Category: New York State
Cuomo receiving monthly pension payments despite looming charges: Will they be stopped?
Former Governor Andrew Cuomo might not be in office anymore, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t cashing in on years of public service. The former governor, who now faces an array of sexual harassment and hostile work environment allegations from when he ... MORE
Hochul, health officials encourage wearing masks indoors, but stop short of full-mandate in New York
It’s not a mandate, but Governor Kathy Hochul is encouraging residents across New York to wear masks indoors. COVID cases are surging and hospitalizations are on the rise. She said that in addition to masking – getting vaccinated, tested, and regular hand-washing ... MORE
Eviction moratorium ends soon: 100K face eviction, serious housing debt if federal aid isn’t dispersed
The eviction moratorium in New York comes to an end in approximately 45 days and housing advocates say $2 billion is needed in next year’s state budget to keep things afloat. The Emergency Rental Assistance Program, which represents around 4,000 housing operators, ... MORE
61% of prison workers vaccinated, only 9% of unvaccinated are submitting weekly COVID test results
The state’s efforts to get public employees vaccinated against COVID-19 isn’t going very well in prisons. Fox5NY’s Morgan Mckay reported on Monday that only 61% of DOCCS staff is vaccinated. Furthermore, just 9% of unvaccinated staff are submitting weekly COVID test results ... MORE
Short staffed hospitals will have to limit elective surgeries until January 15, Gov. Hochul says
In a matter of days short staffed hospitals across New York State will cease elective surgeries. Governor Kathy Hochul said Monday that all hospitals that are short staffed will have to limit non-essential surgeries to ensure capacity for a holiday surge in ... MORE
Local debt collection company that used illegal tactics forced to shut down by state
An illegal debt collection company in Western New York has been shut down. Attorney General Letitia James shut down Buffalo-based debt collector Andrew Fanelli, as well as his companies, to permanently ban them from dealing with any additional debt collection. Fanelli’s companies ... MORE
Local health experts talk Omicron, concern that comes with latest COVID variant
Medical researchers have their eye on a new COVID-19 variant. Dr. Emil Lesho with Rochester Regional Health says the Omicron variant has been reported in 13 countries and is likely in the United States. It was first detected in South Africa. Dr ... MORE
Hochul: Nursing homes must make COVID booster shots available to all residents
Nursing homes in New York are going to be required to make booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine available to all residents. That was the message over the weekend from Governor Kathy Hochul, who made the announcement on Sunday. “We’ve got to ... MORE
Federal government makes $1.15 billion available for rural broadband
WASHINGTON, Nov. 24, 2021 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the Department has begun accepting applications for up to $1.15 billion in loans and grants to help people in rural areas get access to high-speed internet. This ... MORE
Long Island Congressman Suozzi enters Democratic race for Governor
Democratic Congressman Tom Suozzi is joining the crowded field for New York Governor. The Long Island Representative held a virtual news conference Monday morning to announce his entry into the race. Suozzi told reporters he had wanted to enter the race for ... MORE
Widespread cheating on online DMV license permit test connected to plot to get illegal immigrants unemployment funds
The state Department of Motor Vehicles is cracking down on cheating. Earlier this fall it was reported that cheating was rampant among driver’s license permit test takers. A test by DMV workers found that over a four-day period, 464 out of over ... MORE
$1 billion in rent relief funds stuck: Landlords and tenants cannot access federal help
Half of the money that was intended to help renters and landlords across New York has been held up by bureaucracy, according to a new report. Six months after the program has launched nearly $1 billion of the rent aid money that ... MORE
Around 9% of towns, villages have opted out of recreational marijuana law in New York
New data provided by the Associations of Towns of New York State indicates that around 9% of communities have opted out of the zoning portion of recreational marijuana legalization. What does that mean? For towns that opted out, businesses will not be ... MORE
Governor Hochul declares disaster emergency, clearing way for major COVID mitigation steps in coming weeks
Governor Kathy Hochul says New York State will be taking action to address issues at hospitals. A state of emergency order will trigger use of surge and flex system and expand purchasing ability, and will grant the Department of Health the ability ... MORE
State lawmakers take aim at fixing ailing news business model with temporary tax credits
Lawmakers in New York want to help save local news. And they think it can be done through tax credits for businesses and individuals. It’s called the Local Journalism Sustainability Act. Under the proposal a local news organization that employs a local ... MORE
