Today the Syracuse Common Council voted to make more homes for the CuseCar of Syracuse. The CuseCar also works with the Universal Brownfield Revitalization Corporation.

The vote was passed to designate one parking space for the hybrid car in the garage at Syracuse Hancock International Airport for a span of 3 years. Starting on April 13, 2009 until April 12, 2012, a CuseCar will be available for use. The council also passed two 1-year renewal options for the airport.

CuseCar is a community car-sharing program that provides its members access to alternative fuel vehicles sparing people the worry and expense of owning a car.

NCC News Reporter Nergish Sunavala found that peoples lack of interest in public transportation drives the need for the convenience of the CuseCar at the airport.

The CuseCar also has requests for locations from the Oncenter Complex and the Syracuse Chamber of Commerce.

The Return of A-Rod

Alex Rodriguez will report Monday to the New York Yankees' spring training complex in Tampa, Florida from surgery. A-Rod will continue his rehab from right hip surgery.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi said A-Rod's workout will include stretching, agility work, light jogging, fielding some grounders, hit off a tee and take soft toss swings.

The Yankees will open a series at Tampa Bay starting tonight, and Girardi says he expects Rodriguez to be at the game. The three-time MVP is expected to return to the lineup in May.

Buffalo Bills Defensive Back Going To Court

Buffalo Bills defensive back Donte Whitner has been formally charged with aggravated disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. These charges come after he was in an altercation outside of a Cleveland nightclub Saturday.

The 23 year old Bills player was handcuffed by police who also had to use a stun gun on Whitner outside the House of Blues. He forced his way past police and broke free from officers. Whitner was released until formal charges could be brought.

No court date has been set, but Cleveland police spokesman Thomas Stacho says and initial appearance should be made in the next two weeks.

Anti-Government Protests in Thailand

Two people are dead and 133 people have been injured in anti-government protests in Thailand. Thousands of troops fired warning shots and tear gas to turn the protesters back. Demonstrators were forced into neighborhoods where neighbors angry with the disruption fought against them.

The protestors are pressing Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to resign, and are largely supporters of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The more than 12 hours of street battles are just another aspect of the country’s ongoing political turmoil.

Some of the 6,000 troops that are deployed in Bangkok began moving toward the Government House where an estimated 5,000 demonstrators have been since March 26th.

Official celebrations for the Thai New Year were canceled and more than a dozen countries including the United States have issued travel warnings. These warnings urge citizens to avoid trips to Thailand and for those who are already in Bangkok, to stay in their hotels away from the protests.

Kongkrit Hiranyakit, chair of Thailand’s Tourism Council, says the violence threatens to slash the country’s tourism revenue. This could lead to the loss of 200,000 jobs in the tourism industry. The political turmoil could also lead foreign businesses once considering building factories or making other investments from doing so.

The recent demonstrations come just months after a group of rival protesters occupied Bangkok’s airports for a week. Political tensions have diminished since Thaksin was removed from office by a military coup in 2006 amid accusations of corruption and abuse of power.

When (Cute) Animals Attack

Zoo workers at Zoo Berlin say their polar bear enclosure is "already safe" and they're planning no more security measures despite a visitor's trespassing into the moat surrounding it.

A woman at the zoo hopped over a fence, through a hedge of thorns and scaled a concrete wall before jumping into a murky moat to swim with the polar bears on Friday.

One of the bears bit the woman's arms, legs and back before zookeepers rescued the woman with a life preserver. Bild, a German newspaper, reports that the woman is recovering in the hospital.

A similar incident happened last year when a man hurdled the moat at the same zoo. He wanted to get closer to the celebrity polar bear Knut, later explaining that Knut had
looked "lonely." He escaped unharmed when keepers lured Knut away with food.

The zoo says it will continue to rely on the common sense of visitors to ensure safety.

North Dakota Levee

A large part of Horace, North Dakota evacuated this morning. The town of 6,875 people was told by Mayor Mary Lee Nielson not to return because crews are still working.

Crews scrambling to fix a levee breach in North Dakota along the rising Sheyenne River say it appears to be under control.

National Guard helicopters dropped 1,000-pound sandbags into the breach and crew has been working to fix the gap in the levee in Valley City.

The National Weather Service said the Sheyenne is expected to crest Tuesday in Valley City about two feet higher than the record set in 1882. The Sheyenne River empties into the Red River.

NY Archbishop Restoring Pride

The incoming archbishop of New York, Timothy Dolan, is saying that he will challenge any suggestions that Roman Catholics are not enlightened because they oppose gay marriage and abortion. In his interview today in Manhattan, Dolan also said that he wants to restore pride in being Catholic.

Dolan in scheduled to be installed as the leader New York’s Archdiocese during ceremonies at St. Patrick’s Cathedral Tuesday and Wednesday. He succeeds Cardinal Edward Egan who is retiring.

Dolan says he will use his sermons this week to ask Catholics not to be so consumed by their own problems that they neglect to help others in these difficult times.

Obama to allow money transfers to Cuba

President Barack Obama has directed his administration to allow unlimited travel and money transfers by Cuban Americans to family members in Cuba.

The official announcement was made today at the White House from a senior administration official. The decision was made to help create space for the Cuban people to gain political freedom from the Casto regime.

Other privileges include allowing gift parcels to be sent to Cuba and issuing licenses to increase communications between Americans and the Cuban people.

