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The interior of the New York State Capitol.
In Brief: Why Can’t New York Build an Effective Ethics Agency?

In a state known for scandals, Albany’s ethics enforcement has long been criticized.

Chris Bragg   ·   November 22, 2024
Photo collage of Donald Trump in front of school desks, with a map of New York state in the background.
What Trump’s Second Term Could Mean for New York Schools

A review of Trump’s first term, along with his campaign promises and details found within Project 2025, indicate what’s to come in New York.

Bianca Fortis   ·   November 20, 2024
A collage with the background image of three wind turbines in the ocean. Overlayed is an image of President-elect Donald Trump with his fist in the air.
Donald Trump Could Blow a Big Hole in New York’s Climate Plan

Offshore wind is crucial to the state’s plans for cleaning up its electric grid, and construction is already behind schedule. The incoming president could slow it down a whole lot more.

Colin Kinniburgh   ·   November 19, 2024
Rows of desks in a classroom with a roll of dollar bills on each desk.
In Brief: What Is Foundation Aid, New York’s School-Funding Formula?

Here’s a simple explanation of a complicated and archaic formula — and why the state is updating it.

Bianca Fortis   ·   November 18, 2024
Photo collage of Tom Suozzi over North Shore University Hospital
Tom Suozzi, Clarapath, and the Biotech Boom He Didn’t Disclose

Suozzi’s unreported financial interest in a promising healthcare startup highlights blurred lines between politics and profit.

Will Bredderman   ·   November 14, 2024
A photo illustration showing Governor Kathy Hochul's face and migrants walking down a NYC street.
Will Hochul Fight Trump’s Plan for ‘Mass Deportations’?

Trump is poised to ramp up deportation activity in northern states like New York, which has few statewide policies limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.

Chris Gelardi   ·   November 12, 2024
A roll of "I Voted" stickers
How Low Voter Turnout Helped Trump Gain Ground in New York

Trump picked up some votes in New York this year. But Democrats lost far more.

Colin Kinniburgh   ·   November 9, 2024
A photo illustration showing President Donald Trump and NYC Mayor Eric Adams with backgrounds of the White House and Albany Capitol Building.
A Weak Showing From Harris, a Strong One from Congressional Dems, and a Win for Abortion Access: How New Yorkers Voted

Last month, we asked five questions about what would happen in the election. Here are the answers.

Sam Mellins and Chris Bragg   ·   November 6, 2024
Has New York Built Its Last Fossil Fuel Plant?

Some want New York to rethink its climate mandates. Could new gas plants be on the table?

Colin Kinniburgh   ·   November 5, 2024
The logo of a baby in a stroller lays above a background of dollar signs on bricks.
New York ‘Birth Grant’ Bill Would Pay New Parents With Medicaid Funds

A proposal from state Senator Andrew Gounardes would send some new parents $1,800 in the third trimester of pregnancy.

Julia Rock   ·   November 4, 2024
AI Isn’t Coming to Crash New York’s Electric Grid. Yet.

Major new tech facilities are not expected to overload the state’s grid — but New York City could fall short of power in the early 2030s without creative solutions, according to a key study.

Colin Kinniburgh   ·   November 1, 2024
In the center of the image is a police badge with department names scratched out to represent O'Connell's history of moving from one department to the next. The badge is overlaid on a collage of O'Connell's redacted disciplinary records.
Rehired: How New York’s Problem Cops Can Bounce Between Jobs

The state doesn’t publicize officer employment histories, making it impossible to track so-called wandering officers.

Sammy Sussman and Chris Gelardi   ·   October 31, 2024
Can Police Departments Be Trusted to Release Their Own Misconduct Records? Apparently Not.

The police chief in Orange County’s Village of Chester claimed his department had no misconduct records. He was hiding an investigation into his own alleged malfeasance.

Sammy Sussman   ·   October 30, 2024
Former state budget director Robert Mujica sits at a table with a name card wearing a suit.
Former New York Budget Chief Robert Mujica’s Consulting Sparks Revolving Door Questions

New financial disclosures show when Mujica began consulting for the Greater New York Hospital Association.

Chris Bragg   ·   October 29, 2024
Naps, Pink Eye, a Bee Sting: How a Hochul Appointee Got Himself Kicked Off the Parole Board

Brandon Stradford lasted two months on New York state’s Board of Parole. He continued collecting a paycheck for another seven.

Chris Gelardi   ·   October 28, 2024
The word "fixed" is overlaid on top of a Bronx city skyline with a background of $20 bills.
Oh, There It Is! Bronx Dems Fix Disclosure Failure After New York Focus Reporting.

The disclosures included over a dozen missing or incomplete reports covering a period of more than four years.

Sam Mellins and Chris Bragg   ·   October 22, 2024
Empty schoolroom chairs face a large help wanted sign.
Why Can’t New York Keep Up With the Demand for Bilingual Teachers?

Years of shortages have led to a staggering problem across the state, with few solutions on the horizon.

Bianca Fortis   ·   October 18, 2024
A collage of images showing the Albany Capitol building, Vice President Kamala Harris, former President Donald Trump, and NYC Mayor Eric Adams.
Cheat Sheet: Navigating New York’s 2024 Elections

Here are the five topics we’re watching with the elections less than three weeks away.

Chris Bragg and Sam Mellins   ·   October 16, 2024
An image shows a closeup of a magnifying glass and $20 bills behind the Bronx skyline.
Where’s The Money? More Than $400,000 Missing from Bronx Democratic Party Disclosures

The chair of Assembly Democrats’ campaign committee said he wasn’t aware his organization had sent hundreds of thousands of dollars to the Bronx.

Sam Mellins   ·   October 15, 2024
Someone rinses their hand with water from a rusty lead pipe in a park.
New York Is on the Hook for Billions to Replace Lead Pipes

New rules from the Biden administration require water utilities to replace all lead pipes. That could cost New York $2.5 billion or more, kicking off a fight over who pays.

Colin Kinniburgh   ·   October 11, 2024
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