dear reader,
I took a few days off over the holidays and now I’m back at work confused about what day of the week it is, full of too much sugar and feeling like I need to catch myself. At syracuse.com | The Post-Standard had a lot of great content to wrap up 2025 that you may have missed amid the craziness of the holidays and all the snow. Below are some recaps and links for the year.
First, Marie Morelli, our Opinion and Editor-in-Chief, did a great job summarizing the work that made a difference in 2025, including reports on emergency room conditions in the Upstate that caught Albany’s attention and helped lead to funding for a new emergency service in the state budget. She also highlighted Glenn Coin’s tireless work to provide Central New Yorkers with a holistic view of Micron’s influence; Michelle Breidenbach’s revelation of the collapse of a plan to build a $32 million Child Rising Center that was supposed to be the centerpiece of a redeveloped neighborhood off 81, and many other important stories. You can read more about the local journalism highlights of 2025 here.
In sports, Brent Ax reflects on the top 5 sports stories to cover in 2025, including SU’s quarterback woes after Steve Angeli went down with an Achilles injury and the men’s lacrosse team’s return to the Final four for the first time since 2013. Brent also looks ahead and predicts the top sports stories to watch for the AA men’s basketball team this year? NC? And if not, what happens to Coach Autry? Get Brent’s take on that and more in this article.
If you’re looking for new restaurants, dishes, or cuisines to try this year, food writer Charlie Miller and our restaurant reviewers have some good suggestions based on their travels in 2025. Charlie, Jared Paventi, Jacob Pucci, and Danielle Benjamin gave us lists of the best restaurants they went to, their favorite appetizers, and overall meals. There really is something for everyone on their lists – from luxury and gourmet to barbecue and basic home cooking.
In Local Realities, Johnathan Croyle offers a look at the 10 most read “House of the Week” features of 2025. The weekly feature has been one of our most popular features for over 60 years, and 2025 was no exception. A Marcellus home with an indoor pool was the most read this year, and you can see the full list here. If you’re especially interested in expensive home sales, Kevin Tampone has compiled a list of the highest price tags of 2025 in Onondaga County, with no. 1 is an $18 million sale in Skaneateles.
In local entertainment, our three theater critics reviewed 34 shows over the course of the year and offer insight into their favorite moments on stage, performances and overall performances. We’ve also launched a new series in 2025 called ‘Trailblazers and Trendsetters’, which aims to showcase local people doing extraordinary things. At the end of the year, each of these 12 people offered some words of wisdom. Yolanda Seegars, director of Project RISE, had this advice that seems especially fitting for the start of the new year: “Keep going, whatever your passion is, fuel your passion and make sure you’re focused. Don’t let anyone discourage you,” she said. “Develop your sass. And don’t let people tell you what you shouldn’t do. Do what you know is right for you.”
As we begin another year, I’d like to thank all of you for supporting local journalism through your subscription to syracuse.com. Have a safe and happy new year!
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