The 411 on 511

New York state is making it easier to get transportation information. Travelers can simply dial 511 for updates in their area or users can sign up for text-messages and email alerts. The 511 service offers information from transportation and police agencies in New York.

511 New York provides in formation on:

• Emergency alerts about major transportation problems


• Traffic conditions, camera images, speeds


• Work zones and construction reports


• Border-crossing conditions


• Transit conditions


• Weather conditions and forecasts


• Transit trip-planning (door to door)


• Transit services


• Intercity bus and rail services and more

To access New York State's official traffic and travel source, simply dial 511 on your phone.

Fossella Pleads Guilty

Former New York Congressman Vito Fossella has pled guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol in Virginia. Fossella’s lawyer says that he decided on the plea today because he was moved by the death of Los Angeles Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart. Adenhart was killed in a car crash caused by a suspected drunk driver.

Fossella is expected to begin his sentence next weekend. He decided not to seek re-election after his arrest and revelation that he had fathered a child during an affair. Despite the controversy surrounding Fossella he still plays a prominent role in New York City civic and political events.

Pilot Dies in Flight

A plane carrying six people landed safely in Fort Myers, Florida after its pilot died shortly after takeoff. The Federal Aviation Administration says the twin engine plane was on autopilot and climbing to 10,000 feet when the pilot died.

A passenger on board, who is licensed to fly single-engine planes, was able to land the plane safely at the Southwest Florida International Airport. He is not certified to fly the larger King Air craft plane but an air traffic controller helped guide the passenger to the ground by calling a friend who knows about the King Air plane and relaying instructions to the passenger.

The plane had left Naples and was on its way to Jackson, Mississippi.

Everyone is Polish on Dyngus Day!

The world's largest Dyngus Day celebration takes place in Buffalo today. What is Dyngus Day, you ask? Dyngus Day is the annual post-Lenten bash that attracts tens of thousands to Buffalo to celebrate spring, show Polish pride, and listen to top-notch polka bands.

While the tradition dates back centuries in Poland, Dyngus Day in Buffalo had its start in 1961. Historically a Polish-American tradition, Dyngus Day celebrates the end of Lent and Easter. Over the decades, Dyngus Day has become a holiday to celebrate Polish-American culture, heritage and traditions.

Associated with the Sacrament of Baptism, pussywillows are symbolic of the holiday. The tradition continued when farm boys in Poland wanted to attract the girls as dates. It was custom to throw water and hit the girls on their legs with twigs or pussywillows.

According to the Encyclopedia Staropolska written in the 19th century by A. Gloger, the word can be traced back to a medieval form of the word “Dingnus,” which means “worthy, proper, or suitable.” Gloger cites a use of the word, “ranson during a war to protect against pillage,” as well as a German usage of “Dingen,” which means “to come to an agreement, evaluate or buy back.”

Syracuse will celebrate its own Dyngus Day at the Polish Community Home on Park Ave today from 6-10 PM.

Parents of Binghamton Shooter Speak

The parents of Jiverly Wong, who killed 13 people inside of an immigrant services center in Binghamton, contacted the Post Standard, wanting to give an interview to apologize for the actions taken by their son.

Henry Voong and his wife Mui Thong say they did not know their son owned a handgun. They say they are “deeply sorry” for the actions Wong took on April 3rd. He entered the American Civic Association, opening fire with two hand guns killing 13 people and wounding four others before he committed suicide.

Voong says his son usually kept to himself and rarely interacted with his family despite living in the same house. Wong’s parents did not know their son suffered from mental illness, but Voong says there was an incident 19 years ago where he sought treatment for his son. In that incident Wong told his father that he believed someone was trying to kill him. Voong then took his son to a hospital where doctors sent him home after two hours, saying nothing was wrong.

Voong and Thong are trying to find an answer to why their son did what he did.

“All parents raise their children to be good human beings,” says Voong. “You never imagine in your wildest dreams that they would end up doing something so horrific.”

On Friday clergy planted 14 tulips in a memorial garden in memory of each person who died, including Wong. Over the weekend police say the 14th tulip was uprooted. Wong’s parents are concerned that someone will take revenge on them because of what their son did.

America's Tax Refund To-Do List

According to an Associated Press-GfK poll released today, most Americans say they plan to use this year's tax refund to pay bills during this bad economy.

Quick Facts:

• 57 percent of adults said they expect to receive a tax refund
  
• 54 vs. 35 percent (2008) receiving refunds said they intend to pay off credit card, utility, housing and other bills
  
• Five percent (same in 2008) said they planned to go in a shopping spree
  
• 38 percent receiving a refund said they plan to spend part of it
  
• Three percent plan on investing in real estate
  
• The average refund this year is about $2,700, compared with $2,500 last year
  

The deadline for individuals to file their 2008 tax returns is Wednesday. The quickest way to file your tax return is online and have the refund deposited directly into a bank acccount. Online returns take about 10 days to process, according to the Internal Revenue Service commissioner, Doug Shulman.

The AP-GfK poll was conducted April 3-7 and involved phone interviews with more than 1,000 adults. The margin of sampling error is plus or minus 3.1 percentage points for
the sample.

Mortar Attack in Mogadishu

U.S. congressman Donald Payne faced a mortar attack in Mogadishu, Somalia today. Payne is a New Jersey Democrat and chairman of the House of Representatives' Foreign Affairs subcommittee on Africa.

