Each week, syracuse.com will look back at some of our most important and valuable journalism from the previous week. Here are six stories for the week of Jan. 18, 2026.
Why your National Grid gas and electric bill in Central NY is soaring
Across Central New York, this winter’s National Grid electric and gas bills are up by about $120 on average, thanks to a blizzard of forces hitting residential customers. Wintry weather is partly to blame. November and December were 19% colder than the same months in the previous year, according to National Grid. That is 6 to 7 degrees colder this season than in the past five winters, according to weather records. But two other issues are the problem, and they are unlikely to melt away once the weather warms.
A proven NYC outfit will try its anti-violence methods in Syracuse. Will this time be different?
A new program coming to Syracuse, exalt, targets kids between 15 and 19 who are involved in the criminal justice system. It provides teens with a combination of job training, mentorship, life skills and a paid internship over a period of 21 weeks. Exalt has a long record of success in New York City. That is rare in the world of programs targeting troubled teens. Fewer than 5 % of exalt’s graduates get arrested again in the two years after the program…