Gov. Hochul won't rule out banning masked ICE agents in N.Y.

BY Kate Lisa New York State

Gov. Kathy Hochul wouldn't rule out barring federal immigration agents from concealing their identities when they interact with New Yorkers as top state Democrats this week railed against officers who wear face masks or other disguises.

State officials said they're concerned about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers breaking the law by wearing facial coverings and regular civilian clothes when making arrests. Masked ICE officers wearing plainclothes allegedly detained at least eight people in Saratoga Springs earlier this week, according to The Times Union.

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N.Y. state Assemblymember Gabriella Romero ‘open’ to some Raise the Age changes

BY Jack Arpey New York State

A 17-year-old who was shot in one of the mass shootings in Albany on July 4 died Thursday, making an already dark night for the city even worse.

The shootings have raised concerns about how juvenile offender court cases are handled in New York state and the role of the state’s Raise the Age law. State Assemblymember Gabriella Romero, a public defender who represents Albany, joined Capital Tonight to discuss the law and the potential for changes to it.

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Political analyst Jack O’Donnell discusses race for New York City mayor

BY Jack Arpey New York State

This week, it was made official that former Gov. Andrew Cuomo has decided on an independent bid after falling short of Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani in the Democratic primary.

Throw in Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa, incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, and Jim Walden running independently and you’ve got a very crowded field.

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More than a year out from the 2026 midterms, how much have N.Y.’s battleground congressional candidates raised?

BY Kevin Frey Washington, D.C.

The incumbents in New York’s competitive congressional districts are banking sizable campaign cash, more than a year out from the 2026 midterm elections.

New York was a critical battleground for control of the House last cycle. Democratic pickups in battleground districts across the state helped their party keep the margins close in the GOP-controlled U.S. House.

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State reaches sexual harassment settlement with former Cuomo staffer

BY Capital Tonight Staff New York State

New York state has reached a sexual harassment settlement with a former staffer of then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo for nearly half a million dollars.

In 2021, Brittany Commisso came forward and accused Cuomo of sexually harassing her in the executive mansion in Albany back in 2020.

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'Big Beautiful Bill' limits on student loans could shrink pool of doctors, lawyers in N.Y.

BY Viktoria Hallikaar Western New York

BUFFALO, N.Y. — For many who go to college, taking out loans is just part of the process. For some, those loans can hit hundreds of thousands of dollars.

“People are basically coming out of school with mortgages,” said Nancy Nierman, the assistant director of the Education Debt Consumer Assistance Program. “There's a little under 43 million people that have federal student loans.”

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Congressional Democrats from New York blast $1 billion in cuts to public media

BY Spectrum News Staff and Associated Press Kingston

Democrats across New York on Friday pounded House Republicans for voting to cut nearly $1.1 billion in previously approved funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, saying the early-morning, narrow vote sacrifices shows like Sesame Street for tax breaks to the nation's most wealthy.

The Republican-led House passed President Donald Trump's request to rescind about $9 billion in foreign aid and other spending, including more than $1 billion dedicated to supporting public television and radio stations, including National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). Having already received Senate approval, the measure now goes to the president's desk.

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New York state agency overtime costs increased 10% in 2024, comptroller says

BY Luke Parsnow New York State

Overtime costs at New York state agencies increased 10.2% in 2024, totaling $1.3 billion, according to a report released Friday by state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli.

The report said overtime hours also increased by 7.8%, or 1.8 million hours higher, than the previous year. This is the eighth consecutive year of increases.

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Zohran Mamdani exclusive interview: Trump's attacks and 'globalize the intifada'

BY Spectrum News Staff New York City

During an interview with NY1, Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic mayoral nominee, shot back at rival Andrew Cuomo, questioning the former governor's interest to "help working people." When asked where he stands on the phrase “globalize the intifada,” Mamdani said the distance between what some intend and what others hear is “a bridge that is too far,” and it is why he now discourages its use.

Mamdani also discussed his recent visit to the nation’s capital and how his campaign has started a discourse on a potential strategy shift for the Democrats, saying much of it has to do with engaging young people. He also shared his stance on city-specific issues, such as mayoral control of schools and the NYPD, saying he would continue to appoint the school’s chancellor and sustain the current head count of the police department.

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Albany County DA, sheriff frustrated by Raise the Age

BY Spectrum News Staff Albany

New York state’s Raise the Age law is frustrating law enforcement's efforts to confront youth violence and emboldening those who commit it, Albany County law enforcement officials told county legislators Thursday at a joint committee meeting.

County officials, including District Attorney Lee Kindlon and Sheriff Craig Apple, addressed the meeting in the wake of a burst of violence that broke out in downtown Albany after the annual New York state July 4 fireworks show. Ten people were shot, including a 17-year-old who died from his injuries on Thursday, and two buildings were burned by a fire started by a flare gun, according to police.

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'You've lied, continually': Rep. Nadler, Sec. Duffy spar over MTA subway crime at House hearing

BY Kevin Frey Washington, D.C.
UPDATED 10:55 AM ET Jul. 18, 2025

A brewing fight between New York City leaders and federal authorities over subway safety boiled over on Capitol Hill this week.

Manhattan Rep. Jerry Nadler, during a hearing Wednesday, called U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy a “liar,” accusing him of mischaracterizing crime rates on the New York subway system. Duffy, in return, said Nadler was “lying.”

