New York NOW

On This Week's Edition Catch this week's show on your local PBS member station, or watch on YouTube, Facebook, or using the free PBS app anytime after Friday. A podcast version is available wherever you normally get podcasts.

SUNY Chancellor John King joins us to discuss the second class of Empire Service Corps., student retention rates, and federal & state funding. New York was one of the first state to make Thanksgiving a holiday. We dive into the all of the historic thanksgiving facts about the state - from state proclamations to celebrations at the state museum. Explore More: nynow.org

We sit down with the NYS Department of Health Commissioner James McDonald to discuss the state's hospice and palliative care system and why utilization is so low. POLITICO's Nick Reisman joins us to discuss the results of the NYC mayoral race. Learn More: nynow.org

The chief medical officer of the NYS Office of Cannabis Management, Dr. June Chin, joins us to unpack the state's approach to medical cannabis and industry growth. An update on the latest news around New York state's election and campaign laws ahead of election day. Explore More: nynow.org

New York State is celebrating the Erie Canal's bicentennial anniversary. We discuss the history and legacy of the Erie Canal with Rebecca Hughes and Jackie Schillinger of the NYS Canal Corporation. To commemorate the anniversary, the Buffalo Maritime Center has constructed a full-sized replica of the Erie Canal Boat Seneca Chief to travel on the canal. We take a trip to one of the tour stops in Waterford. WMHT Producer Catherine Rafferty shares an episode of her Reflections on the Erie Canal documentary series. EXPLORE MORE: nynow.org

State Budget Director Blake Washington joins us to discuss inflation refund checks and New York’s fiscal priorities as planning begins for next year’s budget. Plus, October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month—Kelli Owens, executive director of NY’s Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence, explains why awareness and prevention efforts matter. EXPLORE MORE: nynow.org

We dive into the implementation process of the bell-to-bell cell phone ban in school districts across the state. POLITICO's Bill Mahoney joins us to discuss the current daily work of Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado after announcing his plans to challenge Gov. Kathy Hochul next year. Explore More: nynow.org

State Sen. Samra Brouk (D-Rochester) discusses her efforts to address suicide prevention and Daniel’s Law, legislation aimed at creating crisis response alternatives. Later, the NYCLU unpacks book bans in New York, and Sen. Rachel May (D-Syracuse) talks about her school library standards bill. Learn More: nynow.org

Six months after the unsanctioned correctional officer strike, NY prisons face deep staffing shortages, HALT Act debates, and slow recruitment. We explore the fallout and speak with Sen. Lea Webb on her legislation to create an Ebony Alert system for missing Black youth in New York. Explore More: nynow.org

We sit down with Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy to discuss the demolition of the Central Warehouse and the history of the project. State Sen. Jabari Brisport (D-Bedford Stuyvesant) unpacks the calls from progressive lawmakers for a special legislative session to address federal cuts. EXPLORE MORE: nynow.org

We dive into the latest developments in the race for New York City Mayor and Democrat's positioning on whether or not to endorse Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani with Jimmy Vielkind of WNYC and the New York Public News Network. The New York NOW team takes a day trip to the 184th annual New York State Fair and highlights many of the new attractions as well as the crowd favorites this year. EXPLORE MORE: nynow.org

Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal (D - Housing Committee Chair) joins us to unpack the newly-introduced legislative package aimed at increasing support for women dealing with menopause and perimenopause in the state. This summer, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a law that would require public schools accross the state to implement emergency cadiac safety plans. We dive into the law's impact and the process of putting this plans in place. EXPLORE MORE: nynow.org

New York has its first ever Master Plan for Aging! We sat down with James McDonald, commissioner for the State Health Department, and Greg Olsen, acting director for the State Aging Office for a deep dive on the plan and its impact. We'll unpack the latest on the ongoing process of transitioning New Yorkers enrolled in the consumer directed personal assistance program, CDPAP, to using one fiscal intermediary: Public Partnerships LLC. Explore More: nynow.org

The New York State Office of General Services Commissioner Jeanette Moy unpacks the decarbonization efforts for the Empire State Plaza, emission goals, and climate objectives in the state. State lawmakers have been pushing for a bill that would ban toxic chemicals in beauty products. We dive into the bill's history, regulations at the federal level, and the impact of toxic chemicals on consumers. EXPLORE MORE: nynow.org

The New York Protect Our Courts Act prevents ICE from making courthouse arrests without a judicial warrant. But a lawsuit from the federal justice department is threatening to challenge that law. State Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal (D - Senate Judiciary Committee Chair) joins us to unpack the bill and the lawsuit. In the final days of the legislative session, there was energy around the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act. Assembly Member Deborah Glick (D -Environmental Conservation Committee) unpacks the support around the bill and plans to build on its momentum through the summer. EXPLORE MORE: nynow.org

Catch this week's show on your local PBS member station, or watch on YouTube, Facebook, or using the free PBS app anytime after Friday. A podcast version is available wherever you normally get podcasts.

The newly-confirmed New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities Commissioner Willow Baer joins us to discuss the goals for the office and the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. We dive into the push from lawmakers and healthcare advocates for legislation meant to improve workforce protections for nurses across the state. Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo has confirmed his independent campaign for New York City mayor in the general election. The moves comes about one month after Cuomo lost the democratic primary to Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani. Explore More: nynow.org

The state budget provided $400 million in funding to invest in New York's capital city. State Sen. Pat Fahy (D - 46th State Senate District) joins us to discuss the importance and impact of this investment. The newly-confirmed commissioner of the state Division of Human Rights Denise Miranda unpacks her plans for the agency and the 80th anniversary of the division. EXPLORE MORE: nynow.org

All eyes were on New York City for the competitive democratic primary for mayor this week. Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani bested former Gov. Andrew Cuomo for the nomination in a political upset. We sit down with Murad Awawdeh, President and CEO of the New York Immigration Coalition, to discuss President Donald Trump's travel ban and the future of the New York for All Act. During the legislative session, there was a push to update the state's 40-year old organ donation statute to allow for multi-listing on transplant lists and other organ donation priorities. 📰 More at: nynow.org

SUNY Chancellor John King joins us to unpack the threats of federal funding cuts impacting New York's public universities investments from the Fiscal Year 26 state budget. We dive into the end of year traditions at the state capitol - from sneaker day to senate snow cones. The Assembly officially wrapped up session this week. We dive into the last-minute priorities of the lower chamber. 📰 More at: nynow.org