Best of times, worst of times for Syracuse’s Boeheim

His team is a juggernaut on the basketball floor, amassing 30 wins in what has been arguably the best season the Orange have ever had.  But clouds of scandal have obscured the success of the team on the court and some wonder if this could be Boeheim’s last season.  The New York Times has this profile.

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State regulators cracking down on “out-of-network” health care charges

It is an all-too-common occurrence; a patient undergoes a medical procedure within their health care network and yet still receives a bill from an “out-of-network” provider.  But now the state is cracking down on the practice with more rigid enforcement of the state’s health insurance laws.  WAMC Northeast Public Radio has this report.

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Are social networking sites facilitating drug abuse among youth?

The revolution in the social networking world has made constant communications and instant connections a given, but does the phenomenon have a down side?  WXXI in Rochester has this report about the ease with which young people can use these networks to score drugs and even have them delivered.

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Wednesday, Mar. 7, 2012

RIT professor helping map Rwanda’s future

After an horrific civil war that claimed the lives of more than 1 million people, Rwanda looks to the future.  But the ravaged country faces challenges brought by years of plundering the rich forests that once thrived in this land-locked African country.  RIT Professors Tony Vodacek and Manasse Mboyne – newly appointed director of academics for the University of Rwanda – are teaming up to help Rwanda rebuild.  The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle has this story.

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New poll good news for Gillibrand

A new poll released by Siena Research Institute shows that 58 percent of New Yorkers would re-elect Gillibrand.  This despite assertions by GOP leaders that the junior senator is vulnerable.  The Albany Times-Union has this story.

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Federal Magistrate’s redistricting plan eliminates Democratic seat

A newly released plan drawn up by Federal Magistrate Roanne Mann would see the elimination of the Hudson Valley Congressional District among other changes.  The plan isn’t the last word, though.  The legislature can come up with its own plan in the next week.  WAMC Northeast Public Radio has this story.

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Tuesday, Mar. 6, 2012

New poll shows mixed results for Cuomo

He had been riding a wave of popularity in the state, but a new poll out from Siena College shows that Governor Andrew Cuomo’s honeymoon with New Yorkers may be ebbing a bit.  WAMC Northeast Public Radio has this report.

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Monday, Mar. 5, 2012

Federal officials investigating Buffalo arson as hate crime

Fire officials in Buffalo were always suspicious of the fire that destroyed a South Buffalo home.  It had been torched once before and the Congolese immigrant who owned the home was trying to fix the house up when last May it was torched again.  But then the story takes an odd turn when the main suspect in the arson is none other than the leader of the local community association.  The Buffalo News has this account.

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Binghamton University basketball program rebuilds after scandals

It is a cautionary tale about the allure and the pitfalls of a small school with Division 1 dreams.  The Binghamton University Bearcats have just concluded their season with a woeful 1-27 record, but some see the lost season as a start to a basketball renaissance for a school that learned harsh and expensive lessons on their way to the basketball big time.  The New York Times has this report.

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Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2012

Borrowing from Peter to pay Paul, financial voodoo keeps pensions afloat

To call it counter intuitive would be kind.  Many municipalities in New York are borrowing money from the state pension fund to, well, pay the state pension fund.  After the financial meltdown of 2008, public pension fund values nosedived. That’s when then-Governor David Paterson loosened accounting rules to allow local municipalities to “amortize” their pension payments to the state.  But some say that the practice is nothing more than sleight-of-hand accounting that will come back to haunt public pension funds.  The New York Times has this report.

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Monday, Feb. 27, 2012

New minimum wage rate hike will help, but not much

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver’s proposed increase in New York’s minimum wage seeks to lift the lowest earning New Yorkers a little, but a new study questions the impact the raise would have for minimum wage earners.  WXXI in Rochester has this analysis of the study.

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Asylum seekers frustrated by long waits, shifting rules

They are people with no country and they are in a kind of limbo, waiting to be granted asylum in the U.S or Canada.  But changes in asylum rules have asylum seekers waiting years for their cases to be heard and navigating the shifting rules has left some with little hope.  The Buffalo News has this report.

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Constitutional amendments to solve redistricting, casino gambling debates?

