Barclay calls electric mandate delay a win for working New Yorkers
The state’s decision to delay enforcement of the All-Electric Buildings Act is being hailed as a victory by Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay, who says the pause shows growing momentum for more practical energy policies ... more
Sen. May talks budget pressures, healthcare concerns, and energy delays (video)
State Sen. Rachel May warned that New York is heading into a difficult 2026 budget cycle as federal cuts to Medicaid, education programs and Affordable Care Act subsidies come into focus. Speaking on “Inside Government” ... more
Hochul pipeline approval raises ethics questions over husband’s law firm ties
Governor Kathy Hochul approved a controversial gas pipeline and a crypto mining permit—both tied to her husband’s law firm—despite years of public opposition and environmental concerns. The Williams NESE Pipeline and Greenidge Generation crypto project ... more
New York STEM salaries soar past national average
STEM professionals in New York are earning big—averaging over $135,000 a year—according to a new study that puts the Empire State among the top three in the country for high-paying science, technology, engineering, and math ... more
Hochul slammed from both sides over climate law pause
Governor Kathy Hochul is catching fire from progressives and Republicans after New York paused enforcement of its all-electric building mandate, according to Spectrum News. The delay follows a lawsuit from gas and construction groups — ... more
Bail reform blamed for repeat low-level offenses
People in Elmira are getting repeated court appearance tickets for low-level crimes — and local officials say bail reform is the reason, according to WETM. Since 2019, judges can't set bail for misdemeanors or class ... more
New York mandates climate change lessons across all grade levels
Starting in 2027, New York students will be required to learn about human-caused climate change in elementary, middle, and high school, according to the Times Union. The state Board of Regents approved the rule, pushing ... more
New York lands $2 billion biotech expansion and 1,000 new jobs
New York is set to gain 1,000 new biotech jobs as Regeneron Pharmaceuticals plans a $2 billion expansion in Saratoga Springs, marking one of the state’s biggest life sciences investments in years. The New York-founded ... more
Inmate caught with synthetic marijuana at Mid-State prison
Corrections officers at Mid-State Correctional Facility discovered 176 sheets soaked in synthetic marijuana hidden inside an inmate’s sock during a search over the summer. The drugs were found June 11 as part of an ongoing ... more
Cayuga and Five Points among prisons with worst staffing gaps
A major data update from a prison watchdog group is pulling back the curtain on how New York runs its state prisons — and where it’s falling short. The Correctional Association of New York just ... more
Fewer than 6 in 10 older adults get annual checkups, despite proven benefits
A new push from Excellus BlueCross BlueShield highlights a troubling gap in preventive care among older adults—and the high stakes that come with ignoring it. According to Excellus, only about 59% of their members aged ... more
State warns homebuyers about rise in AI-generated real estate listings
The New York Department of State is sounding the alarm on a growing trend: artificial intelligence-generated images being used to market homes — sometimes in misleading ways. State officials say the use of AI tools ... more
Riley slams insurers for cutting Medicare Advantage plans in Upstate NY
Congressman Josh Riley is calling out major insurance companies for what he says is a betrayal of rural seniors in Upstate New York. Riley, who represents New York’s 19th District, sent letters this week to ... more
Tops slashes turkey prices despite supply squeeze
Thanksgiving turkey prices are up nationwide, but Tops Friendly Markets is bucking the trend, RochesterFirst reports. Despite a 40% spike in wholesale costs due to avian flu outbreaks affecting over 18 million birds, Tops is ... more
NY budget chief pushes back on wealthy tax hike talk
New York’s finances are looking better than expected, and raising taxes on the wealthy isn’t on the table, according to Budget Director Blake Washington, Spectrum News reports. Despite a projected $26.8 billion shortfall by 2029, ... more
Two Herkimer men charged in town highway misconduct case
Two men are facing charges after an 11-month investigation uncovered alleged misconduct at the Town of Herkimer Highway Department. State police arrested Kenneth M. Ward, 44, and Michael N. Walz, 34, both of Herkimer, on ... more
New York rolls out nation-leading AI safety laws
New York has enacted two new AI laws and launched a training program to keep artificial intelligence safe and ethical, RochesterFirst reports. The state now requires AI companion apps to detect signs of self-harm and ... more
Tupper Lake man arrested after homemade bomb found
A 27-year-old man is facing serious charges after police say he built a homemade explosive device inside a Tupper Lake residence. Matthew W. Latour was arrested on November 11 and charged with criminal possession of ... more
Troopers arrest man found inside truck with hacking tools
A Central Square man is facing felony charges after police say he tried to steal a new pickup from a closed dealership — and showed up at an employee’s home pretending to be their boss ... more
