Topics New York State
A motel is completely engulfed in flames, and black and gray smoke pours into the sky. A lone firefighter walks in the right side of the frame.
‘A Family Trying to Survive’: Six Die at Motel Used to House Broome County’s Homeless

The Knights Inn, profiled by New York Focus and ProPublica last year, had received health and safety complaints for years.

Spencer Norris and Isabelle Taft   ·   June 26, 2026
An illustration showing the New York State of Health logo and paperwork bearing several messages around essential plan eligibility and plan termination.
New York Essential Plan Users Worry: Am I Losing Coverage?

Unclear notices have left participants unsure about the status of their insurance and what steps to take next.

Jie Jenny Zou   ·   June 26, 2026
A student's hand using a calculator on a math worksheet.
‘Math Wars’: New York Wants to Reform Math Instruction, but Experts Disagree on How

On the heels of a “Back to Basics” reading effort, New York is launching a similar initiative for math.

Melissa Manno   ·   June 25, 2026
Winning DSA candidates at a watch party
DSA Dominates Albany Elections Despite Super PAC Deluge

The DSA made gains in New York despite super PACs spending $9.6 million in state legislative races — nearly five times the total from 2024.

Nick Garber and Chris Bragg   ·   June 24, 2026
A high-contrast photo of a rolled up graduation diploma closed with a tassel against an orange and black background.
New York High Schoolers Might Be Getting a New Diploma. Here’s What to Know.

At a Board of Regents meeting Monday, state officials proposed eliminating credit-based diploma requirements.

Melissa Manno   ·   June 19, 2026
A split-screen image showing a photo of New York state Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas speaking on the left and New York state Senator Jessica Ramos speaking on the right.
Mystery Donor Spends Record-Breaking $850K on Jessica Ramos’s Senate Challenger

The last-minute influx, the biggest ever for a legislative primary, is boosting her opponent, Jessica González-Rojas.

Nick Garber and Chris Bragg   ·   June 18, 2026
Mamdani and Hochul at a rally together
Mamdani World Readies for Next Year’s Tax-the-Rich Push

City budget gaps and an ambitious affordability agenda may require pressing Albany again for taxes and aid.

Nick Garber   ·   June 17, 2026
Advocates for survivors holding signs at a rally
New York May End Blame Game When Deciding Which Crime Survivors Get State Aid

A bill awaiting the governor’s signature would relax restrictions on who can qualify for victim compensation.

Cassi Feldman   ·   June 16, 2026
What To Do If You’re Impacted By Changes to the Essential Plan

We’ve compiled information for the 450,000 New Yorkers who will lose health care coverage on July 1.

Jie Jenny Zou   ·   June 15, 2026
A photo of Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie walking towards the camera while looking off to the side.
Plastics Bill Died in Assembly After Blitz By Lobbyists With Ties to Heastie

A lobbyist who has been romantically linked to Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie led a rally opposing the legislation a week before the speaker declined to bring it to a vote.

Amudalat Ajasa and Chris Bragg   ·   June 11, 2026
The Haggle — a New York Focus breakdown of the state budget
The Haggle

In May, state lawmakers passed a $269 billion budget after haggling for months over thousands of line items and policies affecting New Yorkers.

New York Focus   ·   June 9, 2026
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman
Super PAC Forms to Boost Bruce Blakeman, Hochul’s Republican Challenger

Millions in outside spending was a boon to Gov. Kathy Hochul’s 2022 opponent, Lee Zeldin, and influenced down-ballot races.

Chris Bragg   ·   June 8, 2026
A black and white photo of the New York state Capitol Buildling over a yellow-tinted background.
Bill Stalled in Assembly Could Determine Fate of Hundreds of Sexual Assault Cases

The legislation would make it easier for currently and formerly incarcerated people and child victims to sue the state over allegations of past abuse.

Chris Bragg   ·   June 5, 2026
Rows of empty seats watch a horse racing track with a lone harness racer and horse.
Hochul Moves to Protect Horseracing From Casino’s Tax Fight

State leaders are expected to pass a bill that avoids resolving how much Resorts World New York City needs to pay.

Nick Garber   ·   June 3, 2026
A website on an open laptop sucks in cash via a black hole.
Rochester’s Anti-Poverty Portal Struggles to Meet Promise

New York state has pumped millions of taxpayer dollars into an online portal that vowed to make life easier for Rochester’s neediest, but critics say it’s fallen short.

Jie Jenny Zou   ·   June 3, 2026
Photo of a casino floor with rows of brightly lit video lottery terminals and a single player sitting to the left in front of a terminal.
New York’s Brand-New Casino Is in a $500M+ Fight With the State

Resorts World is floating legislation to avert more than $500 million in payments to the horseracing industry.

Nick Garber   ·   June 1, 2026
A photo collage of Governor Kathy Hochul over a yellow-tinted photo of many tall stacks of paper superimposed onto the New York state Capitol.
What’s in the 2026 State Budget? Here’s What To Know.

Our searchable database breaks down the most consequential decisions Albany politicians made on climate, immigration, housing, schools, taxes, and more.

New York Focus   ·   May 29, 2026
A photo collage of Governor Kathy Hochul in front of a yellow-tinted card explaining New York State of Health's Essential Plan.
No Solution to Health Coverage Cliff in Delayed State Budget

Despite last-ditch efforts by a coalition of lawmakers, the state failed to avert a health coverage cliff coming this summer.

Jie Jenny Zou   ·   May 28, 2026
A photo collage of Governor Kathy Hochul in front of a yellow-tinted photo of four smokestacks.
State Budget Thrashes Landmark Climate Law

Governor Kathy Hochul was successful in her bid to upend the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act after legislators caved to finalize an overall budget deal.

Amudalat Ajasa and Nick Garber   ·   May 27, 2026
Trump Administration Fires Two More New York City Immigration Judges as New Hires Take the Bench

The Department of Justice has terminated more than 100 immigration judges since last year as it has pressured courts to order more deportations.

Isabelle Taft   ·   May 23, 2026
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