SUNY system college nationally recognized for pandemic response

BY Mark Goshgarian New York State

Roger Johnson was hired as a State University of New York nurse during the COVID-19 pandemic, tasked with managing it on campus at SUNY Jamestown Community College, Cattaraugus County and in the community.

"As a community college, we learned to do a lot more with less," said Johnson. "We did with what we had."

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Michigan governor's sister ends bid for New York congressional seat, endorses former Rep. Mondaire Jones

BY Luke Parsnow Hudson Valley

Liz Whitmer Gereghty, the sister of Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, is suspending her campaign for New York's 17th Congressional District seat and will endorse former Rep. Mondaire Jones for the Democratic nomination for that seat, her campaign announed Wednesday.

"When we started this journey, we had one goal: to ensure the Hudson Valley was no longer represented by an anti-choice, shape-shifting extremist out of step with our values," she said in a statement. "That remains the most important goal. However, as of today, I will suspend my campaign for this seat."

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Lawmakers eye constitutional amendment, changes to Tuition Assistance Program

BY Kate Lisa New York State

State lawmakers have their sights set on updating the state's Tuition Assistance Program next year as higher education leaders say more than a decade of reduced investments made the program less effective in helping low-income students.

The state's Tuition Assistance Program, or TAP grant, exists to help low- and middle-income students cover tuition costs at approved colleges. Lawmakers examined the program Tuesday at a public hearing in Albany, looking to increase the income threshold to make more New Yorkers eligible and other updates to the program next session.

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Working Families Party appoints new leaders as third party looks ahead to 2024

BY Afia Eama New York City

Democrats are eyeing key Congressional districts to flip blue to regain control of the House of Representatives. They could get a boost from the Working Families Party in New York.

Two familiar progressive faces, Ana María Archila and Jasmine Gripper, were recently appointed co-executive directors to lead the influential third party in the state.

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New York Court of Appeals says bikers have the same protections as automobile drivers when stopped by police

BY Jack Arpey New York State

The New York state Court of Appeals says when it comes to traffic stops, bicyclists should be treated the same as motor vehicle drivers.

Last week, the Court of Appeals in a tight 4-3 decision sided with a New York City man who pleaded guilty to a weapons charge and after officers observed his bike moving erratically, and what appeared to be a large item in the side of his pants. The Court of Appeals ruled police did not have probable cause for a search, and that traffic stops associated with bicycles should require the same standard as automobile stops.

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Tackling food insecurity in New York state

BY Tim Williams and Casey Bortnick New York State

Last week's Thanksgiving dinners cost roughly 25% more this year than in 2019, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation.

Those rising costs are leading to more people being food insecure here in New York.

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New York state Sen. Sean Ryan on non-complete legislation, session, and Congress

BY Tim Williams and Casey Bortnick New York State

On Tuesday, advocates made their way to the state Capitol to call for Gov. Kathy Hochul to sign legislation that would ban so-called non-compete clauses for employees.

The bill’s Senate sponsor, Democratic state Sen. Sean Ryan, joined Capital Tonight to discuss the bill, respond to criticisms, and the latest on the race to succeed U.S. Rep. Brian Higgins.

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Lawsuit Reform Alliance urges N.Y. wrongful death statute expansion veto

BY Ryan Whalen Buffalo

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- After Gov. Kathy Hochul vetoed a bill overhauling New York state's wrongful death statute, the Legislature passed a new version of the bill with modifications to things like the statute of limitations and who can bring claims.

However, Lawsuit Reform Alliance of NY Executive Director Tom Stebbins believes it wasn't nearly enough.

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Death penalty remains an option for Buffalo mass shooter

BY Andy Young City of Buffalo
UPDATED 6:15 PM ET Nov. 28, 2023

There’s still no decision on whether the federal government will seek the death penalty for the man who shot and killed 10 Black people at a Buffalo Tops grocery store on May 14, 2022.

In a status conference Tuesday morning, prosecutors said the question of the death penalty has recently moved to the Office of the U.S. Deputy Attorney General. That’s the next step before it goes to the attorney general, who makes the final decision on seeking the death penalty. When that answer will come remains unknown.

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Speaker Mike Johnson to fundraise for N.Y. Republicans key to maintaining majority

BY Joseph Konig New York State

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., is headed to New York this weekend to fundraise alongside the CEO of the world’s largest private equity firm for battleground congressional Republicans whose reelection will be key to preserving his majority.

Johnson, an unexpected unity candidate chosen by House Republicans after three weeks of leaderless chaos last month, is working quickly to show he can be an effective fundraiser. His immediate predecessor, former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, was prolific at filling his members’ coffers with donors’ cash — freshman Long Island Rep. Nick LaLota, whose district is closely divided, called McCarthy a “hall of famer” earlier this month.

