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Gov. Kathy Hochul

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Campground Kidnapping: Man Admits Abducting, Sexually Assaulting 9-Year-Old NY Girl Campground Kidnapping: Man Admits Abducting, Sexually Assaulting 9-Year-Old NY Girl
Campground Kidnapping: Man Admits Abducting, Sexually Assaulting 9-Year-Old NY Girl The man accused of kidnapping a 9-year-old girl from a New York state park and later sexually abusing her has formally confessed. Craig Ross Jr., age 47, pleaded guilty to kidnapping with intent to collect ransom and predatory sexual assault against a child as part of a plea deal in Saratoga County Court on Wednesday, Feb. 21. New York State Police said Ross abducted the child as she rode her bicycle in Moreau Lake State Park on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023. Earlier Report: New Update: Kidnapping Suspect Craig Ross Jr. Probed In Milton Murders Of 2 Women, Report Says Her mother called…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
New Update: 1 Killed, Several Injured In Tour Bus Rollover On NY Highway New Update: 1 Killed, Several Injured In Tour Bus Rollover On NY Highway
New Update: 1 Killed, Several Injured In Tour Bus Rollover On NY Highway This story has been updated. One person is dead and several others are injured following a tour bus crash in upstate New York. The wreck happened Friday, Jan. 5, on the I-87 Northway in Warren County, between Warrensburg and Lake George. State Police said a tour bus operated by RM Transnational LTD was traveling from Montreal, Canada when it rolled over in the southbound lanes near exit 23 at around 12:50 p.m. Of the 23 people onboard, one person was killed, one passenger suffered serious injuries, and ten passengers were treated for non-life-threatening injuries. The victims' names, age…

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by Michael Mashburn
Business
New Legal Marijuana Dispensary In Farmingdale Sets Opening Date New Legal Marijuana Dispensary In Farmingdale Sets Opening Date
New Legal Marijuana Dispensary In Farmingdale Sets Opening Date The second legal, adult-use dispensary on Long Island has a tentative opening date, officials said. Happy Days Dispensary, located at 105 Route 109 in Farmingdale, is slated to open Saturday, Dec. 23, according to an announcement by Gov. Kathy Hochul — though that date isn't set in stone, the governor clarified.  As the second legal dispensary to open on Long Island since Strain Stars opened in July, also in Farmingdale, Happy Days joins the 37 other adult-use stores expected to open up shop in New York State in 2023. Alongside the caption, “By the locals. For the locals,” Happy Day…

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by Sophie Grieser
News
Temple Shooting: 28-Year-Old Federally Charged After Gunshots At NY Synagogue Temple Shooting: 28-Year-Old Federally Charged After Gunshots At NY Synagogue
Temple Shooting: 28-Year-Old Federally Charged After Gunshots At NY Synagogue The man accused of opening fire at a New York synagogue on the first day of Hanukkah has been federally charged. Mufid Fawaz Alkhader, age 28, of Schenectady, appeared in Albany federal court on Friday, Dec. 8, where he was arraigned on one count of unlawfully possessing a firearm. According to the criminal complaint, Alkhader approached Albany’s Temple Israel, located on New Scotland Avenue, at around 2 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 7 armed with a 12-gauge pump-action shotgun. He then fired the weapon twice into the air, prosecutors allege. Earlier Report: New Update: Shooting At NY Syna…

