Josh Durso
Josh leads the content team at FingerLakes1.com and reports on an array of issues impacting residents in Upstate New York and beyond. Have a question? Send it to josh@fingerlakes1.com.
Micron coming to CNY: Investing $100 billion, bringing 50,000 jobs with average salary of $100,000
Micron is investing an unprecedented $100 billion over the next 20 years to transform Central New York into a global semiconductor manufacturing hub. It's the single-largest investment in a manufacturing project in New York State ... more
Farmworkers overtime threshold will drop to 40 hours in New York
New York has made a decision on lowering the 60-hour threshold for overtime among farmworkers to 40-hours. Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon announced the move, accepting the recommendation of the Farm Laborers Wage Board ... more
Minimum wage will increase to $14.20 across Upstate New York
The state Department of Labor has announced New York's next steps in moving toward a $15 minimum hourly wage. Commissioner Roberta Reardon issued an Order calling for the minimum wage rate in counties outside of ... more
Seneca Falls Planning Board continues review of proposed Cayuga Nation cannabis-grow operation on Ovid St.
Earlier this week the Seneca Falls Planning Board met to potentially consider approval of the Cayuga Nation's cannabis-growing facility at 191 Ovid Street. The Nation submitted site plans to convert a food-growing field and barn ... more
All vehicles sold in NYS must be zero emissions by 2035, but vehicle changes will be required much sooner
Major regulatory action is coming to New York, which will require all vehicles sold in the state to be zero emissions by 2035. All new new passenger cars, pickup trucks, and SUVs sold in New ... more
Winter energy prices: How much will bills go up? What is New York, Congress doing about it?
Throughout the last few weeks there have been countless independent reports and headlines forecasting high home energy prices this winter. That has families and businesses across New York worried. How high could prices get this ... more
Fall colors starting to be observed through Finger Lakes and Central New York, but higher elevations seeing much more
The higher elevations of New York are where the most significant changes can be seen in fall foliage. The latest report from the state shows that some significant early color changes expected in the higher ... more
SFPD chief says video of Cayuga Nation officer firing gun into pickup truck on Bayard Street is under investigation
Unrest within the Cayuga Nation has spilled over into the community-at-large. Residents voiced concerns over the weekend after a video shared to social media showed a purported member of the Cayuga Nation Police Department firing ... more
New York reaches climate smart communities milestone
New York has reached a new milestone with its Climate Smart Communities initiative. More than 100 communities are now certified as Climate Smart Communities thanks to their work supporting local efforts to meet the economic, ... more
Counties, cities, towns, and villages can apply for $3 billion in flood mitigation funds: Part of ‘Building Resilient Infrastructure’ plan
The state is now accepting applications for more than $3 billion in available federal funding to boost resiliency and mitigate impacts of climate change. Now, counties, cities, towns, villages, and tribal governments throughout New York ... more
Hochul signs legislation simplifying access to student loan forgiveness
Governor Kathy Hochul has signed legislation expanding and simplifying access to the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. The new legislation establishes uniformity around what qualifies as full-time employment for the purposes of accessing PSLF ... more
Former state supreme court justice John Michalek sentenced for accepting bribes
Former New York State Supreme Court Justice John Michalek accepted bribes from former Erie County power broker and Democratic Committee Chairman Steven Pigeon - and now - he will spend 16 months in jail and ... more
$50M agreement reached between NYS, two companies accused of selling cigarettes without paying taxes
On Tuesday, New York Attorney General Letitia James announced a $50 million agreement with two companies that allegedly sold cigarettes without paying the required state excise taxes. The agreement resolves allegations that Grand River Enterprises Six Nations, ... more
New York has third-highest hospital costs in the U.S., and health insurance rates will rise significantly in 2023
New York State has the third highest hospital costs in the U.S. A study found that it's mostly caused by COVID. The expenses New York hospitals pay per patient increased 20% between 2019 and 2020 ... more
COVID-19 state of emergency ends in New York State: Others for healthcare staffing, monkeypox remain active
New York State's COVID state of emergency has expired. Governor Kathy Hochul allowed the state of emergency lapse on Monday, as cases of COVID-19 remain relatively low compared to peak pandemic heights. Hochul said earlier ... more
Several Finger Lakes landmarks recommended for State, National Registers of Historic Places
This week Governor Kathy Hochul announced that a number of properties would be added to the State and National Registers of Historic Places. State and National Registers listing can assist owners in revitalizing properties, making ... more
Owasco Lake Watershed Nine Element Plan gets state approval
DEC Commissioner Basil Segos and Department of State Secretary Robert Rodriguez say the Owasco Lake Watershed Nine Element Plan for Phosphorus Reduction has been approved. The plan is an effort to restore and protect the ... more
‘THE TIME IS RIGHT’: Ginny Ryan, Doug Emblidge announce they’re leaving 13WHAM this fall
It's time to take on something new. That was the takeaway from longtime local broadcast news anchors Ginny Ryan and Doug Emblidge, who announced they would be retiring in the coming weeks. The Rochester natives ... more
Over $23M lost in grandparent scams last year: State working with older New Yorkers to outsmart the criminals
Grandparents scams are increasing, and it's a major problem. Officials with the state Division of Consumer Protection is working to empower grandparents to outsmart scammers who prey on them. With the common grandparent scam, criminals ... more
