How to watch New York's 18th Congressional District debate

BY Spectrum News Staff New York City

Spectrum News will host a live debate on Wednesday, Oct. 16, between candidates for a seat in New York’s 18th Congressional District.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Pat Ryan and Republican challenger Alison Esposito will appear in the debate, which starts at 7 p.m. on Spectrum News, and will be hosted by political anchors Errol Louis and Susan Arbetter.

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New York announces $4.25 million for beginning and disadvantaged farmers

BY Emily Kenny, Report for America corps member Central NY

Two new grant programs have been announced by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets to offer financial support for beginning farmers and socially and economically disadvantaged farmers.

“Access to capital is one of the largest barriers to the start-up and success of new and beginning farms,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Richard Ball in a press release.

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Rep. Marc Molinaro discusses his reelection effort for NY-19 seat

BY Tim Williams and Casey Bortnick New York State

One of the closest House races in 2022 was here in upstate New York when Republican Marc Molinaro bested his Democratic challenger by less than 2 percentage points in the 19th Congressional District.

Flash forward to today where the region is set for a rematch. Molinaro joined Capital Tonight on Friday to discuss his candidacy and some of the issues impacting the district that includes portions of the Hudson Valley and Southern Tier.

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John Catsimatidis on considering run for mayor

BY Spectrum News Staff New York City

Mayor Eric Adams continues to maintain that his administration is not distracted as it faces turnover and as Adams fights federal charges.

This comes as the field of challengers seeking to take on Adams in next year’s primary continues to grow.

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New York state health officials target higher COVID, flu vaccine rates

BY Kate Lisa New York State

The state Health Department is kicking up efforts to get New Yorkers protected against contagious respiratory infections before the holiday season as apathy grows to get an updated COVID-19 shot.

Influenza and COVID-19 infections peak in New York around New Years Eve, state Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. He was vaccinated for both illnesses at the same time last week to avoid severe illness this winter.

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25 and Counting: Chuck Schumer's path to Senate majority leader

BY Kevin Frey Washington, D.C.

It was early September, and Sen. Chuck Schumer was in upstate New York for a big announcement.

The giant multinational company Siemens was unveiling plans for a first-of-its-kind high-speed rail production plant in the United States, bringing hundreds of jobs to the rural New York town of Horseheads, just outside of Elmira.

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Josh Riley, the Democrat seeking to unseat Marc Molinaro in NY-19, talks immigration, abortion, Israel

BY Susan Arbetter New York State

New York’s sprawling 19th Congressional District in the Hudson Valley and Southern Tier is considered one of the most competitive seats in the nation. The Cook Political Report rates it as a "Republican toss-up," which could be good news for the incumbent, first-term Rep. Marc Molinaro.

Molinaro’s challenger is Democrat Josh Riley, an Endicott native and an attorney who served as a policy analyst at the U.S. Department of Labor and as counsel in the U.S. Senate.

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New state law expands aid for some library projects in lower-income areas

BY Jack Arpey New York State

A new law hopes to make it easier for public libraries in disadvantaged communities to use state aid for building projects.

New York state Assemblymember Angelo Santabarbara hopes it will in turn allow more libraries in those communities to keep their doors open. The legislation ups the percentage of a project that can be covered by state aid from to 75 to 90.

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New York state Senate GOP asks DEC to delay electric truck regulation

BY Ryan Whalen Albany

ALBANY, N.Y. – New York's Advanced Clean Truck regulations take effect in 2025, requiring manufacturers that make vehicles 8,500 pounds and heavier to sell an increasing percentage of electric vehicles each year moving forward.

The goal, when feasible, is for all new commercial trucks by 2045 to produce zero emissions. Department of Environmental Conservation Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar said it's a critical component for meeting the state's climate goals.

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Education policy think tank on Foundation Aid formula study

BY Ryan Whalen and Tim Williams New York State

As Capital Tonight has been reporting, the Rockefeller Institute has been tasked with revising New York state's 17-year-old Foundation Aid formula, which determines the amount of funding school districts receive.

The public policy think tank held hearings with stakeholders including district leaders, elected officials and experts across the state over the summer where some voiced concerns about the formula.

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Hochul shows support for Adams amid staffing changes

BY Kelly Mena New York City

Gov. Kathy Hochul on Monday at the city’s annual Columbus Day Parade seemingly showing her strong support for Mayor Eric Adams — while all but admitting she’s playing a role in pushing for changes behind the scenes.

“The mayor has been very focused,” Hochul said. “We’ve been working very closely through this chaos and I had asked him to work to bring in new blood and new people to work to stabilize the city and calm it all down and he’s doing that.”

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Democrat Hakeem Jeffries stumps in California in a bid to reclaim House control

BY Associated Press Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES — Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries crisscrossed Southern California over the weekend in communities far from the presidential battlegrounds — Little Saigon in Orange County and the high desert of Antelope Valley — as he works to wrest control of the U.S. House from Republicans.