State lawmakers are contemplating initiating the processes necessary to mitigate, via constitutional amendments, two traditionally contentious issues: redistricting and casino gambling.  The Albany Times-Union has this report.

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New York’s GOP Presidential Primary suddenly matters

It’s one of the last primaries on the schedule, but with the GOP race so unpredictable thus far New York’s Apr. 24 contest has more salience as the 95 delegates up for grabs could possibly be the margin of victory for the eventual nominee.  The Elmira Star-Gazette has this story.

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Up from the barrio, one man’s arduous path to success

He was born in the poorest of conditions in his native Puerto Rico and the daily violence he witnessed hardened him.  There were run-ins with the law and prospects for his future seemed bleak.  But when Jean Carlos Sevilla came to Utica his life began to change.  Now, his life has come full circle.   WIBX 950′s Gino Geruntino in Utica has this profile.

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Teacher unions, state agree on new evaluation system

Just barely beating a deadline imposed by Governor Andrew Cuomo, the state’s teachers’ unions and the Education Department have come to an agreement that changes the manner in which teachers in New York are evaluated.  The deal was hammered out at the eleventh hour and now New York can receive nearly $1 billion in federal aid.  The Albany Times-Union has this report.

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New York race tracks tout benefits of gaming

An association that represents New York’s race tracks is trumpeting the numbers from an analysis of the economic benefits of gaming that shows race tracks have a positive impact on the economy.  The report seems to buttress claims that full-scale casinos in the state would generate jobs and increased revenue for the state. The Ithaca Journal has this piece.

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Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012

Deadline arrives for teacher evaluation deal

Governor Andrew Cuomo drew the line in the sand during his Jan. 17 budget address and now New York’s teachers must agree to a new teacher-evaluation plan or the Governor will impose one.  The Ithaca Journal has this story.

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Kodak wins reprieve in bankruptcy court

A judge approved new financing for beleaguered Kodak, giving the green light to a $950 million financing deal with Citigroup and allowing the former film giant to wriggle out of various other contract obligations. The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle has this coverage.

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Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012

Oneida County Legislators seek ban on hydrofracking

One lawmaker is a Republican and the other a Democrat, but on the subject of hydrofracking, they couldn’t agree more.  Two Oneida County Legislators are pushing for a bill that would ban the controversial drilling method on county-owned land.  The Utica Observer-Dispatch has this report.

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Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2012

State senator involved in casino scuffle

Police are indicating that no charges will be filed following a weekend dust up at a Niagara Falls casino between state senator Mark Grisanti and a Seneca businessman.  The Buffalo News has this account.

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Primary dates still in limbo

Following a federal judge’s ruling that the state must hold the Congressional primary in June, the New York Assembly is considering a bill to move all primary elections, for state offices as well, to June.  WXXI in Rochester has this report.

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Monday, Feb. 13, 2012

A community remembers, three years on

A memorial was held yesterday for the victims of flight 3407 which fell from the sky three years ago, claiming 51 lives.  Friends, families and neighbors gathered at the crash site, now a hallowed final resting spot for many of the victims, to remember.  The Buffalo News has this report.

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Endangered species designation for Atlantic Sturgeon could stymie infrastructure plans in the Hudson Valley

The National Marine Fisheries Service has designated the Atlantic sturgeon as an endangered species.  That could mean a halt to some very big infrastructure plans in the lower Hudson Valley.  WAMC Northeast Public Radio has this report.

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Cuomo settles with another state workers’ union

Governor Cuomo has come to an agreement with the 1,600 member union that represents the law enforcement arm of the corrections department.  The deal is similar to the deals reached with two other state unions and trades wage and benefit concessions for layoff protections of a sort.  WXXI in Rochester has this report.

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Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012

Adirondack resort project engenders hope, concern for upstate community

The once-thriving logging town of Tupper Lake has seen better days.  With its population waning and its businesses shuttering, the town and the region hope for prosperity in the form of a newly approved resort development project.  But the project has its detractors and the usually development-averse Adirondack Park Agency is taking heat from all sides.  The New York Times has this report.