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New York Farm Bureau makes final push for Gov. Hochul to veto pesticides bill

BY Emily Kenny, Report for America corps member Central NY

A bill banning the use of neonicotinoids pesticide treated corn, wheat and soybean seeds awaits the signature of Gov. Kathy Hochul, but the New York Farm Bureau is making a final push for her to veto the legislation citing concerns about its impact on farmers.

“When we talk about seed treatments and especially this year with such a wet weather season, the pest pressures were very high and so farmers need seed treatments to control pests on their fields,” said Jeff Williams, director of public policy at the New York Farm Bureau.

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Banker involved in big loans to Trump's company testifies for his defense in civil fraud trial

BY Associated Press New York City

When Deutsche Bank loaned Donald Trump's company hundreds of millions of dollars, the bank always followed its own guidelines that include checking out information that would-be borrowers provide, an executive testified Tuesday at the former president's civil fraud trial.

The loans — for projects in Florida, Chicago and Washington, D.C. — are a focus of New York Attorney General Letitia James' lawsuit contending that Trump and his company deceived lenders and insurers by giving them financial statements that baldly overstated his asset values and overall net worth. The defendants deny the allegations.

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New York drivers could face license suspensions over vision tests

BY Associated Press New York State

New York drivers who renewed their licenses during part of the coronavirus pandemic face license suspensions on Friday if they don’t submit vision tests, the state Department of Motor Vehicles warned.

Nearly 51,000 drivers statewide could have their licenses suspended, according to Newsday. The DMV urged drivers to submit the tests by Dec. 1 to avoid ramifications.

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Rep. George Santos defiant ahead of potential ouster

BY Kevin Frey Washington, D.C.
UPDATED 7:54 AM ET Nov. 28, 2023

The U.S. House of Representatives is likely to decide as soon as this week whether to expel embattled Rep. George Santos.

Ahead of a potential vote, Santos acknowledged what could soon be his fate. “I know I'm going to get expelled when this expulsion resolution goes to the floor," he said.

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State officials cite progress in hiring plow drivers, road improvements

BY Jack Arpey Albany/Capital Region

With many regions already seeing measurable snow this season and lake-effect snow falling in Western New York on Monday, state officials said they are prepared for this year’s winter weather with new investments in infrastructure and manpower.

They said they are taking into account changing weather patterns associated with climate change as they develop strategies and programs geared toward managing New York’s winter weather. But they said thanks to several factors related to infrastructure funding in the 2023 budget, they feel better prepared this year than in winters past.

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Advocates seek reopening of Adult Survivors Act

BY Bernadette Hogan New York City

Thousands of sexual assault victims in New York did not file lawsuits against their abusers for many years, due not only to the trauma experienced but also because the statute of limitations ran out.

Then Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the Adult Survivors Act into law in Nov. 2022.

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Rep. Brian Higgins to become new Shea's Performing Arts Center president, CEO

BY Ryan Whalen and Brian Campbell City of Buffalo
UPDATED 8:00 PM ET Nov. 27, 2023

After announcing plans to resign his congressional seat earlier this month, Democratic U.S. Rep. Brian Higgins announced that he will be the new president and CEO at Shea's Performing Arts Center in downtown Buffalo. Higgins will assume the new role beginning Feb. 5, 2024.

The Buffalo native has been in Congress since 2005. Higgins, who serves on the House Ways and Means and Budget committees, began his 10th term in January.

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Examining the retail cannabis market in New York

BY Tim Williams and Casey Bortnick New York State

The New York Office of Cannabis Management on Monday took a step forward in ending a lawsuit waged by disabled veterans by approving a settlement agreement.

Cannabis market advocates are hopeful this can help boost a slow rollout.

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Health department wants to increase New York's COVID vaccination rate

BY Kate Lisa New York State

New York's top doctor is concerned about the low number of residents who have received the latest COVID-19 vaccine with about 9.3% inoculated statewide, according to the state Health Department.

That compares to more than 70% of New Yorkers vaccinated against the coronavirus in summer 2021, or about seven months after the vaccine first became available, compared to today's rate of just over 9%, and about 25% of nursing home residents.

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New York state senator introduces bill aimed to increase criminal court decision transparency

BY Luke Parsnow New York State

New York state Senate Deputy Majority Leader Mike Gianaris is introducing a bill aimed to increase the transparency of New York's criminal courts following a report that shows a very small percentage of criminal court decisions are published, the senator announced Monday.

The report, from Reinvent Albany, and co-authored by Scrutinize, said at least 94% of written criminal court decisions in New York are not published and calls for decisions to be published online to improve public accountability.

