WSKG (https://wskg.org/author/wskgstaff/)
Listen Live WSKG Listen Live WSKG Classical Watch Live WSKG TV
Watch Live PBS Kids
When the ice melts each spring, the ship visits each of the five lakes to measure basic water quality and sample the “lower food web” — the tiny animals, plants, and algae that support fish and other aquatic life.
The assistance covers things like transportation, transfer of remains, a casket or urn, clergy or officiant services, ceremony arrangement, burial plot or cremation, and headstone markers.
“You have to respect what’s happening with COVID, and make sure not only the students are safe but the family and friends that would come on to campus.”
“There’s nothing extraordinary in what the Supreme Court did in interpreting these [election] statutes. It’s what they do every day.”
In the Finger Lakes region, 97% of vaccine doses received have been administered, according to the state.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics recently reported that the national unemployment rate for March was around 6%. Meanwhile, that number for New York State was still at around 8.8% as of February.
Buffalo’s ballpark underwent several capital projects and adjustments – paid for by the Jays organization – to help it meet Major League Baseball facility standards.
“A lot of these storm pipes are undersized. So they become overwhelmed with stormwater particularly after significant rain events and flooding.”
The two new candidates come after Republican Southern Tier Rep. Tom Reed announced he will not seek elected office again.
“Now, do I go take a COVID test every time I get symptomatic with my allergies? What do I do?”
Voters will elect a slew of new judges to Pennsylvania’s three statewide appellate courts — judges who will no doubt shape important policy in the state for at least the next decade.
“Out of respect for the U.S. Bankruptcy Court process and the claimants, the Diocese declines comment.”
The 1B group, estimated at just under one million people, includes postal workers, manufacturing laborers, and others considered essential workers who risk contracting the virus at their job.
The suit alleges the Rochester Police Department used extreme force in responding to protests, and the use of crowd control measures falls into a long history of the department abusing its power.
“We want to get past this and the only way to get past this is to get folks, you know, vaccinated.”
The protesters moved down Main Street and then to East Avenue, ultimately ending their march in the Wegmans parking lot. Wegmans locked the store around 11 a.m.
“We have gotten past the impasse of impaired driving and are looking to get language that will be satisfactory in the next day or so.”
As the coronavirus pandemic turns one, researchers have found women have lost decades of economic progress, but some have also found a new voice in advocating for better family and work policies.
A final vote could take place as early as next week, but time is running out to get the proposal before voters for the May primary.
“We know the vaccine is the weapon that defeats this invisible enemy and we are getting more shots in arms than ever before.”
Several of the men and women from Pennsylvania are among the highest-profile cases under investigation by the FBI.
“We found in that report that 70% (of New York’s villages) are not posting their meeting documents online, and that’s just a huge problem with informing the public.”
It was shot in 1938, produced and directed by Orson Welles. His other significant project that year was the infamous radio production of H.G. Wells’ “The War of the Worlds.”
The newest relief package includes$350 billion dollars in aid to states to fund home and community-based services.
Pennsylvania’s targets for renewable energy are set to max out this year unless the General Assembly takes action, and Republican leaders seem ready to leave increasing goals for green energy up to the private sector.
Across Quebec, 648,663 people had been vaccinated against COVID-19 as of Friday. In Quebec, residents aged 75 or greater have been able to make a vaccination appointment since last week.
“While it may not happen very often that this is used, I think the circumstances of the…epic, historical mistake, warrant an epic, historical action on the part of the legislature to correct it.”
“If some of these folks have statewide aspirations, that is at least potentially an issue that could come back to be a liability in a statewide race.”
“What does Kathy Hochul know? What role did she play in any of it? When did she know these various allegations? She hasn’t come clean on anything.”
A study by Penn State researchers found that songbirds nesting near the sound of natural gas compressors had fewer hatched eggs.
“We know that in particular young children are at risk of neurological and behavioral health consequences associated with developing bodies and that is something that lasts forever.”
“Over time, we can get what we think is a pretty good trend estimate for what’s going on.”
While COVID-19 has greatly affected the economy, it was already in flux before the pandemic hit.
Under this latest plan, educators and staff will not be moved into Phase 1a, which would make them eligible for the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.
