Crime and Justice
NY AG’s Report Finds Cuomo Sexually Harassed Women, Created Toxic Workplace
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“These interviews and pieces of evidence reveal a deeply disturbing yet clear picture.”
Akshar
Lupardo Joins Calls For Cuomo Resignation After AG Releases Sexual Harassment Report
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“We should be both expeditious and thorough. The state deserves that. The people of New York deserve that.”
AG Letita James
Cuomo Sexually Harassed Women, Broke State and Federal Laws, AG James Report Concludes
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It’s unclear if the attorney general’s report will be a catalyst for the Assembly’s investigation, prompting impeachment, or not.
App NEWS
Federal Guidance Poses Yet Another Problem For The GOP-Backed Effort To Review PA’s 2020 Election
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Federal officials said turning over things like ballots or hard drives to anyone who isn’t an election official could violate the Civil Rights Act.
App NEWS
Funding Still Available In Binghamton Rent Relief Program
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Residents eligible for the city’s rental assistance program must have experienced a COVID-19-related hardship, such as a loss of income or employment since March 2020 and earn either equal to or less than 50 percent of the Area Median Income.
App NEWS
School Starts In A Month, But No Word Yet On Masks Or Vaccine Requirements
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“We want to be responsive and we want to stay on top of things, but I would not want it to be way out in front of this before more information comes.”
Uncategorized
Uptick Of COVID-19 Cases In Tompkins And Chenango Counties
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Tompkins and Chenango Counties had “substantial” levels of transmission.
App NEWS
Local Private Colleges Mixed On Vaccination Requirements For Employees
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Only some of the region’s private colleges have implemented vaccine requirements for both employees and students.
Government
Cuomo: New York Needs Stronger Vaccination Policy
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“I wore a mask for year, it’s not the biggest deal in the world. I could get this delta variant, and I could spread the delta variant. So, better safe than sorry, I’m going to wear a mask.”
Economy
Short Handed Employers Hesitant Over Vaccine Mandates
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“They want to have safety in their workforce, they want to provide a safe environment for their customers, but they also want to be adequately staffed.”
App NEWS
New York Senator Works To Increase SNAP Benefits For College Students
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“Students who are parents prioritize feeding their children over getting their own meal in order to make their tuition payments.”
App NEWS
Child Victims Act Lawsuit Window Ends August 13
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Survivors say it’s not too late to file a claim, but some would like another legal window sometime in the near future.
App NEWS
Will This Round Of PA Redistricting Be Another All-Out War? It’s All In The Details
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One big question: How hard should mapmakers try to match up district lines with county and municipal borders?
App NEWS
Most Of Pa.’s Fully Vaccinated People Won’t Have To Mask Up Again Indoors — Yet
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“We cannot stress enough the importance of eligible Pennsylvanians getting vaccinated to stop the spread of COVID-19.”
air pollution
Western Wildfires Cause Air Quality Hazards Across New York
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“The fires aren’t going to go away, and the jet stream isn’t going to change, so we could even see days like this in August, or in October.”
App NEWS
EPA Soliciting Comment On Vapor Intrusion Plan In Elmira Heights
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Testing has shown some homes in Elmira Heights to have indoor air concentrations as high as 37 micrograms per cubic meter, over seventeen times the EPA’s maximum for homes.
App NEWS
Vaccination Rate In NY Prisons At 46 Percent, All Inmates Offered The Vaccine
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Among prison staff, 5188 have tested positive since last March and eight have died of COVID.
Andrew Cuomo
New York To Mandates Vaccines For State Employees
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Cuomo said his administration is doing a “full review” of its mask policies, now that the CDC has altered its recommendations.
App NEWS
NY Lawmakers Examine Challenges Faced by Nursing Homes
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“The key difference between a job at McDonald’s and a job at a nursing home should be a career, that you’re beginning a career. We believe we need to build that infrastructure.”
Binghamton Mayor
Butler Off Binghamton Mayor’s Race Ballot Following Signature Challenges
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He said he’ll discuss a further legal challenge with an attorney, but will more likely pursue a write-in campaign for mayor.
Former Broome County DA Charged With Public Corruption, Forgery
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Court documents unsealed Tuesday showed the alleged crimes occurred on multiple occasions between 2016 and 2019.
air
Coalition To Promote Clean Air And Water Amendment On November Ballot
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Jackson said the amendment will empower citizens to go to court, if necessary, to enforce those rights.