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Former N.Y. Gov. Andrew Cuomo aide sues over alleged sexual harassment

BY Ayana Harry and Spectrum News Staff New York City
UPDATED 5:43 PM ET Nov. 24, 2023

Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is being sued under the Adult Survivors Act by a former staffer.

Brittany Commisso said Cuomo retaliated against her after she refused to perform sexual acts and reported him for sexual harassment.

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Hochul signs legislation aimed at keeping kids safe from cardiac emergencies

BY Adam Penale New York State

Gov. Kathy Hochul on Friday signed legislation that requires camps and youth sports programs to establish automated external defibrillator (AED) implementation plans and to have at least one person trained to properly use the AED at camps, games and practices.

The legislation was supported by Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, who in January collapsed on the field after going into cardiac arrest and was resuscitated on the field during a game in Cincinnati against the Bengals.

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FBI ends investigation of car wreck at Niagara Falls bridge, no indication of terrorism

BY Associated Press Niagara Falls

The FBI has ended its investigation of a fiery car wreck that killed two people at a border checkpoint in Niagara Falls after finding no evidence that it was a terror attack, easing a period of high tensions as Americans headed into the Thanksgiving holiday.

The FBI’s decision late Wednesday came several hours after the vehicle raced through an intersection, hit a median and was launched through the air before slamming into a line of booths and exploding at the Rainbow Bridge in Niagara Falls. Local police are now handling the case as a traffic investigation.

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No sign of terrorism, no explosives found following deadly incident at New York-Canada border crossing, FBI says

BY Ryan Beiter Niagara Falls
UPDATED 10:12 PM ET Nov. 22, 2023

The Buffalo Field Office of the FBI says no explosive materials were found and that no terrorism nexus was identified relating to an incident Wednesday involving a vehicle that left two people dead on the Rainbow Bridge at the U.S.-Canada border crossing.

They add that they have concluded their investigation into the incident, and that the matter has been handed over to Niagara Falls Police as a traffic investigation.

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Counties, groups push Hochul for decision on bill to move local elections

BY Kate Lisa New York State

Statewide voter turnout hovered between 20 and 30% across New York in local elections held earlier this month, but the state Association of Counties continues to fight against a proposed law headed to the governor's desk that would switch those races to even-numbered years — supporting a floated constitutional amendment instead.

The legislation — one of the significant measures of the 150-plus Gov. Kathy Hochul has not signed — would move most town and county elections to even-numbered years. Lawmakers passed the bill intending to align most local races with higher-profile federal and statewide contests that drive increased turnout.

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Officials: 'No credible threats' to NYC ahead of Thanksgiving parade

BY Deanna Garcia and Louis Finley New York City
UPDATED 8:30 PM ET Nov. 22, 2023

Ahead of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and in the wake of the deadly incident on the Rainbow Bridge at the U.S.-Canada border crossing, Mayor Eric Adams and NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban said on Wednesday that there are no credible threats at this time to New York City.

The briefing was held ahead of the anticipated 97th annual Thanksgiving Day Parade, which usually expects thousands of New Yorkers and visitors across the world.

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Hochul signs bill into law aimed to protect freelance workers

BY Luke Parsnow New York State

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has signed a bill into law that aims to provide protections for freelance workers experiencing non-payment for their services, the governor's office said Wednesday.

The “Freelance Isn’t Free” Act establishes a right to a written contract with certain terms, timely and full payment and protection from retaliation and discrimination for exercising these rights.

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N.Y. lawmakers call to remove Students for Justice in Palestine from campuses

BY Ryan Whalen Buffalo

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Students for Justice in Palestine is a group that has drawn significant controversy since Oct. 7 when Hamas launched an attack on Israel.

It has chapters in colleges and universities across the country, and state Assemblymember Ari Brown said as a Jewish-American, the organization's messaging is deeply concerning.

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Hochul unveils '4-pillar plan' to combat online extremism

BY Patrick Adcroft and Bernadette Hogan New York City
UPDATED 8:30 PM ET Nov. 21, 2023

As the war between Israel and Hamas enters its seventh week, and amid a sharp rise in hate crimes across New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul on Tuesday laid out a plan to combat online extremism.

“I wish I could tell you these concerns are misplaced. But tragically the data all across America is showing that hate crimes have surged in the last six weeks," she said.

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Mayor Adams answers new round of questions about federal probe

BY Ayana Harry New York City

During his press briefing, Mayor Eric Adams answered a new round of questions about the federal probe into his campaign fundraising.

Fielding questions from reporters Tuesday, Adams said he’ll provide details on every trip he’s taken to Turkey saying, “We’ll give you the complete list."

