New York Public News Network

Currently, 90% of students have access to free school meals. With the additional funding, 300,000 more students would gain access to free meals, bringing the total number of students eligible for meals to 2.7 million, according to the governor’s office.

After the start of congestion pricing in New York City, Governor Kathy Hochul proposed investing in Hudson Valley transit. The proposal aims to cut travel times on the Metro-North Railroad and make the most of ferries and bus lines — but the idea hasn’t made the toll easier for some lawmakers to digest.

SUNY Chancellor John King says the system will consider implementing changes to student transfer procedures in the new year.

The United Steelworkers union (USW) is now urging Goodyear to reduce emissions of a bladder carcinogen being released into the air around their Niagara Falls chemical plant. USW represents about 40 workers inside the plant.

The New York state legislative session kicked off Wednesday, and WAMC brought together legislative leaders, lawmakers, analysts and reporters to set up the 2025 agenda.

The order, issued in the case of Glidedowan, LLC d/b/a All-American Homecare v. New York State Department of Health, prevents the DOH from requiring the petitioner to convey to "any third party" information about consumers and their personal care workers, or notifying those consumers and their personal care workers about a transition.

This week on Voices of Disability Pride, advocate Courtney Deuro discusses with WBFO’s freelance disability reporter Mason Ald the importance of self-advocacy in medical settings and the current gaps in support services. Deuro shares how maintaining contact with disability services and medical professionals can help prevent those with fluctuating support needs from falling through the cracks.

Mayor Robert Cantelmo signaled that housing would continue to be a priority for the city in 2025.

As the legislative session commences on Wednesday, both Democrats and Republicans have made affordability a top policy agenda for this year.

On Tuesday, Governor Kathy Hochul announced that Independent Living Centers will be included in the new fiscal intermediary structure for the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program, or CDPAP.