Category: Politics

A representative of Auburn’s municipal workers urged the City Council this week to give greater consideration to staffing protections across city departments, saying employees are being stretched as positions disappear. Speaking during public … more: Auburn union representative urges city to address staffing losses across departments

Artificial intelligence is no longer limited to generating text or answering questions. Businesses are increasingly using AI agents and automated systems to analyze information, make recommendations and even carry out tasks with … more: Ted Kittila on the Emerging Legal Questions Surrounding AI, Cybersecurity, Privacy, and Digital Surveillance

Canandaigua’s Planning Commission approved a revised South Main Street redevelopment and a private event center on Gorham Street on Wednesday, while allowing initial exterior work for a small theater on Coach Street. Parking, … more: Canandaigua approves South Main redevelopment, Gorham Street event center

Richmond's Town Board set an Oct. 28 hearing on its proposed 2027 budget while seeking changes that could hold the town tax rate flat. Members reviewed spending and salary requests, called for a … more: Richmond seeks flat town tax rate, sets Oct. 28 budget hearing

Federal heating-assistance funding has been released to New York ahead of the state's winter aid application opening, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand said Friday. The state is expected to receive an estimated $356 million … more: Gillibrand says federal heating aid released to New York

New York counties can apply for a new $76 million round of state infrastructure grants aimed at supporting housing construction and local economic development, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Friday. The third … more: New York opens $76 million county infrastructure grant round

New York is accepting nominations through Nov. 20 for new awards honoring stores and other retailers that promote craft beverages made with ingredients grown in the state. Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the Craft … more: New York seeks nominations for craft beverage retailer awards

Ethel Peters has ended her 34-year tenure as Geneva City Republican Committee chair, with Terri Haskins chosen to succeed her, according to Finger Lakes Daily News. Peters, a retired school principal … more: Ethel Peters steps down after 34 years leading Geneva Republicans

Rep. Josh Riley is pressing federal health officials to send home-heating assistance to states by Nov. 1, saying delays could leave Upstate New York households facing winter bills without help when they … more: Riley presses HHS to release heating aid by Nov. 1

Gov. Kathy Hochul's office rejected a Department of Homeland Security claim that New York refused to hand over 16,000 undocumented immigrants accused or convicted of crimes during President Donald Trump's second administration, according to … more: Hochul disputes DHS claim over 16,000 immigration detainers

Ithaca council members unanimously advanced a nonbinding resolution asking Asteri's owner to forgive residents' unpaid rent, with a final vote expected Nov. 4, according to The Ithaca Voice. The proposal would also … more: Ithaca council advances call to forgive Asteri tenants’ rent debt

New Yorkers who need help paying heating bills can apply for the Home Energy Assistance Program starting Nov. 2, while many households enrolled in other assistance programs will receive a benefit … more: New York heating assistance applications open Nov. 2 as fuel benefits rise

Auburn officials are exploring whether to give the public more access to property records and introduce ratings for rental properties and landlords as residents press for stronger oversight of unsafe housing. The … more: Auburn weighs expanded rental records access as residents press for housing reforms

Seneca Meadows’ proposed expansion raises difficult questions about Seneca Falls’ finances and future. This week on The Debrief, Josh Durso and Jackie Augustine also examine Geneva’s government reorganization proposal, the Courtyard Apartments outages, … more: DEBRIEF: Your town is failing you and leaders keep making excuses (podcast)

Yates County legislators approved an $898,000 set-aside to keep mental health programs operating while the state recovers older unspent aid. The Oct. 13 meeting also brought renewed objections to the jail proposal … more: Yates County sets aside $898,000 for mental health funding repayment as jail concerns continue

State Sen. Jeremy Cooney of Rochester condemned anti-Indian hate Thursday after Illinois authorities arrested a man accused of planning an attack on a Hindu temple near Chicago. No … more: Cooney condemns reported Illinois Hindu temple attack plot

New York's prison system paid about $255 million in workers' compensation benefits during the 2025-26 fiscal year, up 20% from the previous year, even as the number of reported work-related incidents fell. … more: Prison workers’ compensation payments rise 20% statewide as Cayuga County incident rates climb

New York has delivered 3 million one-time energy rebate checks and plans to send another 5.2 million in the coming weeks, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Thursday. The state began mailing the … more: New York says 3 million energy rebate checks delivered, 5.2 million still to come

Only four Canandaigua firefighters initially responded to the Oct. 11 fire at 5 Beeman St., forcing crews to search apartments, advance hoses and establish a water supply while critical safety positions went … more: Canandaigua firefighters union says staffing left safety gaps at Beeman Street fire