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Adult Survivors Act sponsors support 1-year extension

BY Kate Lisa New York State

Both lawmakers who sponsored the Adult Survivors Act, or the law that created a one-year period for adult survivors of past sexual assault to file a case against their abuser, say they support extending the lookback period an additional year next session.

Sponsors Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal, both Manhattan Democrats, say they'll also explore a permanent change to New York's statute of limitations for sexual assault.

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Empire Center Study looks at union influence on local boards of education

BY Jack Arpey New York State

Nonprofit Empire Center is looking into how union influence can impact the makeup of your local board of education.

They say those organizations, and the more than 5,000 mostly unpaid volunteers serving on them, have broad responsibility for public school governance in New York to oversee nearly $50 billion in budgeted expenditures. Across 676 elected school boards, they say these expenses are driven primarily by personnel costs, especially those shaped by contract negotiations with unions.

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Marist Poll shows 59% of New Yorkers say quality of life has decreased in the past year

BY Jack Arpey New York State

New Yorkers say things are heading in the wrong direction, according to a new Marist poll.

The poll released Tuesday found that 59% of New York state residents think the quality of life in New York has gotten worse during the past year, while 11% say it has gotten better, and 30% believe it has remained the same. That downhill slide was perceived by 46% of Democrats, 78% of Republicans and 67% of non-enrolled voters.

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Common Cause NY conducts study to better understand the state's unaffiliated voters

BY Jack Arpey New York State

Unaffiliated voters make up more than 3 million of New York's registered voters. Advocacy group Common Cause NY recently conducted a study to understand who these voters are, where they are and how they can be better served by New York's election process.

"The idea is to ground a detailed and serious discussion with actual facts and data,” said Executive Director Susan Lerner.

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Defense continues calling witnesses in Donald Trump civil fraud trial

BY Ayana Harry New York City

Former President Donald Trump's legal team continued its defense Monday in his civil fraud trial after Trump told voters over the weekend in Iowa that he think's he is going to win his case.

Speaking during a presidential campaign stop, Trump criticized the judge overseeing his civil fraud case, saying that "we have a judge who's a Democrat club politician."

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New York state Sen. Kevin Parker accused of rape in lawsuit filed under state's expiring Adult Survivors Act

BY Associated Press and Bobby Cuza New York State
UPDATED 7:40 PM ET Nov. 20, 2023

A state lawmaker from Brooklyn has been accused in a lawsuit of raping a woman early in his legislative career when he went to her home to discuss disaster relief efforts for Haiti.

The lawsuit, filed Friday, accuses Sen. Kevin Parker of assaulting her in 2004, during his first term. The woman said she had been working with Parker to coordinate the delivery of items and donations to Haiti after a devastating flood that affected the country and other neighboring Caribbean Islands.

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Court upholds city law banning the types of police restraints that killed George Floyd, Eric Garner

BY Associated Press New York State

A New York City law that forbids police from using chokeholds or sitting, kneeling, or standing on someone's torso during an arrest was upheld Monday by the state's highest court.

The law, passed after the death of George Floyd, had been challenged by police unions that said the new rules about compressing a person's torso were vague and would lead to too much second-guessing of officers involved in physical struggles.

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Lawmakers, business leaders spar over noncompete ban bill

BY Kate Lisa New York State

Lawmakers and business leaders are growing more urgent as they push Gov. Kathy Hochul to decide what to do with legislation to ban noncompete agreements as the governor has grown heavy-handed with her veto pen in the last few days, rejecting several measures as the end of the year approaches.

Hochul has until the end of the year to consider a bill that would make noncompete clauses a thing of the past in New York. If signed, it would change state labor law to bar noncompetes, or provisions in employment contracts that restrict where a person can work after their employment ends.

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'Grieving Families Act' sponsor open to compromise to get Hochul's signature

BY Ryan Whalen and Kate Lisa New York State

The sponsor of legislation that would significantly expand New York's wrongful death statute said he is open to compromising with the governor's office to make sure it finally becomes a law.

The flexibility of state Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal, D-Manhattan, does appear to have limits though. The Legislature has passed what advocates call the "Grieving Families Act" with bipartisan support each of the last two sessions.

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State program distributes $95M to cover unpaid NYCHA rent

BY Patrick Adcroft New York City

A state rental assistance program has distributed close to $95 million in funding to help nearly 15,000 New York City Housing Authority households pay off their overdue rent, Mayor Eric Adams and Gov. Kathy Hochul said Monday.

Their announcement came months after Hochul and state legislators inked a budget deal that included $391 million in funds dedicated to rental arrears assistance across the state.

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Survey asks teachers if arming them with guns would improve school safety

BY Arin Cotel-Altman Albany/Capital Region

According to the national K-12 School Shooting Database, there have been 306 school shootings in 2023, which has surpassed the record-breaking number of 305 from last year. To try to increase safety for children, many districts have turned to school resource officers for an extra layer of protection on school grounds.