App NEWS
Pa. Officials Point To More Than A Billion In Rental Assistance Money Left To Distribute As Evictions Loom
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As of June, Pennsylvania’s Department of Human Services said it had distributed $133 million in Emergency Rental Assistance program money to more than 30,500 households across the state.
american rescue plan
Binghamton Approves Council Chamber Repair In Chaotic Meeting
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Democrats on the council said they wanted a clearer plan of where the plans would be allocated.
App NEWS
New York Spends $15 Million To Target Areas With Low Vaccination Rates
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New York is using those funds to target 117 zip codes from around the state with lower-than-average vaccination rates, though nearly 80% of those neighborhoods are in New York City or on Long Island.
App NEWS
Cuomo Accuses AG’s Investigators Of Bias
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“I have concerns as to the independence of the reviewers,” Cuomo said. “Is this all happening in a political system? Yes, that is undeniable.”
Cuomo, After Criticism From Schumer, Announces New Rent Relief Application Process
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Schumer said over the weekend that the state was in danger of losing $2.4 billion in federal aid due to delays by the Cuomo administration in getting out the rent relief.
App NEWS
Cornell Researchers Tackle Global Bee Population Problem
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A pollen-sized microparticle can be fed to bees in pollen patties or a sugar syrup to help their bodies safely manage exposure to harmful pesticides.
App NEWS
June Unemployment Rate Proves Stagnant, NY Labor Shortage Remains
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While New York reportedly added 9,800 jobs in June, there continues to be a labor shortage across the state.
App NEWS
Assembly Speaker Draws Fire For Attempts To Tamp Down Cuomo Impeachment Inquiry Tensions
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Assembly Speaker Heastie, who attended an unrelated event in Schenectady with Steck, said he’s trying to stay neutral until the impeachment inquiry concludes.
App NEWS
Researchers Identify Battery Alternative To Slow Climate Change
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“If these batteries are really big, can we use elements, can we use materials that are not very dangerous, that are Earth abundant, that are readily available?”
While Canada To Reopen Border Aug. 9, Cannabis Is Not Invited
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Niezgoda said that smaller infractions, and unintended smuggling, are another matter for travelers to keep in mind.
App NEWS
NY Rent Relief Begins To Slowly Trickle In, But Landlords Say Not Fast Enough
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“I’m at 70 percent of my normal collections. So it’s kind of hard to pay the bills when you’re collecting only 70 percent of your rents.”
App NEWS
Northern Border Remains Closed As The Canadian Side Is Set To Reopen
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The Department of Homeland Security said that the closure extension–which applies to the southern border as well–was partially motivated by the desire to minimize the spread of the highly contagious delta variant.
App NEWS
NYS Says It’s Targeting Jobs As Alternative To Gun Violence
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“Many employers are begging for assistance and what we can do is pair up these individuals and get them the training they need, through state-run programs, with willing employers to help eradicate the spectre of violence by giving them an alternative.”
App NEWS
Flood Recovery Efforts Continue In Otsego County
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“We’re starting to see it more and more. The weather patterns, I think are changing.”
Arts & Culture
Ithaca Native Named First Executive Director Of National Women’s Hall Of Fame
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Gabriel said one of her goals is to get more people, both locally and nationally, to learn about the Finger Lakes connection to women’s rights.
Education
University Chancellor Floats $75 million Plan For One-Time State Money At PA Senate Panel
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The system’s Board of Governors voted to proceed with those mergers in a unanimous vote last week, and plan to launch the new “integrated” western and northeast university systems next July.
App NEWS
Recent CDC Numbers Fuel Push For Overdose Prevention Centers In NY
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“Especially with that surge of the overdose numbers, it’s not going away, so why not just try it?”
App NEWS
In Binghamton, Astorino Says Governor’s Race Is Just Beginning
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Astorino, who officially announced his run for governor in May, has garnered just under $2.6 million since last September.
Government
New York Public Health Law Prompts Changes At Summer Camps
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“Parents can rest assured that sending their child to camp will not mean sending them away from expert mental health care should they need it.”
Government
Despite Public Support, Watertown Bans Marijuana Dispensaries
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“It’s just crazy. It’s here. It’s already here. People are already smoking it. Let us just go and get a legal substance from a safe provider.”
Crime and Justice
New York Secures $1.1 Billion Settlement From Opioid Distributors
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“We’re holding them accountable and delivering more than $1 billion more into New York communities ravaged by opioids for treatment, recovery, and prevention efforts.”