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Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012

Fracking debate leaks into budget negotiations

New York DEC Commissioner Joe Martens was taken to task at a budget hearing in Albany about his agency’s failure to seek funding in the budget to hire new employees to cope with the impact of gas drilling in the state.  The Capitol Report has this report.

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Crash victims’ families push for more stringent safety regulations

Some of the family members of the victims from the crash of Flight 3407 outside of Buffalo in 2009 that killed 50 people were in Washington DC to push for tougher safety regulations for airlines.  Since the crash – blamed on pilot error due to lack of training – the families have tirelessly advocated for stricter safety rules.  The Buffalo News has this coverage.

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Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012

New Cornell Manhattan campus touted

Cornell University’s soon-to-be-built campus on Roosevelt Island in New York City could mean more economic activity for Ithaca and Tompkins County, according to University officials who touted the plan to around 200 faculty and staff on Friday.  The Ithaca Journal has this report.

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New round of base closures could impact Fort Drum

The resent announcement by the Pentagon that it intends to tighten its belt has many in and around military facilities worried that their installation is on the hit list and Watertown’s Fort Drum is no different.  WRVO in Oswego has this report.

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Doheny will run again in New York’s 23rd Congressional District

Republican Matt Doheny is set to once again challenge Democrat Bill Owens in the 23rd district, but he faces at least one primary challenger.  WAMC Northeast Public Radio has this profile.

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Monday, Feb. 6, 2012

Giants beat Patriots for Super Bowl crown

Despite the fact that they play all their home games in New Jersey, the New York Giants are newly anointed Super Bowl champions after beating the butter-fingered New England Patriots in Indianapolis last night.  The New York Times has this coverage.

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Trial of alleged cop killer underway in Utica

Emotional testimony from a Oneida County sheriff’s deputy about the last moments of his colleague’s life riveted a packed courthouse as the trial of Christian Paterson opened in Utica.  Patterson is accused of killing sheriff’s deputy Kurt Wyman during a six-hour standoff at Patterson’s home in June of last year. The Utica Observer-Dispatch has this report.

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Niagara Falls Congresswoman fights to save air base

A new round of military base closures is in the offing and in Niagara Falls Congresswoman Kathy Hochul is leading the charge to keep Niagara Falls Reserve Air Base off the hit list.  WBFO in Buffalo has this report.

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Kodak employee suing company to recoup 401(k) losses

The beleaguered Kodak company is facing yet another obstacle as it struggles to emerge from bankruptcy.  Employee Mark Gedek has filed a lawsuit against the company’s top executives and board members claiming they failed to uphold their fiduciary responsibilities vis-a-vis employee 401(k) plans that invested in the company stock.  The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle has this report.

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Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012

Silver proposes minimum wage hike

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver is proposing a significant increase in New York’s minimum wage.  The new rate, should his bill be passed, would rise from the present $7.25 an hour to $8.50 an hour.  The Capitol Report has this account.

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Housing sales down 3.9 percent but prices steady

New York’s housing market saw a dip in sales in 2011, but the silver lining was a strong fourth quarter in sales of existing homes.  Historically low mortgage rates are also fueling increasing demand in the housing market.   The Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin has this report.

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Judge’s ruling muddies primary schedule

A ruling by a federal judge about the state’s Congressional primary schedule may well mean three separate primary elections in the state as legislators grapple with redistricting and state primary schedules.  The Elmira Star Gazette has this report.

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Monday, Jan. 30, 2012

Occupy Buffalo protestors face eviction

They are few in number, some estimate as few as 10 people, but the protestors in Niagara Square say they are determined to stay.  Relations with city officials had been relatively cordial, but now the city may decide to evict them.  The Buffalo News has this report.

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September flooding impacts nursing home capacity in Southern Tier

The flooding of last autumn in the Southern Tier wreaked havoc across the area. It also displaced some who were in nursing homes and assisted living facilities.  That displacement has some families traveling far from the region to visit loved ones.  The Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin has this report.

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Delay in overhaul of teacher evaluations could cost New York millions in aid

The wrangling over new rules for evaluating teachers in New York state could jeopardize Federal funding slated to flow to the state as part of the Federal Race to the Top initiative. The Elmira Star Gazette has this coverage.

