Upstate University Hospital Receives Award for Cancer Program

Upstate University Hospital has received an Outstanding Achievement Award, according to the Post Standard. The American College of Surgeons' Commission of Cancer awarded the Syracuse hospital for its excellent care of cancer patients. The award was created in 2004 and is based on surveys by doctors. This year's award was based on surveys conducted in just over 400 cancer care centers from across the United States in 2009.

Upstate University Hospital is one of 82 cancer care programs to receive the award and the only one to be honored in Central New York. Other New York hospitals that have been recognized include White Plains Hospital Center in White Plains and Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center in the Bronx.

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Rain storm pounds northeast

The Northeast is getting lots and lots of rain, according to CNN. For the second time this month, a rain storm is pounding parts of the East Coast and causing rivers to flood, schools to close,  and planes to be delayed.

Rhode Island Gov. Don Carcieri has asked people to get home by dinnertime to avoid what's to come. He says meteorologists have estimated that flooding could be the worst to hit the state in more than 100 years. 

"We're in a serious, serious situation," Carcieri said.

National Guard troops have been activated in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Connecticut troops have been put on alert. 

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Rapper Common to speak at Syracuse University

Grammy Award-winning artist and author Common is speaking at Syracuse University tonight, according to the Post Standard. The Student African American Society and the Muslim Students Association is hosting the event. Common will be talking about the importance of social integration within America's communities. He will also perform poetry and answer questions from the audience.

Common is a two-time Grammy Award winner. He has produced over seven albums including "Finding Forever" and "BE." In 2007, he founded "The Common Ground Foundation." The program strives to stress the importance of community service and community harmonization.

Tickets cost five dollars for Syracuse University students and seven dollars for the public. The event begins at seven p.m. tonight in Hendricks Chapel.

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