The Golden State is a Democratic stronghold, but the party lost House seats here in recent elections, giving the speaker's gavel to Republicans. Jeffries, who is in line to become the next House speaker if Democrats regain control in November, needs to pick up four GOP-held seats to win back the majority — and there are five being eyed here in California, more than any other state in the nation.

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Bipartisan bill funding replacement of lead water lines across New York

BY Dana Damiani Rochester

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Thousands of water service lines across the state are made from the original infrastructure, at times, dating back 100 years. With infrastructure developments throughout the years, the state has passed a bipartisan bill to replace service lines made with lead pipes.

“Most of the lead services that we are replacing are 100 years or more old. Actually, the reason they got used 100 years ago is because they last a very long time. So it was a good material from that perspective, but, from a public health perspective, not so good,” said David Rowley, the manager of water production for the Rochester Bureau of Water.

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Rift mounts between specialized police, Hochul after 4th retirement bill veto

BY Kate Lisa New York State

The union that represents the state's forest rangers, encon officers, university and parks police is considering filing criminal coercion charges against Director of State Operations Kathryn Garcia after union leaders said she made a threatening phone call to the group's president hours before legislation to bring parity to their retirement system was vetoed for the fourth time.

The Police Benevolent Association of New York State is accusing Gov. Kathy Hochul's administration of retaliating against its billboard campaign criticizing her public safety record.

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New York state to deliver funding related to Seneca casinos to WNY cities

BY Ryan Whalen Western New York

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Some financial relief is coming for three Western New York cities where Seneca Nation casinos operate.

Buffalo, Niagara Falls and Salamanca have not received funding connected to Seneca revenue sharing with the state since December when the gaming compact between the two sides expired. They agreed to extend the terms of that compact quarterly while continuing to negotiate a new deal.

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New York state awards first contract for Kensington Expressway project

BY Ryan Whalen Buffalo

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The New York state Department of Transportation has awarded the first contract for a planned $1 billion infrastructure project on the Kensington Expressway in Buffalo.

The office of the state comptroller approved the $44.5 million contract to Union Concrete and Construction Corp. from West Seneca to replace the Best Street bridge over the expressway. Earlier this week, a state Supreme Court justice issued a temporary restraining order barring any construction on the Kensington project for at least two weeks.

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New York legislators hear why it can be difficult to help human trafficking victims

BY Justin Velazquez Syracuse

Human trafficking is an issue in communities across the country, including here in New York.

According to the state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, so far this year, there have been close to 300 confirmed victims of human trafficking. That’s just under 30 fewer victims than were reported throughout the entirety of 2023. About half of those for both this year and last were sex-trafficked.

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DiNapoli: Wall Street profit spike good news for New York heading into next year's budget

BY Jack Arpey New York State

Wall Street’s profits for the first half of the year were nearly 80% higher than last year. That’s according to a report from state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli.

DiNapoli reported that Wall Street’s $23.2 billion in pretax profits for the first half of 2024 were a 79.3% increase over the same period last year. He said the increase, which he described as “dramatic” was buoyed by securities trading, underwriting and selling. The report indicated that annual profits are on pace to close out the year in a significantly stronger spot than 2023.

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Climate symposium addresses New York's extreme weather challenges

BY Corey James Albany

As New York state grapples with record-breaking heatwaves and devastating floods, Siena College hosted the “Earth’s Cry, Humanity’s Call” symposium to address the pressing issue of climate change.

The event brought together global leaders, students and policymakers to discuss strategies for mitigating the impacts of climate change.

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Another farm bill extension has expired, now what?

BY Emily Kenny, Report for America corps member Central NY

The 2018 farm bill was extended last November, but now that extension has expired without a clear idea of when Congress will pass a new farm bill.

“We’re hopeful that before the end of the year, we can get the farm bill done in both the House and the Senate,” said Republican U.S. Rep. Marc Molinaro.

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Buffalo hotel agrees to pay customers for cancellations during eclipse

BY Ryan Whalen Buffalo

BUFFALO - A Buffalo-area hotel has agreed to refund $9,000 to roughly a dozen customers after the New York state attorney general's office said it abruptly canceled reservations in March shortly before the solar eclipse.

The Western New York region was in the path of totality and was expecting hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the country and world for the April 8 eclipse. The AG's office said it received complaints from several individuals about the Aloft Buffalo Airport hotel for not only canceling reservations but also not informing customers.

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When will the crisis at City Hall end?

BY Spectrum News Staff New York City

There have now been 11 departures from the Adams administration in the last month. Departures in the past week included First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright, Deputy Mayor Phil Banks and Winnie Greco, the mayor’s embattled head of Asian affairs. NY1 investigative reporter Courtney Gross, political reporter Bobby Cuza and statehouse reporter Bernadette Hogan discuss the mass exodus inside City Hall and the recent federal investigation into the mayor’s liaison to the Muslim community.