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by Michael Mashburn
Sports
Belmont Stakes Moving Upstate In 2024 During Construction Of 'Reimagined' Belmont Park Belmont Stakes Moving Upstate In 2024 During Construction Of 'Reimagined' Belmont Park
Belmont Stakes Moving Upstate In 2024 During Construction Of 'Reimagined' Belmont Park The Belmont Stakes will have a temporary new home in 2024. For the first time in 118 years, the third and final leg of the Triple Crown will be held at the Saratoga Race Course during construction of a new, “reimagined” Belmont Park on Long Island, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced. “As part of the exciting modernization of Belmont Park, Saratoga now adds to its storied history by hosting the 3rd leg of the Triple Crown,” said. “It’s a win for horseracing and for the Capital Region to have the excitement and the ability to host the four-day Festival in June at America’s most historic track. As I…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
These Long Island Roadways To Be Repaved As Part Of $100M Project These Long Island Roadways To Be Repaved As Part Of $100M Project
These Long Island Roadways To Be Repaved As Part Of $100M Project Thanks to $100 million in new funding, over 560 miles of roadway across the state of New York will be repaved to make them more resilient to freak weather events. The $100 million investment, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced, will support repaving projects on nearly 568 miles of busy roadways throughout the Hudson Valley, Capital Region, Long Island, and more.  Hochul said the effort comes as a result of severe weather that has been battering the state more and more.  "From a devastating blizzard to historic flooding, we are living in a time of record-breaking weather events which hav…

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by Ben Crnic
News
Automated Speeding Ticket Radar Program Takes Effect On Long Island, Elsewhere In NY Automated Speeding Ticket Radar Program Takes Effect On Long Island, Elsewhere In NY
Automated Speeding Ticket Radar Program Takes Effect On Long Island, Elsewhere In NY A brand-new law that has just launched means motorists on some of New York's busiest roadways may find themselves on the receiving end of automated speeding tickets. The five-year program which has been rolled this year is a joint effort by State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) and Thruway Authority (NYSTA). to enhance the state’s ongoing efforts to slow motorists down in work zones. The so-called Automated Work Zone Speed Enforcement (AWZSE) program is the result of legislation signed into law by Gov, Kathy Hochul in September 2021.  On Monday, Nov 20, work-zone speed units wer…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
$75 Million Plan Aims To Ease Surge Of Hate, Bias Crimes In NY: Hochul $75 Million Plan Aims To Ease Surge Of Hate, Bias Crimes In NY: Hochul
$75 Million Plan Aims To Ease Surge Of Hate, Bias Crimes In NY: Hochul As a response to the rise in both anti-Semitic and Islamophobic crimes across New York State stemming from the Israel-Hamas conflict, Gov. Kathy Hochul unveiled a multi-million dollar plan to keep New Yorkers safe. Earlier report: 21-Year-Old Accused Of Threatening To Shoot, Stab, Rape Jewish Students On Campus At Cornell The announcement came on Tuesday, Oct. 31. Hochul, utilizing all available state resources, declared a multi-branched plan aimed at limiting the number of hate and bias crimes, which she says have risen since the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas. “Let me be clear: we cannot…