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20 states sue Trump administration over FEMA funding for disaster preparedness

BY Susan Carpenter Nationwide
UPDATED 9:31 AM ET Jul. 18, 2025

A coalition of attorneys general sued the Trump administration Tuesday for terminating a Federal Emergency Management Agency grant program that helps local and state governments prepare for natural disasters. It was the 32nd lawsuit filed by the group since January.

In their complaint, 20 states asked a federal district court to reverse the administration’s termination of the program that has provided billions of dollars for infrastructure improvements to mitigate disasters’ effects.

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Cuomo is officially back while Mayor Adams — and his NYPD — face multiple lawsuits

BY Spectrum News Staff New York City

This week, former governor Andrew Cuomo announced he is officially back in the race for mayor as an independent candidate, but is it too late for him? Meanwhile, Democratic primary winner Zohran Mamdani met with business leaders and Democrats in Washington looking to shore up support. NY1 investigative reporter Courtney Gross and political reporters Kelly Mena and Ayana Harry have the latest news and analysis in the race for mayor.



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Hochul: Human toll of 'Big Beautiful Bill' is 'beyond unconscionable,' assembles cabinet to address federal cuts

BY Luke Parsnow and Kate Lisa New York State
UPDATED 8:01 PM ET Jul. 17, 2025

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on Thursday lambasted congressional Republicans’ massive tax and spending law and assembled members of her cabinet to address federal cuts to the state as a result of that legislation, saying “the human toll of this is beyond unconscionable.”

Hochul said the law signed earlier this month by President Donald Trump will destabilize the state's health insurance program, strip 1.5 million New Yorkers of their health insurance and puts 3 million New Yorkers at risk of losing their food benefits.

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SUNY gears up for Hochul's free community college program coming this fall

BY Jack Arpey New York State

SUNY Chancellor John B. King is embarking on a tour to drum up enthusiasm for SUNY Reconnect, the official name for Gov. Kathy Hochul’s free community college push advanced as part of this year’s state budget.

One of the governor’s proposals that got a good deal of attention following her State of the State Address in January, her pitch to provide free community college to students ages 25-55 who are entering in-demand fields will become a reality this upcoming fall semester after surviving budget negotiations.

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Frustrated by rising energy prices, New Yorkers demand solutions

BY Darcie Ortique East Fishkill
UPDATED 7:40 PM ET Jul. 17, 2025

FISHKILL, N.Y. – New Yorkers across the state are noticing increases in their energy bills.

The Public Service Commission previously approved rate hikes for major energy providers across the state, including NYSEG, RG&E and Central Hudson.

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Mamdani on unity, safety and visit to D.C.

BY Atlan Hassard New York City

Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic mayoral nominee, shot back at rival Andrew Cuomo during an interview with NY1 Thursday, questioning the former governor's interest to "help working people."

“What we see from the governor in this moment is the fact that he’s repulsed by an agenda to actually help working people,” Mamdani told political anchor Errol Louis on "Inside City Hall." “He said time and again he was going to win, and he couldn’t get that done.”

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Environmental groups criticize New York Independent System Operator for slow transition to renewables

BY Susan Arbetter New York State

The timeline for New York state’s transition to renewable energy appears to be slowing down, and the environmental community is not happy about it.

Earlier this week, the head of the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) appeared on Spectrum News 1 warning that the growing need for electricity is placing a strain on the energy grid. Specifically, advanced manufacturing, crypto mining and artificial intelligence are all using increasing amounts of electricity.

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New York state Senate GOP want investigation, subpoenas over CDPAP transition

BY Luke Parsnow , Kate Lisa and Capital Tonight Staff New York State

New York state Senate Republicans are calling for an investigation into the state’s recent tumultuous transition from the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) to a single fiscal intermediary.

In a letter dated Wednesday to Democratic state Sen. James Skoufis, chair of the Investigations and Government Operations Committee, several members of the GOP caucus want Skoufis to issue subpoenas to leadership of Public Partnerships, LLC (PPL) and the Hochul administration.

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Ramzi Kassem: Freeing Khalil and defending civil liberties

BY Spectrum News Staff New York City

In 2024, Columbia University became the center of a U.S. pro-Palestinian protest movement that swept across college campuses and led to more than 2,000 arrests. The legal battles surrounding student protests, particularly the case of Columbia student Mahmoud Khalil, have been making headlines. Ramzi Kassem is a professor at CUNY School of Law, the co-director of the CLEAR clinic and one of Khalil’s lawyers.

Kassem joined NY1’s Errol Louis to discuss Khalil’s legal standing, the broader implications for civil liberties and the role of the CLEAR clinic in defending protest rights against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and post-9/11 policies. He also touched on New York Rep. Elise Stefanik calling on the chancellor of CUNY to resign for “failing Jewish students” and her referencing his position as part of Khalil’s legal defense.

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Advocates push back on Trump request to cut program that aids homeless vets in N.Y.

BY Kate Lisa New York State

Housing advocates in New York state have started sounding the alarm about a proposal in President Donald Trump's wish list for next year's budget they argue, if included, will impact services that assist homeless veterans.

Congress won't put together and negotiate a 2026 budget proposal until later this year, but lawmakers will consider hundreds of requests from the White House that could end up in the final spending plan.

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Mamdani visits with congressional Democrats in Washington, shares details on winning campaign strategy

BY Kevin Frey Washington, D.C.

