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New York Governor Hochul Enacts Legislation to Bolster Support for Veterans and Military Families

New York Governor Hochul Enacts Legislation to Bolster Support for Veterans and Military Families

On November 11, 2026, Governor Kathy Hochul signed six pieces of legislation aimed at enhancing support for New York's veterans, service members, and military families. This legislative package includes two bills sponsored by State Senator Christopher J. Ryan (SD-50) and Assemblymember William Magnarelli (AD-129). The first bill, S.8571A/A.9351A, simplifies the process for veterans with a 100% disability rating from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to obtain license plates featuring the Universal Symbol of Access, allowing them to use their federal disability rating for qualification. The second bill, S.9806A/A.11233A, permits early renewal of vehicle registrations for armed forces members who will be on official military duty when their current registration expires. Senator Ryan emphasized the state's responsibility to provide support and flexibility to those who have served, while Assemblymember Magnarelli highlighted the importance of these laws in assisting service-disabled veterans and deployed...

Governor Hochul Announces Construction Start on $178 Million Housing Development in Westchester County

Governor Hochul Announces Construction Start on $178 Million Housing Development in Westchester County

Governor Kathy Hochul has announced the commencement of construction for North White Plains, a $178 million mixed-income, transit-oriented housing development in White Plains, New York. This project will create 296 new apartments across two six-story buildings, featuring retail space and a publicly accessible park. It marks the first development to utilize the Governor's Housing Acceleration Fund, an innovative program designed to expedite the construction of shovel-ready mixed-income housing projects statewide. The development includes a mix of studios, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments, with five affordable homes reserved for households earning up to 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI) and 25 for those earning up to 110% of AMI, while the remaining units will be market-rate. Financing for North White Plains includes $18 million from the Housing Acceleration Fund, $120 million from Merchants Capital, $10 million from The Community Preservation Corporation, and $30 million in equity from Basis Invest...

Former New York State Assembly Majority Leader Ron Canestrari Dies at 83

Former New York State Assembly Majority Leader Ron Canestrari Dies at 83

Former New York State Assembly Majority Leader Ron Canestrari has passed away at the age of 83. Canestrari served in the Assembly from 1989 until his retirement in 2012, representing parts of the Capital Region. He held the position of Majority Leader in the Assembly from 2007 until his retirement. Prior to his tenure in the Assembly, Canestrari served as the mayor of Cohoes. Governor Kathy Hochul issued a statement acknowledging his service as a Vietnam-era veteran, his time as Mayor of Cohoes, and his role as Majority Leader, highlighting his dedication to his constituents, schools, local communities, and economic development in the Capital Region. Capital Region Rep. Paul Tonko (D - NY20) also released a statement, describing Canestrari as 'a titan who always fought on behalf of those he represented.' John McDonald, Canestrari's successor in the Assembly, remembered him as a 'great guy' and a 'hard-working public servant' who was a friend to everyone.

New York Attorney General Issues Guidance on Shield Law Protections for Abortion and Gender-Affirming Care

New York Attorney General Issues Guidance on Shield Law Protections for Abortion and Gender-Affirming Care

New York Attorney General Letitia James has released comprehensive guidance detailing the state's Shield Law protections for individuals receiving, providing, or assisting with abortion and gender-affirming care. This guidance aims to inform patients, healthcare providers, attorneys, and businesses about their rights and responsibilities under the law. New York's original Shield Law, enacted after the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson, prohibits government entities from aiding out-of-state efforts to penalize protected healthcare. In December 2025, Governor Kathy Hochul signed Shield Law 2.0, expanding protections to a wider range of providers, including therapists and mental health practitioners, and establishing procedures for disclosing protected health information. The guidance clarifies that state officials, law enforcement, and courts cannot enforce subpoenas, warrants, or extradition requests that seek to punish protected healthcare, and New York courts cannot consider such care as e...

Mid-Hudson Region Educators Rank Second Highest in New York State for Average Pay in 2026

Mid-Hudson Region Educators Rank Second Highest in New York State for Average Pay in 2026

Educators in New York's Mid-Hudson region earned the second-highest average pay in the state, excluding New York City, for the fiscal year 2025-26. The 39,473 full-time educators in the Mid-Hudson region averaged $117,045, trailing only Long Island's average of $121,047, and significantly above the statewide average of $99,652. According to data from the New York State Teachers’ Retirement System (NYSTRS), the region's 46,666 educators were paid a total of $4.7 billion, with 54.3% earning $100,000 or more. A total of 752 educators in the Mid-Hudson region earned over $200,000, and 34 exceeded $300,000. Northeast CSD Superintendent Raymond Castellani was the highest-paid, at $389,357. The region also reported a median superintendent pay of $279,225 and spent $14,166 per student on educator pay.