Payne met with Somalia's president and prime minister during a one-day visit to discuss piracy, national security and cooperation between Somalia and the U.S.

Six mortar shells were fired toward the airport, none landing in the airport but mortar shells were found in a residential area. No one was hurt in the attack.

Easter Egg Roll

The annual Easter Egg Roll began this morning as President Barack Obama introduced the event calling it, “one of the greatest White House traditions.” Michelle Obama also appeared along with Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Jill. The president’s daughters were at the annual event where hundreds of children were participating in the egg rolling competition on the South Lawn.

The First Lady told those in attendance that the goal was to have fun. There were also soccer and basketball games where she said the focus was to make sure everyone stayed active.

The White House gave tickets for the event to gay and lesbian parents as part of the administration’s effort to reach out to diverse communities. President Obama told the crowd that this event “reminds us that this is the people’s house.”

Navy SEALS End Pirate Standoff

Navy SEALS have rescued Captain Richard Phillips who was being held hostage by Somalian pirates. The SEALS ended the five day standoff by parachuting from their aircraft to the sea where they were picked up by the destroyer USS Bainbridge. The destroyer was towing the pirated lifeboat where Phillips was being held. It took the SEALS three perfect shots in the dark to kill the three pirates holding Phillips hostage. Phillips whose hands were bound at the time of the rescue is said to be in good condition. The fourth pirate who survived is said to have surrendered before the SEALS sniper rescue.

Negotiations with Iran to Come?

A leading candidate in the upcoming Iranian presidential elections said Monday that if elected, he would negotiate with the United States, but would not give up its nuclear program.

Reformist candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi said he will talk to President Barack Obama if Obama's administration changes U.S. Policy towards Iran.

"We will definitely negotiate with them. Why not?" Mousavi said. "Peace with any country would benefit our interests."

President Obama said that he wants to work with Iran, a tactic avoided by President Bush's administration. But, Obama said Iran's nuclear program still poses a threat. Iran denies any accusations from the West that it is developing nuclear weapons. Instead, the country's leaders said the country is trying to develop a nuclear program for "peaceful purposes such as power generation."

The nuclear program is seen as a symbol of national pride for many Iranians, and Mousavi said he does not want it to be compromised in exchange for a better relationship with the U.S.

Mousavi is seen as the best candidate to defeat current Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. He served as foreign minister, then as prime minister from 1981 to 1989.

Unlike Ahmadinejad, Mousavi has also condemned the killing of the Jews during the Holocaust.

Man Climbs Highest Peak for 19th Time

The man who holds the record for most climbs up Mount Everest will make the hike up the tallest mountain on Monday for his 19th time.

Appa, 48, grew up around the foot of Mount Everest as a yak herder. He said he is making this trip with his team to bring down all the garbage that has accumulated on the slopes. He said climbers bring down food packages, empty oxygen tanks, and rope, but often leave behind human excrements. Appa said he and his team will collect their own excrements along with bags full of waste to show other climbers that it is inappropriate to leave waste on the mountain.

"The mountain is not just a god for us but the snow and ice is the source for water we drink," Appa said. "Leaving behind human
waste is not just insulting to the mountain god but also contaminates the source of water."

Appa first climbed the 29,085-foot mountain in 1989, and has climbed it almost every year since. He has lived in suburban Salt Lake City since 2006.

John Deere Retailer Not Concerned With Economy

It would be ignorant to think the economy has doing anything but go down recently. Businesses are affected, people lose jobs, and the stock market continues to fall.

One local business, though, is trying not to concern themselves too much with the poor economy, especially with spring right around the corner.

The family owned Cazenovia Equipment Company just tries to think of new and clever ways to gain more exposure to the public. For example, rather than just being able to view the John Deere equipment at the showroom, prospective buyers can attend on of the demo days and try out the different machinery.

Plus, Martha Ryan, who works in marketing for Cazenovia Equipment, says that in a time when people are losing jobs, they have to opportunity for others to gain jobs.

"We are now able to offer resources to those who have lost their jobs and want to start their own business. We can give them quality units they can use for landscaping and construction."

Additionally, Cazenovia Equipment thinks that with the economy on a downturn, people are vacationing less to save money. But spending more time at home, the same people are putting more effort into landscaping and gardening, which benefits the John Deere retailer.

Man Arrested for Practicing Dentistry

A Long Island man is expected to be arraigned Tuesday on felony counts of unauthorized dentistry practice, and other misdemeanor charges.

Paul Diba performed several dentistry procedures without a license. A Long Island patient went to Diba's office for a root canal, only to have her teeth drilled three times before the correct tooth was found.

Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice said Diba ran a dental office in Roslyn from June 2007 until his arrest on Monday. Rice also said Diba has never been licensed to practice dentistry in New York.

Senator Gillibrand In Syracuse

New York State Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is in central New York today. This morning, she joined Syracuse Mayor Matt Driscoll, Congressman Dan Maffei, Syracuse University Chancellor Nancy Cantor and others at the Whitman School at SU for a round table discussion about education.

The Say Yes to Education program is designed to help children who cannot afford to pay for college have a chance to succeed. Gillibrand says she will back to program at the national level, and was impressed with the fact the program starts when children are young.

