New York ranks 8th for children’s health care in the U.S.
With rising concerns around health care access and affordability, a new WalletHub study ranks New York as the 8th best state for children’s health care in 2025. The report arrives just ahead of Every Kid ... more
REAL ID deadline forces travel ID decisions
With a federal deadline for REAL ID fast approaching, New Yorkers must upgrade their driver’s licenses to fly domestically. Starting May 7, standard licenses won’t be accepted at airport checkpoints. Travelers must choose between a ... more
Tariffs brew uncertainty for local coffee shops
New tariffs on imported goods are stirring concern among coffee shop owners and customers, with prices expected to rise soon, according to WHAM. At Finger Lakes Coffee Roasters in Pittsford, CEO Gary Andalora says the ... more
Doctor warns: Tick season brings Lyme risk
As spring arrives, a local infectious disease expert is warning residents to take precautions against ticks, which can transmit Lyme disease, according to WETM. Dr. Justin Nistico of Arnot Health says ticks become more active ... more
New York urges travelers to get MMR vaccine
With measles cases on the rise, the New York State Department of Health is advising travelers to get the MMR vaccine before heading to outbreak areas, especially abroad or to states like Texas and New ... more
Judge extends block on home care transition
A federal judge extended a temporary halt on New York’s overhaul of a Medicaid-funded home care program until April 14, according to the Times Union. The move buys time for state officials and home care ... more
Gillibrand renews push to designate Finger Lakes as a National Heritage Area
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is once again leading the charge to secure National Heritage Area status for the Finger Lakes, a move supporters say would boost tourism and preserve the region’s cultural and environmental legacy. On ... more
Budget stalemate drags on as discovery law debate deepens
New York lawmakers approved a third temporary budget extender on Monday as negotiations over the state’s $252 billion budget remain stalled. The holdup centers on Gov. Kathy Hochul’s push to amend pretrial discovery laws, which ... more
Funding delays threaten NY Head Start programs
Federal funding delays continue to strain New York’s Head Start programs, which support low-income children, according to Spectrum News. Warren County Head Start says it has only received half of its expected grant, leaving enough ... more
Attorney General James announces $335 million settlement with Mylan over role in opioid crisis
Attorney General Letitia James has secured a major settlement with pharmaceutical company Mylan Inc., marking the latest in a series of high-stakes deals aimed at holding opioid manufacturers accountable for their role in a national ... more
Kathy Hochul Slams ICE After NY Family Detained and Sent to Texas Returns Home
New York Governor Kathy Hochul is speaking out against what she calls a “cruel” federal immigration crackdown, after a mother and her three children were detained in Jefferson County and transported thousands of miles to ... more
DEC tells New Yorkers to stay 150 feet away from seals: Why?
As seal season ramps up along New York’s coastline, the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is urging the public to keep their distance from marine mammals. Here's why it's crucial—for both human and animal safety ... more
New York prison strike: Overtime extension adds new twist to budget battle
The state’s budget fight over prison reforms has taken another turn with an overtime pay extension for corrections staff, highlighting the widening divide between Governor Kathy Hochul’s administration and the powerful corrections union. Hochul and ... more
New York cracks down on rapid-fire devices: What are these new gun laws?
New York is rolling out stricter firearm regulations in a bid to curb gun violence, according to advocates. Three new laws target gun modification tools, bulk purchases, and transparency for buyers. One measure bans the ... more
New York distracted driving crackdown starts today: What drives need to know
A statewide crackdown on distracted driving begins Monday, April 7, as law enforcement agencies throughout New York launch the “Put the Phone Away or Pay” campaign. Backed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), ... more
Union slams DOCCS over inmate release plan, demands urgent talks amid deepening staffing crisis
The union representing New York's correctional officers is demanding an emergency meeting with state prison officials, warning that a plan to release thousands of inmates early—without addressing staffing and safety issues—will endanger officers and the ... more
Good government? Lobbying cash floods Albany for third straight year
Lobbying groups spent a record $377 million trying to influence New York lawmakers in 2024, according to the state ethics commission—a 4.5% jump from last year and the third straight annual increase. Health care dominated ... more
New bill aims to double NY bottle deposit, expand coverage
New York lawmakers are considering a bill to raise the bottle deposit from 5 to 10 cents and include more beverage types. The proposal targets litter reduction and increased recycling by adding drinks like iced ... more
Senator blasts budget delay, slams Albany for ignoring fiscal crisis
A week after the deadline passed, state leaders left Albany without delivering a new budget—drawing sharp criticism from Senator Tom O’Mara, who says the delay masks a dangerous failure to confront New York’s deepening financial ... more
