![SUNY receives $500,000 grant to boost FAFSA applications](https://WICU.images.worldnow.com/images/26042784_G.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&lastEditedDate=1722004858000)
Last year in New York over $220 million in Pell Grants were left unclaimed. The State University of New York or SUNY is determined to not let any aid go unused.
![Gov. Hochul announces $22.5 million for healthcare workforce training](https://WICU.images.worldnow.com/images/26040936_G.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&lastEditedDate=1721927562000)
A $22.5 million award going to 13 hospitals and 15 nursing homes aims to steady the healthcare workforce pipeline at a time when it faces significant shortages.
![Wells Enterprises project expands ice cream production in New York](https://WICU.images.worldnow.com/images/26038597_G.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&lastEditedDate=1721839511000)
Wells Enterprises, the largest ice cream privately owned manufacturer in the United States, is looking to spend $425 million on a project designed to increase ice cream output to more than four times their current production.
![Cuomo's $5.1 million COVID book deal ethics dispute awaits Court of Appeals review](https://WICU.images.worldnow.com/images/26036609_G.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&lastEditedDate=1721755199000)
A case awaiting the state’s highest court, involving the former governor, could potentially have a big impact of the New York State Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government.
![Gov. Hochul and growing number of lawmakers endorse Vice President Kamala Harris](https://WICU.images.worldnow.com/images/26034524_G.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&lastEditedDate=1721665586000)
Gov. Kathy Hochul and a growing number of New York state and federal lawmakers have endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to replace Biden following his bombshell announcement on Sunday afternoon.
![New York State agencies working to address impacts of cyber outage](https://WICU.images.worldnow.com/images/26031299_G.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&lastEditedDate=1721404083000)
Following a widespread cyber outage causing disruptions across the country, Gov. Kathy Hochul said Friday her teams are working to address the impacts here in the empire state.
![Improvements to childcare assistance](https://WICU.images.worldnow.com/images/26031299_G.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&lastEditedDate=1721404083000)
New York families could get access to improved childcare assistance--but that all depends on Gov Kathy Hochul to sign a bill into law.
![Abortion measure makes it back to November ballot](https://WICU.images.worldnow.com/images/26029432_G.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&lastEditedDate=1721319151000)
A propsed constitutional amendment to enshrine abortion rights will make it to the November ballot.
![Opioid settlement fund faces implementation challenges](https://WICU.images.worldnow.com/images/26027467_G.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&lastEditedDate=1721235501000)
As many advocates continue to watch people struggle through this crisis, they question the implementation process of some of the states spending of the opioid settlement fund.
![Legislation to reduce warehouse worker injuries awaits Hochul's approval](https://WICU.images.worldnow.com/images/26025435_G.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&lastEditedDate=1721149020000)
Research shows this two-day Amazon Prime event is a time when workers injuries spike.
Advocates said that makes it the perfect time for the Governor to sign legislation that would offer warehouse workers increased protections against injuries.
![Gov. Hochul condemns recent shooting at Trump rally](https://WICU.images.worldnow.com/images/26023217_G.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&lastEditedDate=1721061859000)
Hochul called this past Saturday a dark day in American history.
![Hochul weighs statewide options for limiting cell phone use in schools](https://WICU.images.worldnow.com/images/26023216_G.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&lastEditedDate=1721061831000)
According to a recent poll from the Pew Research Center, 72 percent of high school teachers nationwide said that students being distracted by cell phones is a major problem in the classroom.
![Multimillion dollar project to replace Capital Region bridge](https://WICU.images.worldnow.com/images/26019510_G.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&lastEditedDate=1720801313000)
Rail service statewide is set to become a lot faster and more reliable with the replacement of the Capital Region’s nearly two-hundred-year-old Livingston Avenue Bridge.
![Hochul continues to support Biden while Democrats call on him to drop out](https://WICU.images.worldnow.com/images/26019509_G.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&lastEditedDate=1720801293000)
Gov. Kathy Hochul continues to stand strong in her support for President Joe Biden at a time when many Democratic leaders are wavering or outright calling for him to drop out of the race.
![Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado calls on Biden to drop out](https://WICU.images.worldnow.com/images/26017731_G.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&lastEditedDate=1720718075000)
Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado is adding his voice to the growing chorus calling on President Joe Biden to drop of out of the presidential race.
![Hochul signs new safety laws for e-bikes and lithium batteries](https://WICU.images.worldnow.com/images/26017730_G.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&lastEditedDate=1720718048000)
Today Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a package of new laws designed to improve the safety of e-bikes and lithium batteries.
![State could see more drop off locations for absentee ballots](https://WICU.images.worldnow.com/images/26015479_G.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&lastEditedDate=1720630571000)
Mail-in voting could become more accessible for New Yorkers. This all depends on whether or not the Governor signs legislation to establish more absentee ballot drop off locations.
![Legislation could off more legal protections for kids in foster care](https://WICU.images.worldnow.com/images/26013306_G.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&lastEditedDate=1720545410000)
Foster care kids aging out of the system could gain more legal protections. This all depends on legislation awaiting the Governor's signature.
![A bill to improve Alzheimer's education and awareness](https://WICU.images.worldnow.com/images/26011004_G.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&lastEditedDate=1720449701000)
At a time when hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers and their families are facing Alzheimer’s, state lawmakers are hoping to get an outreach and education program off the ground.
![Gov. Hochul announces $45 million for new supportive housing](https://WICU.images.worldnow.com/images/26007120_G.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&lastEditedDate=1720187974000)
Gov. Kathy Hochul recently announced $45 million in state funding for six projects to develop new supportive housing units.
![Gov. Hochul signs new laws to support HIV and AIDS prevention](https://WICU.images.worldnow.com/images/26004130_G.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&lastEditedDate=1720021908000)
As pride month came to a close, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a legislation package intending to support HIV and AIDS treatment and prevention resources impacting LGBTQIA communities.
![New law seeks to clarify AI regulations for political communications](https://WICU.images.worldnow.com/images/26002128_G.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&lastEditedDate=1719938728000)
Gov. Kathy Hochul recently signed a bill into law to clarify state regulations on AI usage in political campaigns.
![A failed paid medical leave bill leaves cancer patients struggling](https://WICU.images.worldnow.com/images/25999903_G.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&lastEditedDate=1719852548000)
Cancer advocates are feeling disappointed and frustrated after watching lawmakers adjourn for the summer without passing legislation to expand paid leave benefits.
![Ethics commission report shows record highs in lobbying spending](https://WICU.images.worldnow.com/images/25995761_G.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&lastEditedDate=1719590528000)
In 2023 lobby spending reached a record high of more than $360 million.
![Potential changes to local government food purchasing](https://WICU.images.worldnow.com/images/25993445_G.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&lastEditedDate=1719507354000)
The empire state’s procurement laws haven’t changed in over 50 years. But legislation—nicknamed the ‘Good Food New York bill’-- awaiting Gov. Kathy Hochul’s review could change this.
![Supreme Court upholds domestic violence gun restriction](https://WICU.images.worldnow.com/images/25990648_G.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&lastEditedDate=1719419254000)
Recently the U.S. Supreme Court issued it's first second amendment case in nearly two years.
![Mental health legislation tries to combat suicides in rural areas](https://WICU.images.worldnow.com/images/25988215_G.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&lastEditedDate=1719335498000)
Before they left for the summer, lawmakers passed a bill to establish a rural suicide prevention council. Now it awaits the Governor's approval.
![Legislation to expand access to mail-in voting](https://WICU.images.worldnow.com/images/25985489_G.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&lastEditedDate=1719242913000)
Pre-registered voters in the empire state could gain easy access to absentee and mail-in ballots.
![Appellate court rules in favor of abortion ballot measure](https://WICU.images.worldnow.com/images/25976945_G.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&lastEditedDate=1718817159000)
An abortion ballot proposition that recently faced jeopardy due to legal challenges officially reclaimed its spot on voters November ballots.
![Gov. Hochul encourages New Yorkers to take precautions during historic heat wave](https://WICU.images.worldnow.com/images/25974661_G.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&lastEditedDate=1718731666000)
With dangerously high temperatures arriving this week, State leaders are advising New Yorkers to take precautionary steps to protect their health.