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by Sophie Grieser
Business
Spectrum, Disney Ink New Carriage Deal, Ending Weeks-Long TV Blackout Spectrum, Disney Ink New Carriage Deal, Ending Weeks-Long TV Blackout
Spectrum, Disney Ink New Carriage Deal, Ending Weeks-Long TV Blackout Just in time for Monday Night Football, sports are back for Spectrum cable subscribers along with Disney's other offerings, including ABC. Charter Communications, Spectrum’s parent company, has inked a new carriage deal with Disney, ending a nearly two-week long programming blackout that affected millions nationwide, including 1.5 million New Yorkers, the companies announced Monday, Sept. 11. “Our collective goal has always been to build an innovative model for the future. This deal recognizes both the continued value of linear television and the growing popularity of streaming services wh…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
COVID-19: Hochul Urges 'Appropriate Precautions' After New Variant With 30 Mutations Identified COVID-19: Hochul Urges 'Appropriate Precautions' After New Variant With 30 Mutations Identified
Covid-19: Hochul Urges 'Appropriate Precautions' After New Variant With 30 Mutations Identified State health officials say while a newly identified COVID-19 strain that may cause breakthrough infections has not yet been detected in New York, residents should take steps to protect themselves. The BA.2.86 strain, now known as Pirola, has been identified in three states: Michigan, Virginia, and Ohio, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). So far, the BA.2.86 variant has not been detected in New York, where officials have relied on a dual surveillance strategy using wastewater testing and laboratory clinical analysis, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office said. Officials…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
LI Death Tied To Rare Bacterial Infection; Healthcare Providers Told To Be On Lookout LI Death Tied To Rare Bacterial Infection; Healthcare Providers Told To Be On Lookout
LI Death Tied To Rare Bacterial Infection; Healthcare Providers Told To Be On Lookout Health officials are investigating how a New York resident contracted a rare bacterial infection that ultimately claimed the person’s life. Vibriosis, which can cause skin breakdowns and ulcers, was confirmed in a recently deceased person on Long Island in Suffolk County, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office announced Wednesday, Aug. 16. The disease is caused by several species of vibrio bacteria, including one that is commonly found in saltwater coastal areas and appears in higher concentrations from May to October when temperatures are warmer. Those infected may experience a range of symptoms, inc…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
13 Injured In LIRR Derailment, Service Disrupted: 'Everybody Got Pretty Shaken Up' 13 Injured In LIRR Derailment, Service Disrupted: 'Everybody Got Pretty Shaken Up'
13 Injured In Lirr Derailment, Service Disrupted: 'Everybody Got Pretty Shaken Up' Over a dozen people are injured after a Long Island Rail Road train derailed leaving New York City. The derailment happened at around 11:10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 3, as the eight-car train was traveling east of the Jamaica, Queens station at 175th Street and 93rd Avenue, according to MTA officials. “It appears to be all eight cars of the train derailed,” MTA Chairman Janno Lieber told reporters. Officials said 13 people were injured, two of them seriously. All of those injured were in stable condition and were expected to recover. It was not immediately clear what caused the derailment, tho…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
New Update: Drenching Downpours Wash Away Parts Of Roadways In NY New Update: Drenching Downpours Wash Away Parts Of Roadways In NY
New Update: Drenching Downpours Wash Away Parts Of Roadways In NY Multiple roads in the Hudson Valley remain closed Monday, July 10, and Metro-North service was reduced after torrents of rain sent vehicles floating, created sinkholes, and flooded homes. A state of emergency was issued In Orange County by Gov. Kathy Hochul and Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus issued an executive order banning all vehicles and pedestrians from roads in the Town of Highland until 7:30 p.m. Monday, July 10. Neuhaus also reported a woman, reportedly in her 30s, drowned near West Point. In Westchester County, Yorktown Supervisor Tom Diana issued a state of emergency on M…

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by Kathy Reakes
Weather
Smoky Skies Ahead: New Yorkers Advised To Prepare For Hazardous Air From Canadian Wildfires Smoky Skies Ahead: New Yorkers Advised To Prepare For Hazardous Air From Canadian Wildfires
Smoky Skies Ahead: New Yorkers Advised To Prepare For Hazardous Air From Canadian Wildfires Click here for a new, updated story: Air Quality To Worsen In Coming Days: Here's How To Check Conditions In Your Area A new air quality forecast predicted a large amount of near-surface smoke that will cover most of the state of New York, according to an announcement by the governor. Gov. Kathy Hochul warned New Yorkers of a potentially thick blanket of smoke expected to cover the state starting Wednesday, June 28 as the Canadian wildfires continue to burn. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s forecast predicts that, due to a cold front entering the no…

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by Sophie Grieser
News
Long Island Firehouse Nominated To Become Historic Site Long Island Firehouse Nominated To Become Historic Site
Long Island Firehouse Nominated To Become Historic Site A 100-year-old firehouse is one of 16 properties to be nominated by the governor to be added to the State and National Registers of Historic Places. On Thursday, June 8, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that the New York State Board for Historic Preservation nominated 16 sites across New York State for the State and National Registers of Historic Places, including the St. James Firehouse and its garage. The St. James Firehouse, located in the Historic District and the hamlet of the same name, was designed and built in 1923 by Lawrence Smith Butler. Ever since it has served as a firehouse for…