Three weeks after rocking the political world with an upset win in the New York City Democratic mayoral primary, Zohran Mamdani was in Washington, D.C. to meet with House Democrats.

The Wednesday morning meeting, organized by Mamdani supporter Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, offered the nominee a chance to share with national Democrats details on his winning campaign and communications strategy. It also gave those Democrats a chance to take his measure.

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Adirondack Council celebrates 50 years of advocacy amid federal challenges

BY Susan Arbetter New York State

The 6 million-acre Adirondack Park is at a turning point. The State Land Master Plan, a blueprint for the park’s future, is currently being revised, and recently Gov. Kathy Hochul nominated two new appointments to the Adirondack Park Agency.

Both issues are of interest to the Adirondack Council, a powerful advocacy group that attempts to balance wild habitat with the many human communities within the blue line.

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Elon Musk's 'America Party' would face tough political and logistical terrain in New York

BY Jack Arpey New York State

With a single social media post, Elon Musk stirred up a long standing debate in American Politics: can a third party be viable?

Experts say America’s appetite for a third choice may be high in theory, but when you combine hurdles surrounding ballot access at the state level with voters’ appetite for who the third party option actually turns out to be, support often craters.

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Ex-NYPD commissioner sues Adams, alleging he ran police department as a 'criminal enterprise'

BY Spectrum News Staff and Associated Press New York City
UPDATED 1:50 PM ET Jul. 16, 2025

New York City’s former interim police commissioner is suing Mayor Eric Adams and his top deputies, accusing them of operating the NYPD as a “criminal enterprise.”

In a federal racketeering lawsuit filed Wednesday, the ex-commissioner, Thomas Donlon, alleges Adams and his inner circle showered unqualified loyalists with promotions, buried allegations of misconduct and gratuitously punished whistleblowers.

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New York state tax collections $3.3B higher in first quarter of 2025, comptroller says

BY Luke Parsnow New York State

New York state collections were about $3.3 billion higher in the first quarter of 2025 than they were during the same period in 2024, state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli announced in a new report Wednesday.

The comptroller said state tax receipts also totaled $33.2 billion, about $581 million higher than the most recent Division of the Budget estimates.

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House Republicans question CUNY chancellor over campus antisemitism accusations; Stefanik calls for his ouster

BY Kevin Frey Washington, D.C.

The chancellor of the City University of New York (CUNY) defended his institution and its 26 campuses in the face of accusations of antisemitism Tuesday during a hearing on Capitol Hill.

“Let me be clear, antisemitism has no place at CUNY,” Dr. Félix Matos Rodríguez told lawmakers on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.

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Cuomo's new strategy after losing to Mamdani by double digits

BY Bernadette Hogan New York City

A day after launching his independent run for mayor, Andrew Cuomo spoke out to NY1, criticizing himself for losing last month’s Democratic primary to Zohran Mamdani.

But in an interview in his boyhood Queens neighborhood with NY1 political anchor Errol Louis, Cuomo also heavily criticized Mamdani, saying he’s “repulsed” by the Democratic nominee’s policy proposals because he doesn’t think they’re realistic.

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N.Y. lawmakers: No plans to return to Albany to address federal cuts

BY Kate Lisa New York State

State lawmakers cast doubt Tuesday that New York's Legislature needs to take action to address the impact of federal spending cuts in President Donald Trump's tax reform law signed earlier this month.

New York's legislative leaders said they don't currently have plans to call a special session in Albany to respond to less aid from Washington. Gov. Kathy Hochul and officials in the state Budget Division have not decided how to fill a $750 million gap this fiscal year from Medicaid changes in the spending plan.

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Cuomo: 'I did not run a good campaign'

BY Deanna Garcia New York City

In an exclusive interview with NY1 Tuesday, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he believed he "did not run a good campaign" ahead of his loss in June's Democratic mayoral primary.

“I did not run a good campaign, I admit it. And it was very uncharacteristic for me, because all my life, I’m too aggressive, too difficult, too hostile, he’s so tough. And then I run a very nonaggressive campaign, because in the campaign, all the geniuses said I was way ahead for the entire campaign. So the campaign played it safe,” he told NY1 political anchor Errol Louis.

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New York state creates ‘master plan’ for aging population

BY Jack Arpey New York State

New York’s population is graying. According to U.S. Census data, in 2000, those over 65 accounted for just under 13% of the population, but by 2020, that number jumped 4.5% to 17% of the total population.

With New Yorkers living longer, the Empire State is laying out a plan for how to better serve the needs of its aging population. Dr. Jim McDonald, commissioner of the state Department of Health, and Greg Olsen, acting director of the Office for the Aging, joined Capital Tonight to discuss the state’s Master Plan for Aging.

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'I just want to go away': Monroe County DA Sandra Doorley blasted by commission for controversial 2024 traffic stop

BY Wendy Wright and Keegan Trunick Rochester
UPDATED 6:00 PM ET Jul. 15, 2025

Monroe County District Attorney Sandra Doorley is facing a recommendation that she be publicly censured after she was pulled over by Webster police last year.

The state's newly created Commission on Prosecutorial Conduct released its findings on Tuesday following a traffic stop recorded by a police body camera on April 22, 2024. The commission's report alleges Doorley "failed to comply with a lawful traffic stop and used the power of her office as district attorney for her own benefit" while being "belligerent and hostile towards the patrol officer."

