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'Divisive' Bill Targeting Asylum-Seekers Shot Down By Albany County Lawmakers 'Divisive' Bill Targeting Asylum-Seekers Shot Down By Albany County Lawmakers
'Divisive' Bill Targeting Asylum-Seekers Shot Down By Albany County Lawmakers County lawmakers in the region have voted down a resolution that would have tracked the amount of public funds that are spent on migrants arriving from New York City. Following a lengthy debate Monday evening, Aug. 14, the Democrat-controlled Albany County Legislature rejected a bill introduced by Republicans that sought to document the financial impact of asylum-seekers, migrants, and those experiencing homelessness. The move failed by a vote of 23 to 9. Supporters had argued that the bill would improve transparency and better position Albany County to shoulder financial impacts in the fu…

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by Michael Mashburn
Politics
SanToast? Retired NYPD Detective Challenging NY Rep. George Santos To 'Return Integrity' SanToast? Retired NYPD Detective Challenging NY Rep. George Santos To 'Return Integrity'
SanToast? Retired Nypd Detective Challenging NY Rep. George Santos To 'Return Integrity' A familiar face with an impressive resume is taking on embattled Congressman George Santos, whose admitted lying streak and alleged criminal misconduct has left an indelible mark on New York -- and national -- politics. Republican Michael Sapraicone, a retired New York City Police Department detective and US Navy veteran, announced his campaign for the state’s 3rd Congressional District seat on Tuesday, July 25. The district, which the 35-year-old Santos won by seven points in 2022, represents parts of Nassau County and Queens. Related Report: Embattled Nassau Rep. George Santos 'Pr…

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by Michael Mashburn
Politics
New Poll Reveals Percentage Of NYers Who Support Using SUNY Dorms To House Migrants New Poll Reveals Percentage Of NYers Who Support Using SUNY Dorms To House Migrants
New Poll Reveals Percentage Of NYers Who Support Using SUNY Dorms To House Migrants New polling is shedding light on how New Yorkers feel about a proposal to house migrants in university dorms. Among the state’s registered voters, 54 percent oppose using SUNY dorms to temporarily house new migrants to New York, while 33 percent are in favor, according to a Siena College poll released Wednesday, June 28. “Voters oppose using SUNY dorms to temporarily house new migrants to New York by a 21-point margin," Siena College pollster Steven Greenberg said in a statement. "It’s opposed by more than three-quarters of Republicans and a majority of independents, while Democrats ar…

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by Michael Mashburn
Politics
New York DA Accuses Lawmakers Of 'Protecting Criminals' With Proposed 'Clean Slate' Bill New York DA Accuses Lawmakers Of 'Protecting Criminals' With Proposed 'Clean Slate' Bill
New York DA Accuses Lawmakers Of 'Protecting Criminals' With Proposed 'Clean Slate' Bill A local prosecutor in New York is blasting state lawmakers over proposed legislation that would automatically seal most criminal convictions. The so-called “Clean Slate Act" was introduced by State Senator Zellnor Myrie, a Democrat whose 20th Senate District includes parts of Brooklyn. According to the bill text, criminal convictions would be automatically sealed after three years for misdemeanors and seven years for felonies. If approved, the law would make it an “unlawful discriminatory practice” to inquire about someone’s arrest or criminal accusations when it comes to licensing, housi…

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by Michael Mashburn
Politics
'Melanie's Law' Aims To Close 'Dangerous' Loophole That Led To NY Mom's Killing 'Melanie's Law' Aims To Close 'Dangerous' Loophole That Led To NY Mom's Killing
'Melanie's Law' Aims To Close 'Dangerous' Loophole That Led To NY Mom's Killing One year after a young mother from New York was stabbed to death by her own mother’s ex-boyfriend, a state lawmaker is pushing to close what he calls the “dangerous” loophole that led to her killing. Dutchess County resident Melanie Chianese, age 29, of the town of Wappinger, was found suffering from multiple stab wounds on May 29, 2022. Deputies from the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office found her while responding to a home on Scott Drive in Wappinger for a report of a woman being injured. Earlier Report: Man Sentenced For Murdering Ex-Girlfriend's Daughter In Poughkeepsie She was rushed…

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by Michael Mashburn
Politics
Hochul's Favorability Rating Negative For First Time; Strong Majority Says 'Hard Working': Poll Hochul's Favorability Rating Negative For First Time; Strong Majority Says 'Hard Working': Poll
Hochul's Favorability Rating Negative For First Time; Strong Majority Says 'Hard Working': Poll For the first time since taking office, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul’s favorability rating is in the negative, new polling finds. Among registered voters, 45 percent hold an unfavorable view of the 64-year-old Democrat, compared to 40 percent who view her favorability, according to a newly-released Siena College poll. In March 2023, voters were split evenly 43 to 43 percent. Hochul’s job approval rating also appears to have taken a hit, sliding to 50-44 percent from 52-41 percent in March, according to pollsters. A strong majority, 58 to 20 percent, think she is hard-working, and a plurali…

