NEWS & INFO

State Analysis Warns Climate Law Compliance Could Raise Energy Costs for New Yorkers by Thousands      A newly disclosed state analysis suggests New Yorkers could face significant increases in household energy costs as officials grapple with how to fully implement the state’s sweeping climate mandate, intensifying debate over the future of New York’s landmark environmental law.      Governor Kathy Hochul said in February that complying with the state’s climate requirements co

Doug Mooradian officially announced his candidacy today for Niagara County Legislator in the 7th District, pledging to deliver accountable and results-driven leadership for the residents of Wheatfield and North Tonawanda. For more than two decades, Mooradian has dedicated himself to strengthening the community that he has been fortunate to call home. A trusted business professional and lifelong volunteer, he has served as a board president, fundraising chairman, youth coach,

By: Tom George      Governor Kathy Hochul hosted a roundtable with law enforcement and elected officials to announce the “Local Cops Local Crimes Act” which prohibit state and local law enforcement agencies from partnering with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for civil immigration enforcement. Hochul made the announcement surrounded by more than a dozen District Attorneys, county sheriffs, police chiefs and county executives from across the state.      The Act

Mayor Sean M. Ryan today testified before the New York State Legislature at the Joint Legislative Public Hearing on the 2026 Executive Budget Proposal, where he laid out the City of Buffalo’s fiscal condition and called for a partnership with the State to restore long-term financial stability.      In his testimony, Mayor Ryan described a city operating under the weight of years of unrealistic budgeting practices and one-time revenue solutions that have depleted City reserves

New York State Senate Republican Minority Leader Rob Ortt is urging state officials to investigate Candlelight Cabinetry in Lockport following weeks of uncertainty surrounding the company’s operations and the status of its workforce.      Ortt, who represents the 62nd Senate District and serves as the top-ranking Republican in the State Senate, announced that he and Assemblyman Paul Bologna have formally requested that both the New York State Department of Labor and the Offic

Mayor Austin Tylec used his annual State of the City address at the Riviera Theatre to highlight a wave of residential development, infrastructure upgrades and redevelopment efforts underway across North Tonawanda, while also defending the city’s financial management amid ongoing labor tensions and rising project costs.      Framing the city as one on the upswing, Tylec pointed to visible construction activity and what he described as steady fiscal footing.      “North Tonawa

A long-fought battle in downtown Niagara Falls has entered a quieter phase, but the stakes for local taxpayers may be higher than ever.      For more than two years, the City of Niagara Falls and a private development firm known as Niagara Falls Redevelopment (NFR) have been locked in a legal and political conflict over the future of a multi-million stretch of land near John B. Daly Boulevard, directly across from Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino. At the heart of the dispute ar

Governor Kathy Hochul is encouraging New York families to take advantage of the state’s newly expanded child tax credit as the 2026 tax filing season officially begins. The refundable benefit, known as the Empire State Child Credit (ESCC), can be used to reduce a taxpayer’s bill or be paid out directly as a refund. “The Empire State Child Credit delivers a vital financial boost to New York families,” Hochul said. “Now, after the largest expansion of the credit in New York his

Local businessman, community leader and Niagara Falls Board of Education member Russ Petrozzi today announced he will run for Niagara County Legislator this November in the 5th district. The seat is currently held by Legislator Chris Robins, who announced he will not seek re-election. Petrozzi plans to seek the Republican and Conservative lines. “I have a long career in serving this community and I want to continue doing that as a legislator where I think I can have a signifi

The operating season at Niagara Pumpkin Farm may be over, but tensions between the farm’s owners and the Town of Lewiston continue to escalate following the town board’s decision to impose a six-month moratorium on seasonal attractions. Kyle and Alisha King, who own the Niagara Pumpkin Farm at 5368 Townline Road, say the town has repeatedly changed requirements even after they complied with prior conditions, making it nearly impossible to plan for future seasons. Their frustr

A new Siena College poll released Tuesday claims Governor Kathy Hochul holds a 20-point advantage over Congresswoman Elise Stefanik in a potential 2026 matchup, placing Hochul at 52–32% among roughly 800 likely voters. The numbers show Hochul’s favorability has dropped five points since September. The poll has prompted renewed criticism from Republicans who argue Siena’s surveys consistently lean toward Democrats and fail to capture right-leaning voter enthusiasm. The critiqu

Rep. Elise Stefanik is blasting Governor Kathy Hochul after word got out that she plans to shut down additional state correctional facilities, including Bare Hill Correctional Facility and parts of Collins Correctional Facility. The announcement comes as Hochul works to raise money for her reelection effort, weeks before the holiday season, and shortly after hitching her wagon to democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani. Stefanik said she and other lawmakers have already been cont

New York Governor Kathy Hochul is facing renewed political pressure after her former deputy chief of staff, Linda Sun, was charged with secretly operating as an agent of the Chinese government while serving in senior roles under both Hochul and former Governor Andrew Cuomo. Sun and her husband, Chris Hu, are now at the center of a federal case where prosecutors say both operated to aid the Communist Party of China. According to federal filings, Sun is accused of using her acc

A private dinner inside the White House turned into a strategy session this week as some of the most influential figures in American finance met with President Donald Trump to discuss one issue dominating the room: how to blunt incoming New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s economic plans. According to The Telegraph, the Wednesday night gathering brought together a long list of billionaire CEOs - many of whom rarely appear in the same room - because of rising concerns th

New York’s move toward an all-electric future has been abruptly put on hold after Governor Kathy Hochul agreed to delay the rollout of the state’s landmark building-electrification mandate. The reversal undermines her own climate promises on legislation she supported. The law, passed in 2023 and billed as a cornerstone of the state’s emissions-reduction strategy, was supposed to take effect January 1st. It would have required most newly constructed residential buildings under

New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani is already making waves, and not in ways that reassure those worried about the city’s economy. Instead of focusing on the financial and public-safety crises facing New York, Mamdani has turned his attention to Starbucks, calling on New Yorkers to stop buying from the coffee chain while baristas remain on strike. On Thursday evening, Mamdani announced on X that he would not support the company during the labor dispute, writing, “Starbuc

New York’s already-strained business environment may become even more hostile as Governor Kathy Hochul is now considering raising corporate taxes to deal with a looming budget gap, according to a person familiar with internal discussions. The possibility has alarmed business owners and fiscal analysts who argue that a tax increase would accelerate the ongoing exodus of employers fleeing the state’s high-cost economy. The governor’s office has not announced any formal plan, bu

Governor Kathy Hochul is facing mounting backlash after her administration approved a long-delayed natural gas pipeline through New York Harbor — a project that had been rejected multiple times in previous years over environmental concerns. More than 200 demonstrators gathered outside Hochul’s New York City office on Tuesday to protest the decision, condemning the state’s approval of the Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) pipeline. The project, spearheaded by energy companie

New York Governor Kathy Hochul could be heading for a bruising re-election battle in 2026 as a new statewide poll shows her Republican challenger, Rep. Elise Stefanik, within striking distance in what has long been considered a safely Democratic state. According to a recent survey conducted by J.L. Partners, Stefanik holds a commanding lead among likely Republican primary voters and is statistically tied with Hochul in a general election matchup. The poll found that 74% of GO

A new analysis has delivered troubling news for New Yorkers hoping to enjoy their retirement years without financial stress. The Empire State ranks among the worst places in the nation to retire. According to a recent report by Retirement Living, New York came in 49th overall, making it the second-worst state in America for retirees. The study evaluated all 50 states using a 100-point scoring system based on three major categories: quality of life (60 points), affordability (