State & Regional News

Previously Published in The Messenger With just days left in the 2025 legislative session, Assemblyman Doug Smith (R-Holbrook) is raising the alarm over a controversial bill he says would give Democrats sweeping influence over New […]

By Hank Russell Governor Kathy Hochul directed the New York Power Authority (NYPA) to develop and construct a zero-emission advanced nuclear power plant in upstate New York to support a reliable and affordable electric grid, […]

By CaraLynn Caulfield Prices in the New York metropolitan area remained unchanged in May compared to April, according to the latest report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). While the overall Consumer Price […]

The Enacted Budget for State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2025-26 is projected to total $254 billion, a 5.2% increase in spending at a time when new federal actions on funding and policy may change the relationship […]

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli announced that the New York State Common Retirement Fund’s (Fund) investment return was 5.84% for the state fiscal year that ended March 31, 2025. The Fund closed the […]

Next Generation 911 (NG911) is a long-promised upgrade to New York’s emergency communications system that would allow photos, voice and video calls and text messaging to be rerouted to other county call centers when major […]

By Hank Russell A recent study found that one in five New York workers belongs to a union. Further, the Empire State has the second-highest union membership rate in the nation and exceeds the nationwide […]

A new online resource released by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli details the vast array of services that federal funding supports amid the continued uncertainty in Washington over potential cuts for states, including […]

Extension Allows More People to Sign up for Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program A federal judge granted a June 20 extension to a Preliminary Injunction agreement that attorneys from New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) […]

By Hank Russell A recent report came out that overdose-related deaths have fallen across the statewide, including on Long Island. Findings from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed a 32 percent […]