"I do think it's visionary, I think its inspiring and I do think it's the solution for America and look forward to partnering with you and being your voice on a natural level" Gillibrand said.

One student at the discussion whose mother is on workers compensation says he couldn't begin college when he should have because he needed to work and contribute to his home. As a result of Say Yes to education, a program that is still in need of more funding, helped him afford college and he will begin taking classes next year.

Firefighters Making Progess on Texas Wildfire

After weeks of heavy storms across the United States, firefighters in Texas are now battling wildfires.

Firefighters are making progress controlling a 15,000-acre wildfire in a small town near the Oklahoma-Texas border. As of Monday afternoon, only 50 percent of the wildfire has been contained.

Homes in the town of Wheeler, Texas were evacuated on Sunday as the wildfire became larger, and power was lost. But, the Texas Forest Service said power was restored by Sunday afternoon, and residents were allowed to return home.

The Texas Forest Service said the entire state will be under critical wildfire danger, as low humidity and high winds are forecasted.

Bombings In Baghdad

36 people were killed in coordinated bombings across Shiite villages in Baghdad. Another 110 people were wounded in the attacks.

In total, there were six bombs, four of them car bombs.

The United States military says that the attacks are similar in nature to previous bombings.

In Sadr City, survivors of the attack were angry, and started to throw rocks at the Iraqi troops after they fired shots into the air in an effort to disperse crowds of people trying to help those who were injured.

The violence in Iraq was at its highest in 2007, and has since dropped 90 percent. The U.S. military is worried, though, that the recent spike in attacks means extremist groups may be reforming.

F-22 Fighter Jets To Be Cut From Defense Budget

The Pentagon will end the F-22 fighter jet and presidential helicopter programs run by Lockheed Martin Corporation, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said.

Military analysts said the U.S. military would not purchase more of these radar-evading supersonic jets, because it is considered an outdated weapon. The military currently has 187 F-22 fighter jets, and each plane costs approximately $140 million.

Lockheed Martin Corp. said nearly 95,000 jobs can be affected if the Pentagon did not buy more planes. The White House is also looking into cutting out the new fleet of presidential helicopters, which has a price tag of $11.2 billion, from the 2010 budget.

More Madoff Scandal

New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo has filed civil fraud charges against J. Ezra Merkin, former Chairman GMAC Financial Services and hedge fund manager.

Merkin gave $2.4 billion to Bernard Madoff without telling his clients where the money was going. He is accused of lying to his clients by telling them he was going to personally invest their money, and hid his connections with Madoff.

"Merkin duped individual investors, non-profits, and charities into believing he was responsibly managing their investments, when in actuality he was dumping them into history's largest Ponzi scheme," Attorney General Andrew Cuomo said in a statement.

Merkin's attorney, Andrew Levander, called the lawsuit "hasty," "ill-conceived" and "without merit," and he denied that clients had been kept in the dark.

"Contrary to the attorney generals allegation, investors in the Ascot Funds were well aware that the money was being invested with Madoff," Levander said.

Lavander even went so far as to say some of Merkin's clients met personally with Madoff.

Paterson Approval Rating Lowest Ever

A Quinnipiac University poll show that New York voters disapprove of the job Governor David Paterson has done by a count of 60-28 percent. This is the lowest approval rating in history for a New York Governor.

The main reason for Gov. Paterson's low rating is the way he has handled the state budget. Some say Paterson had a chance to improve his rating with his handling of the state budget after the poor way he named Kirsten Gillibrand state senator when Hillary Clinton took the job as Secretary of State.

63 percent of voters say David Paterson should not be elected to a full four-year term in the next city election.

Conversely, New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, has a near-record high 75-14 percent approval rating and tops Paterson in a Democratic primary 61-18 percent according to the poll.

North Korea Missile Launch

The missile North Korea launched over the weekend traveled twice as far as any missile ever launched by the country, showing the progress they continue to make.

Although the missile fell in the ocean, several other countries, including the United States, are calling for disciplinary actions by the United Nations.

U.S. Ambassador to the U.N., Susan Rice says that Washington wants a binding Security Council resolution so that North Korea cannot act without impunity.

President Obama also reacted, saying that North Korea, "broke the rules, once again, by testing a rocket that could be used for long-range missiles."

The rocket traveled more than 1,900 miles, and several countries in the Pacific are now in striking ranger. Alaska is still out of reach by more than one-thousand miles, and the mainland U.S. is even further.

The media in North Korea say the rocket also put an experimental satellite into orbit and that other countries are taking the launch too seriously.

The 15-member Security Council is not planning to meet today, but diplomats say Japan, the U.S., Russia, Britain, France and China are expected to discuss how to deal with North Korea.

Try Pole Dancing for Exercise

Thought about pole dancing as a form of exercise? One Syracuse workout studio exclusively teaches people how to pole dance, and it is not for entertainment.

"This incorporates gymnastics, ballet, dance, aerobics, pilates, all of the above...all incorporated into all of this. The only thing is that you are utilizing a pole," Kerrilyn Reynolds, pole fitness instructor, and owner of CNY Pole Fitness, said.

Pole fitness is gaining popularity, prompting some people to choose pole fitness over the traditional gym.

"I've done the gym thing; I have a gym membership; its really boring," Anna Jerkins, pole fitness student, said. "It's fun, you know, it's not monotonous...its not on the treadmill for 45 minutes, and you look forward to it."

