New York News & Current Events | Public News Service

A report from the National Association of Social Workers New York Chapter finds there's a racial disparity in social-worker salaries. The report finds 16.3% of people earning $60,000 to $70,000 a year identified as white, 6% are people of color and 3.8% are Hispanic. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, January 30, 2023

Report: Low Salary Contributes to NY Social Workers Leaving Field

A new report shows social workers are not being paid equal to similar professions. The report, from the National Association of Social Workers New …

Although the Food and Drug Administration removed the in-person requirement for patients to get abortion pills, they must only be prescribed by health-care providers who are certified to treat such patients, and patients must complete a consent form. (Adobe Stock)

Legislation Would Expand NY Medication Abortion Access

New York pharmacists would be able to dispense abortion medication under newly proposed legislation, and a person could get the prescription from a …

According to data from the 2022 National Assessment of Educational Progress, reading scores for New York fourth graders declined by six points from 2019. Meanwhile, eighth graders' reading scores remained unchanged. (Adobe Stock)

Study: Students Still Struggle with Pandemic Learning Loss

Students are still struggling with learning loss from the COVID-19 pandemic. A study from the research group NWEA showed 2022 test scores are not …

The City of Albany received $80 million as part of the American Rescue Plan. $25 million will go to city agencies and organizations to fund local projects to support the city's post-pandemic economic recovery. (Adobe Stock)

Albany Mayor Focuses on Housing, Infrastructure after Mayors' Conference

The mayor of New York's state capital said she is eager to get to work on projects she observed at the U.S. Conference of Mayors' big meeting last …

According to the Economic Policy Institute, if the New York state minimum wage had risen in tandem with employee productivity, it would currently be at $24.79 per hour. (Adobe Stock)

Legislation Proposes Raising NY Minimum Wage Over $20

New York's minimum wage would increase to more than $20 an hour by 2026 if a bill in Albany is successful. Known as "Raise Up NY," it would raise …

According to a poll by the American Federation of Teachers, 85% of those surveyed want the new Congress to focus on providing resources and support to public schools, instead of carrying our political investigations. 15% felt otherwise. (Adobe Stock)

New AFT Poll Shows Parent, Voter Priorities for Public Education

A new poll shows parents and voters want improved public education and stronger building blocks for those students. According to the poll, from the …

According to the World Economic Forum, green buildings can reduce a city's temperatures up to 2 degrees Celsius. (Adobe Stock)

NY Ranks 3rd on National Green Building List

New York ranked third on a list of the top 10 states for green buildings in the U.S. The report from the U.S. Green Building Council found 142 …

As part of the National Day of Racial Healing, a 14-part digital series debuts. Produced by NBC News and sponsored by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, <a href=

"Changing the Narrative"explores advancing racial equity though racial healing. (Adobe Stock) ">

NY Celebrates National Day of Racial Healing

Today is National Day of Racial Healing, which aims to encourage more dialogue about race and racism. Events commemorating the day in New York …

According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, New York has a shortage of 615,025 rental homes that are affordable and available to extremely low-income renters. (Gov. Kathy Hochul)

Critics: NY State of State Address Misses Needed Solutions

While Gov. Kathy Hochul's State of the State speech addressed key issues affecting New Yorkers, some feel the solutions fell short. In her speech…

According to a report from AARP New York, one solution to lack of accessible rural homes for seniors would be to create a tax credit of up to $2,750. It would be available to homeowners who retrofit their homes to make them more accessible to those who use walkers or wheelchairs or have trouble with steps. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Senior Rural NYers Face Housing, Transportation Disparities

A recent report from AARP New York finds older rural New Yorkers are struggling to age in place due to a wealth of disparities. The two biggest …

New York is the sixth state to approve legislation for natural composting. It joins California, Colorado, Oregon, Vermont and Washington in doing so. (Adobe Stock)

NY Law Allows for End-of-Life Natural Composting

New York is the sixth state to approve legislation for what's known as natural composting. Natural composting is when, after death, a body is put …

According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, deforestation makes up 12 to 20% of global greenhouse gas emissions. (Adobe Stock)

New Company Helps Cities with Reforestation

By Sakshi Udavant for Next City.Broadcast version by Edwin J. Viera for New York News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-…