App NEWS
SUNY Trustees Name New President For Oneonta Campus
|
Alberto José Cardelle will replace Dr. Barbara Jean Morris, who stepped down in October 2020 after SUNY Oneonta became a hotspot for COVID-19 cases.
App NEWS
Senior Advocacy Group Presses New York For Caregiver Tax Credit
|
By age group, Generation X caregivers spent the most money, at more than $8500.00 in out of pocket expenses, while Generation Z and Millennials spent a larger share of their total household income.
Government
Fully Vaccinated Americans Can Cross Canadian border Starting In August
|
Children younger than 12 will be allowed to enter Canada with their parents or guardians if they follow public health guidelines.
Government
Not All Of New York’s Reforms Benefit Voters, Advocate Says
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“We don’t love all of them, truthfully.”
App NEWS
PA Republicans Take Election ‘Audits’ Seriously. Here’s What’s Known About Their Plan
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So far, Tioga and York Counties have both said they will not be voluntarily turning over any material. Tioga said the primary reason was that Governor Tom Wolf’s administration had heavily discouraged it.
Economy
GlobalFoundries Announces Further Expansion in Saratoga County
|
“Why is this so important? Because whether you know it or not, almost every device, every machine you own, depends on a chip.”
App NEWS
Why Rep. Zeldin, Now Running for Governor, Says He Voted Against The 2020 Election Results
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Zeldin was one of four Republican members of Congress from New York who voted against certifying the results in Pennsylvania and Arizona.
air show
Army Golden Knights Glad To Be Back In The Sky At Binghamton Airshow
|
“Last year we had a lot of downtime, literally.”
Economy
Visitors Return To Theme Parks By The Thousands, But Finding Good Help Is Hard
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“The market certainly is much tighter than it has been in the past. There’s no doubt about it.”
Probe Into Alleged Sexual Harassment By New York’s Governor Could Be Near Its End
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Cuomo denies the charges, and when he was first accused in late winter apologized if his actions had been misinterpreted.
App NEWS
Police Firing Records Now Included In Pennsylvania-wide Personnel Database
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The move is part of the police accountability law passed by the General Assembly last July in response to the murder of George Floyd by former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin.
News
Despite Fundraising Gap, Astorino’s Run For New York Governor Pushes On
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“My case is gonna be made with 3 million registered Republicans who are gonna decide who they feel is their most electable, conservative Republican to take on the Democratic machine.”
App NEWS
Northside Binghamton Grocery Store Serves Thousands In First Six Months
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“It’s great speaking with a customer, someone who lives on the Northside, who reports that they’re no longer dependent on certain medication because of access.”
Government
Extra Monthly Checks Heading To Millions Of New Yorkers
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“It’s going to have an enormous impact within this community just helping families make ends meet.”
App NEWS
Partners Celebrate Milestone In Sturgeon Restoration Effort
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Sturgeon are native to Lake Ontario and the Genesee River, but habitat loss and overfishing decimated the population, causing it to dwindle to almost nothing by the early 1900s.
App NEWS
PA May See The Nation’s Strongest Post-Pandemic Sales Tax Boost
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Forecasters predict Pennsylvania will rake in nearly 15 percent more this year than last. That would be the largest increase of any state.
Crime and Justice
Critics Of New York Ethics Panel Not Giving Up
|
“JCOPE was set up in a way to fail.”
App NEWS
Report: Cuomo To Be Questioned Saturday On Sexual Harassment Claims
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“I can’t tell you how eager I am to tell my side of the story and the time will come.”
App NEWS
In Ithaca, Chain Works Site Remediation Amendment Is Clearing Way For Development
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Contaminants were regularly used at the plant, especially in metal finishing processes.
Education
SUNY Can’t Mandate COVID Vaccines Until They’re Fully Approved By FDA
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SUNY is pushing vaccine awareness campaigns and encouraging students and faculty to use vaccine clinics on campus.
Education
Pennsylvania State University System Merges Six Schools Into Two
|
“We know that significant change must occur if we are going to ensure that accessible, affordable public higher education remains available and attractive to students.”
Addiction
Recovery Center Holds On To Remote Meetings
|
“Our numbers in person dwindled down to zero because we weren’t even in the building. But the reach that we made tripled.”
Government
Governor Defends, Explains New York’s Undercount Of COVID Deaths
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The AP finds that other states, including Pennsylvania, report death numbers that mirror the CDC numbers, and count all cases where COVID is either the cause of death or a contributing factor.