After that, former President Donald Trump is planning a rally at one of the city’s biggest venues, Madison Square Garden. The rally is slated for later this month, just nine days before Election Day. The “Off Topic” team looks at Trump’s decision to hold an event in Manhattan, as well as New Yorkers’ reactions to the announcement.

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New York lawmakers want to study cancer clusters in larger cities

BY Jack Arpey New York State

Gov. Kathy Hochul is considering a bill to examine whether there could be areas of higher-than-normal cancer rates across New York state.

The bill defines a “cancer cluster” as a greater-than-expected number of cancer cases that occurs within a group of people in a specific place within a certain time frame.

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UAlbany unveils new AI supercomputer

BY Kate Lisa New York State

The state University at Albany unveiled Thursday a powerful new artificial intelligence supercomputer to prepare graduates to live and work in a world with the developing technology, or pursue careers in the field.

The unveiling comes as the University at Buffalo prepares to unveil the first phase of its Empire AI Consortium on Friday — marking the next step to define artificial intelligence research that will help people learn and come together to solve complex issues quickly.

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City Council Speaker stresses Mayor Adams has right to due process

BY Ayana Harry New York City

With Mayor Eric Adams facing federal criminal charges and eight recent high-profile resignations in the mayor’s administration, City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams said that turmoil has not impacted the Council’s work with city commissioners and deputy mayors.

“Those communications, those relationships, continue, regardless of the resignations that have happened during the past week or so,” Speaker Adams said Thursday. “I can honestly say and thankfully say that we really have not seen, on the Council side, any negative imbalance because of what’s going on with the administration.”

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Gina Arena takes on Democratic state Sen. Pete Harckham — again

BY Susan Arbetter New York State

Third-term Democratic state Sen. Pete Harckham of New York's 40th state Senate District is facing a rematch against Republican Gina Arena, a Westchester County Department of Public Works employee who has a compelling personal story and has created several foundations to support children with serious illnesses.

The district includes northern Westchester County and parts of Putnam and Rockland counties.

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How package of gun laws raises red flags in New York state

BY Kevin Hayes City of Buffalo

BUFFALO, N.Y. — As the fight against gun violence rages on, Gov. Kathy Hochul recently signed a small package of related legislation to red flag laws and manufacturing.

With six bills signed, here's a look at what these laws are and how they could impact the lives of New Yorkers.

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New York good government groups raise concerns about lack of on-campus polling at some schools

BY Jack Arpey New York State

A group of civic organizations sent a letter to the New York state Board of Elections identifying what they describe as possible failures in state law mandating colleges with dorms and at least 300 registered voters have polling places on campus or nearby.

Blair Horner, executive director of good government group NYPIRG who was a driving force behind the effort, explained the study found 20 four-year colleges with 1,000 or more full-time students and on-campus housing had no polling place within a mile of campus, based on Board of Elections data.

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Donald Trump 'making a play for New York,' planning NYC rally at Madison Square Garden

BY Bernadette Hogan New York City
UPDATED 7:20 PM ET Oct. 09, 2024

New York State hasn’t voted Republican in a presidential race since Ronald Reagan was on the political stage, but that isn’t keeping former President Donald Trump from planning a massive campaign rally at Madison Square Garden for the end of the month.

“We just rented Madison Square Garden,” announced Trump on Wednesday during a campaign rally stop in Scranton, Pennsylvania. “We’re gonna make a play for New York, it hasn’t been done in a long time. It hasn’t been done in many decades. How could New York be run worse than it is, right?”

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Judge grants temporary restraining order blocking Kensington Expressway construction

BY Ryan Whalen City of Buffalo
UPDATED 7:19 PM ET Oct. 09, 2024

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- New York state Supreme Court Justice Emilio Colaiacovo has issued a temporary restraining order barring the Department of Transportation from beginning any construction on its estimated $1 billion Kensington Expressway project.

The judge did, however, allow the state to continue to enter into contracts for the project. Attorney Alan Bozer represents the Eastside Parkways Coalition, among many others, in the multifaceted case.

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Assemblyman looks to reform New York's child abuse reporting system

BY Kate Lisa New York State

A new effort is building to reform New York's system that tracks alleged acts of abuse or maltreatment of children as state data shows the majority of calls are unfounded — putting thousands of families through unnecessary investigations.

Assembly Children and Families Committee chair Andrew Hevesi plans to introduce a package of bills by the end of the year to reform the Statewide Central Register, or SCR, managed by the state Office of Children and Family Services.

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New York state's child care workforce facing 'steep cliff,' advocate says

BY Spencer Conlin Rensselaer County

Federal dollars helped keep a struggling child care industry afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic, but a new report says the state hasn't invested enough of its money into some of the most pressing issues, such as staffing.

Leading into the pandemic, child care workers and parents were already calling for more investment in the industry.

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New York business groups urge Hochul to veto wrongful death statute expansion

BY Luke Parsnow New York State

A coalition of groups in the New York business sector sent a letter to Gov. Kathy Hochul to veto a bill that would significantly expand the state's wrongful death statute.

