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Politics
Ukraine Crisis: NY Lawmakers Push To Suspend Gas Tax Ukraine Crisis: NY Lawmakers Push To Suspend Gas Tax
Ukraine Crisis: NY Lawmakers Push To Suspend Gas Tax With gas prices at the pump surging to record highs, some New York lawmakers are proposing a temporary suspension of the statewide gas tax to provide some financial relief to motorists. Upstate New York Sen. Peter Oberacker and Sen. Senator Fred Akshar announced that they are jointly proposing the New York Gas Tax Relief Act to combat the increased costs that have spiked due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. If approved, the legislation would suspend the state gas tax through Thursday, Sept. 1, “in an effort to combat the increased costs that have burdened New Yorkers over the past two …

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by Zak Failla
Politics
21-Year-Old College Student To Run For Assembly Seat In Hudson Valley 21-Year-Old College Student To Run For Assembly Seat In Hudson Valley
21-Year-Old College Student To Run For Assembly Seat In Hudson Valley A college student who calls the Hudson Valley home has potentially historic ambitions for his post-graduation career. SUNY Albany senior Zak Constantine, a 21-year-old Orange County resident now living in New Windsor, announced that he is planning to run for the 99th New York State Assembly District in his hometown Hudson Valley. The 99th District includes parts of Rockland and Orange counties. It is currently represented by Republican Assemblyman Colin Schmitt. Constantine announced his campaign earlier this week and hit the ground running, collecting signatures and passing out fliers to …

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Here's How Hochul Stands Against Primary Field, Brand-New Poll Reveals Here's How Hochul Stands Against Primary Field, Brand-New Poll Reveals
Here's How Hochul Stands Against Primary Field, Brand-New Poll Reveals With the Democratic primary rapidly approaching, incumbent New York Gov. Kathy Hochul continues to be the runaway favorite, according to a newly released poll. Five months out of the primary, Hochul has taken a commanding lead of more than 30 points over her closest Democratic candidates in a field that has seen some high-profile names drop out in recent weeks. Earlier story - Letitia James Drops Out Of Governor's Race, Will Seek Reelection As NY AG According to a brand new Siena College poll, Hochul is enjoying the support of 46 percent of Democrats, compared to just 12 percent for former…

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by Zak Failla
News
NY Officials Urge Caution As Storm Expected To Bring Snow, Freezing Rain NY Officials Urge Caution As Storm Expected To Bring Snow, Freezing Rain
NY Officials Urge Caution As Storm Expected To Bring Snow, Freezing Rain New York state officials are urging residents to prepare as a winter storm is expected to bring snow and freezing rain to parts of the state. The storm is set to impact the region beginning the night of Thursday, Feb. 3, through Friday, Feb. 4.  Gov. Kathy Hochul said the Hudson Valley and downstate regions are expected to see freezing rain and icy conditions. She said parts of the Hudson Valley region may receive up to four inches of snow and up to two-tenths of an inch of ice. Parts of Central New York, the Southern Tier and the Finger Lakes could receive as much as 18 inches of sno…

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by Nicole Valinote
News
COVID-19: NY Rolls Back Contact Tracing Requirements For Local Health Departments COVID-19: NY Rolls Back Contact Tracing Requirements For Local Health Departments
Covid-19: NY Rolls Back Contact Tracing Requirements For Local Health Departments New York State will no longer require local health departments to perform contact tracing of positive COVID-19 cases amid the rise of the Omicron variant that has been rapidly spreading in record numbers. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and acting Department of Health Commissioner Mary Bassett announced on Tuesday, Jan. 11 that with the recent unprecedented rise of new infections, it has become impractical for officials to allocate resources toward contact tracing. Previously, New Yorkers who tested positive for COVID-19 were contacted by state or local health officials who questioned them about…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
New Details Released On Horrific NY Fire Claiming Lives Of At Least 19, Including Nine Children New Details Released On Horrific NY Fire Claiming Lives Of At Least 19, Including Nine Children
New Details Released On Horrific NY Fire Claiming Lives Of At Least 19, Including Nine Children Update: Death Toll Adjusted - New York City Mayor Eric Adams said a total of 17 people, including eight children, died in an apartment fire over the weekend, revising the initially reported higher death toll of 19. --- New details have been released on a historic, devastating fire in which 19 people in a New York City apartment building. The New York City Fire Department reported on the afternoon of Sunday, Jan. 9, that about 200 of its members responded to the five-alarm fire at 333 East 181 St. in the Bronx. Approximately 200 FDNY members are operating on scene of a 5-alarm fire at …