News
New York Governor, Mayoral Candidate Hold Unity Event
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Governor Cuomo, who has an antagonistic relationship with the left of his party, says he and Eric Adams come from the “same political philosophy.”
Crime and Justice
Abuse Allegation Against Buffalo Auxiliary Bishop Stems From Confirmation Ceremony
|
The Diocese has acknowledged more than 100 of its priests as being credibly accused of abuse. Nine are currently on leave pending investigations.
App NEWS
Study: Biden Climate Policy Would Have $1T In Health Benefits, Save Thousands Of Lives
|
Pennsylvania would be among top beneficiaries of cleaner air
App NEWS
Environmental Advocates Call for Changes To Proposed Federal Climate Legislation
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“We would like him to remove all dirty fossil fuel solutions, including, for example, the combined heat and power plants, which run on fracked gas. That, under Mr. Tonko’s definition, is clean energy,”
App NEWS
Van De Water To Run For Congress Again After 2020 Defeat
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Although the Congressional maps for 2022 aren’t determined yet, 2020 candidate Kyle Van De Water says he is running again.
Binghamton Mayor Rich David Announces Bid For State Senate
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David is running for the seat currently held by Fred Akshar, who is not seeking reelection.
Government
New York Lawmakers Criticize Selection Of Chick-fil-A For New Thruway Dining Options
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“When the state is engaged in a contract with an organization that has a history of discrimination, that’s inappropriate.”
Energy
EPA-Approved Fracking Fluids Include Substances That Form ‘Forever Chemicals’
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STATEIMPACT PENNSYLVANIA – Companies that drill for natural gas in Pennsylvania have used EPA-approved PFAS or pre-cursors to PFAS in fracking operations in other states, according to a report by Physicians for Social Responsibility. CLICK HERE.
Government
Senate Ethics Hearing Delayed Due to Open Meetings Law Concerns
|
“There was a concern that was brought to our attention. About whether or not Open Meetings Law applies to hearings.”
Government
Effort Underway To Make Expanded Child Tax Credit Permanent
|
“Sixty-three percent of Earned Income Tax Credit recipients spent some, or all of their payment on paying down debt.”
News
After Online Public Hearings, Redistricting Commission Will Redraw Congressional Boundaries
|
The call for public input is a departure from previous redistricting commissions, which have operated largely in secret.
Anthony Brindisi
Brindisi Announces Judicial Bid After Ruling Out Congressional Run In 2022
|
Last month, Brindisi announced he would not run for his old House seat in New York’s 22nd Congressional District.
Education
Federal Probe Into Indian Boarding School Grave Sites Seeks To Bring Healing
|
“We must shed light on the unspoken traumas of the past. No matter how hard it will be.”
Health
Common Ground Health Report Reveals Racism At Center Of Public Health Crisis
|
Black people in the Finger Lakes region face stark health disparities as a result of racism and the way it manifests, a problem magnified by the COVID-19 pandemic.
App NEWS
After Pushback In PA, A Widely Criticized Mandatory Minimum Bill Is On Hold
|
Pennsylvania legislative leaders say a bill that would institute new mandatory minimum sentences for gun-related crime is “off the calendar,” at least temporarily.
abuse
An Uncertain Future For The Adult Survivors Act
|
The Adult Survivors Act would create a one-year look back window for cases of adult sexual abuse. That’s similar to the Child Victims Act, legislation passed in 2019 targeted at victims of child sex abuse.
Anaplasmosis
Tick-Borne Illness, Rarer Than Lyme, On The Rise In New York
|
“Our impression is that probably, you can find five percent, maybe even up to ten percent in areas, it definitely seems to be increasing.”
App NEWS
Former Bradford Co. District Attorney Sentenced To State Prison Time
|
“Thanks to those brave victims. He’s no longer the district attorney and now he’s a convicted felon.”
Energy
Within A Few Years, Renewable Energy In New York Could Hit 50%
|
New York state aims to have 70% of electricity used, coming from renewable resources by 2030.
App NEWS
College Athletic Departments Gear Up For Student Endorsement Deals
|
“This new era of intercollegiate athletics is upon us. We have some of the brightest young adults in the world…who now can capitalize on their name, image and likeness.”
Crime and Justice
New York, Other States Announce $4.5B Settlement With Purdue Pharma
|
About $4.3 billion will be distributed to nearly every state in the nation to help fund prevention, treatment and recovery programs; New York will get $200 million.
broadband
Sherburne Officials Seek Funding To Get Municipal Broadband Off The Ground
|
“Getting these costs nailed down is really the next step.”