Both houses of the New York state Legislature passed a version of the bill this year, referred to by supporters as the Grieving Families Act, with broad support for the third straight session this year. Hochul has twice vetoed the legislation citing concerns about impacts on things like insurance premiums, hospitals and municipalities.

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New York National Guard sending soldiers, airmen to Florida to assist Milton response

BY Luke Parsnow New York State

New York is deploying 65 National Guard soldiers and airmen to Florida Wednesday to assist the response to Hurricane Milton, which is expected to make landfall on Florida's west coast Wednesday evening, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced.

The Army National Guard will send 41 soldiers from the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team in Syracuse and 10 Humvees to provide general purpose support to Camp Blanding Joint Training Center near Jacksonville, Florida.

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Focusing on gun owner education, Hochul signs package of gun safety measures into law

BY Luke Parsnow New York State

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed several gun safety bills into law Wednesday in New York City.

One requires firearms dealers in the state to post a sign where weapons are sold, displayed or delivered, including a paragraph explaining how guns in the home increase the risk of suicide, death during a domestic dispute or unintentional death to children. It must also include contact information for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, and would be given to any gun purchaser at time of sale.

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2 plead not guilty to assaulting former Gov. David Paterson; Defense says they aimed to defuse conflict

BY Associated Press Manhattan
UPDATED 1:27 PM ET Oct. 09, 2024

Two people charged with attacking former New York Gov. David Paterson and his stepson were just trying to break up a confrontation, defense lawyers said Tuesday.

Diamond Minter and Travor Nurse pleaded not guilty Tuesday to felony assault charges stemming from the fracas on Manhattan's Upper East Side Friday night.

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'Malicious' package causes hourslong evacuation of Dutchess County Board of Elections

BY Spectrum News Staff Dutchess County

The Dutchess County Board of Elections closed for three hours Monday while law enforcement authorities were called to examine a suspicious package from an "unknown foreign sender" that county HAZMAT determined contained mathamphetamine, or crystal meth, commissioners said.

The "malicious" package arrived via UPS, and commissioners soon contacted law enforcement, according to a Dutchess County Board of Elections statement.

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Economy remains a top issue for voters ahead of Election Day

BY Bobby Cuza New York City

On the economy — as on many issues — the candidates for president seem to live in different realities.

While Vice President Kamala Harris has said the U.S. economy is “the strongest in the world” by “virtually every measure,” former President Donald Trump has maintained Democrats have “destroyed the economy.”

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Ari Berman: Minority rule and the threat to democracy

BY Spectrum News Staff New York City

With less than 30 days until Election Day and early voting already underway in some states, how we hold elections — and whether the results will be honored — is on the minds of many Americans. Ari Berman is the national voting rights correspondent for Mother Jones magazine and the author of “Minority Rule: The Right-Wing Attack on the Will of the People—and the Fight to Resist It.”

Ari joined Errol to discuss his book, as well as the stakes of the upcoming election. They also talked about the influence of conservative firebrand Pat Buchanan on Donald Trump, how rural states hold disproportionate power in the U.S. Senate, and the ways in which Generation Z could affect future elections.

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Onondaga Co. elections board responds to state concerns of backlog of voter applications

BY Spectrum News Staff Onondaga County

Officials with the Onondaga County Board of Elections confirm they received notice from the state Board of Elections with concerns about a backlog of voter applications in the county.

In a statement, Democratic Commissioner of Elections Dustin Czarny said that the board is working with the state and hopes to “have cleared the backlog shortly.”

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Business experts pressure N.Y. to pay off $6 billion unemployment insurance debt

BY Kate Lisa New York State

As small businesses across the state steadily decline, lawmakers and business experts want state leaders to take action next session — starting with paying off New York's $6 billion in unemployment insurance debt.

Empire State Development officials Tuesday told lawmakers at a public hearing the number of small businesses in the state has declined by at least 3% per year since 2019. Lawmakers said the figure is difficult to measure, and is estimated to be higher.

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NY1 Exclusive: Maria Torres-Springer reflects on new role as first deputy mayor

BY Ayana Harry New York City

After 20 years of public service, on Tuesday, Maria Torres-Springer began a new chapter. Mayor Eric Adams named Torres-Springer the city’s first deputy mayor.

Torres-Springer is stepping up to now manage day-to-day operations of city government. She sat down for her first interview as first deputy mayor with NY1, reflecting on the moment the mayor shared the news.

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To help Buffalo, N.Y. state Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes will make AIM a priority this legislative session

BY Susan Arbetter New York State

New York’s second-largest city is facing some major changes, but a long-time elected official is ready to help.

Mayor Byron Brown is stepping down to take a new job as president and CEO of Western Regional Off-Track Betting Association, but he leaves behind a city facing financial uncertainty.

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Ex-City Hall official charged with witness tampering, destruction of evidence

BY Erica Brosnan and Courtney Gross New York City
UPDATED 6:50 PM ET Oct. 08, 2024

A former New York City Hall official was charged Tuesday with witness tampering and destruction of evidence, according to federal prosecutors.