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Updated Nourish New York guidelines include ‘sweet’ products like honey and maple syrup

BY Emily Kenny Central NY

A 2023 audit from the New York comptroller found that certain New York-produced items were often excluded from the Nourish New York program. Now, state agencies have corrected the issue.

“The Nourish NY guidelines have expanded the listing of eligible food sources to include products that were previously omitted, such as maple syrup, honey and whole milk,” the comptroller’s office said in a letter released Monday.

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New York continues to see loss of farmland, state comptroller's audit finds

BY Emily Kenny Central NY

Financial pressures on farmers have led to a continued loss of New York farmland, according to a new audit by the New York state comptroller, which recommended increasing the use of the farmland protection program to help mitigate these losses.

“In many parts of New York, farmers face increased pressure to sell their land for development or for solar farms, but our agriculture sector and consumer access to local food rely on keeping prime land in production. In my office’s ongoing examination of New York’s agricultural economy and the challenges family farms contend with, we found the Farmland Protection Program has preserved more than 114,000 acres but can do more to address changing needs and support the future of farming,” said Comptroller Tom DiNapoli in a statement.

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New York's property tax cap remains at 2% limit for fifth year in a row

BY Luke Parsnow New York State

For the fifth year in a row, New York’s cap on property tax levy increases will remain capped at 2% for local governments that operate on a calendar-based fiscal year, state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli announced Tuesday.

The announcement affects local governments — counties, towns, fire districts, 44 cities and 13 villages — that have their fiscal year end Dec. 31.

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N.Y. Dems: CHIPS investments must continue as new hub opens in Albany

BY Kate Lisa New York State

As a new semiconductor complex in Albany cements upstate New York's role in the domestic production of microchips, several Democrats said Monday federal investments must continue to ensure the industry's success for the next generation.

The nation's first semiconductor technology center at Albany Nanotech uses a new Extreme Ultraviolet Lithography accelerator to push the domestic chip industry forward — or to develop smaller and faster microchips with a focus on research.

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Amid rocky CDPAP transition, Public Partnerships LLC president to step down

BY Jack Arpey New York State

The president of the company charged with running New York’s popular Consumer Directed Personal Assistant Program, or CDPAP, is stepping down amid the state's tumultuous transition to a single fiscal intermediary.

Public Partnerships LLC, or PPL, told Spectrum News 1 that President Maria Perrin will be “transitioning out of her role in the next 60 days.” They said Perrin intended to help support other "Medicaid-focused organizations."

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Tackling the high unemployment rate for New Yorkers with disabilities

BY Jack Arpey New York State

While New York state’s unemployment rate has held steady at around 4%, the unemployment rate for disabled New Yorkers is much higher, at 64%, and has remained there for some time.

Maureen O’Brien, president and CEO of New York State Industries for the Disabled, joined Capital Tonight to discuss that higher rate of unemployment, and what is being done to bring it down.

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New York Troopers Benevolent Association pushes Hochul to sign mental health leave bill

BY Jack Arpey New York State

This session, New York state lawmakers passed legislation that would establish a critical incident leave policy for the State Police. The goal is to give these law enforcement professionals time to address their mental health following a major incident. It’s now up to Gov. Kathy Hochul to decide whether or not she will sign it.

Charles Murphy, president of the New York State Troopers Police Benevolent Association, joined Capital Tonight to discuss the legislation and the push to make it law.

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Cuomo officially launches independent bid for mayor

BY Ayana Harry and Maya Rajamani New York City
UPDATED 6:48 PM ET Jul. 14, 2025

Andrew Cuomo officially launched an independent bid for mayor on Monday, weeks after losing to Zohran Mamdani in the Democratic primary.

In a video posted to social media, the former governor addressed prospective general election voters.

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New York's electric grid tries keeping up with increasing demand for power

BY Natalie Mooney New York State

State officials are banking on New York being the future of semiconductor research and manufacturing. While investments in the space give the state some juice, it stands to squeeze a lot too.

An early estimate from the Empire Center showed the expected Micron facility will eventually use enough energy to power the state’s second-biggest city – Buffalo – for more than six years.

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New York appoints first woman in state museum's history to lead transformation project

BY Spectrum News Staff Albany

State officials appointed a new director to lead a transformation of the New York State Museum in Albany.

The New York State Board of Regents and state Education Commissioner Betty Rosa on Monday announced Jennifer Saunders, the director of the Washington State Historical Society and the Washington State History Museum, will become the first woman to lead the nearly 200-year-old state museum when she takes over in September.

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New York clerk again refuses to enforce Texas judgment against doctor who provided abortion pills

BY Associated Press Texas

A county clerk in New York on Monday again refused to file a more than $100,000 civil judgment from Texas against a doctor accused of prescribing abortion pills to a Dallas-area woman.

New York is among eight states with shield laws that protect providers from other states’ reach. Abortion opponents claim the laws violate a constitutional requirement that states respect the laws and legal judgments of other states.

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State Sen. Cooney, Troopers PBA push for State Police mental health leave bill

BY Spectrum News Staff Rochester

State Sen. Jeremy Cooney and members of the New York State Troopers Police Benevolent Association came together on Monday to push for a first-in-the-nation State Police mental health leave bill.