App NEWS
Shirley Collado To Step Down As Ithaca College President
|
Collado will be the shortest tenured president in Ithaca College’s 129-year history.
An Appeals Court Suspends Rudy Giuliani’s Ability To Practice Law In D.C.
|
The suspension by the District of Columbia Court of Appeals and a New York state appellate court stems from Rudy Giuliani’s attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 election.
15 States Drop Opposition To Controversial Purdue Pharma Oxycontin Bankruptcy
|
New York is among the states agreeing to end the fight to halt a controversial Purdue Pharma bankruptcy plan. The deal shelters members of the Sackler family from opioid lawsuits.
News
New York Thruway Service Area Renovations Begin July 29
|
On July 29, ten service areas will close to start work on the first phase of the project.
Government
Republican Congress Member Unworried By Trump ‘Nonsense,’ Calls Pelosi’s Insurrection Committee ‘A Mess’
|
Former President Donald Trump told the Onondaga County Conservative Party last month, that he’ll help campaign for a challenger against Katko.
Crime and Justice
New York Attorney General, Local Law Enforcement Take Down Two Major Drug Rings
|
This comes as opioid overdoses and gun violence surge across the state.
Energy
State Report: PA Extracted More Natural Gas Than Ever During Pandemic
|
Unconventional wells produced 7.1 trillion cubic feet of gas last year, even as national and regional natural gas prices dipped in response to the pandemic.
Crime and Justice
Critics: New York Doesn’t Need Another State of Emergency
|
“Review some of the soft-on-crime pieces of legislation that have been passed in the last few years. I think the combination of all of those policies is having a big effect on this increase in violent crime.”
Andrew Cuomo
After Third Police Shooting In A Month, Broome Sheriff Puts Onus On Lawmakers
|
Harder’s press conference came a day after Governor Andrew Cuomo instituted a statewide disaster emergency declaration on gun violence.
App NEWS
Evictions And Leadership Disputes In The Cayuga Nation
|
“I mean the government has done us wrong.”
App NEWS
Senate Majority Leader Calls For Unilateral Opening Of Border With Canada
|
On Monday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that fully vaccinated Canadians returning to the country from the U.S. would no longer need to quarantine.
Government
As Gun Violence Intensifies, New York Congress Member Wants To Roll Back Firearm Regs
|
Claudia Tenney is among 168 other members of the House of Representatives in presenting a brief to the Supreme Court pushing for loosened restrictions on who can receive a concealed carry permit.
Government
After Contact Tracing Data Breach, PA Sidesteps Scrutiny On Proposed $34M Contract
|
The state’s Department of Health is working to hire a new company under an even pricier contract to take over its contact tracing program. The previous company was fired for a massive data breach.
Government
New York Declares Gun Violence a Public Health Crisis, Outlines Plan to Address Crime
|
“Gun Violence is not only taking a human toll. It’s taking an economic toll. So we have no choice but to address it. It’s the right thing to do.”
App NEWS
New York Republicans Seek Resurgence Through Cross-Party Appeal, ‘New Generation of Leaders’
|
“It’s running on a common sense agenda that can bring people together of all party affiliations. We know we can’t run with some right-wing agenda that has any sort of extreme tendencies.”
Ticks Suck. Here’s A Guide To Identifying Them And Avoiding Bites
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With more ticks carrying disease than ever, here’s what you need to know about which ticks to watch out for and what to do if you get bitten.
Health
Lead Paint Poisons Thousands Of PA Children Each Year. Advocates Say It’s Time To Act
|
Lead poisoning prevention experts are calling on the state to fund remediation and testing.
App NEWS
SUNY System Considering Retirement Plan Reinvestment In Clean Energy
|
“It’s good economic sense because that is the future. And that’s where you’re going to see all the economic development and jobs being created.”
App NEWS
Tucked Into New PA State Budget, Millions In Sales Tax Breaks For Server Farms
|
Under the tax code section of last month’s budget agreement, any company that builds a center in the Keystone State won’t have to pay sales tax on the thousands of pieces of equipment needed.
Affordable Housing
With Eviction Moratorium’s Impending End, Housing Advocates And Attorneys Prepare Defenses
|
“We can provide all the rental assistance in the world, if there’s no actual home to put someone in, then there’s no roof to put over someone’s head.”