Mohamed Bahi, who served in the community affairs unit of the Adams administration, is accused of asking witnesses to lie to investigators and destroying evidence linked to a federal investigation into illegal contributions to a 2021 mayoral campaign, Damian Williams, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced.

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First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright leaves her position; mayor taps Maria Torres-Springer as her replacement

BY Kelly Mena and Spectrum News Staff New York City
UPDATED 6:30 PM ET Oct. 08, 2024

Sheena Wright has left her post as first deputy mayor, Mayor Eric Adams confirmed Tuesday, marking the latest in a series of high-profile resignations at City Hall.

Adams made the announcement Tuesday afternoon during a press briefing, where he named Maria Torres-Springer, who was serving deputy mayor for housing, economic development and workforce, as Wright’s replacement.

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Judge rules New York's new even-year election law violates state Constitution

BY Luke Parsnow New York State

A New York state Supreme Court judge in Syracuse on Tuesday ruled that the new state law that will move many local elections to line up with state and federal elections in even-numbered years violates the state Constitution.

The judge sided with Republican-led challenges to the law arguing that it conflicts individual county charters. Twenty New York counties are chartered, meaning they have locally drafted and approved laws outlining the structure and authority of county government, and there have been three separate amendments in the state Constitution allowing for and protecting counties' abilities to govern through charters.

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Bill introduced to award 1980 'Miracle On Ice' U.S. hockey team with Congressional Gold Medals

BY Associated Press New York State
UPDATED 12:37 PM ET Oct. 08, 2024

A bill was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday to award Congressional Gold Medals to the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” Olympic hockey team that defeated the heavily favored Soviet Union in Lake Placid, New York, at a period of high tension during the Cold War.

U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber, R-Minn., introduced the Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act along with co-sponsors Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., and Mike Quigley, D-Ill.

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States sue TikTok, claiming its platform is addictive and harms health of children

BY Spectrum News Staff and Associated Press Washington, D.C.

More than a dozen states and the District of Columbia have filed lawsuits against TikTok on Tuesday, alleging the popular short-form video app is harming youth mental health by designing its platform to be addictive to kids.

The lawsuits stem from a national investigation into TikTok, which was launched in March 2022 by a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general from many states, including California, Kentucky and New Jersey. All of the complaints were filed in state courts.

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Advocates push Hochul to sign child care bills geared toward modernizing assistance process

BY Jack Arpey New York State

Gov. Kathy Hochul is considering three bills that are part of a bipartisan effort to solve New York’s child care crisis.

As a parent, Eduardo Hernandez stressed that he knows the struggle of securing child care in New York. As an organizer for the Alliance for Quality Education, he’s joining forces with lawmakers to urge Hochul to sign the pieces of legislation, intended to modernize the process and criteria for getting assistance.

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Nily Rozic, first Israeli-American elected to New York Legislature, commemorates 1 year since Hamas attack

BY Susan Arbetter New York State

One year ago, Hamas terrorists stormed Israeli settlements along the 25-mile border of the Gaza Strip, shooting, raping, beating, burning and kidnapping men, women and children in what many have described as a modern-day pogrom.

It was the worst attack on Jews since the Holocaust, with 1,200 people killed and over 100 prisoners still held hostage in Gaza. In the months of war that followed, upwards of 40,000 Palestinians have been killed, and Israel is facing war on multiple fronts.

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The workplace: New York state's next fight for addiction support

BY Kate Lisa New York State

While drug overdose deaths have slightly declined, state lawmakers and groups that focus on addiction recovery services have their sights set on a new target for the next battle: The workplace.

Creating work and home environments to help people in recovery succeed is the focus of a statewide recovery conference taking place in Albany through Wednesday.

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Buffalo Control Board member discusses city finances

BY Ryan Whalen Buffalo

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- There are a lot of questions about the city of Buffalo's financial health.

Some local leaders have suggested the city could face budget deficits exceeding $40 million to 50 million. But while announcing his upcoming resignation, Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown said the projection was closer to $25 million.

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State comptroller's report finds high rates of chronic absenteeism

BY Halena Sepulveda New York State

Transitioning back to life post-pandemic was hard for many people, but it was significantly difficult for students.

“We noticed that students were not fully returning back to school,” said Aundrea Sanders, director of crisis prevention and intervention supports for Buffalo Public Schools. “We had parents that were concerned with the continued spread of COVID. We had to look at addressing student attendance in a different manner.”

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Deputy mayor for public safety resigns, Adams says

BY Spectrum News Staff New York City
UPDATED 9:11 AM ET Oct. 07, 2024

Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Phil Banks handed in his resignation to Mayor Eric Adams Sunday night, the mayor said Monday morning on “Mornings On 1.”

The resignation is the latest in a flurry of exits from the Adams administration amid federal corruption probes that resulted in prosecutors from the Southern District of New York unsealing a five-count indictment against the mayor two weeks ago.

