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NY Ranks High Among Best States To Raise Family, New Study Finds: Here's Where, Why NY Ranks High Among Best States To Raise Family, New Study Finds: Here's Where, Why
NY Ranks High Among Best States To Raise Family, New Study Finds: Here's Where, Why According to a new report ranking the US states on a scale of the best places to raise a family, New York State ranks among the top 10. New York State is one of the best states in the country to raise a family — according to a study released on Monday, Jan. 8 by WalletHub, which ranked the Empire State as number five. The personal finance company used the following metrics to score each of the 50 states, then take the totals to complete a final ranking: Family fun (including the share of children who live near a park, share of families with young children, number of attractions, and mo…

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by Sophie Grieser
Lifestyle
COVID-19: Here's How To Make Sure Your N95, KN95 Masks Aren't Fake COVID-19: Here's How To Make Sure Your N95, KN95 Masks Aren't Fake
Covid-19: Here's How To Make Sure Your N95, KN95 Masks Aren't Fake As many consumers seek quality masks amid the recent rise in COVID-19 cases, some sellers are advertising counterfeit N95 and KN95 masks that do not provide the standard level of filtration. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that well-fitted KN95s offer better protection against COVID-19 than cloth masks, and well-fitting approved respirators, such as N95s, offer the best protection. Federal officials have released tips on how to know if a mask you're purchasing is legitimately approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH,) whi…

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by Nicole Valinote
Schools
COVID-19: Sale Of Fake Vaccine Cards Prompts FBI Warning COVID-19: Sale Of Fake Vaccine Cards Prompts FBI Warning
Covid-19: Sale Of Fake Vaccine Cards Prompts FBI Warning The FBI has issued a warning about individuals selling fake COVID-19 vaccination cards and advertising them online. The agency said individuals should not purchase or make fake vaccine cards, and not fill in blank cards with false information, as it could put people's health at risk. "By misrepresenting yourself as vaccinated when entering schools, mass transit, workplaces, gyms, or places of worship, you put yourself and others around you at risk of contracting COVID-19," the FBI said. The FBI added that using an official government agency seal, like The Department of Health and Huma…

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by Nicole Valinote
Business
Google's First-Ever Retail Store Will Open Soon In NY Google's First-Ever Retail Store Will Open Soon In NY
Google's First-Ever Retail Store Will Open Soon In NY After conquering the Internet, Google is set to take over brick-and-mortar retail sales with its first-ever physical store, and it will be in New York. Google announced on Thursday, May 20 that it will be opening up the store in New York’s Chelsea neighborhood, where it will sell everything from Pixel phones to Nest products, Fitbit devices, and Pixelbooks. Customers will have the option of shopping online at the Google Store and picking up their orders in the store or physically shopping on location. According to the company, “throughout the store, visitors will be able to experience how …

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: NY State Sues Amazon For Allegedly Failing To Protect Workers During Pandemic COVID-19: NY State Sues Amazon For Allegedly Failing To Protect Workers During Pandemic
Covid-19: NY State Sues Amazon For Allegedly Failing To Protect Workers During Pandemic New York Attorney General Letitia James announced the state has filed a lawsuit against Amazon for allegedly failing to keep employees safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. James announced on Wednesday, Feb. 17 that a lawsuit has been filed in state Supreme Court against the tech giant over its alleged failure to provide adequate health and safety measures for employees at the company’s New York facilities when the outbreak first started. An investigation into Amazon’s practices was opened by James’ office in March last year following multiple complaints about an alleged lack of precauti…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Trader Joe's Reports Infection Rate Among Employees Since Start Of Pandemic COVID-19: Trader Joe's Reports Infection Rate Among Employees Since Start Of Pandemic
Covid-19: Trader Joe's Reports Infection Rate Among Employees Since Start Of Pandemic Trader Joe’s has disclosed the number of COVID-19 infections among its employees in the eight months since the pandemic broke out in early March. During that time, Trader Joe’s said it has had 1,250 reported COVID cases among 53,000 staff members, good for a positive infection rate of approximately 2.4 percent through Saturday, Oct. 31. 
“While we do not know the specific details of other grocers, we believe it is important to our crew members and customers to share and understand what has happened in our stores,” the company announced. According to Trader joe’s, of its 514 stores in 42 st…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
COVID-19: NY Launches Real-Time COVID-19 Report Card For Schools COVID-19: NY Launches Real-Time COVID-19 Report Card For Schools
Covid-19: NY Launches Real-Time Covid-19 Report Card For Schools A new type of “report card” is coming to New York schools to provide parents and teachers up-to-date information on the spread of COVID-19 during the pandemic. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced during a COVID-19 briefing on Tuesday, Sept. 8 that he is signing an Executive Order that will require schools, local health departments, labs, and other testing sites to provide the state with information regarding the virus. The new information being gathered from multiple sources will be posted in an online dashboard and include: Positive cases by date of students and staff in each individua…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: State Guidelines For Reopening Schools Now Available To Public COVID-19: State Guidelines For Reopening Schools Now Available To Public
Covid-19: State Guidelines For Reopening Schools Now Available To Public Guidelines sent to school districts when the formula that will be used to reopen schools across New York State was announced are now available for the general public. Under the formula, schools can reopen if the region is in Phase 4 and the daily COVID-19 infection rate is five percent or lower over a 14-day average. But if the regional infection rate is greater than nine percent using a seven-day average after Saturday, Aug. 1, schools will then have to close, in effect, "an emergency stop button," Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in announcing the formula on Monday, July 13. The determination for …

