Local sheriffs push back on police chase reforms
New York sheriffs are pushing back against proposals to sharply limit police vehicle pursuits, saying the problem lies with criminals, not officers, according to the Finger Lakes Times. State Attorney General Letitia James is calling ... more
New York could gain Purple Heart State status
New York is one step closer to being officially recognized as a Purple Heart State, according to WIVT. Lawmakers in Albany passed bipartisan legislation aimed at honoring service members wounded in combat. The measure awaits ... more
Hotter summer could hike NY energy bills
NYSEG and RG&E are warning New Yorkers that rising summer temperatures and market energy costs could lead to higher electricity bills, according to WBNG. Bills may climb by an estimated 6.5% between June and September ... more
Two Endicott officers injured during large street fight
A chaotic fight involving multiple people broke out on Jackson Avenue in Endicott, prompting a multi-agency police response, according to WIVT. The dispute reportedly stemmed from stolen property and resulted in two officers suffering minor ... more
New detention officer dies hours into first shift
A newly hired detention officer in North Carolina died just two hours into their first day on the job, according to WECT. The recruit collapsed after a sudden medical emergency shortly after being sworn in ... more
Guns, fentanyl, and cannabis seized in Binghamton stop
A traffic stop in Binghamton uncovered loaded guns, drugs, and stolen property, according to WBNG. Officers pulled over a vehicle on Route 363 near the I-81 ramp and found two loaded 9mm handguns—one reported stolen—along ... more
Autopsy confirms 9-year-old girl drowned; father charged
A preliminary autopsy shows 9-year-old Melina Frattolin died from drowning in what police say was a homicide, according to officials. Her father, Luciano Frattolin, is charged with second-degree murder after allegedly fabricating an abduction story ... more
New York opioid board divided on covering federal funding losses
A proposal to use New York’s opioid settlement funds to offset potential federal budget cuts has sparked deep division among state drug policy advisors, according to Spectrum News. Chief Budget Examiner Peggy O’Shea pressed the ... more
New York senator pushes social media warning labels, algorithm control
A New York lawmaker is targeting the mental health effects of social media with two new bills, according to Capital Tonight. State Sen. Andrew Gounardes introduced legislation that would let users disable algorithm-driven content and ... more
Retired NY police officer charged with murdering roommate
A former Beacon police officer has been arrested for fatally shooting his roommate inside their shared home, according to the Times Union. Authorities say Edison Irizarry, 52, called 911 on Monday night to report the ... more
New York will miss key climate mandates, report says
New York’s draft energy plan warns the state will miss key climate mandates set for 2030, according to the Times Union. Despite goals for 70% clean electricity by that year, projections show that won’t be ... more
Lawmakers urge Hochul to fix child care voucher crisis
New York’s child care subsidy program is running dry, leaving families and providers without support across 14 counties and New York City, according to Spectrum News. Lawmakers from both parties say the $400 million added ... more
Veteran Finger Lakes newsman Greg Cotterill dies
Longtime radio reporter Greg Cotterill, a staple of local journalism in the Finger Lakes, has passed away. He was known for being a journalistic voice within the Finger Lakes Radio Group and managed stations WHWS ... more
DEC and Sea Grant award $200K for Great Lakes projects
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and New York Sea Grant have awarded nearly $200,000 to five local projects aimed at protecting and restoring the Great Lakes Basin. The funding will support efforts ... more
Riley leads $275M push to fix rural roads in highway bill
Congressman Josh Riley is co-leading a new bipartisan push to invest $275 million annually in rural road and bridge improvements as part of the federal Highway Reauthorization Bill. The proposed Agricultural & Rural Road Improvement ... more
Langworthy announces $800K grant for Cattaraugus lumber company
Congressman Nick Langworthy announced Tuesday that Fitzpatrick and Weller, Inc. has received an $800,085 grant from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to upgrade emissions systems at two of its manufacturing sites in ... more
Social Security cuts spark lawsuit over threat to key New York services
Sweeping federal changes to public benefit policies are putting vital services for low-income New Yorkers at risk—prompting a lawsuit led by the state’s attorney general. The sudden cuts impact a wide range of social programs ... more
Hochul pushes cellphone ban plan as deadline nears
With just days to go before the Aug. 1 deadline, Gov. Kathy Hochul is urging school districts to finalize their bell-to-bell cellphone ban plans, according to Spectrum News 1. The policy, backed by the state ... more
Binghamton police chief benched after girlfriend’s arrest
Binghamton’s top cop has been placed on leave after a video surfaced showing his girlfriend involved in a neighborhood brawl, according to Spectrum News 1. The off-duty chief, Joseph Zikuski, was present during the altercation ... more