A Mystery Illness Is Killing Pennsylvania Songbirds
|
Wildlife officials are asking people not to feed birds or provide bird baths amid dozens of reports of mysterious songbird deaths.
american rescue plan
New York’s Small Towns Shortchanged On Pandemic Funding
|
New York’s small towns are currently receiving $104 per resident from the Rescue Plan, compared to over $1300 in states with a large unincorporated population.
App NEWS
Schuyler County Farmer Tries Chickpea Farming, A Potentially Lucrative Crop For NY
|
“Because of the climate or the soil, there was a number of reasons that a number of people made assumptions it wouldn’t work, but no one had actually tried it.”
App NEWS
Gov. Cuomo Enacts Opioid Settlement Fund
|
“It’s important that these companies pay up, it’s also important that the money go to where it was intended.”
adirondacks
The Adirondack Housing Crisis Is Pricing Out Local Families
|
“We have people eligible, we have money available, but no units for people to buy.”
App NEWS
Canada Day Muted As Nation Reckons With Residential School Legacy
|
On July 1, 1867, the confederation known historically as the Dominion of Canada became official with four provinces, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. Six more provinces joined between 1870 and 1949. The celebration of Canada Day is complicated this year. Many people are not celebrating at all, and others are celebrating differently due to recent discoveries of the bodies of hundreds of indigenous children in unmarked graves at former Indian Residential Schools in British Columbia and Saskatchewan. On May 27, 215 bodies were discovered at a former residential school site in Kamloops, British Columbia.
App NEWS
Siting Board Denies Rehearing For High Bridge Wind Farm
|
“GCNR’s petition does not establish any error of law or fact to support its rehearing request.”
App NEWS
Updated: Tompkins, Broome Co. End State Of Emergency Orders
|
Broome County’s declaration will expire at 3:30 p.m., after 457 days in effect.
Andrew Cuomo
NYS Assembly To Issue Subpoenas In Cuomo Impeachment Probe
|
The firm has received more than 100,000 pages of documents to sort through as part of the inquiry, which is far-reaching and not limited to any one allegation against Cuomo.
PA Users Can Now Buy Three-Month Supply Of Medical Marijuana
|
“This legislation provides important updates to our state’s medical marijuana program to ensure that patients have improved access to medication.”
App NEWS
Greenlight Networks To Invest $25M in Binghamton Broadband
|
“I think this will be a magnet for small businesses to locate within the city of Binghamton because I think there’s going to be more choice for them.”
american rescue plan
PA Plans To Spend $1 Billion In American Rescue Plan Money. Some Similar States Plan To Spend More.
|
The money is supposed to make up for what states missed out on during the pandemic in taxes and fees — and help pay for the recovery effort over the next five years.
App NEWS
‘Honesty Was In Short Supply’: New York Trial Starts With Arguments Against Opioid Makers
|
Opening statements began Tuesday in a landmark opioid trial against pharmaceutical companies who are being sued by the state of New York.
Education
Groups Partner With State to Expand High-Speed Internet Access to Affordable Housing
|
“This initiative will help create affordable connected homes that equip residents with the tools necessary to thrive in the modern world.”
News
Lee Zeldin Becomes Presumptive GOP Gubernatorial Nominee
|
“I think we’re the favorite, I think it’s early in the game. To take an analogy, I think it’s in the second inning, it’s good to be up a couple runs in the second inning.”
App NEWS
Ithaca Moves Police Reimagining Plan Forward, Mayor Awaits New Chief Search
|
“Having an acting chief at the helm of the department right now is not causing any problems.”
Wall Street Bosses Want Their Workers Back. That’s Good For The King Of Falafel
|
Wall Street executives are pushing vaccinated workers to return to work, and that’s good news for vendors and other small businesses in New York that depend on workers from finance.
App NEWS
Tompkins Co. Prepares Comments on Draft Algal Bloom Measure
|
The comments, drafted by the Tompkins County Office of Planning and Sustainability staff, ask the DEC to provide more specifics about implementation.
Government
COVID-Related Hospitalizations Drop To New Low In New York State
|
The 7-day average COVID-19 positivity rate for the Finger Lakes region is now down to .40%.
App NEWS
Summer Camp Teaches Social Skills That Remote Learning Could Never Offer
|
Socializing can be challenging for children with Autism, it’s especially hard during a pandemic. But a summer program aims to help.