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by Sophie Grieser
Traffic
Construction On 3 Long Island Projects Paused Construction On 3 Long Island Projects Paused
Construction On 3 Long Island Projects Paused Two Long Island drawbridge projects and one ferry plaza project will be paused with the intention of easing tourists’ travel this summer. On Friday, May 19, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that the three Long Island construction projects will be paused until the fall in order to minimize travel times this summer. The projects that will be paused are: Meadowbrook Parkway Drawbridge (Nassau County) Loop Parkway Drawbridge (Nassau County) Shelter Island Ferry Plaza Reconstruction (Suffolk County) “Visitors from across the world come to Long Island to enjoy our world-renowned beaches, scenic w…

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by Sophie Grieser
News
Clean Energy: Long Island Completes First Solar Panel Project Clean Energy: Long Island Completes First Solar Panel Project
Clean Energy: Long Island Completes First Solar Panel Project This project alone will offset hundreds of thousands of pounds of carbon dioxide and save taxpayers at least $10,000, officials said. The Town of East Hampton’s Parks Department building has become the first municipality on Long Island to complete a “solar-plus-storage” project, according to a press release by Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office on Thursday, April 20. Its 165-panel system makes it the first building in the town to achieve the goal of net zero carbon emissions from electricity generation. In the first year alone, the release reports, the system will offset nearly 110,000 pounds of …

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by Sophie Grieser
Politics
'Standing Up For The Voiceless': Officials Hail New NY Law Limiting Pet Sales 'Standing Up For The Voiceless': Officials Hail New NY Law Limiting Pet Sales
'Standing Up For The Voiceless': Officials Hail New NY Law Limiting Pet Sales New Yorkers will soon have fewer options when it comes to finding their next furry friend under a new state law. Earlier report: Sale Of Dogs, Cats, Rabbits In Stores Banned In NY Pet Stores Legislation signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul on Thursday, Dec. 15, bans the sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits at retail pet stores. It will also allow pet stores to charge shelters rent to use their space for adoptions. Hochul’s office said the goal is to end the puppy mill-to-pet store pipeline, where animals often suffer poor veterinary care, malnutrition, and a lack of socialization at the hands of ab…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
COVID-19: Cases Rising On Long Island, Wastewater Testing Reveals COVID-19: Cases Rising On Long Island, Wastewater Testing Reveals
Covid-19: Cases Rising On Long Island, Wastewater Testing Reveals State leaders are urging people to take precautions ahead of holiday gatherings as new data shows COVID-19 cases are rising on Long Island. Wastewater testing shows that COVID-19 cases are climbing in Suffolk County, the county’s health department revealed Thursday, Dec. 22. Testing found “substantial to high” levels of the virus at sewage treatment plants near Babylon, Gordon Heights, and Mount Sinai, according to a graphic shared by the health department on Twitter. COVID-19 Alert: Wastewater surveillance has indicated COVID-19 is rising in Suffolk County. Increases in wastewater ca…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
Votes Cast At Wrong Polling Place, But In Right County To Still Be Accepted Under New NY Law Votes Cast At Wrong Polling Place, But In Right County To Still Be Accepted Under New NY Law
Votes Cast At Wrong Polling Place, But In Right County To Still Be Accepted Under New NY Law A new state law in New York means no more worrying about whether you’re at the correct polling location. The legislation, signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul Tuesday, Dec. 6, requires that affidavit ballots cast by eligible voters who appear at the wrong polling place must still be counted, as long as they are voting in the correct county or assembly district. Hochul’s office said the move will strengthen protections for New Yorkers’ right to vote and have their ballots counted in races they are entitled to vote in while also encouraging voter participation. "Access to the ballot box shouldn't b…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
NY College Athletes Allowed To Get Paid For Endorsements Under New Law NY College Athletes Allowed To Get Paid For Endorsements Under New Law
NY College Athletes Allowed To Get Paid For Endorsements Under New Law College athletes in New York will be allowed to receive compensation for their name, image, or likeness under new legislation signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul. Hochul signed legislation on Monday, Nov. 21, prohibiting colleges and collegiate athletic conferences, including the National Collegiate Athletic Association, from upholding rules that prevent students from earning compensation through endorsements, such as forfeiting their scholarships or eligibility to participate in collegiate athletics. It also prohibits colleges and athletic conferences from providing compensation to a stu…

