IN FOCUS: How do you avoid closing schools?
Last week we took a look at school enrollment across the Finger Lakes and Upstate New York. This week we ask a simple question: What has to happen to stop schools from closing or merging? ... more
Penn Yan Public Safety Committee to review fire contracts, code issues and village event requests
Penn Yan officials will take up a mix of fire department contracts, property code issues, planning matters and community event requests when the village’s Public Safety Committee meets Tuesday afternoon ... more
Hochul condemns Cato immigration raid one year later
Gov. Kathy Hochul called last year’s federal immigration raid at Nutrition Bar Confectioners in Cato paralyzing for the community on the operation’s first anniversary, according to CNY Central. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents detained 69 ... more
New York targeted in federal voter fraud investigation
The Trump administration is increasing investigative resources to examine alleged noncitizen voter fraud in New York and other states ahead of the midterm elections, according to Spectrum News. The Department of Homeland Security said it ... more
Geneva rejects South Main parking cuts, stalls winter parking overhaul while advancing short-term rental tax plan
Geneva City Council backed away from two major parking changes Wednesday night, unanimously rejecting a proposal to eliminate dozens of spaces along South Main Street and voting down a broader rewrite of the city’s winter ... more
Ithaca advances Seneca Street Garage redevelopment, public safety facility alternatives amid budget pressure
Ithaca is moving ahead with redevelopment planning for the former Seneca Street Garage while reconsidering whether the city can afford a new public safety facility, two major decisions that came as officials warned Common Council ... more
Hochul leads governors opposing federal retreat from disability rights enforcement
Gov. Kathy Hochul and 17 other governors are urging the Trump administration to preserve federal enforcement supporting the right of people with disabilities to receive services in community settings instead of being unnecessarily institutionalized. The ... more
Gillibrand blames federal policy for record diesel and gas prices
U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand said New York families, farmers and small businesses are facing record diesel prices and gasoline above $4 a gallon over Labor Day weekend, blaming President Donald Trump's war in Iran for ... more
New York bill would require political influencers to disclose campaign payments
New York political campaigns would have to disclose paid social media posts by influencers under legislation proposed by Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz and state Sen. Liz Krueger. The measure, A.3929-B in the Assembly and S.2437-A in ... more
Riley bill would restrict utility sales and sharing of smart-meter data
A bipartisan bill introduced by Rep. Josh Riley would bar certain state-regulated electric utilities from selling or commercially using data collected by customers' smart meters unless the use serves a limited operational purpose. The Smart ... more
Gillibrand bill would block ‘Lake America’ name and protect Great Lakes names
U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand plans to introduce legislation that would reverse President Donald Trump’s executive order renaming Lake Ontario “Lake America” and prevent the executive branch from changing the names of any of the five ... more
Skaneateles water tower project moves forward despite concerns from neighbors
A $7.7 million water district expansion in Skaneateles is moving forward despite concerns from some neighbors about a planned 98-foot water tower on Bryant Lane, according to The Citizen ... more
New York lawmakers push Hochul to act on AI workforce legislation
New York lawmakers are urging Gov. Kathy Hochul to act quickly on legislation that would require businesses to report how artificial intelligence is affecting employment and hiring, according to Spectrum News 1 ... more
Yates committees to weigh animal-abuser registry, broadband costs and bridge contracts
Yates County lawmakers will consider creating an animal-abuser registry, review projected broadband cost overruns and weigh new spending on bridge and drainage work during four committee meetings Sept. 8 and 9. The Public Works and ... more
Seneca Nation calls for Trump to rescind ‘Lake America’ order
Seneca Nation President J. Conrad Seneca is calling on President Donald Trump to rescind his executive order renaming Lake Ontario “Lake America” for federal use, arguing that the decision disregards the lake’s Indigenous identity and ... more
Watkins Glen approves sewer truck, bridge sidewalk repairs and other village spending
The Watkins Glen Village Board approved a series of infrastructure and equipment purchases Tuesday, including a $75,106 sewer department truck, repairs to the Decatur Street Bridge sidewalk and work at the state park parking lot, ... more
Dryden developers seek zoning exception to add 10 rental units
A longtime Dryden property owner is seeking approval to add five duplex buildings to a rural rental property on Ringwood Road, according to The Ithaca Voice. The proposal would expand Hillside Apartments from 19 units ... more
Town of Ithaca Supervisor Rod Howe to step down Sept. 19
Town of Ithaca Supervisor Rod Howe will step down Sept. 19, ending his tenure about 15 months before his term expires, according to The Ithaca Voice. Howe, who turns 70 on Sept. 21, said there ... more
New York landmarks to glow pink in honor of Gloria Steinem
New York state landmarks will be illuminated pink and flags at state buildings will fly at half-staff in honor of feminist leader Gloria Steinem, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced. The tribute was scheduled for Thursday night, ... more