Government
New York Bill That Creates Opioid Settlement Lockbox On Governor’s Desk
|
A bill before Gov. Andrew Cuomo would create a lockbox for anticipated opioid drug manufacturer settlement funds.
App NEWS
Lake Ontario Experiencing Driest Season Since 1966
|
“We have built everything up that we could possible do to be resilient against high water and now we are finding ourselves on the extreme opposite.”
App NEWS
PA Immigrants Skeptical That Dems In D.C. Will Create A Path To Citizenship
|
Immigration groups around Pennsylvania and the country want to keep pressure on Washington to include a path to citizenship in the final package.
App NEWS
New York Governor Signs Gender Recognition Law
|
Under the law, New Yorkers who want to change their gender listed on an official identification, no longer needs a doctor’s permission or present medical evidence to obtain those changes.
Government
PA Republicans Vote To Ban Vaccine Mandates At Schools And Limit Health Secretary’s Authority
|
An amendment to the Senate bill designed to prevent “vaccine passports” would prohibit the secretary from ordering mask wearing and other public health measures.
New York Court Suspends Giuliani From Practicing Law Over 2020 Vote Fraud Claims
|
The court’s decision states that Rudy Giuliani’s conduct as a lawyer for former President Donald Trump during the election and in the aftermath “threatens the public interest.”
Anthony Brindisi
Brindisi Drops 2022 Congressional Bid
|
The Democrat unseated one term Rep. Claudia Tenney in 2018, but lost a rematch with her last year.
App NEWS
PA Budget Deal Inches Closer To Finish Line
|
Lawmakers are working with at least two new piles of money: $2.9 billion in unanticipated income and sales tax revenue and $7.29 billion from the federal government.
Government
Fiscal Watchdog Seeks COVID-19 Data From State Health Department
|
They seek a detailed list of data about the deaths of New Yorkers from COVID-19, including those tracked by the date, county and ZIP code, as well as confirmed cases of coronavirus by age group, race, and ethnicity.
App NEWS
Governor Cuomo’s Emergency Pandemic Powers End Today
|
“The emergency is over. It will not be renewed.”
News
What Happened: 2021 Primary Night Roundup
|
New York saw a few major upsets Tuesday, with some new faces expected to lead at least two of the state’s major cities starting next year.
Addiction
A Look At A Lawsuit Filed By NY Municipalities Over Opioid Crisis
|
“In my view, the county taxpayers shouldn’t foot a bill for a crisis that we didn’t create.”
New York City Narrows The Democratic Field For Mayor With Eric Adams Taking The Lead
|
Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams took the lead in New York City’s mayoral primary race Tuesday while former Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang conceded.
Supreme Court Rules PA Cheerleader’s F-Bombs Are Protected Speech
|
The case involved a teenage cheerleader who dropped F-bombs on Snapchat. At issue was whether schools may punish students for speech that occurs online and off-campus but that may be disruptive.
Harlem Globetrotters To The NBA: ‘Don’t Get It Twisted’ Make Us A Pro Franchise ‘Now’
|
In an open letter to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, the Harlem Globetrotters demanded the team join the league as a franchise.
News
After First Federal Juneteenth Holiday, Reformers Say Harder Racial Justice Work Remains
|
On the federal level, the bill that made Juneteenth a federal holiday has been one of the only major racial justice-related measures to become law.
Environment
November Ballot Question Will Determine Right to Clean Air and Water
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“Voters are going to be asked a simple question. Should we add to New York state’s bill of rights, the right to clean air, clean water and a healthful environment?”
Affordable Housing
New Affordable And Supportive Housing Complex Opens In Watkins Glen
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“Some of the places they have around here are not handicap accessible, but this one is.”
App NEWS
For Activists, Felony Disenfranchisement Remains A Fight For Civil Rights
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A majority of those incarcerated will rejoin the community outside of prison at some point.
New Yorkers Head To The Polls In A Heated Mayoral Race. Here’s What’s At Stake
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The term-limited Mayor Bill de Blasio is exiting after eight years in office, leaving the door of Gracie Mansion wide open for a newcomer. The race is tight, and the field is diverse.
Economy
Senator Gillibrand Pushes For New Union Protections
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“The best way to get our economy back and to rebuild our middle class is to support our unions and our workers.”
Education
Experts Discuss Controversy Around Critical Race Theory
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The theory — which explores narratives of American History from all perspectives — has been a common practice in higher education for decades.