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by Nicole Valinote
News
NY To Receive $21M In Federal Funding To Help Ukrainian Refugees NY To Receive $21M In Federal Funding To Help Ukrainian Refugees
NY To Receive $21M In Federal Funding To Help Ukrainian Refugees New York is set to receive more than $21.4 million in federal funding to help Ukrainian refugees who have fled to the state following Russia’s invasion. The funding, which comes from the US Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Refugee Resettlement, will go toward 17 refugee services providers around the state, according to Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office. It will supplement existing efforts being done through the federal government’s Uniting for Ukraine program, which provides displaced Ukrainians with a pathway to remain in the United States for up to two years. We are award…

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by Michael Mashburn
Business
'An Even Better Experience': Jones Beach Theater To Get Multimillion-Dollar Upgrade (PHOTOS) 'An Even Better Experience': Jones Beach Theater To Get Multimillion-Dollar Upgrade (PHOTOS)
'An Even Better Experience': Jones Beach Theater To Get Multimillion-Dollar Upgrade (Photos) Summer concerts at Long Island staple Jones Beach Theater are about to get a whole lot better thanks to a massive renovation project in the works. Live Nation Entertainment is making a multimillion-dollar investment that’s meant to improve the concert-going experience at the 70-year-old outdoor amphitheater, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Friday, Oct. 21. Planned upgrades include a new entrance for a more “seamless entry” into the venue, as well as a new plaza that will feature local food and beverages. The venue will also see a 20-percent increase in bathrooms, with current restrooms also …

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by Michael Mashburn
Business
Around 2 Million NYers To Get Nearly $500M In Tax Relief Checks: Here's Who Qualifies Around 2 Million NYers To Get Nearly $500M In Tax Relief Checks: Here's Who Qualifies
Around 2 Million NYers To Get Nearly $500M In Tax Relief Checks: Here's Who Qualifies New Yorkers may want to keep an eye on their mailbox in the coming weeks as the state has begun sending out tax relief checks to some families in an effort to alleviate rising costs of living.  The New York Department of Taxation and Finance announced that it started sending out $475 million worth of checks to 1.8 million residents who received at least $100 in Empire State child credits or the state’s earned income credit on their 2021 state tax return. Payments will average $270 per eligible recipient. Checks are being mailed automatically and recipients don’t need to do anything in orde…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
Will You Get One? 1.75 Million NYers Will Receive Checks Averaging $270 Will You Get One? 1.75 Million NYers Will Receive Checks Averaging $270
Will You Get One? 1.75 Million NYers Will Receive Checks Averaging $270 New Yorkers may want to keep an eye on their mailbox in the coming weeks as the state gears up to send out relief checks to low income families aimed at combating inflation and improving affordability. The New York Department of Taxation and Finance will soon begin sending out checks with an average payment of $270 per eligible recipient to those who received the Empire State Child Credit and/or the Earned Income Credit on their 2021 state tax returns. Checks will be mailed automatically and recipients don’t need to do anything in order to receive them, the department said. The exact amou…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
Long Island Gets $6.8M For ‘Environmentally Friendly’ Pedestrian, Biking Projects Long Island Gets $6.8M For ‘Environmentally Friendly’ Pedestrian, Biking Projects
Long Island Gets $6.8M For ‘Environmentally Friendly’ Pedestrian, Biking Projects Long Island is set to receive nearly $7 million in federal funding to help pay for new pedestrian and biking projects around the region. New York was awarded a total of $178.8 million in federal dollars that will go to 75 communities across the state for projects that promote environmentally friendly modes of travel and make it easier and safer to bike and walk, according to Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office. On Long Island: Two projects will benefit from the funding, with $5 million going to Nassau County to build sidewalks and traffic calming improvements to the Lido Boulevard corridor. Anoth…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
Gov. Hochul Signs Laws Raising Age To Buy Semiautomatic Guns, Banning Body Armor Sales Gov. Hochul Signs Laws Raising Age To Buy Semiautomatic Guns, Banning Body Armor Sales
Gov. Hochul Signs Laws Raising Age To Buy Semiautomatic Guns, Banning Body Armor Sales Anyone buying a semi-automatic firearm in New York will now have to be 21 or older after Gov. Kathy Hochul signed new gun control legislation aimed at reducing mass shootings. The age increase on semiautomatic weapons sales was just one of several gun-related bills Hochul signed into law Monday, June 6. They included a ban on body armor sales, except to those working in select professions, and a requirement that new semi-automatic guns be microstamped in an effort to better help police solve gun-related crimes. The new legislation also strengthens New York’s so-called red flag law, which …