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Former Gov. Paterson describes attack on him, stepson

BY Spectrum News Staff Manhattan
UPDATED 10:28 AM ET Oct. 06, 2024

Former New York Gov. David Paterson on Saturday described the Upper East Side attack in which punches were thrown at him and his stepson.

Paterson, 70, said at a news conference Saturday at the scene that the incident Friday night started when his stepson, Anthony Sliwa, 20, was walking their dog near Second Avenue and 97th Street. Sliwa noticed three young people climbing the side of the building and told them to get down or he was calling the police. The three came down and had a brief argument with Sliwa.

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Rep. Jeffries says Adams should not resign

BY Spectrum News Staff New York City

Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Mayor Eric Adams should not resign from his position as he faces a federal indictment on conspiracy, wire fraud and bribery charges.

“Mayor Adams, like every other New Yorker and every other American, is entitled to the presumption of innocence. And entitled to a trial by a jury of his peers who will ultimately determine his fate in the legal system. At the same time, it’s important for Mayor Adams to articulate to New Yorkers in a compelling way a plan and a path forward,” Jeffries said in an interview with MSNBC Friday.

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From MTA funding to school aid: What to expect from New York state's 2026 budget

BY Jack Arpey Albany

Budget season is officially underway, as New York state faces a $2.3 billion budget gap heading into the 2026 fiscal year and a projected $13.9 billion hole by 2028.

Multibillion-dollar budget gaps for the next few years are shrinking, but there are still big question marks, including school aid, Medicaid and what to do about the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA).

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Rep. Mike Lawler discusses report of him wearing blackface at 2006 Halloween party

BY Susan Arbetter New York State

On Thursday, The New York Times first reported on a nearly 20-year-old photo of first-term U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler dressing up as performer Michael Jackson while in college.

Wearing blackface as it’s called, is reminiscent of 19th century minstrel shows in which white performers made cruel fun of African Americans and it has long been considered racist.

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Federal leaders call for comprehensive VA hospital review

BY Ryan Whalen Buffalo

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Late last week, the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of the Inspector General released a report detailing the cases of 42 different patients in the Buffalo system who did not receive timely care under the VA's community care program.

U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand said she is horrified by the stories, including one case in which a veteran with terminal cancer suffered debilitating, uncontrolled pain over the last two months of his life as he waited for treatment.

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Adams downplays poll showing New Yorkers want him to resign

BY Kelly Mena New York City

Mayor Eric Adams downplayed a new poll that shows a vast majority of New Yorkers want him to resign.

“Let the process play out. Let New Yorkers see our response to this whole matter. And you know, it's a natural reaction for people to feel that way without getting the full depth of what is taking place here," he said.

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Using comedy to discuss politics in and out of New York

BY Susan Arbetter New York State

If you ask your neighbor if he wants to engage in a conversation about politics, he’s likely going to say no.

Nobody wants to talk about politics these days, yet Jon Stewart and Bill Maher do it all the time. The difference is, they’re comedians. And comedy is a great vehicle to talk about hard things, including politics.

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Despite calls to resign, Mayor Adams says he's not 'stepping down, he's stepping up'

BY Spectrum News Staff New York City

This week, Mayor Eric Adams made it clear that he has no plans to step down — even with a federal indictment hanging over his head. The exodus of his top aides continued, as advisor Tim Pearson became the fifth high-ranking member of the administration to announce their departure in just three weeks. Are the recent changes a response to a warning from Gov. Kathy Hochul? NY1 political reporters Bobby Cuza, Kelly Mena and statehouse reporter Bernadette Hogan discuss the likelihood of Adams surviving the indictment and the changes within his administration in the past week.

After that, much has been made about the mayor’s legal strategy. His lawyers tried to get the bribery charge against him thrown out and accused prosecutors of leaking details of the case. The feds, meanwhile, say it’s possible the mayor will face even more charges and that it’s likely others will be indicted. The "Off Topic" team looks at celebrity lawyer Alex Spiro’s strategy thus far and discuss how the feds still haven’t cracked the password on the mayor’s phone.

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'We're flexible': New York leaders eye leeway in home care program changes

BY Kate Lisa New York State

New York leaders intend to implement changes to a Medicaid home care program by the spring, but the state health commissioner on Thursday said there could be flexibility in the six-month timeline if necessary.

Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald's comments come after continued pushback from disabled and elderly New Yorkers who rely on the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program — a $9 billion Medicaid home care program that allows family members to help their relatives live independently.

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Poll: Majority of New Yorkers want Mayor Adams to resign

BY Bernadette Hogan New York City

By more than a two-to-one margin, a new poll shows that New Yorker voters want Mayor Eric Adams to resign in the wake of his indictment last week on federal corruption charges.

“I’m going to step up! I’m not gonna resign, I’m gonna reign!” Adams said in the Bronx on Sunday, Sept. 29.