“It’s kind of a Catch-22. They teach the only way to subdue (a person) under excited delirium is choke holds — knees to the neck, hog ties — things of that nature which brings on death.”
Restaurant and bar owners have pressured state lawmakers for months to give their struggling businesses more help.
“It takes a lot of courage, a lot of guts, oftentimes therapy, and counseling and support around the individual to come forward.”
Currently, about 30 percent of Pennsylvania’s K-12 schools, which serve half the total student population, are learning entirely remotely.
Joe Prude is the brother of Daniel Prude, who suffocated in police custody a year ago. He says he no longer has trust in the system after state Attorney General Letitia James announced a grand jury had decided not to file criminal charges against any of the officers in his brother’s case.
“We had time to prepare for this and that’s why everybody’s frustrated. It didn’t have to be this chaotic and it didn’t have to be this unorganized.”
Legislation making it easier to visit nursing homes is expected to get an Assembly vote next week as part of a package of reforms targeting the industry.
The first thing you notice when you meet Tim O’Neill is that his hazel eyes smile, forming warm half-moons just above the disposable mask the pandemic necessitates.
Recent population estimates and data from the latest American Community Survey can be used to help figure out where the new district lines should be.
“We are completely transforming the system. We are making sure that the right person gets called when it comes to a mental health crisis.”
Caregivers react to a update of state restrictions that will allow visitations in long-term care facilities.
PennDOT has eyed nine bridges throughout the commonwealth –– each decades old and needing replacement –– that could be fixed within a few years if tolls of a dollar or two each were set up.
“What strikes at my heart, is the inhumane way in which Libre shackled immigrants with homing devices so they could keep tabs on their investments.”
“For generations, our teachers, guidance counselors, nurses, students, and school staff have been sent into buildings where they can get brain damage because of chipped paint, or cancer because of asbestos.”
By law, a five-member legislative committee called the Legislative Reapportionment Commission spearheads the map drawing process.
Arcades and other indoor family entertainment centers can open with 25% capacity starting March 26.
Currently, there are 600,000 more registered Democratic voters than Republicans in the commonwealth.
“I, too, have lost more friends due to post-traumatic stress than I have lost friends who have died overseas in combat.”
“With this law now in effect, no longer will anyone will be blocked from the joys of starting a family and raising children simply because of who they are.”
“Voters were disenfranchised. The outcome of a congressional race was held in limbo for over three months, leaving this county and district without federal representation while we fight a global pandemic.”
The state is now in the process of decommissioning three prisons: Gowanda, Watertown and the Clinton Annex in Dannemora.
“Thousands of restaurants throughout New York state will close if we don’t get them some immediate relief.”
When the Pennsylvania Department of State failed to advertise the proposed constitutional amendment that had been passed by the legislature, it halted a march toward justice for thousands of victims abused in the commonwealth.
“I’m blown away. It’s always nice to see dreams deferred being realized… not denied….I’m going to have to take a few moments to soak it all in.”
An Erie County Grand Jury has voted not to indict the officers on charges stemming from a June protest where they were seen on video shoving protestor a 75-year-old protester to the ground.
Republican state lawmakers are mulling changes to Pennsylvania’s election law this session. They say that effort is aimed at improving the process for the state’s upcoming contests.
Hemp farmers are laying the groundwork for a lawsuit against New York in response to proposed state regulations that would prohibit the sale of hemp flower.
The Senator is among lawmakers now calling for increased support for LIHEAP, including at least $10 million in emergency funding.
“Pick your poison: either way, the Catholic Church is going to oppose it. We’re not going away. We’re not going to wait two years.”
The governor’s order — the Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative Plan — requires local police agencies to modernize their strategies and programs based on community input.
The December stimulus from Washington D.C. included about $1.3 billion in housing assistance for New York, with the bulk of the money left to the state to distribute.
“We hope that it will be a good change, that it will help us, it will help others.”
For the first time in generations, New York Democrats are in absolute control of the process for Congress and the state legislature.
The latest government figures show a net loss of 140,000 jobs in December. What may be surprising is that all those jobs were held by women, especially women of color.
“We have to recognize the very long history of injustice and misuse that really sets the context for why community members feel the way that they do.”