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by Joe Lombardi
News
COVID-19: First Scripted US TV Series Resumes Production Amid Pandemic COVID-19: First Scripted US TV Series Resumes Production Amid Pandemic
Covid-19: First Scripted US TV Series Resumes Production Amid Pandemic One of the nation’s longest-running television shows has become the first scripted American television show to resume production amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The Bold and the Beautiful, the popular soap opera which has aired on CBS since 1987, returned to the studio to resume production last month, with its first new episode since March scheduled to air on Monday, July 20. Since restarting production, the show has put several safety precautions in place, and have been social distancing to the best of their ability. It first resumed to its Television City stages on Wednesday, June 17, with f…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
COVID-19: These Steps Are Needed To Safely Reopen Schools, NY State Teachers Union Says COVID-19: These Steps Are Needed To Safely Reopen Schools, NY State Teachers Union Says
Covid-19: These Steps Are Needed To Safely Reopen Schools, NY State Teachers Union Says With the state set to announce in less than a month plans for reopening schools in the fall, the New York State Teachers Union has offered guidance on how to best get students back in the classroom. NYSUT President Andy Pallotta released a statement following New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announcing an official timeline for when a decision will be made on school reopening. COVID-19: NY State Sets Timeline For Making Decision On Reopening Schools The state will provide public guidelines from the New York State Education Department to districts on Monday, July 13, and school districts will have…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: NY Schools, Colleges Will Remain Closed Through End Of Academic Year COVID-19: NY Schools, Colleges Will Remain Closed Through End Of Academic Year
Covid-19: NY Schools, Colleges Will Remain Closed Through End Of Academic Year New York schools and colleges will remain closed for the rest of the academic year, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Friday. During his daily COVID-19 briefing, Cuomo announced that he was extending the original May 15 schools shutdown through the rest of the academic year as a precaution to help stop the spread of the virus. A determination on summer school programs is expected by the end of May, Cuomo said. “Given the situations and precautions that would have to be put in place to open schools with new protocols, we decided to close schools for the rest of the year,” Cuomo said. “How do …

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by Zak Failla
Business
COVID-19: Amazon Warehouse Workers To Stage 'Mass Call Out' For Greater Safety Protections COVID-19: Amazon Warehouse Workers To Stage 'Mass Call Out' For Greater Safety Protections
Covid-19: Amazon Warehouse Workers To Stage 'Mass Call Out' For Greater Safety Protections This story has been updated. Hundreds of Amazon employees are planning a “mass call out” by calling in sick this week to protest the company’s response during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. At least 300 Amazon employees have pledged to not go into work beginning on Tuesday, April 21, according to worker rights group United for Respect. “Amazon's response to the coronavirus outbreak has unnecessarily put the lives of Amazon employees at increased risk and exposure,"  the group wrote online. "There are now over 130 warehouses where employees have contracted COVID-19 (Coronav…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Long Island Trader Joe's Temporarily Closes; Worker Dies At Store In Westchester COVID-19: Long Island Trader Joe's Temporarily Closes; Worker Dies At Store In Westchester
Covid-19: Long Island Trader Joe's Temporarily Closes; Worker Dies At Store In Westchester Trader Joe’s is temporarily closing a Long Island store amid the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic while a location in Westchester has also closed after a worker at that store died due to COVID-19 complications. The Long Island closure, announced on Monday, April 6, is in Garden City, on 910 Old Country Road, where additional cleaning is being performed before the location reopens on Wednesday, April 8, the company announced.  Trader Joe's did not specify if a worker tested positive, but identified the Garden City location as one of six stores now closed nationally due to the …

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by Joe Lombardi
News
COVID-19: Walmart Will Begin Taking Temperature Of Employees As They Report To Work COVID-19: Walmart Will Begin Taking Temperature Of Employees As They Report To Work
Covid-19: Walmart Will Begin Taking Temperature Of Employees As They Report To Work In an effort to help stem the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), Walmart employees will soon have their temperatures taken as they arrive to work in an effort to protect customers and fellow co-workers. In an announcement on Tuesday, March 31, John Furner, CEO, and president, said the temperature checks just another step in the company's effort to follow CDC guidelines such as handwashing in preventing the spread of COVID-19. "As our company and country continue to deal with the spread of COVID-19, we remain focused on the health and safety of our associates," he said.  Store…