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Le Roy cluster case getting national attention

The bizarre cases of Le Roy high school students exhibiting Tourette’s syndrome-like symptoms have gained national attention. Famed environmental crusader Erin Brockovich and others are demanding that the state and other agencies look more deeply into possible environmental causes for the students’ strange neurological symptoms.  The Ithaca Journal has this report.

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New study shows Upstate gets more than it gives

An analysis by the University of Albany’s Nelson A. Rockefeller Institute of Government concludes that the Upstate region receives more in state money than it pays into state coffers.  But the study – replete with caveats and provisos – offers a very specific review of the numbers.  The Albany Times-Union has this report.

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Binghamton considers drilling ban

The Binghamton City Council will hold a public hearing tonight to consider a city-wide ban on gas and oil drilling, as well as a ban on ancillary activities related to drilling.  While drilling bans have been enacted in other cities across the state, Binghamton sits atop the mother lode of gas deposits in the Marcellus Shale. The Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin has this report.

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New recycling effort for Amherst to save suburb millions

The Buffalo suburb of Amherst is changing trash collection contractors and is aiming to increase recycling efforts, saving the town $2 million a year.  WBFO has this report.

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Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2011

New ethics commission off to auspicious start

The newly formed state Joint Commission on Public Ethics held its first meeting on Monday and to the confusion of many that first meeting was not open to the public.  It was all perfectly legal as the Commission is not bound by New York’s open meeting laws, but the irony was lost on no one.  North Country Public Radio has this report.

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Patent fight key to Kodak success

The outcome of a pending case before the U.S. International Trade Commission will weigh heavily on the future success or failure of Kodak. Kodak has filed a complaint against technology behemoth Apple and the maker of Blackberry for patent infringement.  If the ruling favors Kodak, the ailing company could reap a $1 billion windfall.  The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle has this report.

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Cornell gets $350 million gift, wins Roosevelt Island competition

Cornell University has been chosen to develop a high-tech graduate school on Roosevelt Island.  The university was chosen from seven teams vying to develop the island into an East Coast Silicon Valley and with the announcement came word of the largest-ever donation to the university.  The New York Times has this coverage.

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Monday, Dec. 19, 2011

U.S. Senate rejects Obama judicial appointee

Monroe County District Attorney Mike Green will not be presiding as a judge in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York.  President Barack Obama nominated Green to the court but Senate Republicans have blocked an up or down vote and Obama will be forced to nominate someone else. The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle has the story.

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GOP sets sights on Gillibrand

The state Republican Party is spoiling for a chance to unseat New York’s junior senator in the upcoming election.  Gillibrand is viewed by the GOP as a vulnerable incumbent in the normally Democratic-friendly state.  The Albany Times-Union has this report.

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Hydrofracking debate could drag on through 2012

The public comment period for the DEC’s new rules and regulations about hydrofracking is due to close on Jan. 11, but that will just signal the beginning of a long and tortuous journey for approval of gas permits that will likely wind its way through the Legislature before any gas drilling happens in the state.  The Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin has this coverage.

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WNED set to takeover WBFO

Public broadcaster WNED is poised to absorb the operations of public radio station WBFO in a $4 million deal that will combine two of Western New York’s major news and entertainment outlets.  The Buffalo News has the story.

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Rochester continues to lead in job growth

New employment numbers out show that Rochester added more job over the past 12 months than Buffalo, Syracuse and Albany combined.  The five-county region added 8,600 jobs over the past year and a Brookings Institution analysis also views Rochester as ripe for growth.  The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle has this report.

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Thursday, Dec. 15, 2011

Occupy protestors have their day in court

The 28 people arrested in Rochester asked a judge to dismiss the curfew violations against them but the protestors and the one photojournalist being charged will have to wait until Jan. 12 to hear the judge’s decision. The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle has the story.

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Schumer pushes New York beer

Senator Chuck Schumer has unveiled a plan to help promote New York’s beers.  The plan, dubbed “I Love NY Brew,” aims to increase the amount of New York brews available at bars, restaurants and retail outlets in the state.  The Ithaca Journal has this report.