A state probe last week found that Zucker could have underreported these deaths by up to 50%.
The proposal would increase the state’s personal income tax from 3.07% to 4.49% in the next fiscal year.
The AARP Foundation and SAGE, an organization that advocates for older LGBTQ people, announced that they’re working together on an initiative. The two organizations hope to improve the quality of life for older LGBTQ people.
“To get Pennsylvania back on track from the disruptions that this pandemic is causing, we need to make major targeted investments to strengthen our economy.”
Environmental advocates say money in the state budget meant for environmental initiatives needs to stay intact. Advocates want the state to fund the environmental programs they promised.
Assuming you have a new car, listening to the live radio broadcasts on WSKG and WSKG Classical during your daily commute is easy.
PCCY’s report found that the two-thirds of Pennsylvania school districts where enrollment has shrunk over the last thirty years receive far more funding per pupil from the state than the others that have grown.
“Privacy legislation is extraordinarily complex and hard to get right, and we will likely have one bite at the apple, so we need to be sure we are getting it right this time.”
“If I can’t maneuver the bathroom, that deems the entire apartment unlivable.”
Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz has announced he is opening an investigation into the matter.
“We were told two weeks ago it was done, ready to go. I don’t know what the hold up is.”
Governor Cuomo said the big problem across New York now is that hospitals can’t seem to vaccinate its own workers.
“What we still need is the Equality Act to be passed. Without that major legislation, we’re still subject to the whim of the president.”
Those conversations were about using the Justice Department to make it appear as though Georgia’s election results could be invalidated because of ongoing fraud investigations.
“Right from the very beginning of the parole process, which is the appearance in front of the parole board, there is no ‘right to counsel.’”
“I kept seeing these questions over and over: How do I run for school board? How do I help candidates run for school board?””
State figures report up to half the staff in some areas of New York are refusing the vaccine. That might lead to mandated vaccinations.
On demand, with no commercials nor subscription fees, listeners can request music perform by choral groups or music composed by Beethoven.
“With over 260 hours of content from the WSKG music library, a listener could go almost 11 days without hearing a repeat.”
“We should engage in everyday actions and changes in our lifestyle, that reduce our environmental footprint, that often make us healthier and happier and save us money, things we ought to do anyway.”
The state Capitol was on high alert after a report indicated armed groups were planning to gather at state capitols.
“For the taxpayers, this is going to help fund a lot of their municipalities’ costs in recovering this material.”
One would require appellate-level judges, like the state Supreme Court, to be elected by district rather than statewide.
First responders, people 75 and older, educators, and grocery store workers can now begin to schedule their vaccine appointments. But the wait to get the shot could take a while.
“Hopefully if there’s protests, they’re peaceful. But you can’t take any chances, especially after what we witnessed in Washington, D.C.”
“I am absolutely floored by how inaccessible this is to an ordinary person. The learning curve has been really, really steep.”
“They don’t necessarily have to know they traveled to go to a riot. They just have to travel and then intentionally get themselves intentionally involved in a riot.”
“The question is whether or not the evidence can be linked to a particular individual and what is the proper jurisdiction to bring those charges.”
As the New York state legislature resumes session today (Wednesday), advocates and some legislators are calling for limits on solitary confinement in state prisons.
“They lied about the results of the election. They lied about voter fraud.”
“You pull up. We verify who you are. You roll down your window. We swab you. Just a little nasal swab, not invasive. We then take that specimen with the requisition and we send it to our laboratory.”
“Our hospitals and health care systems continue to be significantly challenged.”
There are currently 3,914 COVID-19 cases among inmates, parolees, and corrections officers at state prisons, while 2,156 people have recovered.
“You have these climate events happening, and we have systems that are built for things that happened 100 years ago, not what’s happening now. We need to shift focus to that.”
If you’re wondering when your check will arrive, what’s up with your unemployment, or what else taxpayers should expect from the new program, here’s what you need to know.
Over one-fifth of the state’s 500 school districts haven’t had a single teacher of color in at least seven years.
Overnight, the Governor says State Police responded to over 600 accidents and disabled vehicles. There were also two fatal accidents.