Government
How A PA Lawmaker Billed Taxpayers $1.8 Million In Expenses
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Western Pennsylvania Democrat Chris Sainato spent or has been reimbursed personally for more than $1.8 million in mileage, meals, lodging, travel, and office-related costs.
Government
New York Lawmakers Discuss Mental Health And Addiction
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Members of the Assembly held an hours-long meeting, speaking with stakeholders in the healthcare industry on what can be done to save the lives of people dealing with addiction and mental illness.
New York’s GOP Settling In On Zeldin To Challenge Cuomo For Governor
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Republicans, who have not won a statewide election in nearly 20 years, are energized by the multiple scandals that are weakening current Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
Andrew Cuomo
Gillibrand Rules Out Bid For Governor, Touts Free School Lunch Proposal
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Gillibrand discussed both during a stop in Ithaca on Monday.
Health
Unemployment Rates For New Yorkers With Disabilities Rose During The Pandemic
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“It was a cycle that individuals were kind of in the hamster wheel on, and some of them are just getting back to comfortable being in the stores now.”
Health
New York’s COVID-19 Positivity Rate Falls Below .30%
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The infection rate for the Finger Lakes region is .54%. That is the second highest rate in the state, behind the North Country, but the positivity rate for all regions of the state is well below 1%.
Elmira Celebrates Juneteenth
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Elmira commemorated the 20th anniversary of the first Juneteenth event in the city at Ernie Davis park.
App NEWS
Ready For A Post-Pandemic life? Your Dog May Be Dreading It
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Experts warn that separation anxiety is a real possibility for pets who got used to having their people around all the time. There is a type of training that helps, but it requires time and patience.
Environment
What Researchers Are Learning About Air Pollution And The Pandemic Shutdown
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“The pandemic made it clear that traffic is an important source of pollutants for the air that we breathe. But the fact that we have this data will allow us to understand those interactions better.”
News
Cuomo’s Woes Give GOP New Hope
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Republicans, who have not won a statewide election in nearly 20 years, are energized by the multiple scandals that are weakening current Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
News
Key PA State Senator Backs Arizona-Style Election Audit
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Sen. David Argall (R., Schuylkill) told Spotlight PA he does not see the “damage in doing it one more time to try to answer the concerns that people have.”
Black Voices Reflect On Freedom, The Future Ahead Of Juneteenth
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“I think that it is our job to keep history alive by talking about it.”
5G
The Debate Over 5G In Ithaca
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“Why would you want to install 100 facilities when you can do it with three?”
App NEWS
Lawmakers, Advocates Urge New York’s Governor To Sign Child Poverty Reduction Act
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“This isn’t rocket science. It’s public policies that are the biggest lever to lift families out of poverty.”
App NEWS
Experts Urge Caution During Deadly Driving Season For Teens
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Research from AAA shows that from 2010-2019 in New York state, 196 people were killed in crashes involving teens between those dates.
App NEWS
Poll Shows A Job Rating Drop For PA’s Governor And Support For Controversial Voting Law Changes
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“If you add in the fact that we have had this crisis, and the governor has taken some heat for it, and the fact that people aren’t feeling better economically, I think that all comes together to produce these lower ratings.”
Government
With COVID-19 Waning, Cuomo Retains Emergency Powers
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Not everyone can immediately go back to normal. Unvaccinated New Yorkers still need to wear masks in public and practice safe social distancing.
App NEWS
At An Elmira Museum, The Push To Turn An Abolitionist’s Legacy Into A Landmark
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“I want it to be part of the DNA of the town. I want it, I want you to feel it like I feel it.”
How A Former New York Principal Tries To Make Congress Work For His Community
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Freshman New York Rep. Jamaal Bowman joins a class of younger Black lawmakers working to broaden representation and progressive power in Congress, as well as in the Democratic Party.
News
A Little Known Connection Between Upstate And The First Juneteenth
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“Hard to believe its 2021, and no marker has even been erected and that’s one reason so few people know about his story and his significance in history.”
Environment
‘Left At The Altar’: New York Climate Activists Lament Unapproved Bills
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The Students for Solar Act passed with unanimous support in the state Senate, but never reached the floor of the Assembly for a vote.
Crime and Justice
Wegmans Says Customers’ Personal Data May Have Been Exposed
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Wegmans recently notified customers that two databases used for the company’s internal business purposes were inadvertently left open to potential outside access.
App NEWS
PA Celebrates New Unemployment System, But Advocates Say Problems Remain
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The official launch of a new state unemployment benefits portal last Tuesday was riddled with technical hiccups.