According to a Cornel University study, one challenge for farmers interested in solar grazing is finding grazeable sites. This is due mostly to the fact that farmers don't have influence in deciding on solar sites. (Adobe Stock)

NY Solar Grazing Combines Farming, Climate-Smart Resources

By Lissa Harris for The River. Broadcast version by Edwin J. Viera for New York News Connection reporting for The River/Solutions Journalism/Public …

Four organizations in New York will receive $500,000 from the Environmental Protection Agency to provide brownfield job training. In New York State, there are more than 5,000 brownfields, mostly located in Western New York, New York City and Long Island. (Adobe Stock)

EPA Provides Funding for Green Jobs in NY

The Environmental Protection Agency is investing several million dollars in green jobs training in New York. Two million dollars of this money comes …

According to a report, New York has the potential to generate 295.2 terawatt hours of electricity from offshore wind. A terawatt is a unit of power equivalent to one trillion watts. (Adobe Stock)">

NY Offshore-Wind Experts Look Ahead to 2023

New York has seen growth in offshore wind investments, which advocates hope will continue into the new year. In 2022, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a $…

According to a 2021 survey by health-care marketplace Sesame, three in five Americans feel their mental health is negatively impacted by the holidays. (Adobe Stock)

Rise in Mental-Illness Issues Seen in Holiday Season

Although the holidays are one of the happiest times of the year, people with mental illness may not see it the same way. According to the American …

According to a letter from the National Labor Relations Board, newly-approved funding could be used for a 4.6% pay increase, and to help blunt any non-labor-related inflation costs. (Adobe Stock)

Congress Boosts NLRB Funding by $25 Million

Congress has approved a $25 million funding boost for the National Labor Relations Board, and labor experts hope it will allow the agency to better …

A report by the Comprehensive Care Network for New York State education officials finds high school exit exams don't always lead to positive student outcomes. (Adobe Stock)

NY Student Advocates: Enough With Regents Exams

Student advocates in New York have petitioned state education officials for alternate pathways to graduation. The Coalition for Multiple Pathways to …

The New York State Department of Criminal Justice Services' Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) Initiative says the number of people killed with guns remained unchanged from 2021 to 2022. It examines data from over 20 police departments in 17 New York counties. (Adobe Stock)

NY Bill Would End NRA’s Ability to Certify Gun-Safety Trainers

A bill before the New York State Legislature would remove the National Rifle Association's ability to certify gun-safety instructors. Under Senate …

According to a report from the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families, the state with the largest increase in its rate of uninsured children was Idaho, at 46%. (Adobe Stock)

Report: NY's Doing Well at Keeping Kids Insured

Compared to most states, New York is doing a good job of making sure children have health coverage, according to a new report. The Georgetown …

East Side Access began in 1998 and is finally coming to fruition in 2022. Part of the project was slated to include a new station in Sunnyside, Queens. However, construction has been moved to accommodate Metro North's Penn Station Access. (Office of Gov. Kathy Hochul)

Long Island Railroad’s East Side Access Finally Opens

After two decades of waiting, Long Island commuters will finally have access to Grand Central Terminal. East Side Access, the Metropolitan …

As part of New York City's new plan to address mentally ill homeless people, a special hotline will be staffed with clinicians to aid first responders as to whether a person presents as mentally ill. (Adobe Stock)

Experts Worried About NYC’s New Plan for Mentally Ill Homeless People

New York City Mayor Eric Adams' new plan for aiding the mentally ill is facing backlash for its effectiveness. Adams' plan allows police officers…

According to a survey from Power to Decide, about seven in 10 young adults incorrectly believe emergency contraception can end a pregnancy in its early stages. (Adobe Stock)

Survey: Young Adults Concerned about Birth-Control Access

Results of a new survey show many young people are worried about losing access to birth control. The survey, by the nonprofit Power to Decide…

According to 2020 data from AIDSvu, in New York, 125,383 people were living with HIV in the state, including 1,963 newly diagnosed with the disease. (Adobe Stock)

Viral Suppression Provides Hope on World AIDS Day

As part of World AIDS Day, a report finds through treatment, patients are able to suppress HIV - the virus that causes AIDS. According to data from …

New York State has allocated $50 million for the Empire Building Challenge, which will create climate-friendly buildings throughout in New York State. (Adobe Stock)