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Lake Erie ailing again

Once considered utterly dead from years of industrial pollution, Lake Erie had made a bit of a recovery but once again the lake is in danger of returning to its health of the bad old days.  WBFO has this report.

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Kodak on the comeback trail

Kodak stock has plummeted and the company’s cash reserves are dwindling fast but Kodak officials are hoping for a strong holiday season that will propel the once venerable Rochester institution back to profitability.  WXXI has this report.

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Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2011

New tax law gives Cuomo added power

The recently passed tax law contains a little-noticed provision that allows the governor – by virtue of his control over the state Department of Finance and Taxation – the right to decide which companies in the state will qualify for tax breaks and which ones won’t.  The Albany Times-Union has this report.

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Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2011

Returning veterans confront challenges of coming home

With the war in Iraq winding down and the projected draw down in Afghanistan looming, returning combat veterans face sometimes daunting reconnection to a world they’ve been far away from for years. Northeast Public Radio has this report about how some veterans are coping – or not.

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Monday, Dec. 12, 2011

North Country Economic Development Council calls funding “transformational”

The North Country Economic Development Council’s plan for revitalizing the economy of the northern tier of the state won them a “best plan” award and the $100 million in funding that goes along with it.  Northeast Public Radio has this report.

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Schumer pushes for “passenger advocates” at airports

U.S. Senator Charles Schumer and state Senator Michael Gianaris, from Queens, are calling for passenger advocates to be available at all U.S. airports to field complaints from passengers following aggressive TSA searches.  This follows the complaints made by an elderly woman who claimed she was needlessly strip searched at New York’s JFK airport.  The Auburn Citizen has this report.

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Cuomo pressured Assembly GOP to support tax bill

According to Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb, Governor Cuomo threatened to campaign in the districts of any assembly member who didn’t support the recent changes to the tax code.  The claim follows the passage of the bill, unanimously in the state senate, and by  a wide margin in the assembly, that effectively raises taxes on the wealthy while reducing tax rates for the middle class.  The Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin has this report.

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New York state workers second-highest paid in the nation

A new survey ranks New York state workers as the second-highest paid in the nation, with average salaries of more than $55,000.  While the overall number of state workers has declined ever so slightly over the past decade, big jumps in student enrollment over that time have seen hiring at the state’s colleges and universities rise significantly.  The Elmira Star-Gazette has this report.

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Occupy Buffalo and city agree to terms

The protestors in Niagara Square have agreed with the city on conditions and rules for the continued use of the space by the protestors.  WBFO has this rundown of the new agreement.

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Everyone’s a winner, Cuomo doles out nearly $800 million in state aid

It was billed as a competition to determine which regions in the state could come up with the most viable economic development plans for the state’s distressed economy, but in the end, every region benefited from the Governor’s largesse.  The Regional Economic Development Councils were all rewarded for their proposals to revitalize economic development in their respective areas.  Some were rewarded more than others, but like a youth soccer match where no one keeps score, everyone was a winner. The Buffalo News has this coverage.

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Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011

New rules to make border crossing smoother

New regulations crafted by President Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper should ease congestion at border crossing across the state.  while the new regulations fall short of what New york Senator Chuck Schumer had called for, the streamlined procedures should speed commercial traffic across the borders.  The Buffalo News has this report.

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New York Legislature approves Cuomo tax plan

Lawmakers in New York have approved Governor Andrew Cuomo’s plan to reduce middle class taxes while raising taxes on the very wealthy.  The bill passed also provides tax incentives to businesses that hire inner-city youths and flood relief money for parts of the state hit by tropical storms Irene and Lee.  The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle has this analysis.

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Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2011

Albany strikes grand bargain

Governor Cuomo and legislative leaders have reached a deal over tax policy that will lower taxes for most New Yorkers while providing the state with nearly $2 billion in much-needed revenue. The deal was yet another bipartisan accomplishment for Cuomo and the GOP-controlled state senate.  The New York Times has this coverage.

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Westport resident recalls day of infamy

He was only 6 years old at the time, but Bob Carroll well remembers the day that Japanese planes rumbled across the skies over his house in Honolulu and how his world changed forever.  The Plattsburgh Press-Republican has this account.