Legislation passed during this year's session would provide up to 20 days of paid leave for troopers involved in use-of-force incidents that result in serious injury or death and up to 15 days for those indirectly impacted.

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Interim U.S. attorney for Northern District denied full appointment by federal judges

BY Spectrum News Staff Albany
UPDATED 1:55 PM ET Jul. 14, 2025

ALBANY – A panel of judges declined to appoint John Sarcone III, the interim U.S. attorney for the Northern District of New York, it announced Monday, casting doubt on if he will serve as the district's chief federal law enforcement officer.

"The Board of Judges of the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York declines to exercise the authority granted pursuant to 28 U.S. Code § 546(d) to appoint a United States attorney for the Northern District of New York," it said in a statement.

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National Semiconductor Technology Center opens at Albany NanoTech

BY Luke Parsnow Albany

The country’s first National Semiconductor Technology Center opened Monday at Albany Nanotech as part of a broader federal effort to boost the United States' competitiveness in the industry.

The Albany NanoTech complex was selected last year by federal officials as the national headquarters for research into a cutting-edge semiconductor technology known as extreme ultraviolet, or EUV, lithography. The lab will have the most advanced chip-making machinery in the world and allow researchers from the semiconductor industry to collaborate with their university counterparts. This effort is a result of the CHIPS & Science Act passed by Congress and signed into law by President Biden in 2022.

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Hochul raises more than $4M for reelection bid, $7M for state party in first half of 2025

BY Kevin Frey New York City

Gov. Kathy Hochul raised more than $4 million for her reelection campaign in the first six months of the year, Spectrum News has learned. She also brought in more than $7 million for the New York State Democratic Party.

The latest haul, which an aide says included donations from all of the state's 62 counties, brings her total fundraising for her campaign to $24.3 million since the start of her term in 2023.

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Cuomo to mount independent bid for mayor, sources say

BY Ayana Harry New York City
UPDATED 5:30 AM ET Jul. 14, 2025

Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo will continue to run for mayor after losing the Democratic primary, sources said Sunday.

Cuomo plans to announce his independent run for mayor this week, sources tell NY1.

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Over 1 million New Yorkers could be kicked off health insurance under Trump tax bill

BY Bernadette Hogan New York City
UPDATED 8:25 AM ET Jul. 12, 2025

More than a million New Yorkers could soon find out they’re being kicked off their health insurance plan as state officials untangle the impacts of Washington’s new tax policy bill.

New York already spends a significantly higher amount on health care than the national average. Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office is assessing how the state could make up for the losses.

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New York's NPR, PBS stations warn of cuts, tough choices if Congress approves Trump's demand to claw back funds

BY Kevin Frey Washington, D.C.

Across New York, local public radio and television stations are warning of potential cuts if their federal funding is taken away as part of a bill pushed by President Donald Trump.

The U.S. Senate is poised to vote next week on whether to claw back more than $1 billion in funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which supports more than 1,500 public television and radio stations nationwide, including NPR and PBS affiliates across New York.

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Hochul: Aide's resignation amid sexual harassment scandal proves changes in Albany

BY Kate Lisa New York State

Gov. Kathy Hochul said Friday the recent resignation of one of her top aides who was accused of sexual harassment proves that changes she made to end a culture of abuse in Albany are working.

Avi Small, Hochul’s former press secretary, resigned in scandal on the Fourth of July after allegations he sexually harassed another staffer in the governor's office at a bar in Albany on June 16 after a staff retreat.

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Battle brewing over Hochul's push to build upstate nuclear power plant

BY Kate Lisa New York State
UPDATED 4:00 PM ET Jul. 11, 2025

State lawmakers outside New York City have started to express interest in a recent directive from the governor to build a new nuclear power plant upstate — accelerating a brewing battle between state leaders and environmentalists who disagree a new facility is the right approach to reduce the state's reliance on fossil fuels.

Gov. Kathy Hochul on June 23 ordered the New York Power Authority to explore the first construction of a nuclear power plant in a generation to improve the reliability of the electric grid and ease the burden on taxpayers in the race meet steep emission reduction goals required under the Climate Act.

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Rep. Adriano Espaillat endorses Mamdani for mayor

BY Patrick Adcroft and Bernadette Hogan New York City
UPDATED 7:35 PM ET Jul. 10, 2025

Rep. Adriano Espaillat, a prominent voice in Upper Manhattan and the Bronx, has endorsed Zohran Mamdani for mayor, further consolidating support behind the Democratic nominee ahead of November’s general election.

Espaillat, who represents New York’s 13th congressional district, had previously endorsed former Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the lead-up to the June 24 mayoral primary.

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Planned Parenthood in discussions with Hochul on impact of 'Big Beautiful Bill'

BY Susan Arbetter New York State

H.R.1, the sprawling omnibus legislation also known as the "Big Beautiful Bill," prohibits providers that offer abortion services from accepting Medicaid reimbursements — not just for abortions, but for any reproductive health care service.

While a federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order that blocks the provision, it’s a huge blow for providers like Planned Parenthood, which has been discussing the financial implications of the law with Gov. Kathy Hochul.

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Rep. Mike Lawler discusses 'Big Beautiful Bill,' says there won't be a primary in 2026 GOP race for governor

BY Susan Arbetter New York State

Hudson Valley-area U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler joined Capital Tonight to discuss portions of H.R.1, the sprawling omnibus legislation also known as the "Big Beautiful Bill."