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by Michael Mashburn
Politics
Vice President Kamala Harris Will Be First Woman To Deliver Graduation Address At West Point Vice President Kamala Harris Will Be First Woman To Deliver Graduation Address At West Point
Vice President Kamala Harris Will Be First Woman To Deliver Graduation Address At West Point Vice President Kamala Harris will serve as commencement speaker at the US Military Academy at West Point later this month, the first woman to do so. The White House announced that the Vice President will speak during the 2023 graduation ceremony on Saturday, May 27. This marks her first visit to the academy located in Orange County in the town of Highlands and the first time in West Point’s 221-year history that a woman will serve as commencement speaker, West Point officials said. “We are honored to have the Vice President as our commencement speaker,” said Lt. Gen. Steven W. Gilland, US …

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by Kathy Reakes
Politics
Trio Of Schemes That Led To Santos Arrest Detailed By Feds; Rep Not Resigning Over 'Witch Hunt' Trio Of Schemes That Led To Santos Arrest Detailed By Feds; Rep Not Resigning Over 'Witch Hunt'
Trio Of Schemes That Led To Santos Arrest Detailed By Feds; Rep Not Resigning Over 'Witch Hunt' Beleaguered New York Rep. George Santos is remaining defiant in the face of numerous federal criminal charges, refusing to resign from Congress and vowing to fight what he decried as a “witch hunt.” The 34-year-old Republican, whose 3rd District represents parts of Nassau County and Queens, pleaded not guilty to all 13 federal charges against him during his arraignment in Central Islip on Wednesday afternoon, May 10. He is charged with: Seven counts of wire fraud Three counts of money laundering Theft of public funds Two counts of making false statements on federal disclosure forms Follo…

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by Michael Mashburn
Politics
NY Congressman George Santos Now In Custody, Facing 13 Federal Charges: Here's Rundown NY Congressman George Santos Now In Custody, Facing 13 Federal Charges: Here's Rundown
NY Congressman George Santos Now In Custody, Facing 13 Federal Charges: Here's Rundown Click here for a new, updated story: Trio Of Schemes That Led To Santos Arrest Detailed By Feds; Rep Not Resigning Over 'Witch Hunt' US Congressman George Santos was arrested early Wednesday, May 10 on a 13-count indictment. The arrest took place early Wednesday in Central Islip. According to the US Attorney for the Eastern District of New York's Office, Santos, a 34-year-old right-wing Republican, was charged with: Seven counts of wire fraud,  Three counts of money laundering,  Theft of public funds,  Two counts of making false statements on federal disclosure forms.…

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by Kathy Reakes
Politics
Susan Sarandon Arrested At NY Capitol During Protest Over Tipped Worker Wages Susan Sarandon Arrested At NY Capitol During Protest Over Tipped Worker Wages
Susan Sarandon Arrested At NY Capitol During Protest Over Tipped Worker Wages A protest at the New York Capitol over wages for tipped workers saw several people led away in handcuffs, including actress and activist Susan Sarandon. The 76-year-old Academy Award winner and former resident of Pound Ridge in Westchester County was among eight protesters arrested for disorderly conduct at the Capitol building in Albany on Monday, May 8, according to the One Fair Wage organization. Troopers arrested the group after they allegedly blocked entrances and pushed against troopers in hopes of being arrested, Spectrum News 1 Albany reports. There were no reports of injuries ste…

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by Michael Mashburn
Politics
Michigan Gov's Sister Enters Race In NY Congressional District Michigan Gov's Sister Enters Race In NY Congressional District
Michigan Gov's Sister Enters Race In NY Congressional District A small business owner and school board member in Northern Westchester who is also the sister of Michigan's governor is kicking off a campaign to represent much of the Hudson Valley in the US Congress.  Katonah resident and Democrat Liz Gereghty, the sister of Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, announced her intention to run for New York's 17th District seat on Tuesday, May 5 on both social media and in a video campaign ad released online.  The 17th District, which includes all or parts of Rockland, Westchester, Putnam, and Dutchess counties, is currently represented by Republican Rep. Mike L…

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by Ben Crnic
Politics
County In NY Declares State Of Emergency Ahead Of Expected Arrival Of Migrants From NYC County In NY Declares State Of Emergency Ahead Of Expected Arrival Of Migrants From NYC
County In NY Declares State Of Emergency Ahead Of Expected Arrival Of Migrants From NYC A county in the Hudson Valley has declared a state of emergency in anticipation of the arrival of hundreds of migrants from New York City. About 340 migrant men will be housed in Rockland County at the Armoni Inn and Suites in Orangeburg for four months, Rockland County Executive Ed Day said Saturday afternoon, May 6. The county informed New York City Mayor Eric Adams on Friday, May 5 that Rockland would not allow this plan to stand and has enacted the state of emergency in direct response. "New York City declared itself a Sanctuary City in December of 2016 committing itself to supporting…

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by Joe Lombardi