Its popularity has also led many people to sign a petition to allow it become a competitive sport for the 2012 London Olympic Games.

"If it does make it in to the Olympics, it's going to be one of the bigger sports," Nick Reynolds, pole fitness instructor, said. "It's kind of like the rings or pole vaulting or gymnastics things like that."

To find out more about CNY Pole Fitness, visit >., and to learn more about the Olympic petition, visit .

Hardcore Walking for Seniors

For a group of seniors in Baldwinsville, Mondays and Wednesdays have become days dedicated to some hardcore walking.

Mary Dineen started the Wellness Walking Group in 2000. She started out with only three people in her group. But, today, there are at least 40 who walk in the Beaver Lake Nature Center once or twice a week.

The seniors take the 3-mile-long walk not only for health, but also for the love of nature, Dineen said. Some seniors also take this time to socialize with each other.

"It's not just an exercising type of thing. It's a social type of thing which I really enjoy," Roger Dahlin said. "I come out here almost everyday just to walk. A lot of time I walk alone but it's a lot nicer to walk with somebody because anyone needs a social contact."

During their one and a half hour trek in and around the woods, the group often encounters trash including soda cans, cigarette butts, and like today, a soiled baby diaper. Despite littered trails, members of the Wellness Walking Group said they enjoy the company, and the natural scenery nonetheless, and hope to continue their weekly walking tradition for many years to come.

Italy Earthquake Update

More than 90 people are dead, and 1,500 more injured as a result of an earthquake in L'Aquila, Italy. The earthquake took place in the mountains in central Italy this morning. Rescue workers searched through piles of crumbled homes and buildings searching for survivors.

One of the buildings affected was a dormitory at the University of L'Aquila. Outside, students were huddled together wrapped in blankets.

"We managed to come down with other students but we had to sneak through a hole in the stairs as the whole floor came down,"said student Luigi Alfonsi, 22. "I was in bed - it was like it would never end as I heard pieces of the building collapse around me."

The Mayor of L'Aquila said about 100,000 people were homeless as a result of the quake, and parts of many ancient churches and castles have collapsed.

The U.S.Geological Survey said the quake was a magnitude 6.3, and more than dozen aftershocks followed.

Blocks of walls, steel supports, and other parts of buildings are scattered throughout the streets of L'Aquila, and gray dust blanketed the sidewalks.

Parts of the main hospital also had to be evacuated, and more than two other cities were hit by the quake.

This was Italy's deadliest earthquake since 1980.

Empire State Building to Go Green

The lights at the top of the Empire State Building already change color on a regular basis depending on holiday's, sporting events, or events throughout the world. For example, on St. Patty's day, the Empire State building may be lit a shade of green.

Now, the building wants to go green full time. But not just with its lights. Former President Bill Clinton and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg hope the plan to cut the buildings energy use by 38 percent will serve as an example for other large buildings worldwide.

The plan is projected to save about $4.4 million per year in energy costs. One of the changes would see 6,500 windows replaced with new ones designed to keep the heat out in the summer, lowering air conditioning costs, and to keep the heat in during the winter, lowering heating costs.

Each office will also be quipped with new software showing how much energy each office uses, so it can be better managed.

The entire plan will cost around $20 million and details of the proposal will be given today at a news conference.

Bypassing Background Checks in Gun Sales

The Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution allows citizens the right to bear arms. But, not everyone can purchase guns at a store without a license, or going through a proper background check. For those who want to own a gun without going through all the paperwork, there is a loophole in gun ownership laws.

According to Doug Rainbow, a licensed gun dealer, and an ex-sheriff, private sales of shotguns, rifles, and semi-automatics do not require background checks.

"The downside of that is if someone comes into your home and buys a gun and they can have 150 felonies - you don't know," Rainbow said. But, if someone wants to buy a pistol or a handgun, buyers must possess a gun license.

Rainbow also said age verification is not required. So, if a 16-year-old wants to buy a rifle through a private transaction, there is no legal consequence. The National Rifle Association (NRA) has no problem with private sales. "We support the private sale of guns because gun owners are amongst the most law abiding citizens. The few times I've ever sold a firearm to anybody it was to someone I knew and trusted. Can I vouch for everyone? No," Scott Armstrong, NRA spokesperson, said.

David Stineberg, manager of RA-Lin gun shop, said it is best to leave a paper trail even in a private transaction.

"If the gun is ever used in a crime they have proof to show that it was sold," Stineberg said.

Arctic Ice Thinnest Ever

Arctic ice is thinner than ever before, NASA researchers said. According to researchers, 90 percent of the sea ice in the Arctic is less than two years old, making it more vulnerable to melting during the summer months.

Sea ice is important, because ice reflects the sun from the Earth. If there is less ice in the Arctic, more heat will be absorbed by the ocean, leading to warmer temperatures on Earth.

Syracuse Flyers Expanding?

The Syracuse Flyers wheelchair basketball team has been playing for over thirty years, but Gregory Callen, a member of the team, is looking to expand the opportunities for those in the handicapped community.

Callen's idea is the make the Syracuse Flyers the Move Along Foundation, which will raise money to fund new activities for the members of CNY Adaptive Sports.

The expansion would include the addition of new sports such as tennis and hockey, and the funding would go towards better facilities, team coaches, and new equipment.

