The New York state budget, which is already over two weeks late, is likely to be even later, after the Legislature’s bill drafting office was the victim of a cyberattack.

A local college professor has been suspended after publishing a controversial article about the Israel-Hamas war in a blog on a left-wing book publisher’s site.

The legislature approved one budget bill, to authorize the state to continue paying its debts, and adjourned until next Tuesday, April 2, one day after the budget is due.

A bill that would extend New York state’s ban on natural gas fracking is heading to Gov. Kathy Hochul’s desk after the State Legislature acted recently to prohibit using liquid carbon dioxide to extract the gas from shale rock. It’s one of a number of measures that lawmakers are considering to combat climate change. 

The upcoming solar eclipse, which is occurring in two weeks, will be fully visible in 29 counties in western and northern New York and at least 88% visible in the rest of the state.

Gov. Kathy Hochul this week took charge of New York’s troubled recreational cannabis rollout, appointing one of her top commissioners to temporarily oversee the process.

While birth control medicines remain legal in the U.S., some states are placing restrictions on obtaining the pills or contraceptive devices. Gov. Kathy Hochul says in New York, there will be full access.

New York legislators are beginning what they hope is the final stretch to accord on a state budget before it’s due at the end of the month.

The latest funding will help finish work on the third and fourth floors of the four-story building. A lot of the work on the lower floors has already been completed.

Gov. Kathy Hochul wants to raise criminal penalties for anyone who assaults a store employee. Democrats in the Legislature say they'd rather focus more closely on repeat offenders.