New York News

Education funding advocates, including actress Cynthia Nixon, made a last minute pitch for extra money for schools in the state budget. Meanwhile, a new poll finds many New Yorkers think the quality of education in the state is deteriorating.

New York's highest court will consider overturning convictions in an Internet impersonation case of a man who argues his mockery of scholars in an academic debate about the Dead Sea Scrolls was protected by the First Amendment.

Raphael Golb, an attorney and writer, was convicted of identity theft for disguising his identity in email messages and blog posts to discredit detractors of his father, a University of Chicago professor, in a dispute over the scrolls' origins.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New York's legislative leaders are negotiating over property tax relief and pre-kindergarten funding a week before a new budget is due. Leaders emerging from closed-door talks Monday at the Capitol say they continue to make progress to get a deal by April 1.

There have been differences over how much money to devote to pre-K, a signature issue for New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio. There also has been legislative resistance to Cuomo's property tax relief plan, which would require localities to consolidate or share services for local homeowners to benefit.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo towers over Republican gubernatorial candidate Rob Astorino in the latest Siena Poll.

His popularity is slipping, ever so slightly: Siena pollster Steve Greenberg says eight months away from election day is still too early to gauge how Governor Andrew Cuomo will fare come November.  A plurality of voters, 47-43 percent, say a Republican can beat Cuomo in this election.   "A poll is a snapshot in time. At this point in time, Andrew Cuomo remains popular with voters and has a huge lead over Rob Astorino."

The Carey Institute in Rensselaerville is organizing a large cycling festival, to take place this fall.  To gear up for that, the Institute has taken a stand on doping in the sport of cycling: tonight they are screening the "Armstrong Lie" documentary to be followed by a panel discussion featuring professional cyclists.

New York State officials gathered at a farm in Washington County today to kick off Maple Weekend.

“Our goal out here is just to celebrate one of nature’s best events and that’s the beginning of the season for maple out here in New York State," said New York State Agricultural Commissioner Richard Ball.

Ball was joined by State Senator Betty Little, Assemblyman Steve McLoughlin, and others at Dry Brook Sugar House in the Washington County town of Salem to mark the start of maple weekend.

NYS Commissioner of Education Dr. John King delivered his state of education address Thursday night in Troy, answering some questions about the controversial implementation of the Common Core. 

As part of the 4th Annual Esteves School Education Speaker Series at the Sage College, New York State Commissioner of Education Dr. John King spoke before a crowd of undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students.

  Tensions ran high at a closed door leaders meeting with Governor Cuomo.

Senate Republican Leader Dean Skelos abruptly left the final leaders meeting before the weekend early, complaining there was too much emphasis on the needs of the New York City Mayor Bill deBlasio at the expense of the rest of the state.

“We have a problem right now,” Skelos said. “Hopefully we can work it out. But we’ll see.”

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, who emerged around half an hour later from the Governor’s office, says the Senator was “rather agitated”, but claimed not to know why.

  Capital District OTB has partnered with a Rochester developer - they've come up with a 300 Million dollar plan to build a casino at Thruway Exit 23.

  New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and legislative leaders continue to meet behind closed doors to hash out a budget deal, while outside the governor’s offices around 25 angry protesters were arrested.

Governor Cuomo is calling legislative leaders into his office for twice a day private meetings to hash out details of the $145 billion dollar state budget.