During the conversation, which covered federal deduction for state and local tax payments, also known as SALT, and heath care, the Republican lawmaker was asked about his plans to run for governor, and whether he’s spoken with U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, a fellow Republican colleague who has also expressed an interest in running for governor. He has yet to have a conversation with Stefanik, however, he insisted there will not be a primary.

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Hochul: $21M to go to flood protection projects in Southern Tier

BY Natalie Mooney and Luke Parsnow Southern Tier
UPDATED 6:36 PM ET Jul. 10, 2025

About $21 million will go to support flood protection projects throughout the Southern Tier, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office announced Thursday.

The projects address stormwater management and resilient infrastructure projects in communities including Binghamton, Elmira, Olean and Whitney Point with the goal to safeguard from extreme weather and the costly expenses of rebuilding after a flood. These flood control structures were originally constructed to specifically address flooding along the Southern Tier were built in the 1940s and early 1950s.

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N.Y. Senate GOP to Hochul: Suspend parts of 2019 climate law due to demand, cost concerns

BY Luke Parsnow and Spectrum News Staff New York State

New York state Senate Republicans wrote a letter to Gov. Kathy Hochul on Thursday calling on her to declare a state of emergency over concerns surrounding the reliability of the state’s electrical grid and energy costs.

“The current trajectory toward an all-electric future presents serious and immediate threats to both the reliability of our power grid and the affordability of energy for New Yorkers,” the letter reads. “Just last month, the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) issued multiple Energy Warnings due to a significant decline in operating reserves - underscoring the fragility of the system under current policies.”

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New solar facility approved in Madison County

BY Luke Parsnow Madison County

A final sitting permit has been issued to develop and operate a new solar facility in Madison County, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office announced Thursday.

Cypress Creek Renewables will develop Oxbow Hill Solar in the town of Fenner, which Hochul’s office said will contribute 140 megawatts of clean energy to New York’s electric grid while offsetting over 177,000 metric tons of cardon dioxide and providing power for approximately 23,000 average-sized homes.

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Joel Berg: How Trump’s food stamp cuts could tighten belts in NYC

BY Spectrum News Staff New York City

Recent shifts in national policy and bold local proposals have put hunger relief at a crossroads. President Donald Trump’s newly passed bill slashes billions of dollars from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — once known as food stamps. Meanwhile, Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani is pushing a radically different vision: opening city-funded grocery stores in all five boroughs.

Joel Berg, CEO of Hunger Free America, joined NY1’s Errol Louis to break down the implications of these changes. What will Trump’s cuts mean for New Yorkers when they go into effect in 2027? Can local proposals like Mamdani’s make a dent in hunger in New York City? Berg discussed the policy changes he thinks are needed, from raising wages to building more housing, to address hunger at its root.

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Morelle, Democrats amp up pressure on GOP to display Jan. 6 officer plaque, post replicas around Capitol Hill

BY Kevin Frey Washington, D.C.

Years after it was supposed to be put on display on Capitol Hill, a plaque honoring the police officers who defended the Capitol building during the Jan. 6, 2021 riot remains in storage.

Now, Democrats are putting up replicas all over the halls of Congress as part of an effort to pressure Republican leaders to finally mount the real thing.

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No tax on tips won't end N.Y. fight to raise minimum wage for tipped workers

BY Kate Lisa New York State

A group in New York state fighting to increase tipped workers' minimum wage plans to fight harder to get the proposal through the Legislature because members argue a provision in President Donald Trump's spending and tax plan that exempts tips from federal income taxes disproportionately benefits high earners.

The provision in the tax reform package Trump signed into law last week is retroactive to Jan. 1 of this year and covers up to $25,000 in tips — a key issue for the president while he was on the campaign trail last year.

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NYSERDA: New York may need to rely on fossil fuels for longer

BY Susan Arbetter New York State

As Gov. Kathy Hochul stated last week, it appears that the state is changing its policy around renewable energy.

WGRZ reported that the governor recently acknowledged that the economic environment has changed since 2019 when New York’s aggressive Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) was passed under former Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

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Attorneys: $27 million settlement reached with Dupont over Hoosick Falls water contamination

BY Spectrum News Staff Hoosick Falls

DuPont Co. will pay $27 million to settle a 2016 national class-action lawsuit blaming it and other companies for polluting the drinking water of Hoosick Falls and town of Hoosick residents over decades with perfluorinated substances, or "forever chemicals," from factories, an attorney representing the residents said Wednesday night.

DuPont, which declined four years ago to join Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics, Honeywell International and 3M in endorsing a $65.25 million settlement in the case, agreed to resolve the suit before a jury trial began Tuesday, leading to a settlement conference with U.S. District Judge Mae D’Agostino, according to court papers.

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Audit: New York DOH slow to conduct inspections, fix violations at adult care facilities

BY Luke Parsnow New York State

The New York state Department of Health is not adequately overseeing adult care facilities, failing to conduct timely inspections and provide documentation showing critical problems were addressed, according to an audit released Wednesday by state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli.

The audit reviewed adult care facilities from January 2018 to October 2024 and found the DOH failed to complete inspections within the required 12- to 18-month timeframe at 70% of the 30 sampled facilities, with some delayed by as much as five years. Three of the state’s four regional oversight offices had inspection backlogs – New York City, Long Island and Western New York. Central New York had no backlog.