Child care centers in Pennsylvania are facing a dark winter. With coronavirus cases surging, and government relief aid far reduced from the early days of the pandemic, providers are struggling as they navigate how to stay afloat financially while keeping the children they serve and their staffs safe.
“Despite being in the middle of a global pandemic, more Pennsylvanians than ever before – 6.9 million – participated in the Nov. 3 election and had their voices heard.”
Governor Cuomo Updates New Yorkers on the State’s COVID-19 Response and Makes an Announcement
While public schools in urban and suburban counties have lost students, schools in more rural counties have largely tread water.
As the Democrats’ leader, she’ll be responsible for putting together Democrats’ legislative strategy for next year’s session.
“Nobody’s giving us any direction. We don’t have the unemployment thing in place, we don’t have the other supports that were in place the last time they shut us down, they’re just like, ‘You gotta close.’ ”
“We know that we can’t depend upon the federal government, given the fact that we’ve been waiting for them to respond to this crisis for months now.”
“Increasing access to food has not been a bipartisan goal. And it’s really troubling, because the need is so great. And obviously it’s not about whether you’re a Democrat or Republican when you’re hungry.”
The state’s average test positivity rate is nearly 12%
Over 20 state representatives signed on to a co-sponsorship memo for a resolution calling on state leaders to delay vote certification — which occurred last week in the presidential race.
The attention has raised his political profile along with questions about whether he’ll run for statewide office in two years.
Under the settlement, NYSEG would halt a proposed pipeline expansion in the Southern Tier and would stop promoting the use of natural gas and commit to net-zero growth in gas sales.
The GOP-backed resolution means counties will turn over voting data within the next 45 days..
“You can just go online and just fill out the application. Which is especially helpful with COVID, thinking about ways to give survivors access to resources in a faster way.”
“[He] made it very clear a year and a half ago that he had it out for me and was very vocal about that.”
The Voter Integrity Fund was launched a week ago by Matt Braynard, who says he’s raised over $500,000 to cross-reference public data in a quest to unearth malfeasance in the election.
PA faces a new dynamic if and when it considers whether to pursue its own recreational marijuana legalization measure.
While the state already requires counties to audit a portion of ballots in every race, GOP caucus spokesman Mike Straub said the legislature should examine what it alleges are “the impacts of interference.”
Some have taken a more defiant approach, including several rank-and-file members of the House Republican Caucus.
“I don’t want to sound like I’m disenfranchising people. I’m just waiting on what the state wants us to do.”
“The teachings of at least the Haudenosaunee people are that the decisions we make today impact seven generations into the future and so that weighs heavy on people’s minds.”
Trump’s lead in PA has narrowed as mail-in votes are counted, but the race remains too close to call.
A list of links to our region’s elections offices.
Reports are flying that President Donald Trump may try to falsely claim electoral victory Tuesday night before states like Pennsylvania finish counting ballots.
While voter turnout is expected to break records this election, the right to vote for some Latinos was not always a guarantee.
More than three-fourths of Republicans are planning to vote in person, while a majority of Democrats said they have or will cast a mail-in ballot.
Next month, all SUNY campuses must test any student who comes on campus for COVID-19.
Make sure, no matter what, that you drop off your ballot by 8 p.m. on Election Day. But don’t wait. Do it today.”
“The placement and the removal of the adhesive, will add to the erosion of the headstone, and certainly just as a precautionary measure, they’ve put that in place.”
“We can no longer operate at the same size that we once were when we were a much larger university, so our expectation is that we will align those costs and revenues.”
Unaffiliated voters aren’t talked about a lot but they can be the difference between winning and losing close elections. They wonder why should they compromise their beliefs to join a political party.
Voters asked candidates about their qualifications, government policies and voting records.
A spokesperson for Bucks County confirmed at least 1,091 voters have received two ballots and an official in Mifflin County said 108 voters were subject to the error.
“There’s the excitement of seeing her, and then the 30 minutes goes faster than you could ever imagine, and then when they wheel her away, it’s very tough.”
Both President Donald Trump and Democrat Joe Biden have pointed to a COVID-19 vaccine as key to ending the pandemic.
New York state recently changed health forms to better reflect transgender and non-binary people, but, public health experts say the change fails to capture the full picture.