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by Kathy Reakes
Lifestyle
COVID-19: $500M New Legoland Location In Hudson Valley Scraps Planned July 4th Opening COVID-19: $500M New Legoland Location In Hudson Valley Scraps Planned July 4th Opening
Covid-19: $500M New Legoland Location In Hudson Valley Scraps Planned July 4th Opening The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) isn't only causing havoc with just about every American's life, it's also doing the same to their planned getaways. On Tuesday, March 31, Legoland New York announced that its planned opening for Saturday, July 4 has been delayed until sometime in 2021, due to the pandemic. “Nothing is more important to us than the health, safety, and security of our team, the partners we work with, and the communities we serve,” said Legoland New York Resort divisional director Stephanie Johnson.  Johnson said the pandemic has affected businesses worldwide, and by waiting,…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
SUNY New Paltz Closed Through Week's End Due To Reports Of Tainted Water SUNY New Paltz Closed Through Week's End Due To Reports Of Tainted Water
SUNY New Paltz Closed Through Week's End Due To Reports Of Tainted Water All classes have been canceled through the end of the week at SUNY New Paltz due to reported tainted water. College officials at the campus in Ulster County said they made the decision on Tuesday, Feb. 11, to close out of an abundance of caution for the safety of students after being notified by a precautionary advisory issued by the Village of New Paltz. They said the closure will last until at least Saturday, Feb. 15. The first water notice was issued on Monday, Feb. 10, after residents complained of an "odor" and "taste" problems coming from the water supply. During an inspection, a “s…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
Multidrug-Resistant Campylobacter Linked To Pet Store Puppies Infects 30 People Multidrug-Resistant Campylobacter Linked To Pet Store Puppies Infects 30 People
Multidrug-Resistant Campylobacter Linked To Pet Store Puppies Infects 30 People The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced an outbreak of multi-drug resistant human Campylobacter jejuni infections that have been linked to pet store puppies in more than a dozen states. The strain has now been identified in 30 people in 13 states, including four hospitalizations. There have been no deaths linked to Campylobacter jejuni. According to the CDC, illnesses started on dates ranging from Jan. 6 through Nov. 10. Those infected range in age from 8 months to 70 years, with a median age of 34; 52 percent of infected people were women. “Epidemiologic and laborat…

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by Zak Failla
News
Soybean Product Recalled Due To Mold Potential Soybean Product Recalled Due To Mold Potential
Soybean Product Recalled Due To Mold Potential Check your cabinets. Colorado-based Vitamin Cottage Natural Food Markets announced that it is recalling Natural Grocers brand two-pound organic soybeans because they have the potential to contain mold. The FDA said that “consumers who may have purchased this product are advised to discontinue use and either throw it away or return it to the store for credit or refund.” The recalled product is packaged in clear plastic bags weighing two pounds and bear the “Natural Grocers” label. Only packages bearing 19-168 and 19-205 as the packed-on dates are subject to recall. The packed-on date …

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by Zak Failla
News
Cancer Fears Prompt Walgreens, Rite Aid, CVS To Suspend Sale Of Zantac Cancer Fears Prompt Walgreens, Rite Aid, CVS To Suspend Sale Of Zantac
Cancer Fears Prompt Walgreens, Rite Aid, CVS To Suspend Sale Of Zantac Walgreens, Rite Aid and CVS are all temporarily taking heartburn medicine Zantac off their shelves due to the potential presence of a human carcinogen. The move comes after a product alert was issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warning that the products contain low levels of nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA). Zantac has not currently been recalled, but the FDA is researching to determine if the low levels of NDMA pose a risk. The initial report found that the amounts “barely exceed amounts found in common foods.” CVS was first to pull the product, announcing the move Saturday, Sept…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Woman Rescued After Falling Into Cesspool Of North Babylon Home Woman Rescued After Falling Into Cesspool Of North Babylon Home
Woman Rescued After Falling Into Cesspool Of North Babylon Home A woman was rescued after falling into a cesspool at her home by the quick-thinking actions of several fire departments and police in North Babylon. The incident took place around 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 24, when a 77-year-old woman stepped on a cesspool cover at 88 Weeks Road, which then gave way, sending her falling four- to six-feet, said the Suffolk County Police.  The woman fell into the contaminants and sewage and was found approximately two hours later, police said. Members of the North Babylon Fire Department, along with help from other departments, first sent the woman an oxyg…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
Boil Water Advisory Extended In Long Beach After E. Coli Found Boil Water Advisory Extended In Long Beach After E. Coli Found
Boil Water Advisory Extended In Long Beach After E. Coli Found The Nassau County Department of Health has extended its boil water alert for Long Beach into Monday, June 24 after the bacteria E. coli was detected in the city's water supply. Only boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, washing dishes, brushing teeth, and preparing food, until further notice, the city said in a statement. There have been no reported illnesses from E. coli in Long Beach. Long Beach officials are distributing bottled water Sunday, June 23 for Long Beach residents only.  New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo directed the state Office of Emergency Managem…

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by Joe Lombardi