🔗 https://l.syracuse.com/isidrf Hashmat Baktash worked as an interpreter for the U.S. military during the war in Afghanistan, starting at age 17. The U.S. offered him a special visa to start a new life in Syracuse. Baktash, now a U.S. citizen and business owner, spoke on behalf of many Afghan community members after a Nov. 26 shooting by an Afghan national in Washington tarnished the community’s name and upended the path to citizenship for thousands. The shooting and Trump’s reaction have put t

🔗 https://l.syracuse.com/nbcydi New York’s minimum wage is going up again on Jan. 1, 2026 to $16 in Upstate and $17 Downstate. That’s about $20 more a week for full-time workers. Starting in 2027, the wage will rise automatically each year based on inflation, unless the economy weakens, which could freeze the increases. Tap the link above to see the full story. Reporting like Kevin's takes time, effort and money to produce. If you care about this type of high-quality, reliable, local journalism