A survey of Pennsylvanians who did not vote in 2016, found nearly half of nonvoters wanted to cast ballots on Election Day, but were held back by logistical issues — bucking the stereotype of nonvoters as people who are checked out of politics.
“The closer the race, the longer it will take to know who the winner is, and oftentimes you do know within 24-36 hours because it’s not a very, very close race.”
Check how many mail-in ballots have been requested and returned, and get answers to important voting questions.
“We need the economic growth. We need the revenue and we need the restorative justice that the legalization of adult-use cannabis will provide.”
More than two dozen election officials said they’ll set up at least a drop box or two monitored by a law enforcement official, security camera or both.
“It’s a fun depiction as we think about these heroes, who have changed the world and continue to change; inspiring youngsters who can be a part of that.”
Pennsylvania school-choice advocates are pushing hard for a measure that would send federal coronavirus relief money directly to families to put towards private school tuition, tutoring, or other educational expenses.
“Restaurant self-certification is just one tool in the toolbox we can use to increase customer competence, protect ourselves, and grow our businesses.”
“I think…it’s now more of a concern than ever.”
The support for raising the federal minimum wage is higher than it was before the coronavirus pandemic took hold.
“For the first time in decades, we are free to create a local show for that Saturday evening time slot.”
The president’s speech included several of the false claims that are regular parts of his stump speeches.
“It’s so important that we address the right and the dignity behind our natural appearance, and being able to show up as we naturally are.”
Advocates say the ruling is a win for students and families, allowing them to better hold school districts accountable for discriminatory bullying that happens under their watch.
A pickup truck drove through the crowd and drove away, leaving an injured legal observer on with apparent broken bones.
“It is disturbing and hypocritical that Republican Senators would attempt to fill this vacancy now while Americans across the country have already begun casting their ballots.”
“I don’t even know what that’s like, having to actually go fill out an application to try to get another job, and fit in somewhere,” said Swain. “Starting over, like that’s just so crazy.”
“Suddenly I came to a town called Swastika, which is a symbol of the tyranny and hatred those soldiers fought and died to fight.”
The new standards — which are still subject to regulatory review and approval by the state legislature — were advanced by the Pennsylvania State Board of Education last week.
“This Administration has to understand that we won’t have a healthy economy until we have a healthy country and that starts with taking this virus seriously.”
The governor wants the deadline to send out vote-by-mail applications moved up, among other things.
“It was seemingly viewed by all concerned as an unfortunate set of circumstances, which we all know was not the case.”
Eight years ago, the state slashed $84 million targeted toward these programs and many services were eliminated. Now, advocates fear they could be on the chopping block again.
The Pa. Department Human Services had been planning to distribute $42 million to the parents of about 330,000 kids later this month, but learned recently that the U.S. Department of Agriculture had rejected their plan.
“I can’t think of anything more simple than slowing down and moving over if you can.”
“I think that technology has really helped us. It’s an inexpensive technology. It’s a student-friendly and a faculty-friendly technology.”
It’s the latest stress the industry has faced since COVID-19 turned the child care sector upside down in March.
Thursday night was a tale of two groups with contrasting ideas on how to make change, clashing, after the death of Daniel Prude.
“We know our hospitality industry is really taking a beating because of this pandemic, and they’re going to need to bounce back. Giving them an edge by having cannabis tourism is tremendously helpful.”
With just under a month to go until counting efforts are scheduled to end, some government leaders are concerned about the lower numbers.
For the next 90 days, public rules on masks and social distancing, as well as relaxed rules on unemployment insurance and professional certification will remain in place.
“I got boxes I’m staring at every day. My kids are staring at it. They’re like, ‘When are we gonna find a place to go?’”
“We’re all trying to figure out, ‘How can the counties have the responsibility for making sure the count is accurate and as timely as possible?”
New York State is expected to make additional announcements about high risk winter sports like basketball, hockey, wrestling and cheerleading in the coming months.
“We want children to be in situations where they’re safe and supervised by trusted adults.”
White House counselor Kellyanne Conway announced she was stepping down from her position to look after her family. Working families across the country are figuring out how to provide care for their children with remote and hybrid schooling this year.
In a rush to find answers, lawmakers and election officials alike are proposing a number of changes.