Officer Aaron Moore is one of them.

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Siena poll: Almost 75% of New Yorkers say antisemitism on rise

BY Spectrum News Staff New York State
UPDATED 6:19 AM ET Nov. 20, 2023

Almost three-quarters of New Yorkers who participated in a Siena Research Institute poll said Jews in New York are experiencing antisemitism, with 75% saying it has only increased since the October 7 Hamas attacks.

The poll of registered New York voters, released Monday morning, also shows 62% of respondents say Muslims in the state are experiencing Islamophobia, with 59% saying it's increased since Oct. 7.

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New York's Adult Survivors Act set to expire after Thanksgiving

BY Associated Press New York State

For a year, a special New York law has cleared the way for a wave of headline-grabbing lawsuits against famous men accused of sexual misconduct, including former President Donald Trump, hip hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs and the comedian and actor Russell Brand.

But when the Adult Survivors Act expires after Thanksgiving, it also will have led to a multitude of legal claims by women who say they were sexually abused while serving time in New York’s prisons and jails.

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New York pols split on Regents exam rollback

BY Kate Lisa New York State

Some lawmakers worry eliminating the state's Regents exams could pose a detriment to New York's educational standards — a debate that's likely to be politically charged next session as the Legislature will consider several Board of Regents vacancies, appointing several people who will make the ultimate decision to change the state's graduation requirements.

Doing away with Regents diplomas, and rolling back the standardized exams required for high school students since the 1990s, were among the top recommendations the Blue Ribbon Commission on Graduation Measures announced this week with state Education Department leaders.

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New York GOP chair talks redistricting and 2024 efforts

BY Tim Williams and Marisa Jacques New York State

While there are more than 350 days until the 2024 election, it's never too early to check in on the movers and shakers in New York politics.

State Republican Party Chairman Ed Cox joined Capital Tonight to discuss how the party is preparing for the next election cycle and redistricting in the Empire State.

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'Utterly without merit': Judge rejects Trump's motion for mistrial in N.Y. civil fraud case

BY Justin Tasolides and Associated Press New York City
UPDATED 5:19 PM ET Nov. 17, 2023

A New York judge on Friday denied former President Donald Trump's request for a mistrial in the civil business fraud case against him, calling the arguments for such a motion "utterly without merit."

In a filing earlier this week, Trump's attorneys argued that the judge overseeing the trial, New York State Supreme Court Judge Arthur Engoron, is biased against the former president. They cited his rulings against their client, the prominent role of the judge’s chief law clerk, the clerk's political donations and the judge's sharing of articles about the case with fellow alumni of his high school.

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House ethics chair files expulsion measure against Santos after damning report

BY Justin Tasolides Washington, D.C.
UPDATED 5:15 PM ET Nov. 17, 2023

Mississippi Rep. Michael Guest, the Chairman of the House Ethics Committee, filed a motion Friday to expel Rep. George Santos from Congress one day after his panel released a scathing report which found “substantial evidence” of wrongdoing by the embattled New York Republican.

"The evidence uncovered in the Ethics Committee’s Investigative Subcommittee investigation is more than sufficient to warrant punishment and the most appropriate punishment, is expulsion,” Guest said in a statement Friday. “So, separate from the Committee process and my role as Chairman, I have filed an expulsion resolution.”

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Federal Farm Bill gets one-year extension, but New York farmers remain worried

BY Emily Kenny, Report for America corps member Central NY

The 2018 Farm Bill has been extended through 2024, which will avoid issues that would upend the dairy industry, but advocates say a new bill is needed as soon as possible given rising costs farmers face.

“It’s better than the alternative, but we’re still encouraging lawmakers to not wait another year. Let’s try and get this done early next year to provide some certainty for our farmers and to address some of the issues that they have experienced over the last four years,” New York Farm Bureau spokesperson Steve Ammerman said.

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Hochul signs legislation setting language standards for statewide ballot proposals

BY Jack Arpey New York State

Gov. Kathy Hochul signed legislation Friday to assist New Yorkers in understanding proposed constitutional amendments and other questions that are put on voters’ ballots in New York state.

The legislation states that any proposed amendments or other ballot measures must be explained using language that is “plain and clear," allowing voters to fully grasp the practical impact of adopting or rejecting the measure being proposed to them.

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Malliotakis calls for Santos' expulsion after damning House Ethics report

BY Spectrum News NY1 New York City

Staten Island Rep. Nicole Malliotakis on Friday called for the expulsion of fellow Republican Rep. George Santos, a day after the House Ethics Committee released a report that found “substantial evidence” of misconduct by the embattled congressman.

