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New York manufacturing index falls for a third straight month in May
The Empire State Manufacturing Survey general business conditions index dipped to -9.2 in May, declining for a third consecutive month. In the past few months,

ANDRO selected to participate in Army initiative
ROME, N.Y. — The U.S. Army selected ANDRO Computational Solutions, LLC to participate in Cyber Quest 2025, an Army-focused warfighting experiment (AFWE), the Rome company announced in a press release. This will allow its team to conduct soldier touch point (STP) experiments for its artificial intelligence (AI) driven electronic-support technology, DeepSPEC. ANDRO’s DeepSPEC and related
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ROME, N.Y. — The U.S. Army selected ANDRO Computational Solutions, LLC to participate in Cyber Quest 2025, an Army-focused warfighting experiment (AFWE), the Rome company announced in a press release.
This will allow its team to conduct soldier touch point (STP) experiments for its artificial intelligence (AI) driven electronic-support technology, DeepSPEC.
ANDRO’s DeepSPEC and related solutions use AI to deliver electronic warfare, providing enhanced situational awareness, streamlined electronic operations, and improved effectiveness of Army forces in complex environments. As part of Cyber Quest 2025, DeepSPEC will undergo a series of critical field trials in real-world STP experiments, allowing the Army to assess its impact on operational effectiveness and battlefield performance.
“We are honored to have been selected by the U.S. Army for this experimentation opportunity,” Jithin Jagannath, ANDRO chief technology officer and chief scientist, said in the press release. “The integration of our DeepSPEC technology into STP experiments marks a significant milestone in the advancement of AI-driven EW solutions.”
The Cyber Quest 2025 initiative is a forward-looking program designed to evaluate and integrate emerging technologies that support the Army’s modernization priorities. STP experiments are a critical component of the initiative, providing an opportunity for soldiers to interact with new technologies in operational environments and provide feedback for further development and refinement.
“The collaboration with Marconi-Rosenblatt AI Innovation Lab of ANDRO Computational Solutions, LLC, and the integration of DeepSPEC into our soldier touch point experiments will provide us with invaluable insights as we continue to push the boundaries of innovation and ensure our soldiers have the tools they need to succeed in the rapidly evolving landscape of modern warfare,” Major James Harryman, Cyber Quest 2025 lead planner, said in the announcement.

OCC to award degrees to more than 600 in Saturday morning ceremony
ONONDAGA, N.Y. — Onondaga Community College (OCC) will hold its commencement ceremony at 11 a.m. Saturday morning at the SRC Arena with 660 students eligible

Is Your Small Business Ready for the Unexpected?
Essential Coverage Every Family Enterprise Needs Small businesses are built on big dreams, and those dreams run even deeper when family is involved. You’ve invested

Crews complete new flyover ramp in the town of Cicero, part of ongoing I-81 project
CICERO, N.Y. — Construction crews have completed work on the new $18 million flyover ramp that passes over the mainline of Interstate 81 (I-81) and

Hamilton College names commencement, baccalaureate speakers
CLINTON, N.Y. — Hamilton College announced it has named designer and artist Bruce Mau, co-founder and CEO of Massive Change Network, as commencement speaker for its graduation, set for 10:30 a.m. on May 25 in the Margaret Bundy Scott Field House. The college will present Mau and Oneida Indian Nation Representative and Turning Stone Enterprises
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CLINTON, N.Y. — Hamilton College announced it has named designer and artist Bruce Mau, co-founder and CEO of Massive Change Network, as commencement speaker for its graduation, set for 10:30 a.m. on May 25 in the Margaret Bundy Scott Field House.
The college will present Mau and Oneida Indian Nation Representative and Turning Stone Enterprises CEO Ray Halbritter with honorary degrees during the ceremony. Halbritter will also offer the college’s baccalaureate address on May 24 at 3 p.m. in the field house.
Mau, a Canadian designer, innovator, educator, author, and artist, is known for his innovative approach to design and commitment to using creativity to address global challenges. He co-founded the Massive Change Network, a design consultancy focused on social impact and sustainable solutions.
Along with working on projects with a number of major companies, Mau is also a professor and strategic curricular advisor for several higher-education institutions. His most recent books are “MC24” and “THE NEXUS: Augmented Thinking for a Complex World – The New Convergence of Art, Technology, and Science,” co-authored with Julio M. Ottino. His work and life are the subject of the 2022 documentary “MAU,” which premiered at SXSW in 2021.
Halbritter has led the Oneida people to an economic and cultural renaissance including historical agreements with the leaders of New York and local counties and the development of the Turning Stone Resort Casino.
Under Halbritter’s leadership, the Oneida Indian Nation has been hailed as a model for sustainable, diversified, and self-sufficient economic development, according to the Hamilton College announcement.
He received the 2021 Mohawk Valley EDGE Leading EDGE Award in recognition of the Oneida Indian Nation’s economic investment in the region and received the 2018 Native Voice Award from the National Congress of American Indians. In 2021, Halbritter received the Oneida County Historical Center’s Richard W. Couper Living Legends Award.

Kickoff time announced for Syracuse football 2025 season opener
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Syracuse football’s 2025 season-opening matchup against the Tennessee Volunteers in the Aflac Kickoff Game will have a 12 p.m. Eastern Time kickoff

Tompkins Community Bank names VP, employee experience manager
ITHACA, N.Y. — Tompkins Community Bank has appointed Gina Benedict as VP and employee experience manager. Benedict, who has worked in professional services and human resources for nearly three decades, will oversee Tompkins’ employee experience team, developing and implementing strategies that enhance the bank’s overall work culture, the bank announced. She previously worked as an
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ITHACA, N.Y. — Tompkins Community Bank has appointed Gina Benedict as VP and employee experience manager.
Benedict, who has worked in professional services and human resources for nearly three decades, will oversee Tompkins’ employee experience team, developing and implementing strategies that enhance the bank’s overall work culture, the bank announced.
She previously worked as an executive human-resources consultant for HR Solutions, where she focused on strategic HR initiatives such as leadership training, employee development, and driving engagement through all levels of the organization. Benedict holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Indiana University and HR certifications from the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM-CP) and HRCI (PHR). Benedict’s community service and volunteer work includes The Girl Scouts of America, Skaneateles Library Board, United Way, and Skaneateles Food Pantry. She also serves on the W. Edwards Deming Institute’s advisory board.
“As a community-focused institution, we recognize that our workplace is a community of its own,” Stacie Mastin, senior vice president, director of human resources at Tompkins Community Bank, said in the announcement. “We strive to make Tompkins a positive and welcoming environment and we are confident that Gina will contribute greatly to our employees’ day-to-day experience through her new role.”

FuzeHub awards grants to Cornell, Clarkson, AMT partnerships
ALBANY, N.Y. — FuzeHub has awarded grant funding to collaborative projects involving Cornell University, Clarkson University, and Alliance for Manufacturing & Technology. They’re among six

Lewis County business to assume oversight of Art in the Park event
LYONS FALLS, N.Y. — Naturally Lewis, Inc. says local business Rags & Rivers will begin oversight of the summer art walk event, Art in the
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