Veterans of the Syracuse Flyers say that the cost of playing sports can be expensive, starting with the wheelchair, which can cost several thousand dollars. With the added funding, the hope is that the expenses can become more affordable.

Bob Prenoveau has been playing for the Flyers for over thirty years and says the prospect of funding is a big opportunity for the future of those who take part in wheelchair sports.

More Bombings in India

Less than a week after a bombing in northeastern India, two more bombs have ripped through crowded markets Monday.The bombing has left at least seven people dead, and 60 others wounded in the state of Assam.

According to G.M. Srivastava, India's top police official, the separatist United Liberation Front of Asom is responsible for the attacks.
"This is a coordinated attack," Srivastava said.

The bomb was most likely tied to a motorbike, and exploded in the middle of a market in Gauhati, Srivastava said. A couple hours after the bombing in Gauhati, another bomb exploded in another crowded market in the town of Dhekiajuli, about 130 miles north of Gauhati. Police said this bomb was tied to a bicycle when it went off. Militants later threw a grenade into a police station, injuring two police officers.
Srivastava said police had received information earlier about a possible major attack in Gauhati. He said the attacks came at the even of the 30th anniversary of the separatist group.

Many attacks in the region have been linked to the United Liberation Front of Asom, and have occurred around the anniversary of its founding. According to Srivastava, the group wants an independent state for the ethnic Assamese. The ethnic group claims India is exploiting the region of its natural resources providing any benefit to them.

Binghamton Shooting Update

Funerals were scheduled today for two victims of the shooting at a Binghamton, NY immigration center. Maria Zobniw and Hong Xiu Mao were two of the thirteen people killed by shooter Jiverly Wong Friday morning before Wong turned the gun on himself

A receptionist at the center, Shirley DeLucia was the first to be shot, feigned her death, called 911 and remained on the line for over forty minutes. DeLucia is not so keen on the idea of being referred to as a hero.

"The only thing that we know right now from her is when thegunman came in, she got up to ask him if she could help him and hejust didn't say anything I guess," said Lyle Fassett.

"He got his gun and shot her. She remembers falling backwards and down andthat's pretty much it. We haven't gotten too much more out of her."

In an interview on NBC's "Today" show Monday morning, Wong's sister said her brother suffered from depression after losing his job and having poor English skills. Originally, she thought there had been a mistake in that her brother was a victim, and not the shooter. On behalf of her family, she apologized to the victims and their families.

Wong had become an avid shooter and had been visiting a shooting range weekly, but police chief Joseph Zikuski says the targets of the shooting at the immigration center may have been random.

DeLucia is expected to make a full recovery, but her doctor, Christian Tvetenstrand says the shot could have been fatal.

"It was millimeters away from the main blood vessels in her abdomen," he said. "If it had struck those, she would have died."

DeLucia is expected to stay in the hospital in five or six days.

A Need For Nurses

By 2015, the U.S will have a shortage of almost a million nurses, which explains why nursing is the profession everyone wants to get into during the recession.

Approximately thirty states have a shortage of registered nurses and over 41% of nurses are 50 years or older.

Nergish Sunavala reports on a few local people who are taking advantage of the need for nurses.

How high will gas prices go?

The last time the U.S. had an average price of gas per gallon at two dollars was back around Thanksgiving. But just recently, gas prices have been creeping back up, making some people a bit upset.

Summer is only a couple months away, and AAA expects gas prices to continue increasing. This doesn't sit well with some drivers.

"I'm kind of upset. I mean we have trips and stuff planned so it kind of gets in the way of stuff especially in Syracuse. You got a lot of things to do," said Anthony Gonzalez.

The national average price of gas per gallon is at $2.03, up from $1.95 a week ago. In Syracuse, we're way above the national average, with the average price of unleaded fuel at $2.14 that's up by five cents from last week. With the economy in a recession, higher gas prices is making everyday a little bit harder for people.

"Well, with the economy, you don't get as many hours of work, so you don't get as big of a paycheck. About half your pay check goes to your gas to just go to work. It's barely enough money to get gas to put into your car," said Lindsay Goike.

AAA says it expects gas prices to go as high as $2.50...far from what Americans experienced last summer. But that still doesn't make a difference for some.

Stocks Slump Again: Dow Suffers Biggest Drop in Four Weeks

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 254 points to close at 7,522.10. The drop is a 3.3% decrease for the market.

Nasdaq sunk 2.8%. The S & P 500 closed after a 3.5% tumble.

Traders put Wall Street's big March rally on hold after the White House rejected turnaround plans from General Motors Corp. and Chrysler. Financial stocks also weighed on the market as investors worried that banks will need fresh infusions of capital.

Analysts say the pullback, which began with a 148-point drop in the Dow Jones industrial average on Friday, wasn't a surprise given a 21 percent surge in the index over just 13 days in March.

Oil prices ended lower on the New York Mercantile Exchange. They fell $3.97 -- closing at $48.41 a barrel.

Lawnmower Sales Seeing Green

Another business actually doing well in the poor economy - lawnmowers. Many people are expected to buy their own lawnmowers this spring as a one-time cost instead of paying for a lawn care service. Even still, as NCC News reporter Scott Snyder found, purchasing a lawnmower can be a big investment. Watch Scott's story here:

All-CNY Basketball Teams Announced

The top high school basketball players in Central New York are being honored as members of the 2009 All-CNY teams. Jamesville-DeWitt senior and Syracuse recruit Brandon Triche was named player of the year. The top girls honor went to Cazanovia's Kiley Evans, who plans to attend Sacred Heart in Connecticut to continue her basketball career. The teams were chosen by a panel of Section Three coaches. The Syracuse Post-Standard has a complete list of both the men's and women's rosters.