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Assemblymember Eddie Gibbs arrested in Harlem

BY Louis Finley Manhattan

New York State Assemblymember Eddie Gibbs was arrested Thursday and charged with disorderly conduct following a traffic stop in Harlem.

“I apologize to Officer Phips. I apologize to Officer Peter. And I accept my summons,” Gibbs said. “I was wrong.”

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Bipartisan lithium-ion battery safety bill still awaiting vote in U.S. Senate

BY Kevin Frey Washington, D.C.

A bipartisan bill aimed at improving the safety of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries is still awaiting action in the U.S. Senate, as advocates warn the threat of more fires caused by the batteries, which are commonly found in e-bikes and scooters, remains.

Some are pointing the finger of blame for the "holdup" at one Republican senator.

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Photo shows U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler wearing blackface at college Halloween party in 2006

BY Associated Press New York State
UPDATED 6:28 PM ET Oct. 03, 2024

U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler said he was sorry Thursday after The New York Times obtained photos of him wearing blackface about two decades ago at a college Halloween costume party where he dressed as Michael Jackson.

The images emerged as Lawler, a first-term Republican, is locked in a competitive reelection fight for his congressional seat in New York's Hudson Valley.

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Hochul signs gambling risks disclosure bill for advertisers

BY Brianne Roesser City of Buffalo

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on Tuesday signed legislation requiring sports betting and gambling companies to inform people of the risks and addictiveness of gambling.

This bill also requires the state Gaming Commission to collaborate with the commissioner of Addiction Services and Supports to make sure all ads include the problem gambling hotline number.

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Port strike could cost New York dairy farmers millions of dollars

BY Emily Kenny, Report for America corps member Central NY

The dairy industry relies heavily on exporting their products through the East and Gulf Coast ports but with the labor strike, dairy farmers are at risk.

A.J. Wormuth, owner of Half Full Dairy in Elbridge, said he is concerned about the port strike and how it will impact the supply chain.

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New York comptroller's office: Eight more local governments in fiscal stress

BY Spectrum News Staff New York State

Fourteen New York local governments have been designated as "some level of fiscal stress," according to a new report from state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli's office. The state capital of Albany is one of them.

The report, recapping fiscal year 2023 in the state, shows that under the Fiscal Stress Monitoring System, 14 governments in fiscal stress is unchanged from fiscal 2022, and remains the lowest number the state have seen since the Fiscal Stress Monitoring System was introduced for fiscal 2013.

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Law professor discusses future of Adams' corruption trial

BY Spectrum News NY1 New York City

A law professor at Harvard University on Thursday weighed in on the ongoing legal challenges surrounding Mayor Eric Adams, predicting that additional charges are more than likely.

Criminal defense attorney Ronald Sullivan was interviewed on “Mornings On 1” Thursday, following Adams' pre-trial conference in which prosecutors told the judge presiding over the case that it is “quite likely” that a superseding indictment was forthcoming.

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Good cause eviction continues to pass in upstate communities

BY Krystal Cole Syracuse
UPDATED 8:48 AM ET Oct. 03, 2024

Earlier this year, a law passed applying to New York City, and it is slowly coming to upstate communities — good cause eviction. Towns and cities have been allowed to opt into good cause eviction if residents want it. Some places have voted this into their local laws already, including Albany, Kingston and Poughkeepsie. Syracuse and Rochester are two of the cities that have been having discussions about whether to vote good cause eviction into law.

A tenant who recently worked to pass a good cause eviction law in Ithaca says it’s a needed protection for renters.

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Will Eric Adams survive the indictment?

BY Spectrum News Staff New York City

This week, Mayor Eric Adams appeared in court, where federal prosecutors said they might bring additional charges against him and indict others. Adams has maintained he will fight the charges and continue doing his job effectively. Many others have called on him to resign.

The charges were brought by Damian Williams, the U.S. attorney for the southern district. NY1’s Errol Louis discussed Williams’ resume and how he became the first and only Black U.S. attorney in the 235-year-old history of the southern district. He also talked with Katie Honan of The City about what lies ahead for Adams and the city of New York.

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New York lawmakers eye lessons from other states to draft new AI regulations

BY Kate Lisa New York State

New York lawmakers said Wednesday they will introduce several proposals to regulate artificial intelligence in the state, and learn lessons from other states, like California, where concerns from tech giants squashed historic AI legislation over the weekend.

State assemblymembers held a hearing in Albany last week to examine the best way to protect New York consumers as the nascent automated technology develops.

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Sources: Hochul pushes to clean up Adams administration

BY Bernadette Hogan New York City

Gov. Kathy Hochul held her own security briefing Monday separate from Mayor Eric Adams, as she bides her time about making a decision to remove Adams from office.

“We expect changes, that’s not a secret, and changes are beginning,” Hochul said during a press conference from her Midtown Manhattan government office.

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Takeaways from the vice presidential debate

BY Camille DeLongis and Capital Tonight Staff New York State

On Tuesday night, Americans heard from the two men seeking the vice presidency in the first and last time before the election.