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New appeal filed against New York DOT in Kensington Expressway Project

BY Spectrum News Staff City of Buffalo

The East Side Parkways Coalition has filed an appeal against the New York State Department of Transportation.

The suit alleges violations of the Public Trust Doctrine and New York State Green Amendment when the original Humboldt Parkway was turned into the Kensington Expressway back in the 1950s and '60s.

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N.Y. lawmakers confident Health Department will testify at August CDPAP hearing

BY Kate Lisa New York State

State senators who pushed back a public hearing on a $9 billion Medicaid home care program said they agreed to the delay because they're confident New York state Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald and other Health Department leaders will testify if given more time to prepare for lawmakers' questions.

Senate Health Committee chair Gustavo Rivera and Senate Investigations & Government Operations Committee chair James Skoufis announced Tuesday the planned public hearing to examine the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program, or CDPAP, will take place Aug. 21 in New York City.

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Trump suggests his admin might 'run' NYC if Mamdani is elected mayor

BY Kevin Frey Washington, D.C.

President Donald Trump suggested Tuesday that his administration might “run” his home town of New York City if the Democrats’ nominee for mayor — Zohran Mamdani — wins the election in November.

Mamdani’s campaign, in response, accused the president of insulting the city’s voters and treating democracy “like a suggestion.”

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Rockefeller Institute discusses health care impact of Trump's tax law

BY Susan Arbetter New York State

With the passage of H.R. 1, also known as the tax cut and spending bill that President Donald Trump signed into law on July 4, the question on the minds of health care professionals is how will these changes affect New York?

Courtney Burke, a senior fellow for health policy at the Rockefeller Institute of Government, and principal at Sachs Policy Group/Ankura, joined Capital Tonight to break down how various groups of health care consumers will be affected.

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Adams slams Cuomo on past relationships with Black officials

BY Kelly Mena New York City

Mayor Eric Adams continued his harsh criticism of rival Andrew Cuomo Tuesday, this time claiming the ex-governor has a history of derailing the political careers of Black officials.

“What has never been talked about that we need to talk about: Andrew’s assault on Black electeds,” Adams said. “He ran on the liberal line with Carl McCall and stayed on the ballot. Carl was running to be the first Black governor in the state of New York. Andrew sabotaged it.”

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New York lawmakers want state office to stick up for ratepayers

BY Jack Arpey New York State

It’s now up to Gov. Kathy Hochul to decide whether to create a state office tasked with sticking up for ratepayers. The state Legislature advanced the bill which would establish a "state office of the utility consumer advocate."

As customers grapple with utility rate increases, those who are pushing the legislation argue that it’s time the state provides a voice which is solely responsible for representing consumers as decisions are being made and disputes litigated, rather than leaving it to existing state agencies which juggle other interests.

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State awards $3M to projects to help integrate EVs into electric grid

BY Luke Parsnow New York State

The state has awarded $3 million to three projects to advance technologies that aim to integrate electric vehicles into the electric grid, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Tuesday.

Specifically, Voltpost was awarded $775,000 to develop lamppost EV charging in the New York City area, Capital Region and Hudson Valley focusing on UL certification, retrofits and plans to deploy at least 10 additional charging stations in New York. The Mobility House will get $867,000 to show how utility distribution capacity can be maximized with flexible interconnections to support electric school bus charging at a depot in Staten Island and a second location yet to be determined. Weave Grid, Inc. was awarded nearly $1 million to control when EV-managed charging will occur in the Orange and Rockland Utilities service area by using software and topology data to coordinate schedules and balance the energy load.

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Health officials, parents discuss CDC's change in guidance for COVID vaccine

BY Lacey Leonardi Syracuse

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has revised its COVID-19 vaccine guidance for children and pregnant women, now urging families to consult with health care providers to make individual decisions based on personal risk.

The updated guidance says it supports a process called "shared clinical decision-making," giving families more control and discussing benefits and risks with their doctor.

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N.Y. officials begin talks to limit flare gun sales, change Raise the Age after 10 shot in Albany

BY Kate Lisa New York State
UPDATED 7:09 AM ET Jul. 08, 2025

New York lawmakers said they started talks about which state policies should be changed next year to reduce the number of teenagers involved in violent gun crimes after 10 people were shot in Albany on the Fourth of July.

Albany Sen. Pat Fahy on Monday spoke with city and state officials about how to address an uptick in gun violence perpetuated by adolescent offenders. She wants to amend parts of the state's Raise the Age law that raised the age of criminal responsibility in the state to 18, and draft legislation to ban the sale of flare guns to New Yorkers under 18 after an increase in minors committing crimes using a flare gun.

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Voted out of office last year, 3 former N.Y. GOP congressmen await confirmation to Trump admin jobs

BY Kevin Frey Washington, D.C.

A familiar face was back on Capitol Hill last month — but on the opposite side of the hearing table.

Testifying before Senate lawmakers, former Nassau County Rep. Anthony D’Esposito pledged that, if confirmed as the next inspector general for the U.S. Department of Labor, he would “go after waste, fraud and abuse — not in press releases, but in results.”

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Child care voucher boost may not be enough for some N.Y. counties

BY Jack Arpey New York State

Many child care advocates are frustrated as they head into the Albany "offseason" feeling like there is not only little to show for this year’s legislative session, but a sense of regression in the state’s fight to address the child care crisis. It comes as several counties upstate have had to create waitlists or close enrollment as emergency funding for the state’s child care assistance program has yet to fully kick in, and some experts say it may not provide enough of a boost to get enrollment reopened in some counties.

