New York’s warehouse workers face higher injury rates than employees in any other sector.

In recent years, they’ve been hurt more often and more severely than before, according to new federal data. And they reported more than one injury per nine workers in 2023 — more than double the rate of warehouse workers nationally.

As e-commerce has driven rapid growth in the industry — which added tens of thousands of jobs around the state in recent years — labor advocates are pressing Governor Kathy Hochul to sign a bill that would require warehouses to develop plans to keep workers safe. The legislation was delivered to Hochul on Thursday, and she has 10 days to sign or veto it (or allow it to become law without signing it).

As negotiations over the state budget reach a fever pitch in March, a visitor to the New York State Assembly offices might see something surprising: cots and sleeping bags.

They’re evidence of a work culture that former Assembly employees say is punishing, all-consuming, and low-paying.

Every day, New Yorkers rely on systems shaped by lawmakers and moneyed interests within state and local governments. And every day, New Yorkers look for news and information to help them navigate these systems. As the number of local newsrooms around the state has sharply declined — where do people turn?

With generous support from The Lenfest Institute for Journalism, we set out to answer this question. Between the fall of 2023 and spring of 2024, New York Focus traveled to cities like Rochester, Albany, Potsdam, and Syracuse to gather information from local communities and media partners to understand the local news landscape of New York.

Read our full report here.