So what are the takeaways from the debate and will this sway the election at all?

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A look back at Byron Brown's political career

BY Ryan Whalen Buffalo

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The top of Byron Brown's resume includes two historic firsts.

He is Buffalo's first Black mayor and the first mayor to win five terms. The Queens native attended Buffalo State college before starting his political career in his adopted city.

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Hochul signs bills aimed to expand health care access during, after pregnancy

BY Luke Parsnow New York State

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed several bills into law aimed to expand coverage of women’s health during and after pregnancy, the governor announced Wednesday.

One piece of legislation allows pregnant women to enroll in health insurance policies at any time without penalty and prohibits commercial health maintenance organizations from charging fees for special enrollment due to pregnancy.

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Prosecutors say they may bring additional charges against Mayor Eric Adams and indict others

BY Spectrum News Staff and Associated Press New York City
UPDATED 1:05 PM ET Oct. 02, 2024

Federal prosecutors said Wednesday they are pursuing “several related investigations” that could lead to additional corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams and indictments for people in his orbit.

Prosecutors made the disclosure as the first-term Democrat attended a court hearing days after he was indicted on charges that he accepted about $100,000 worth of free or deeply discounted international flights, hotel stays, meals and entertainment, and obtained illegal campaign contributions from foreign interests.

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Attorney critiques Adams' defense strategy in corruption case

BY Spectrum News NY1 New York City

A longtime criminal defense attorney provided insights into Mayor Eric Adams’ defense strategy Wednesday, just hours before the mayor was scheduled to be in court for the first time since he was arraigned on federal corruption charges.

As Adams prepared for a pretrial conference at the federal courthouse in Manhattan, attorney Ron Kuby said in a “Mornings On 1” interview that he believes the prosecution has yet to reveal all allegations.

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Action groups gives Hochul grade of 'D-minus' on climate progress

BY Jack Arpey New York State

Gov. Kathy Hochul’s performance on handling the state's climate crisis did not receive good marks from one climate action group.

Climate Can’t Wait, a collaborative of several climate groups, released a "report card” on the governor's progress Tuesday. They gave Hochul a "D-minus" for her performance so far.

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Rockefeller Institute President Robert Megna comments on efforts to update Foundation Aid formula

BY Susan Arbetter New York State

The primary school funding formula for public schools in New York is getting a reboot.

The Foundation Aid formula, which has been the vehicle by which lawmakers direct money to school districts based on need, has been the blueprint for education advocates since 2007. But the formula is 17 years old and requires new inputs and updated data to accurately reflect district need.

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Buffalo Common Council deals with impact of coming mayoral resignation

BY Ryan Whalen Buffalo

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Under Buffalo's city charter, Common Council President Chris Scanlon will assume the duties of acting mayor until the end of 2025 after current Mayor Byron Brown resigns.

Because Scanlon's council term runs through the end of 2027, he could return to his South district seat when his mayoral duties end. The dual but conflicting roles led to Council Majority Leader Leah Halton-Pope introducing a resolution asking the city's corporation counsel to submit a formal opinion on succession and if the council could temporarily appoint a member to represent South District in the interim.

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Schumer calls for more federal help addressing EEE after uptick in New York

BY Spectrum News Staff New York State

U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer is calling on federal agencies to put more resources into tracking mosquitos and mosquito-borne illnesses as New York has seen a surge in eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) cases, including one case in a human who died.

Schumer is calling on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to work with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to outline a plan for working with New York state and local communities to track the bugs.

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Adams taps new chief counsel, next corporation counsel nominee

BY Patrick Adcroft and Spectrum News Staff New York City

Mayor Eric Adams on Tuesday tapped Allison Stoddart as City Hall’s new chief counsel, and said he plans to nominate Muriel Goode-Trufant as the city’s next corporation counsel.

Stoddart, who has served as chief of staff in the Office of the Chief Counsel since Adams took office, will step into the role vacated by Lisa Zornberg, who abruptly resigned last month.

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New York agencies warned to keep funding requests flat ahead of next year's budget

BY Luke Parsnow New York State

The New York state Division of Budget sent a letter to state agencies on Tuesday warning them to keep their funding requests flat ahead of the FY25-26 budget that New York lawmakers will have to pass in April of next year.

“While there is a growing consensus that the national economy is proceeding toward a ‘soft landing,’ New York’s status as the world’s financial capital makes it susceptible to a multitude of economic, geopolitical, and market risks,” the letter to agency commissioners from state Budget Director Blake Washington, reads. “A thorough consideration of state commitments will allow the state to be better positioned to meet planned out-year spending growth, and in the event of an economic downturn, will lessen the need for potential reduction in critical services at a time when New Yorkers would otherwise be in most need of our support. To accomplish this, agency budget requests for State Fiscal Year SFY 2026 should not exceed the total SFY 2025 Enacted Budget agency funding levels, excluding one-time investments."

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