Detroit nonprofit uses dog tags to tell others of service by women military veterans

Detroit nonprofit uses dog tags to tell others of service by women military veterans

Alexis Derriso enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1980 as a 19-year-old, following her father and brother who both had served in the U.S. military

Jon Stewart skewers liberals, conservatives at Stand Up for Heroes event

Jon Stewart skewers liberals, conservatives at Stand Up for Heroes event

At the 20th "Stand Up for Heroes" event benefitting the Bob Woodruff Foundation, Jon Stewart joked about both Republicans and Democrats.

A Detroit group is using dog tags to aid homeless women veterans

A Detroit group is using dog tags to aid homeless women veterans

Alexis Derriso, founder of the Motown Women Veterans Association, highlights the sacrifices women have made in the military

Watertown International Airport Considers Implementing Parking Fees to Offset Maintenance Costs and Manage Usage

Watertown International Airport Considers Implementing Parking Fees to Offset Maintenance Costs and Manage Usage

Watertown International Airport, located in the Town of Hounsfield, New York, is exploring the possibility of ending its long-standing free parking policy. Jefferson County's proposed capital budget plan includes a line item for airport parking lot revenue equipment, indicating a move towards charging for parking. This consideration stems from issues such as people leaving their vehicles at the airport for extended periods, sometimes months, taking advantage of the free parking. Ryan Piche, Jefferson County administrator, noted that this practice is problematic. The proposed project would involve installing security fencing and automated parking equipment, aiming to generate revenue, manage facilities more effectively, and reduce staffing needs. Grant Sussey, director of aviation at Watertown International Airport, emphasized that while the plan is currently aspirational and not finalized, it is a responsible consideration for the future capital plan. If implemented, the fees would be nominal and would con...

Massena Police Seek Public Assistance in Locating Missing Hospital Patient

Massena Police Seek Public Assistance in Locating Missing Hospital Patient

Massena, New York police are actively searching for 69-year-old Timothy Cameron, who went missing after leaving Massena Hospital on Friday night. Cameron is described as 5'9" and 200 pounds and was last seen wearing a blue hospital gown. Authorities believe he may be in danger due to a mental health relapse. The police are urging the community to check outside buildings, as Cameron's limited clothing suggests he might be seeking shelter. The public is asked to contact the police at 315-769-3577 or dial 911 if they have any information regarding his whereabouts. This incident highlights concerns for vulnerable individuals who may wander from medical facilities, especially those experiencing mental health crises, and the critical role of community vigilance in such situations.

New York State Division of Consumer Protection Issues Alert on AI Chatbot Data Sharing Risks

New York State Division of Consumer Protection Issues Alert on AI Chatbot Data Sharing Risks

The New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection has issued a consumer alert advising New Yorkers on the risks of sharing personal information with AI chatbots. This alert comes as AI chatbot usage is on the rise, with approximately half of U.S. adults reporting use of these tools, and a quarter using them daily, according to a June 2026 Pew Research Survey. Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley emphasized that oversharing information with these programs can lead to inadvertent release of private data, increasing the risk of identity theft and financial harm. Acting ITS Chief Information Officer Jenson Jacob further cautioned that any information given to an AI chatbot should be assumed to be collected for training, potentially viewed by human reviewers, or vulnerable to hacking. The Division recommends never sharing sensitive data such as Social Security numbers, driver’s licenses, passport numbers, account passwords, PINs, credit card details, or health information on these platforms.

National Grid Ventures Advances Plans to Rebuild Long Island Gas Plants Amidst Energy Transition Challenges

National Grid Ventures Advances Plans to Rebuild Long Island Gas Plants Amidst Energy Transition Challenges

National Grid Ventures, the unregulated arm of National Grid, has submitted applications to New York's grid operator to construct three new gas units on the sites of its existing, aging power plants on Long Island. This move signals a potential resurgence in gas-fired power generation in New York, despite the state's climate law mandating a zero-emissions grid by 2040. The proposed projects include two generators totaling over 1,100 megawatts at the E.F. Barrett plant in Nassau County and another 450 megawatts at the Northport Power Station in Suffolk. These new units could power more than 1 million homes and facilitate the retirement of older turbines, some as old as 70 years. National Grid aims to have all three units operational by 2035. State officials have indicated that replacing, rather than shutting down, downstate gas plants may be necessary until 2035 to compensate for offshore wind projects that were blocked during the Trump administration. The company suggests these new plants could eventually ...