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by Michael Mashburn
Politics
Hochul Wants To Raise Legal Age To Buy Some Types Of Guns In NY After Buffalo, Texas Shootings Hochul Wants To Raise Legal Age To Buy Some Types Of Guns In NY After Buffalo, Texas Shootings
Hochul Wants To Raise Legal Age To Buy Some Types Of Guns In NY After Buffalo, Texas Shootings In the wake of the latest mass shootings in Buffalo and Texas, Gov. Kathy Hochul is calling on state lawmakers to pass legislation making it more difficult for young New Yorkers to purchase some types of guns. Hochul proposed several proposals to close loopholes and strengthen gun laws in New York, including raising the age to purchase rifles to 21. “How does an 18-year-old purchase an AR-15 in the State of New York, State of Texas? That person's not old enough to buy a legal drink,” she said. “I want to work with the legislature to change that. I want it to be 21. I think that's…

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by Zak Failla
Lifestyle
COVID-19: NY Public Transit Mask Mandate To Remain In Place Despite Federal Court Ruling COVID-19: NY Public Transit Mask Mandate To Remain In Place Despite Federal Court Ruling
Covid-19: NY Public Transit Mask Mandate To Remain In Place Despite Federal Court Ruling Although a federal judge in Florida voided a nationwide mask mandate for all public transportation hubs, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that in the "short term,” facial coverings will still be required in certain settings in New York. During a COVID-19 briefing on Wednesday, April 20, Hochul said that people in New York will still be required to wear masks on buses, trains, and airplanes, as well as indoor transit settings, despite the federal ruling. “We are going to continue for public transit,” Hochul said. “Let's just be smart about it.” Earlier story - COVID-19: Federal Judge Stri…

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by Zak Failla
News
'We Got Him,' NYC Mayor Says Following Arrest Of Alleged Subway Shooter 'We Got Him,' NYC Mayor Says Following Arrest Of Alleged Subway Shooter
'We Got Him,' NYC Mayor Says Following Arrest Of Alleged Subway Shooter The man who has been the subject of a massive manhunt for allegedly opening fire on a Brooklyn subway car that left 29 injured, 10 of them shot, has been taken into custody after police received a Crime Stoppers tip. Frank James, age 62, was nabbed by cops after he was spotted by two NYC officers walking near St. Mark's Place and First Avenue in the lower east side area on Wednesday afternoon, April 13, said NYPD Police Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell. Early Wednesday, police received a Crime Stoppers tip saying James was at a McDonald’s in the East Village, NYPD Chief of Detectives Ja…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
COVID-19: Long Island Sees New Increases In Infection Rate, Cases; Latest Data By Community COVID-19: Long Island Sees New Increases In Infection Rate, Cases; Latest Data By Community
Covid-19: Long Island Sees New Increases In Infection Rate, Cases; Latest Data By Community With Passover and Easter on the horizon, Long Island continues to see a rise in new COVID-19 cases as the region and state both saw the infection rate climb near 3.50 percent after plateauing earlier in 2022. The average seven-day COVID-19 positive infection rate on Long Island rose nearly .20 points, up to 3.49 percent of those tested on Wednesday, April 6, topping the statewide average of 3.39 percent. Ten new virus-related deaths were reported in New York, according to the Department of Health, though the death toll in Nassau remained at 3,824 since the beginning of the pandemic and the …

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by Zak Failla