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New poll shows Western New Yorkers disapprove of non-Indian casinos

A new poll out shows that more than 60 percent of Western New Yorkers are opposed to changing the state constitution to allow commercial casinos to operate and more than 80 percent think operating casinos should be the exclusive purview of Indian nations.  WBFO in Buffalo has this story.

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Rochester leaders tout economic success, stress teamwork

The Rochester area has seemingly defied economic physics during the recession, with job creation in the region outpacing every region in the state.  Area leaders point to the collaboration between the city and its community members as the key to success.  WXXI in Rochester has this story.

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Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2011

Buffalo third in the nation in construction job growth

The Buffalo Niagara region led all but two U.S. metropolitan areas in the growth of construction jobs over the past year.  Thanks to development projects around the area in healthcare, academia and private-sector investment, the area saw a jump of 18 percent in construction employment resulting in nearly 4,000 new jobs.  The Buffalo News has this report.

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Cuomo touts tax changes in “op-ed” to media

Governor Andrew Cuomo continues to push for changes to the state’s tax code and for more investment in infrastructure and training in the state as he released an “op-ed” to the press yesterday.  In it he hints at legalized gambling and restructuring the tax code to bring in more revenue as well as increased investment in fixing roads and bridges and training programs for inner city youths.  WRVO in Oswego has this report.

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Study shows 60,000 votes voided in last election

New voting procedures in New York resulted in as many as 60,000 votes voided in the last election.  Critics point to ambiguous voting instructions and flawed technology that disenfranchised thousands, especially in predominantly black and Hispanic neighborhoods.  The New York Times has this report.

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Monday, Dec. 5, 2011

Cuomo calls for infrastructure investment, legalized casinos to boost jobs

Governor Andrew Cuomo, facing a $350 million deficit this year and a projected $3.5 billion deficit next year, is calling on the legislature to act on a job-creation effort to spur economic growth.  Cuomo wants road and bridge repairs and maintenance to be ramped up and he also is advocating for casino gambling to be legalized in the state.  The Buffalo News has this report.

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Four new breweries coming to Binghamton

Hoping to capitalize on the growing popularity of craft and specialty beers, four companies will open breweries in the city next year.  The growth in the craft beer market has been steadily increasing and these entrepreneurs are banking on that trend continuing.  The Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin has this report.

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North Country Development Council pitches plan

The North Country Development Council unveiled its plan to develop the mostly rural region.  The presenters emphasized to the committee hearing all the regional development plans that the region was proposing to accelerate existing and ongoing plans for development and not initiate new ones. The Plattsburgh Press-Republican has this report.

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Adirondack’s ecosystems at risk from climate change

Much of the flora and fauna found in the Adirondack Mountains – especially in its Northern reaches – are at risk of extinction as climate changes continue to warm the region.  Scientists believe that just a 5 degree increase in average temperatures could hasten the demise of some species.  The New York Times has this report.

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GOP may play ball with Cuomo on tax overhaul

Some Republican state senators are signaling that they are amenable to changes in the state’s income tax structure as long as higher taxes on the rich means lower taxes for everyone else.  The Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin has this AP story.

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Standing room only at fracking forum in Ithaca

The Tompkins County Council of Government sponsored a public forum on hydrofracking yesterday in Ithaca, a city the DEC bypassed during its recent public comment hearings tour.  As ever, the forum on the controversial drilling method was spirited. The Ithaca Journal has this report.

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Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011

DEC extends comment period on hydrofracking

The state DEC has extended the comment period for review of the new regulations for hydrofracking in the state.  The news was welcomed by environmentalists but the companies that have waited for nearly four years to get the go ahead to drill expressed frustration.  The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle has this report.

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Cuomo eyes tax code changes

Governor Andrew Cuomo has steadfastly refused to renew the so-called millionaires tax set to expire at year’s end, but he is now hinting that there will be some changes to the tax code that could result in higher rates for top earners.  The Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin has this story.

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Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2011

Judge rules gay marriage lawsuit may proceed

A state Supreme Court judge has ruled that a lawsuit challenging the legality of New York’s gay marriage law can proceed.  The judge cited the possible impropriety of some closed-door meetings conducted prior to the vote in the state senate that may have violated the state’s open government laws. The Buffalo News has the story.