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by Nicole Valinote
News
COVID-19: Dozens Of NY Hospitals Halt Elective Surgeries COVID-19: Dozens Of NY Hospitals Halt Elective Surgeries
Covid-19: Dozens Of NY Hospitals Halt Elective Surgeries New York State officials have ordered dozens of hospitals experiencing lower bed capacity to temporarily halt elective surgeries in an effort to free up space amid the winter surge in COVID-19 cases. The state Department of Health ordered 40 hospitals to stop surgeries that aren't essential or urgent for at least two weeks, according to ABC 7. Most of the facilities are located in the western and central regions of the state, and the complete list of hospitals can be viewed here. The news comes as cases continue to increase across New York. In a daily update posted on Saturday, Jan. …

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by Nicole Valinote
News
COVID-19: Three New Long Island Testing Sites Open COVID-19: Three New Long Island Testing Sites Open
Covid-19: Three New Long Island Testing Sites Open In the past week, three COVID-19 testing sites have opened on Long Island offering residents a chance to receive a free test on a first-come-first-serve basis. The sites, all in Suffolk County, opened at just the right time with the surge of the Omicron variant creating a testing flurry. The sites are: Hecksher State Park, Field 8, 1 Heckscher State Parkway, East Islip. The site is open every Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Testing capacity: Up to 1,000 tests a day Red Creek Park, 102 Old Riverhead Road, Hampton Bays. Open for school-required testing…

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by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
Don't Fall For Them: State Police Issue Alert On Scams Asking For Large Sums Of Money Don't Fall For Them: State Police Issue Alert On Scams Asking For Large Sums Of Money
Don't Fall For Them: State Police Issue Alert On Scams Asking For Large Sums Of Money Police have issued an alert about recent scams targeting residents for large sums of money in New York State. In the past month, state police in Columbia County have been investigating reports of a scam where callers pretend that the victim's grandchild or relative has been arrested and a bail bondsman needs to be paid, New York State Police reported. Police said in certain cases, as much as $30,000 has been requested. In a recent incident, victims left $12,000 outside of their home to be picked up. Victims have also sent the money through the mail. State Police said scammers have also re…

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by Nicole Valinote
News
COVID-19: NY Cases Spike By 67K In One Day As Long Island Infection Rate Climbs Again COVID-19: NY Cases Spike By 67K In One Day As Long Island Infection Rate Climbs Again
Covid-19: NY Cases Spike By 67K In One Day As Long Island Infection Rate Climbs Again Long Island's COVID-19 test positivity rate continues to climb amid the recent surge in infections across the state. New York State reported another 67,090 COVID-19 cases and 362,594 tests in its daily update on Wednesday, Dec. 28. The state said 4,577 of the cases were reported in Suffolk County, and 5,968 were reported in Nassau County. Officials also reported 97 more deaths from COVID-19 in the state. Long Island's seven-day average percentage of positive test results climbed to 17.32 percent as of Tuesday, Dec. 28, as the statewide seven-day average reached&nb…

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by Nicole Valinote
News
COVID-19: Two New Testing Sites Open On Long Island COVID-19: Two New Testing Sites Open On Long Island
Covid-19: Two New Testing Sites Open On Long Island Two new COVID-19 testing sites have opened on Long Island amid the recent surge in cases. State officials announced that 13 new testing sites opened across the state on Wednesday, Dec. 29, including one in Suffolk County and one in Nassau County. "As we get through this winter surge, we must remember we are not defenseless in our fight against the virus, and we need to use the tools at our disposal," Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement. "These new sites expand testing access in regions across the state and will be critical assets in our efforts to protect vulnerable New Yorkers. Remember …

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by Nicole Valinote
News
COVID-19: Long Island Sees Post-Christmas Spike In Infections As Cases Rise Across State COVID-19: Long Island Sees Post-Christmas Spike In Infections As Cases Rise Across State
Covid-19: Long Island Sees Post-Christmas Spike In Infections As Cases Rise Across State Long Island has seen a jump in new COVID-19 cases following the holiday weekend. State officials reported another 40,780 COVID-19 cases and 210,996 tests in its update on Tuesday, Dec. 28. The test positivity rate for the daily update reached 19.33 percent.  Officials said 2,811 of the cases were reported in Suffolk County, and 3,523 were reported in Nassau County.  As of Monday, Dec. 27, the seven-day average percentage of positive test results on Long Island was 16.26 percent, the highest in the state. The statewide seven-day average was 13.36 per…

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by Nicole Valinote