Appearing on "Mornings On 1," Malliotakis expressed concern over the findings, saying the report showed “really egregious uses of campaign donors’ money.”

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N.Y. judge lifts gag order that barred Donald Trump from maligning court staff in fraud trial

BY Associated Press New York City
UPDATED 9:22 PM ET Nov. 16, 2023

A gag order that barred Donald Trump from commenting about court personnel after he disparaged a law clerk in his New York civil fraud trial was temporarily lifted Thursday by an appellate judge who raised free speech concerns.

Judge David Friedman of the state’s intermediate appeals court issued what’s known as a stay — suspending the gag order and allowing the former president to speak freely about court staff while a longer appeals process plays out.

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Clean Slate signing draws praise, public safety concerns

BY Kate Lisa New York State

As criminal justice advocates celebrate Thursday's signing of the Clean Slate Act to seal New Yorkers' past criminal records, Republican lawmakers and some prosecutors are raising concerns about its potential consequences.

Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the Clean Slate Act into law Thursday morning at the Brooklyn Museum. The long-debated legislation will automatically seal a person's criminal records three years after the end of the prison sentence for a misdemeanor, and eight years for most felony records.

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New group seeks to turn New York congressional seats blue in 2024

BY Tim Williams and Casey Bortnick New York State

The four House of Representatives seats that Republicans picked up in New York in 2022 helped them create their slim majority of five to control the chamber.

In an effort to swing the House back into the Democratic column, a new group, Battleground NY, has formed to turn swing districts held by Republicans blue.

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New York State Office of Mental Health reconvenes suicide prevention taskforce

BY Jack Arpey New York State

The New York state Office of Mental Health is taking steps to prevent suicide.

The office Thursday reconvened the suicide prevention task force to enhance statewide prevention efforts with a renewed focus on helping at-risk populations. That includes communities of color disproportionally impacted by suicide or suicidal ideation. Established in partnership with the Office of Mental Health's Suicide Prevention Center of New York, the task force will build on existing prevention efforts and explore the mental health challenges laid bare during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Santos says he won't seek reelection after House Ethics report finds 'substantial evidence' of misconduct

BY Justin Tasolides Washington, D.C.
UPDATED 1:37 PM ET Nov. 16, 2023

The House Ethics Committee released its long-awaited report on its investigation into New York Republican Rep. George Santos on Thursday.

The panel found that there is "substantial evidence" of wrongdoing from the freshman congressman, which will almost certainly result in another attempt to expel him from the House of Representatives.

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New York private sector jobs down 10,300 in October, report says

BY Luke Parsnow New York State

The number of private sector jobs in New York state decreased over the month of October by 10,300, or 0.1%, according to preliminary seasonally adjusted figures released Thursday by the state Department of Labor.

The number of private sector jobs stands at 8,252,000.

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Hochul signs Clean Slate Act into law

BY Luke Parsnow New York State

Gov. Kathy Hochul has signed into law a long-debated bill to automatically seal the criminal records of millions of New Yorkers a certain period after their release, she announced Thursday.

Known as the Clean Slate Act, the law will automatically seal criminal records for about 2.3 million New Yorkers three years after sentencing for a misdemeanor and eight years after a person is released from prison for a felony conviction. It does not apply to class A felonies or crimes that required a person to register as a sex offender.

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Proposed federal bill looks to ban additional Hudson River anchorages

BY Spectrum News Staff Hudson Valley

Two Hudson Valley congressmen introduced a bill to permanently ban additional barge anchorages on the Hudson River.

The Hudson River Protection Act, introduced by Rep. Pat Ryan, D-NY-18, and Rep. Marc Molinaro, R-NY-19, would amend the Elijah E. Cummings Coast Guard Authorization Act to ban "additional anchorages once and for all", according to a press release from Molinaro's office.

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Legislative proposal aims to further protect limo passengers

BY Spectrum News Staff Albany/Capital Region

Proposed legislation looks to improve safety and transparency in New York's limousine industry, according to a statement from Gov. Kathy Hochul's office.

The proposal released Thursday, which follows recommendations from the Stretch Limousine Passenger Safety Task Force, would stiffen fines for driving suspended stretch limos; require stronger safety features for the limos; limit the vehicles' years and/or miles on the road; require pre-ride safety briefings; and improve the availability of data on limo operators.

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Legislation proposed to expand surrogacy regulations, protections

BY Kate Lisa New York State

Lawmakers next session will consider strengthening regulations and medical protections for sperm and egg donors, surrogate mothers, their children and the intended parents.

Sen. Liz Krueger introduced legislation this week improve the legal framework for gestational surrogacy in New York, which became legal in the state in 2021. She says the legal and medical protections created under the Child-Parent Security Act don't go far enough.

