Stay up-to-date on the companies, people and issues that impact businesses in Syracuse, Central New York and beyond.
VIEWPOINT: New York State Lowers Overtime Threshold for Agricultural Workers
On Sept. 30, 2022, New York State Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon announced that she has accepted the New York Farm Laborers Wage Board’s recommendation to lower the overtime threshold for agricultural workers from 60 hours down to 40 hours. During its Sept. 6, 2022 meeting, the board voted 2-1 in favor of submitting its report […]
Ask Rusty: About Applying for Social Security Benefits
Dear Rusty: I will be turning 65 this December and will most likely continue working until July 2024 at my current job. It is possible I could leave a year earlier. With that being said, when should I submit paperwork to start collecting Social Security (SS) benefits? Is there anything I should know prior to
VIEWPOINT: Avoid the 5 Pitfalls of Strategic-Marketing Planning
The city of Las Vegas is an interesting case study in best intentions — overflowing with people hoping that the flip of a card or the roll of the dice will produce luck-driven riches. Yet the vast majority of the time, these dreamers leave with empty pockets and dashed hopes. If luck is so elusive
VIEWPOINT: Cybersecurity Awareness: An Eye Toward Enforcement Under NY SHIELD
New York’s SHIELD Act, which became effective on March 21, 2020, requires persons and organizations that own or license electronic data that includes New York residents’ private information to maintain reasonable administrative, technical, and physical data-security safeguards. The New York Attorney General (NYAG), is authorized to enforce the SHIELD Act by enjoining violations and obtaining

HISTORY FROM OHA: A City On Fire – The History of the Syracuse Fire Department
Syracuse has had a career fire company since 1877, with a history of volunteer fire fighting that goes back to at least 1825. Today, the Syracuse Fire Department operates from 11 stations, covering a 25-square mile area and a population that balloons to more than 145,000 during workdays. With no house in the city limits more
VIEWPOINT: How to recognize a health-care scammer when you hear one
When you hear about the risk of identity theft today, most of the time it’s in the context of cybersecurity — scammers hacking into people’s email or online bank accounts to steal private information such as credit card numbers and passwords. While the biggest risks may have moved online, identity theft over the phone is

Quanterion offers resources during Cybersecurity Awareness Month
UTICA, N.Y. — Quanterion Solutions, Inc. has launched a cybersecurity resource program in conjunction with October being Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a global initiative to promote cybersecurity awareness and best practices. As a “registered champion” of the event, Quanterion says it is providing resources throughout the month for businesses and consumers and raising awareness of
VIEWPOINT: Businesses & employees must stay alert to changing fraud tactics
October is cybersecurity month, and like the masks people wear at Halloween, perpetrators of online fraud frequently change how they look. It’s important to remain vigilant and make sure your employees are familiar with new fraud tactics. A tactic that is increasingly used is what is known as “remote access scamming.” With remote-access scams, fraudsters
VIEWPOINT: NYS Adopts CDC’s COVID-19 Quarantine & Isolation Guidance
On Sept. 14, 2022, the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) issued updated COVID-19 quarantine and isolation guidance, which effectively replaces the guidance from May 31, 2022. According to the Sept. 14 guidance, the NYSDOH will now follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) guidelines on quarantine and isolation. Quarantine Perhaps most
VIEWPOINT: Get Scrappy: Budget-Friendly Marketing Advice for SMBs
Many small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) deal with the same problem, day after day, year after year. They have long understood the value of marketing and its role in helping gain exposure for their brands, drive traffic to their websites, and generate leads for their sales teams. But they often lack the financial backing to
Stay up-to-date on the companies, people and issues that impact businesses in Syracuse, Central New York and beyond.