New York News

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s health commissioner was questioned by lawmakers at a budget hearing about his ongoing review of the health effects of hydrofracking.  But Dr. Nirav Shah provided few details on Monday.

New York's health commissioner is still declining to speculate when his agency will finish a review of the health effects of hydraulic fracturing for natural gas, meaning the state appears no closer to allowing the controversial drilling process.

Dr. Nirav Shah told legislators in Albany on Monday that a conclusion is "not in the near future, where I can predict it."

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo wants to fund an experimental high school model that connects students with colleges and business to put them on a technology-focused career path.

In his budget proposal, Governor Cuomo is calling for $5 million to help start 10 more P-TECH schools in New York. The P-TECH model, short for Pathways in Technology Early College High School, is named after the school in Brooklyn that was launched 2011.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has been taking credit for a $2 billion budget surplus in his new spending plan. But critics say that claim is not entirely accurate, because the windfall does not actually materialize for another two years, and only if certain conditions are met.

A proposal to merge two Southern Adirondack school districts recently was defeated. As WAMC’s Lucas Willard reports, schools often have to find new ways to move forward in challenging economic times.

In early January, community votes in the school districts of Northville and Mayfield were held to determine if the two would merge. While the school boards of each district initially approved the merger, voters in Northville voted against the proposal, while those in Mayfield supported it. Without the support of voters in both districts, the merger could not go through.

A new report from a national advocacy group gives New York improved grades for policies that support effective teaching.

The Washington, D.C.-based National Council on Teacher Quality has released its seventh annual State Teacher Policy Yearbook, which includes a 360-degree analysis of every state law, rule and regulation that shapes the effectiveness of the teaching profession in New York.

Joint legislative hearings on New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s proposed 2014-2105 budget are being held this week. Wednesday’s testimony focused on environmental issues.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has ordered state agencies to review the safety and emergency response readiness capabilities related to rail shipments of tar sands oils being shipped through the state.

Officials say 18 people are being rounded up in New York City on allegations they sold "party packs" of cocaine and sex to high-end clients and texted them to advertise ahead of this week's Super Bowl festivities.

New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman's office says the arrests follow an 11-month investigation by state and city authorities. The suspects are being arrested and brought to a Manhattan police precinct for arraignment Thursday morning.

U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer says federal authorities are releasing $50.6 million more to provide home heating aid to New Yorkers.

Families whose incomes are 150 percent of the federal poverty level or lower are eligible for heating aid.

Schumer says the release for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which he requested in January, should provide critical relief to needy residents and senior citizens during a stretch of especially cold weather.

The Department of Health and Human Services is releasing $454 million nationwide.