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Sources: Looming budget cuts to affect NYPD, sanitation and migrants

BY Kelly Mena and Bernadette Hogan New York City

Potential budget cuts that Mayor Eric Adams ordered back in September are set to impact the police and sanitation departments, as well as asylum seekers, NY1 has learned.

The November financial plan is due Thursday. It is a normal part of the city budgeting process, in which the city and agencies assess their spending projectons with actual costs.

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New York Court of Appeals hears arguments on redrawing House map

BY Ryan Whalen Buffalo

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The seven-judge panel that makes up the New York state Court of Appeals heard arguments Wednesday about whether to allow the Independent Redistricting Commission (IRC) another chance to draw new congressional lines.

An independent special master drew the lines with judicial oversight prior to the 2022 elections after the state's highest court concluded the IRC had failed to fulfill its constitutional duty. It also ruled there was evidence the map the state Legislature ultimately drew was gerrymandered.

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Legislators urge Hochul to form N.Y. Asian American and Pacific Islander Commission

BY Spencer Conlin Albany/Capital Region

State lawmakers want to establish a commission charged with improving the quality of life for Asian American and Pacific Islander communities in New York. The issue was highlighted Wednesday by Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to the U.S.

Should the commission form, its members would look at community, economic and social well-being, health and education. Advocates welcomed the news.

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N.Y. attorney general sues PepsiCo for alleged plastic pollution

BY Brianne Roesser City of Buffalo

BUFFALO, N.Y. — New York State Attorney General Letitia James announced Wednesday that her office is suing PepsiCo over alleged plastic pollution.

In a complaint filed in Erie County Supreme Court, James accused the company of causing a public nuisance and failure to warn consumers of the potential environmental and health risks of its packaging, citing plastic pollution in the Buffalo River as an example.

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Hochul: SUNY enrollment sees first year-to-year increase in a decade

BY Luke Parsnow New York State

For the first time in a decade, enrollment across the State University of New York campus system increased over the course of one year, Gov. Kathy Hochul's office announced Wednesday.

Enrollment between fall 2022 and fall 2023 increased 1.1%, for a total of 367,542 more students. That's the first year-to-year increase in ten years.

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Trump drops bid to move N.Y. hush-money case to federal court

BY Spectrum News Staff and Associated Press New York City

Donald Trump has given up on his monthslong fight to move his New York hush-money criminal case to federal court, agreeing to proceed in a state court that he contends is "very unfair" to him.

The former president's lawyers said in court papers Wednesday that they were dropping an appeal that sought to have a Manhattan federal court take control of the case, which is one of four criminal indictments against him.

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Parties appear to have reached agreement in CAURD lawsuit that has held up N.Y. cannabis industry development

BY Jack Arpey New York State

A group of New York service-disabled military veterans suing New York's Office of Cannabis Management's Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensaries program appear to be close to reaching a settlement with the state.

In a motion filed Monday, Brian T. Burns, counsel for the plaintiffs, said the parties had reached an agreement in principle.

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Trump files for mistrial in New York civil fraud case

BY Spectrum News Staff New York City
UPDATED 12:58 PM ET Nov. 15, 2023

Attorneys for former President Donald Trump filed a motion on Wednesday requesting a mistrial in his New York civil business fraud case, alleging that the judge in the trial is biased against him.

"The evidence of apparent and actual bias is tangible and overwhelming," the 30-page filing reads. "Such evidence, coupled with an unprecedented departure from standard judicial procedure, has tainted these proceedings and a mistrial is warranted."

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New York DOH: Pharmacists can give RSV vaccine to vulnerable individuals

BY Luke Parsnow New York State

The New York state Department of Health issued a standing order Wednesday that would allow pharmacists to administer the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine to those 60 and older and pregnant people without a separate prescription from their physician, DOH Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said.

“This updated standing order expands access to the RSV vaccine, allowing pregnant people to protect their unborn child from RSV and also allows older adults to protect themselves, all with a simple trip to the pharmacy for the vaccine,” McDonald said in a statement Wednesday. “As RSV can cause serious illness in infants and older adults, I strongly encourage all who are eligible to get the shot now to protect their own health and their loved ones.”

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Malliotakis calls her vote to avert government shutdown 'responsible'

BY Spectrum News NY1 New York City

Staten Island Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, a Republican, said joining a bipartisan vote to avert a government shutdown was "the responsible thing to do."

“We need to keep the government open particularly at this critical time, where we are seeing our major ally at war. We are seeing threats grow here at home,” she said Wednesday in an interview on "Mornings On 1." “It's also right before the holidays. I mean, to tell our federal employees and military personnel they won't receive paychecks – I don't think there's a big appetite for that.”