“The potential for backsliding feels a little bit more real,” Dede Hill, director of policy at the Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy said of the end of this session compared to the summer of 2024, when advocates geared up to lobby Gov. Kathy Hochul to sign a trio of bills largely intended to modernize eligibility requirements.

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Adams, Cuomo call on each other to drop out of election

BY Kelly Mena New York City

Mayor Eric Adams on Monday said it's his race to lose in November and he isn’t going anywhere — despite pressure from rival and former Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

“I have an opportunity to go one-on-one with [Zohran] Mamdani," he said.

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Asm. McDonald: Assembly majority will meet on Friday to discuss federal cuts

BY Susan Arbetter Albany

H.R. 1, the tax cut and spending bill signed into law by President Donald Trump, will have wide-ranging impacts on New York state.

Because New York has expanded Medicaid over the years, any cuts to the program will be felt deeply. According to some estimates, over 1.5 million New York residents will lose health care coverage once the provisions of the bill are enacted.

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Director of Office of Victim Services discusses record-setting investment

BY Susan Arbetter Albany

The New York state Office of Victim Services has received a record-breaking $379.5 million over three years. The money comes from a civil asset forfeiture fund that collects money from federal lawsuits.

During the first administration of President Donald Trump, some of the money from the fund was directed elsewhere. If that happens again, Gov. Kathy Hochul has earmarked $100 million in state funding to offset those reductions.

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CDPAP hearing postponed, sponsors say

BY Tim Williams New York State

A hearing scheduled for July 9 to look into New York state’s transition of the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) has been postponed to allow the Department of Health to testify, according to the hearing sponsors.

In a joint statement, state Sen. James Skoufis (D-Cornwall), chair of the Senate Investigations and Government Operations Committee, and state Sen. Gustavo Rivera (D-Bronx), chair of the Senate Health Committee, said, “As the agency with oversight of this program, it is imperative that DOH is present to provide their unique insights and knowledge as it relates to the transition and ongoing operations of CDPAP. While we are incredibly disappointed about this recent development, our commitment to hold this crucial hearing this summer has not wavered and we will notify stakeholders and the public as soon as we have a new date.”

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Hochul's press secretary resigns following sexual harassment allegations

BY Spectrum News Staff New York State
UPDATED 12:01 PM ET Jul. 04, 2025

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul's press secretary has resigned, her office confirmed to Spectrum News on Friday, following alleged sexual harassment allegations.

Sources told Spectrum News that Avi Small was placed on leave following an incident that occurred on June 16 at an all-staff retreat. It was reported last Wednesday and Small was immediately put on leave, according to sources.

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Rise in N.Y. adult cannabis use could spark public consumption debate

BY Kate Lisa New York State

As the number of New York adults who regularly use recreational cannabis trends upward, groups looking to curb the increase plan to pressure state leaders to restrict public consumption and reduce adverse health risks.

New Yorkers over age 18 who regularly smoke or ingest cannabis to get high has increased nearly 17% from 2021 to 2023, according to a state Health Department report released last week. The report revealed 14.7% of New York adults have used cannabis in the last month — with just under half reporting using it almost daily.

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Councilmember Alexa Avilés on ICE agents targeting migrants at courthouse

BY Spectrum News Staff New York City

State and city lawmakers gathered at the immigration courthouse in Lower Manhattan Thursday, where masked ICE agents have been arresting undocumented migrants.

Local officials say their presence at court is an effort to protect migrants who are following the law by appearing for routine hearings.

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A first look at the state's Master Plan for Aging

BY Susan Arbetter Albany

The state’s Master Plan for Aging was released earlier this week.

Gov. Kathy Hochul convened a wide-ranging coalition, including state agency leaders, experts from the private and nonprofit sectors as well as research and advocacy groups, to come up with a comprehensive plan to address the needs of the state’s aging population. The 400-page plan makes over 100 policy recommendations.

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Another perspective on nuclear power: Nuclear NY

BY Susan Arbetter Albany

As we reported last week, Gov. Kathy Hochul is directing the New York Power Authority to build a zero-emission nuclear power plant somewhere in upstate New York, where the state’s three other nuclear power plants reside.

While the move came as an unwelcome surprise to clean energy advocates who are still waiting for the administration to come out with cap-and-invest regulations, proponents argue that nuclear is carbon free and will pave the way for 1,200 new well-paying jobs.

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N.Y. GOP defends pushback to Trump’s spending plan

BY Kate Lisa New York State

As those opposing President Donald Trump's sweeping tax reform legislation fight its passage, Republicans in the state Wednesday defended the president's policy bill and said they're prepared to ensure it gets to his desk before Friday's deadline.

A procedural House vote continued Wednesday night to pass Trump's tax and spending cuts package that avoids a 22% tax increase by making key provisions of Trump's 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act permanent, eliminates taxes on tips and overtime pay and expands the State And Local Tax, or SALT, deduction cap to $40,000.

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Mayor begins victory lap over budget deal

BY Kelly Mena New York City

It was a busy day for Mayor Eric Adams on Wednesday as celebrated what he considers the wins of his administration.

“A cultural institution is more than an organization that is planned out on the landscape of our city," he said.

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