Good evening, Central New York. We're wrapping up the day for you with the most important stories you need to know and your weather outlook.
Your Weather Planner
A stray sprinkle is possible this evening, but otherwise, it looks great to get outside across the entire region. Clouds will thin out with the setting of the sun and lows will be comfortable down in the 50s for most areas.
It looks sunny and pleasant Friday right into the weekend.
Tomorrow's Forecast
Central NY Hourly Forecast | Southern Tier Hourly Forecast | Northern New York Hourly Forecast
Today's Big Stories
1. Rome, Oneida County officials restoring critical services after storms
As cleanup and recovery efforts continue in Rome following Tuesday afternoon's tornado touchdown in the city, officials are working to restore road and power access while maintaining access to critical services. Rome Mayor Jeffrey Lanigan said at a press conference Thursday that, as of the morning, 80% of the area's road access had been restored, and National Grid had restored power to 71% of customers who had lost it in the storm.
2. New York to close 2 upstate prisons this fall following review of facilities
The New York state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision has determined that two correctional facilities in upstate can be safely closed, following through on state budget language approved earlier this year that allowed the state to close up to five prisons with 90 days' notice.
3. Seven additional tornadoes confirmed across New York this week
In total, 14 tornadoes have been confirmed as of July 18, breaking a record for the most tornadoes seen in the state in the month of July ever. Equally as impressive: So far this month, New York has seen more tornadoes than Oklahoma, Kansas, Iowa, Mississippi and Alabama combined.
4. Doctor gives Biden COVID update: Mild symptoms still, no fever
Joe Biden’s White House doctor provided an update Thursday about the president, who has COVID-19. Dr. Kevin O’Connor said in a memo that Biden, 81, is “still experiencing mild upper respiratory symptoms” and continues to be treated with the drug Paxlovid. The president does not have a fever and his vital signs are normal, O’Connor added.
5. Obama, Pelosi and Democrats make fresh push for Biden to reconsider running
Democrats worried about President Joe Biden's ability to win this November are making a renewed push for him to reconsider his reelection bid, using mountains of data, frank conversations and, now, his own time off the campaign trail after testing positive for COVID, to encourage a reassessment.
6. RNC 2024 latest updates: Trump set to accept GOP nomination days after assassination attempt
Trump has said the shooting also led him to change his RNC speech, from what was going to be "a humdinger" made up largely of attacks on President Joe Biden to one more focused on bringing the country together. "Honestly, it's going to be a whole different speech now," Trump told the Washington Examiner.
In Case You Missed It
New York PTA, lawmakers ready to defend limiting smartphones in schools
New York parents are expected to pose the greatest pushback to Gov. Kathy Hochul's plans to limit the use of smartphones in schools, but lawmakers and leaders with the state Parent Teacher Association said Wednesday they're prepared to defend the proposal, which will keep students the most safe.