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New Yorkers participate in 'March for Israel' on National Mall

BY Kevin Frey Washington, D.C.

New Yorkers headed to Washington, D.C. by the busload Tuesday, joining a sea of demonstrators on the National Mall for what was billed as a “March for Israel.”

At that march, they expressed their solidarity with Israel following the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, and called for an end to anti-semitism.

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N.Y. budget leaders want to avoid education, health cuts amid $4.3B gap

BY Kate Lisa New York State

New York's fiscal leaders on Tuesday said they want to steer clear of increasing taxes and rolling back increased state funding for education and health care services as they prepare to combat a $4.3 billion budget deficit next year.

State budget Director Blake Washington led the earliest spending talks Tuesday at the annual quickstart budget meeting — which includes Senate, Assembly and state Comptroller's office staffers — to reach consensus on the state's updated financial estimates. The state Budget Division is slated to publish updated revenue and spending estimates Wednesday on its website.

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Hochul enlisting borough presidents to help Venezuelan migrants apply for temporary protected status

BY Bernadette Hogan New York City

It’s been over a month since Gov. Kathy Hochul cheered the fruits of her labor–personally lobbying the White House for months to lift restrictions faced by migrants who want to work legally in New York.

U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas decided Venezuelan migrants faced abnormally dangerous conditions in their home country — granting a group of them the ability to apply for a reauthorized “temporary protected status.”

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New York education officials discuss new diploma requirement recommendations

BY Tim Williams and Casey Bortnick New York State

After nearly four years of work, New York's Blue Ribbon Commission on Graduation Measures has released its report and recommendations for changing the requirements needed to obtain a high school diploma.

State Education Commissioner Betty Rosa and Angelique Johnson-Dingle, the deputy commissioner for P-12 Instructional Support, joined Capital Tonight Tuesday discuss the recommendations.

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As New York redistricting maps again head to Court of Appeals, a recap of how we got here

BY Luke Parsnow New York State
UPDATED 7:24 PM ET Nov. 14, 2023

For most states, the process of redistricting began with the 2020 Census, followed by months of elected leaders or political groups reconfiguring congressional and state legislative boundaries in time for the 2022 elections.

New York’s redistricting process though has been anything but routine and remains ongoing. On Wednesday, the state’s highest court — the state Court of Appeals — will begin hearing arguments — again — on whether the state’s congressional lines should — again — be redrawn.

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Inside state Sen. Tim Kennedy's campaign for NY-26 and other potential candidates

BY Ryan Whalen Buffalo

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- New York state Sen. Tim Kennedy, D-Buffalo, said his focus for the coming year is entirely on a run for Congress.

Kennedy officially launched his campaign and filed with the Federal Elections Commission Tuesday for New York's 26th Congressional District. As incumbent Rep. Brian Higgins plans to step down in February, Kennedy said he's already asked party leadership not only for their endorsement in a primary but the Democratic designation for an expected special election.

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Hochul signs deed theft legislation into law

BY Jack Arpey New York State

New York is taking steps to protect people from deed theft.

Gov. Kathy Hochul signed legislation Tuesday to shield New Yorkers from the practice in which property owners are defrauded out of the property titles to their homes.

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North Country boat manufacturer denied bid for large state contract

BY Brian Dwyer Central NY

The New York State Parks and Recreation Department needs new boats, but a multimillion-dollar contract is headed to the west coast, leaving some boat builders in the North Country upset.

Spectrum News 1 looked into if the state agency wrongfully disqualify a Northern New York company from winning the bid to build them.

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Jeffrey A. Matteson appointed New York senior deputy commissioner for education policy

BY Jack Arpey New York State

Jeffrey A. Matteson has been appointed senior deputy commissioner for education policy, the New York state Board of Regents and state Education Commissioner Betty A. Rosa announced Tuesday.

Matteson has been tapped to oversee the Office of P-12 Education and the Office of Higher Education, while also serving as a member of the commissioner’s leadership team assisting in achieving the strategic goals of the state Education Department.

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Ex-fundraiser for George Santos pleads guilty to posing as congressional aide to raise campaign cash

BY Associated Press New York City
UPDATED 4:27 PM ET Nov. 14, 2023

A former fundraiser for U.S. Rep. George Santos pleaded guilty Tuesday to a federal wire fraud charge, admitting he impersonated a high-ranking congressional aide while raising campaign cash for the embattled New York Republican.

Sam Miele was caught soliciting donations in late 2021 under the alias Dan Meyer, who was then chief of staff for Rep. Kevin McCarthy, when the former House speaker was the Republican minority leader, according to Santos. Federal authorities still have not confirmed that Meyer was the aide who Miele impersonated.

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