Toxic algae season begins in Cayuga Lake
The first harmful algal blooms (HABs) of the season have been reported in Cayuga Lake, with several sightings added to the Community Science Institute’s database. Though none have yet been tested for toxins, past data ... more
Forest Rangers rescue injured hikers and missing child
New York’s Forest Rangers handled a string of intense rescues and emergencies during the week of July 1–6, including helicopter evacuations, wildfire containment, and the successful recovery of a missing six-year-old. The week began with ... more
Settlement reached in class action over New York’s CDPAP transition
A federal judge has preliminarily approved a class action settlement aimed at protecting vulnerable New Yorkers from losing home care services during a chaotic overhaul of the state’s Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP). The ... more
Hochul announces $379M boost for victim support programs
New York has unveiled a record-breaking $379.5 million investment in victim assistance programs statewide, aimed at supporting survivors of crime and their families through a vast network of services. The funding, distributed over three years, ... more
Consumer Alert: New “Click-to-Cancel” rule protects New Yorkers from tricky subscriptions
Starting July 14, a new Federal Trade Commission rule will make it easier for New Yorkers to cancel subscriptions and recurring services. Known as the “Click-to-Cancel” rule, this change requires companies to offer a cancellation ... more
NY bill aims to improve state troopers’ mental health
Backers of a New York State Legislature bill say it would help improve state troopers’ mental health. It calls for new policies providing troopers up to 20 days of paid leave if their use of ... more
Child care waitlists grow despite new state funding
Child care advocates in New York say the state is slipping backward after a disappointing legislative session, according to Spectrum News 1. Despite a $400 million boost for child care vouchers—$350 million for New York ... more
Cannabis-related ER visits spike in CNY
Since New York legalized recreational marijuana, hospitals across the state have seen a surge in cannabis-related emergency room visits, according to syracuse.com. In 2023 alone, more than 135,000 people statewide sought help for symptoms like ... more
New York State Fair tickets now on sale
Fair fans can now grab their passes to the 2025 Great New York State Fair, with tickets officially on sale as of July 7, according to state officials. A single-day ticket starts at $8 and ... more
Mega Millions Jackpot Hits $70,000,000 for Tuesday Night’s Drawing
The Mega Millions jackpot continues to grow, with an estimated $70 million up for grabs in the next drawing set for Tuesday, July 8 at 11 p.m. ET. The cash option for the prize stands ... more
Sheriff urges caution after 3 fatal NY lake incidents
Three people have died in recent boating-related accidents on upstate New York lakes, prompting a renewed safety warning from the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, according to Spectrum News. Two fatalities occurred on Great Sacandaga Lake, ... more
New York State DEC launches Snapshot NY wildlife monitoring program
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has launched a new citizen science initiative called Snapshot NY, designed to engage volunteers in wildlife monitoring across the state. The program invites the public to ... more
Best cities to move to in New York for 2025: Top 5 revealed
From peaceful suburbs to historic enclaves, New York State offers more than just the bustle of New York City. While the Big Apple rebounds from pandemic-era population shifts, other cities across the state are proving ... more
Advocates say NYISO is undermining New York’s clean energy goals
A coalition of leading environmental groups, including Earthjustice, is urging New York's top energy officials to confront what they call misleading and harmful messaging from the New York Independent System Operator—the entity that oversees the ... more
New York jobless claims rise, buck national trend
New York saw a jump in unemployment claims last week, even as the national numbers dipped, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Initial claims in the state rose to 15,713, up from 12,287 the ... more
AI and data centers fueling U.S. energy surge
The U.S. is seeing its largest spike in energy demand in 30 years, driven largely by the rise of data centers and artificial intelligence, according to Spectrum News. Electric Power Supply Association CEO Todd Snitchler ... more
NY urges families to unplug with “Get Offline, Get Outside” campaign
As summer break begins across New York, Governor Kathy Hochul is calling on families to disconnect from screens and reconnect with the outdoors. On July 3, Hochul announced the launch of the “Get Offline, Get ... more
Ecuadorian man sentenced for illegal re-entry in New York
A 23-year-old Ecuadorian national was sentenced Thursday after pleading guilty to illegally re-entering the United States. Lorenzo Antonio Loja-Castro admitted to the offense before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo and was sentenced to time ... more
Ransomville man sentenced to 3 years for child pornography
A Ransomville resident has been sentenced to federal prison for possessing child pornography involving a prepubescent minor, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced Thursday. John Stuart, 37, was sentenced to 36 months in prison and 25 ... more