Old NYC Photo Sells Big at Auction

An early photograph of New York City sold for $62,500 at an auction house today. The picture is believed to be from 1848, and shows Manhattan's Upper West Side as open countryside. The photo is actually known as a daguerreotype, which is an early form of photography mostly used for portraits. It shows a white house with shutters, a grassy hillside and a horse-drawn carriage. The picture was recently discovered in New England, and estimated before the sale to be worth between $50,000 and $70,000.

A Tailor-Made Economy

The economy is hurting most businesses, but also helping out some others. Clothing tailors have seen an overall increase in their alteration businesses as more people dig deep in their closets for clothes they already have in an attempt to save money. NCC News reporter Emily Arrighi set out to find if this trend was also the case in Central New York. Watch her story below:

GM CEO Leaving with Huge Pension

General Motors Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner announced his resignation today, and will take with him a pension package worth almost $23 million. In an unprecedented move, Wagoner was basically forced out of the job by the Obama administration when they asked him to step down as they work to restructure and save the automaker. The terms of GM's government loans do not allow the company to give executives severance pay, but do not touch the pensions earned by the employees. Wagoner will receive the estimated $23 million in several payments over the rest of his life. The newest annual report from GM said Wagoner will also receive almost $367,000 from stocks and around $535,000 in deferred compensation. Wagoner has been replaced by Fritz Henderson, the company's Chief Operations Officer.

Obama: Not Enough Changes in GM and Chrysler for Further Bailouts

President Obama also closed the door for now on any more bailout money given to the auto industry. He said that neither General Motors nor Chrysler has proposed sweeping enough changes to justify further large federal bailouts. Obama demanded "painful concessions" from creditors, unions and others as their price for survival. The industry has shed over 400,000 jobs in the past year as the recession took hold. He said Chrysler's situation is more perilous, and the government will give the company 30 days to overcome hurdles to a merger with Fiat, the Italian automaker. If they are successful "we will consider lending up to $6 billion to help their plan succeed," Obama said.

Adirondack Land Sold to Danish Company

A Danish pension fund is now the owner of 92,000 acres of land in the Adirondack forest, the Nature Conservancy said. The land was sold today to ATP for almost $33 million, and is part of the 161,000 acres bought by the conservancy two years ago from a paper company. A group in Atlanta will manage the land bought by ATP.

The Nature Conservancy said the land will still be used for forestry and recreational activities like hunting, snowmobiling, hiking and fishing. The land is protected by strict conservation laws.

Second U.S. Soldier Convicted of Murder

A second U.S. soldier was convicted today of murdering four Iraqi detainees while he was stationed in Baghdad two years ago. Sergeant First Class Joseph Mayo, 27, out of Fort Bragg, North Carolina, pleaded guilty to premeditated murder in the execution-style killings of four Iraqi prisoners, who were bound and blindfolded. Mayo has been sentenced to 35 years in prison, and will be eligible for parole in 10 years.

In February, Sergeant Michael Leahy, 28, was sentenced to life in prison after he also admitted to the execution-style killing of one of the prisoners and shooting another. He will also be eligible for parole.

Jets to hold Training Camp in CNY?

The New York Jets could be coming to Cortland or Ithaca for training camp.

Despite moving into their $75 million training facility in Florham Park, N.J., less than a year ago, the Jets are scouting other areas - possibly in upstate New York - to hold at least part
of their training camp.

The new facility does not have suitable parking or bleachers for the thousands of fans who normally attend training camp, or dormitories for the players. But that's not why new head coach Rex Ryan wants to go elsewhere.

"Coach Ryan is looking to find a more isolated environment for training camp to promote team-building and we are researching potential locations," team spokesman Bruce Speight said in a
statement.

Ryan sent members of his staff to scout out locations at Cornell and SUNY Cortland last week.

Highlights of New York State 2009-10 Budget

Governor David Paterson and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver are in Albany today to discuss the 2009-10 New York State budget. The budget, expected to be adopted in Albany tomorrow, is set for $131.8 billion, almost $10.5 billion more than the current budget. Here are some highlights:

• More than $21 billion in school aid, one of the highest in the nation and an increase of $1.1 billion from last year


• $3 billion in taxes and fees in everything from vehicle registration charges to public college tuition


• Getting rid of tax rebate checks, except for the STAR exemption program and the NYC STAR credit program


• Adding a nickel deposit for bottled water as well as the carbonated drinks


• Taxing little cigars (cigarillos) at 46 percent, the same rate as cigarettes


• $49 million in cuts to community colleges

11 Die in Pakistan Police School Siege

A group of gunmen, some in police uniforms, attacked a police academy in Pakistan today and held it for hours. Eleven people died during the siege.

The gunmen were throwing grenades and seizing hostages.

They killed at least eight police and three civilians before being overtaken by Pakistani security forces.

Six militants were arrested and eight died in the eight-hour battle to retake the building.

Pakistani police says, more than 90 officers were wounded and about 700 trainees were inside at the Manawan Police Training School when the shooting happened.