NYC Company Makes Buildings Eco-Friendly

By Phil Roberts for Next City.Broadcast version by Edwin J. Viera for New York News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public …

Numerous utility companies in New York such as Con-Edison, NYSEG and RG&E are expecting to see higher bill prices, as energy costs have increased. Specifically, Con Edison is expecting a 32% increase from the previous year in bills for natural-gas users, and NYSEG's natural gas customers might see a 47% increase in their bills. (Adobe Stock)

NYS Legislation Gives Ratepayers Voice in Utility Increases

A bill passed by the New York State Legislature would provide ratepayers with a voice in utility rate increases. The utility intervenor bill would …

According to the Alzheimer's Association, over 560,000 family caregivers in New York bear the burden of this disease. The value of unpaid care in the state is around $16 billion. (Adobe Stock)

NY Education a Focus for Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month

Though National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month is coming to a close, experts say education on the disease must continue beyond November…

Of about 1,678 part-time faculty at The New School, more than 1,300 decided to strike. At issue are wage increases, assurances of no health-care cuts, and third-party protection from harassment and discrimination. (Adobe Stock)

New School Instructors Strike for Better Pay

Faculty members at The New School have been on strike since Wednesday, seeking to negotiate a new contract with the school administration. Some 87% …

According to a poll by Voto Latino, only 21% of voters had heard of President Joe Biden's infrastructure bill. The group ascribes low voter turnout to a lack of information about the policies and proposals on the ballot. (Adobe Stock)

Political Parties Missed Chance to Boost Latino Turnout

A recent poll from a Latino rights group finds both political parties neglected outreach to Latino voters. The National Association of Latino …

According to a survey by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, only about 17% of those surveyed knew about foster care adoption. But, other findings were more hopeful: 37% of Americans have considered adopting at some point in their life, which is up 12% from 2017. (Adobe Stock)

Creating Family Not Always Easy for NYS Foster Kids

It can be a long road to finding permanent homes for kids in the New York State foster care system, but many find it worthwhile. Megan Battista is …

A 2022 study from the U.S Department of Veterans Affairs finds suicide rates decreased for veterans in 2020 compared to 2019. However, it still ranked as the second-leading cause of death for veterans under age 45. (Adobe Stock)

NY Outdoor RX Coalition Aids Veterans' Mental Health

New York State's Outdoor RX Coalition is launching a website to spread the word about its services. Established in late 2020, the coalition is a …

The Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act is the first environmental bond on the New York state ballot since a $1.75 billion bond act was approved by voters in 1996. (Adobe Stock)

NY Voters Approve New Environmental Bond Act

New York voters approved the state borrowing $4.2 billion for robust climate-friendly projects. The Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs …

New York City's Administration for Children's Services has increased the number of children placed in kinship care, with family members, with 43% last year, up from 31% in 2017. (Adobe Stock)

Adoption Month: Number of Kids in NYC Foster Care Shrinking

November is National Adoption Month, and New York City's foster care system is making headway in reducing the number of children in the system…

According to a poll by the Brennan Center, one in six election workers experienced threats, although more than half of cases have not been reported to law enforcement. (Adobe Stock)

NY Poll Workers Part of Keeping Elections Safe

With Election Day upon us, concerns abound about the safety of elections, and one of so many reasons the 2022 elections are expected to be safe is …

According to a study done by CoStar Group, a real estate research company, most counties in Central New York have seen rental prices increase by at least 3% since 2019. (Adobe Stock)

New Affordable Housing to Aid CNY Renters, Eventually

Two new affordable housing developments in Central New York should help alleviate the region's affordability problem. The Wheat Street Apartments …

According to a survey by Nurses.org, 77% of nurses feel unsupported at work and 56% have felt unsafe at their jobs. Despite this, the Bureau of Labor Statistics is projecting a 6% growth in the number of registered nurses over the next decade. (Adobe Stock)

NY Nurses Association Growing to Aid Union Efforts

New York's largest nurses union has affiliated with the largest nurses union nationwide. The New York State Nurses Association voted to affiliate …

The five-year Clean School Bus Program will replace school buses with zero- or low-emission models, starting this year. The total cost will be $5 billion. (Adobe Stock)

