WAER 88.3 News | NPR from Central New York

Governor Kathy Hochul delivered a COVID-19 briefing from the Expo Center at the state fairgrounds Tuesday, where she pleaded with New Yorkers to do their part to fight infection and illness.

Syracuse could cash in from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, especially around technology to implement 5G wireless systems. JMA Wireless hosted Senator Chuck Schumer who explained provisions to buy American-only products for some $60 billion in broadband funding would help JMA, the only manufacturer of 5G components in the nation right now.

Silver, an Orthodox Jew whose parents were Russian immigrants, was a native of Manhattan’s Lower East Side. He was elected to the state Assembly in 1977, and as Speaker in 1994.

At the State of City Address Mayor Walsh proposed the creation of the first ever Mayor's Office to Reduce Gun Violence. He says ‘we must do more to make out city safer, and we will.’

Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh proposed a new office to battle gun violence, new efforts to go after code and nuisance issues in neighborhoods, and continued development on the city's Southside in his State of the City address Thursday. He acknowledged ongoing poverty and other problems, while touting progress on job training, education gains and fiscal stability.

Syracuse drug addiction prevention experts are optimistic about being able to help those struggling with substance abuse under Governor Hochul’s plan to increase spending by $400 million. One of the agencies on the front lines is Prevention Network.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul, in office for less than half a year, is looking to be a strong favorite in the 2022 race for election. Capitol Correspondent Karen DeWitt takes a look at how far the governor has come in a short time, and what could still trip her up.

The Double Up Food Bucks program offers a dollar-for-dollar match on purchases of fresh produce for SNAP recipients. It just launched at the Syracuse Cooperative Market and Brady Market. There's a 20-dollar-a-day limit, but advocates say it can lead to more fruits and vegetables, and better health.

Governor Kathy Hochul attached some numbers to what she calls her bold agenda to recover from the pandemic and push the state forward. Hochul has the rare advantage of entering the budget season with a surplus due to better tax collections and generous federal aid packages.

Bolstered by pandemic relief funds from Washington and higher tax collections, New York's budget situation is in better shape than in recent years. That will help Governor Kathy Hochul fund some of the pledges she made in her State of the State address on childcare, health care pay, tax breaks and more. The budget address is Tuesday.