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Southern Tier Economic Council pitches plan to state

The hearings continue for New York’s regional economic development councils in Albany as the Southern Tier team pitched its plan to grow the economy in their region.  The ten regional economic councils are competing for state government grants and loans intended to spur economic growth in the state.  The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle has this story.

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Poverty rates soar in Capital District

New census data reveals poverty rates soared between 2007 and 2010 in the Capital District, with a staggering 63 percent increase in the city of Troy alone.  As the recession grinds on, more and more families are facing tough times.  The Albany Times-Union has this report.

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Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2011

Finger Lakes Economic Council leaders pitch plan in Albany

The leaders of the Rochester-based Finger Lakes Economic Development Council were in Albany yesterday to pitch their plan for economic development in the region.  The Finger Lakes plan proposes a number of public/private ventures aimed at growing the region’s economy, an economy that has led the state in job creation over the past year.  The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle has this report.

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New SUNY Binghamton President promises change

Harvey Stenger has taken the reins as the new president of Binghamton University and while he will seek to bring some changes to campus he said he first wants lots of input from campus constituencies.  The Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin has this report.

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Report shows dire numbers for New York workers

A new report released by the Fiscal Policy Institute, a labor-funded organization, shows a grim picture for New York workers, with declining wages and fewer job opportunities across the state.  The Elmira Star-Gazette has this report.

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New York state budget woes worsen

State lawmakers were quite proud of the last budget they passed that purported to eliminate a $10 billion deficit and reduced spending.  But the continued mediocrity of economic activity in the state and the country has spawned less state revenue and deficits are beginning to rise again.  The Ithaca Journal has this AP analysis.

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Monday, Nov. 28, 2011

Syracuse University fires Bernie Fine

In a tersely worded statement from Chancellor Nancy Cantor, the university cut its ties with the embattled, long-serving assistant coach of the men’s basketball team.  This follows a weeks-long investigation into accusations that the former coach molested young boys at his home and allegedly on several other occasions. The Syracuse Post-Standard has this coverage.

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Ash Borer spares Rochester – for now

The invasive Ash Borer beetle has been spotted sporadically in the Rochester area, but as winter sets in, the damage to area ash trees seems to be localized.  The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle has this report.

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SUNY seeks nearly $2 billion from state in new budget

The SUNY Board of Trustees has approved a budget for the state university system that totals $8.1 billion.  That includes nearly $2 billion from the taxpayers.  The Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin has this breakdown of the budget.

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Iconic glass works to close

Steuben Glass, producers of stunning lead crystal glass for more than 100 years, will close its one remaining factory in Corning tomorrow.  The Elmira Star-Gazette has this report.

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Super Committee failure could cost state dearly

The failed negotiations in Washington could have severe effects on New York if the automatic cuts set to take effect in 2013 come to fruition.  The Capitol Report has this story.

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Western New York cries foul over infrastructure funding

Claiming that the area was unjustly penalized because of a DOT math error, government, business and union officials met in Buffalo to present their grievances.  The Buffalo News has this report.

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Groups call for independent commission to tackle redistricting

Citing statistics that show an ever-increasing inevitability of incumbent re-election in the state, several good government groups are calling for a special session of the legislature to appoint an independent commission to redraw New York’s legislative and Congressional maps. But that seems unlikely to happen.  The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle has this report.

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Monday, Nov. 21, 2011

New York cracks down on illegal immigrants

New numbers released show that New York has accelerated the rate at which it deports illegals in the state and some advocacy groups claim that the state is trampling on the due process rights of many.  The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle has this report.

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Terror suspect has upstate connection

The man accused yesterday of planning terrorist attacks in the New York City area once lived in the upstate community of Schenectady and tips from  Albany area law enforcement helped the NYPD keeps tabs on Jose Pimental before arresting him.  The Albany Times-Union has this report.

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Clinton County to its employees: do more with less

Clinton County passed its budget within the 2 percent cap set by Governor Cuomo but it’s cold comfort for employees of the County, who will now have to do more with fewer fellow employees.  The Plattsburgh Press- Republican has this breakdown.

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