NY Receives Federal Funding for Electric School Buses

School districts across New York will be receiving almost $70 million in federal funding for electric school buses, via a grant awarded through the …

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, employment for adults with disabilities rose to 38% in September 2022, up from 35.1% in 2021. However, this is still less than half the employment rate for people without disabilities. (Adobe Stock)

As Disability Employment Awareness Month Ends, NY Advocacy Continues

As National Disability Employment Awareness Month comes to a close, New Yorkers are contending there is more to do beyond October. According to the …

A recent Marist poll predicts 71% of registered New York voters will head to the polls this November. Statewide, 15% plan to cast their ballots early, and 12% will vote by mail or absentee ballot. (Adobe Stock)

Early Voting Begins in NY; Big Turnout Predicted

Early voting begins in New York this week, with in-person early voting starting on Saturday, October 29. Early voting has been a popular option …

According to a 2021 report from Stop AAPI Hate, the state of New York had the second-highest percentage (15.7%) of anti-Asian hate-crime reports. California was the highest, at 38.1%. (Adobe Stock)

NY Groups Work to Address Rising Anti-Asian Hate Crimes

As Asian Americans continue to face discrimination and hate crimes, new funding could aid New York officials in reporting - and preventing - these …

New Jersey's Star Jet Roller Coaster, pictured, was dumped into the ocean by Superstorm Sandy. At its peak, Sandy reach wind speeds of 115 mph. Hurricanes Fiona and Ian, exceeded that with wind speeds of 130 and 155 mph, respectively. (Adobe Stock)

Superstorm Sandy 10 Years Later: NY Bracing for Future

Ten years ago this week New York City was ravaged by Superstorm Sandy, what was then considered a once-in-a-lifetime disaster. But storms of the same …

A study by the Moore Center for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse finds Medicaid expansion is associated with a 17.3% decline in the rate of first-time neglect reports among children age 5 and younger. (Adobe Stock)<br /><br />

Researchers Link Medicaid Expansion to Health Benefits

New York is one of the states opting to expand Medicaid as soon as it could through the Affordable Care Act, and recent studies found a 2014 decision …

Efforts to implement high-speed rail in the U.S. have been ongoing since the mid-1960s, but only Amtrak's Acela service, between New York and Washington, D.C., has been completed. (North Atlantic Rail Alliance/Shop Architects)

Reactions Mixed to Proposed High-Speed Rail Line for Northeast

A proposed high-speed rail line could change the way people travel across Long Island and through the New England states. The line, conceived by the …

According to a 2020 report, as Lake Placid has become more of a vacation destination and second home location, the year-round population of the town has been on the decline. The decline has been faster than Essex County and New York's North Country. (Adobe Stock)<br />

New NY Housing Development Highlights Rural Affordability Crisis

A new affordable housing development is coming to Lake Placid, an area facing a workforce housing crisis. Fawn Valley, with six homes and 16 town …

According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the Biden Administration's goal of 30,000 megawatts of offshore wind energy could create more than 77,000 jobs nationwide. (Adobe Stock)

Elected Officials Seeking More Offshore Wind Farms

Offshore wind is becoming an increasingly popular way for coastal communities to hit their carbon-neutral goals. According to a report from the U.S…

While there are some misconceptions about where to charge electric vehicles, there are at least 3,000 charging stations across the state, according to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. (Adobe Stock)

New NY Bill Opens Market for Electric Vehicles

A new piece of legislation would provide New Yorkers with further access to electric vehicles. The Direct EV Sales bill, still under consideration …

According to the Empire Center, the average family health-care plan premium in New York is $23,450. That's 14% above the national average, and the third-highest cost, behind Connecticut and New Hampshire. (Valeri Luzina/Adobe Stock)

What NYers Should Consider When Buying Healthcare Plans

Many New Yorkers will be shopping for new health insurance plans this month, when open enrollment begins. If you are among them, experts advise it is …

Amtrak's Acela, at its fastest, travels at 150 miles per hour, but Northeast Maglev's proposed system could safely travel at double that speed. (Adobe Stock)

Proposed Maglev Speeds Up Ride from NY to DC

Traveling between New York and Washington D.C. takes three hours on Amtrak's Acela, but an upcoming high speed rail concept could reduce the trip to …

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