Syracuse Youth Rugby Team Finds Success

The Syracuse Silverbacks, the only youth rugby team in Central New York, will play its first match on Thursday against SUNY Binghamton. The Silverbacks play in the New York State Rugby Union as an Under-19 boys team, and takes players from any local high school. NCC News Reporter Amy Johnson went to the Silverbacks' last scrimmage before the regular season starts to see what is drawing local athletes away from the more typical high school sports. Watch her story here!

Cancer Warnings Not Burning Tanning Salons: Could there be Health Benefits from Tanning?

The American Cancer Society says you should avoid tanning beds and overexposure to ultraviolet light. Despite warnings about the negative effects of tanning, people are still going. So, why do people keep up their visits to the tanning salon?

Michelle Savoy is visits the tanning salon two or three times a week. On the surface, it seems like it's just another beauty ritual. However, she's not tanning to look better.

"I went to the doctor and asked her to run a few tests. I had a baby last year March 31 so my life has been kind of hectic. So she ran for a thyroid and vitamin D, and I thought that was kind of strange, running a vitamin D test. Ironically, the thyroid came back and the vitamin D was quite low, so she suggested I start vitamin D therapy …100 percent better," said Savoy.

Her doctor prescribed vitamin D supplements and tanning sessions in moderation.

But, warning labels about what U-V light can do to your eyes and skin are right on tanning beds. Even with the benefits, and with precautions like wearing protective eyewear, advocates know that too much sun exposure isn't healthy. Still, that's not enough to stop people from tanning.

"Life is better when you tan," said Stefanie DeCarolis.

Police Officer Stops NC Gunman with One Shot

One shot from a wounded police officer to the gunman's chest stopped yesterday's killing spree in a North Carolina nursing home, police said today. Officer Justin Garner, 25, fired a single shot at 45-year-old Robert Stewart, after Stewart killed seven residents and a nurse in the Pinelake Health and Rehab Center. Stewart also shot Garner in the leg three times and wounded two other people, police said. The chief of police also said he now believes Stewart may have targeted the nursing home because his estranged wife works there. Stewart is scheduled to appear in court next week, where he will face charges of eight counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony assault of a law enforcement officer.

Fargo Flood Waters Retreat As City Now Braces for Snowstorm

The Red River flood waters in Fargo, North Dakota, are finally receding, but the city is now preparing for a snowstorm on top of the flooding. Engineers said they are worried that waves produced by winds from the snowstorm could weaken the sandbag levees put up around the city for protection from the floods. National Guard members are placing plastic sheets over the sandbags to help protect against the expected high waves. The storm is forecast to hit Fargo this afternoon. The flooding of Red River over the weekend in Fargo was caused by melting snow from a previous snowstorm. Schools in the area are already closed for the week, and most Fargo businesses have not yet reopened either.

Baby Bottle Buyers Beware!

A controversial chemical found in some baby bottles may be harmful to infants. As a result, Suffolk County (Long Island area) Executive Steve Levy is banning baby bottles and toddler sippy cups made with the chemical known as BPA. The New York's senior senator wants federal legislation to do the same. The ban applies only to on eastern Long Island. Senator Charles Schumer says it should be extended nationwide. Among other things, Schumer's bill would require random testing of children's food and beverage containers on store shelves. Major U.S. retailers already have removed products containing BPA from their shelves because of the growing controversy. A packaging industry spokesman says the ban will have an adverse impact on consumers' ability to obtain baby products.

Trial Delayed in Softball Game Death Case

A man from the Rochester area who was charged with punching another man at a softball game, which resulted in his death, goes to trial tomorrow. Sean Sanders' trial for criminally negligent homicide was set to begin today in Monroe County Court. But, a court clerk says it has been delayed until tomorrow. The victim Dan Andrews Jr was punched in the back of the head after a recreational league game last summer. Andrews died the
next day from brain damage.

Obama Announces New Plans for Auto Industry, Incentives for Consumers

President Barack Obama announced today that neither General Motors or Chrysler have made enough widespread changes to warrant further federal bailout money.

"We cannot make the survival of our auto industry dependent on an unending flow of tax dollars," Obama said.

But fears of the auto industry's total collapse is prompting the administration to offer GM another 60 days worth of "adequate working capital" to come up with an acceptable restructuring plan, and 30 days for Chrysler to finish a deal that would merge the company with Fiat, an Italian auto company. If Chrysler is successful, Obama said he will consider an additional $6 billion in aid.

Obama also said he will offer incentives to Americans to buy more domestic-made cars. People who bought cars after February 16 will be contacted by the IRS about deducting the cost of sales and excise taxes. The benefits will last until the end of this year. Obama also said the government will guarantee any GM or Chrysler warranties.

DOW jumps 500 almost 500 points

The stock market soarded today after the Treasury's plan to purchase billions in bank assets which could balance the economy. According to early tallies, the Dow Jones Industrial jumped 497 points, which marks today as the biggest one day gain in the market since November. Some analysts say the market's response is well, but some analysts disagree.

Steve Leeb, the president of Leep Capital Management isn't very optimistic, "The plan is a rehash of what we've seen before and it still doesn't resolve the issue of how to value the bad assets."

Even though there was such a huge point gain, there was still resistance to stay above 800. Analysts say this is necessay to see a gradual stablization in the market