New York NOW

Election Day was Tuesday! Democrats secured control of the U.S. Congress following midterm elections. We speak with voters and political strategists to understand the impact on the U.S. House of Representatives and how voter turnout was a key factor this year. Jimmy Vielkind, of the Times Union, and Bill Mahoney, of POLITICO, join us to unpack the statewide election results in New York -- includin...

With less than a week until election day and early voting underway, gubernatorial candidates Gov. Kathy Hochul and Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman are making their final pitch to voters. We dive into New York's haunted history with trips to New York State Capitol and the Saratoga Springs History Museum for haunted tours and tales. The Museum of Political Corruption honored veteran journalis...

Election Day is just two weeks away! A recent poll from Quinnipiac University shows Gov. Kathy Hochul with a 14-point lead over Republican Challenger Bruce Blakeman. We'll dive into the status of the race for New York's Attorney General and Comptroller as well as the Democratic Socialist candidates slated to head to Congress next year. Kate Lisa, of City and State New York, and Alexander MacDougal...

Gov. Kathy Hochul and Republican Gubernatorial Challenger Bruce Blakeman met for their first and only debate of the campaign season. The two clashed over President Donald Trump, immigration, the Cornell University sexual assault case, the state's cost of living, and more. Alex Gault of the Watertown Daily Times and Austin Jefferson of Streetsblog NYC join us to unpack the debate highlights and wha...

We unpack the race for New York 20th Congressional District Representative between longtime Rep. Paul Tonko and Republican Challenger Ralph Ambrosio. The NY-20 Congressional Candidates will meeting for a LIVE televised debate on October 15th at the WMHT studio hosted by the Upstate Debate Consortium. We dive into the impact of Gov. Kathy Hochul's moratorium on A.I. data centers across the state an...

Murad Awawdeh, president of the New York Immigration Coalition, joins us to unpack ICE harassment and immigration policies signed into law earlier this year that could have an impact. In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, we examine what discrimination looks like for Hispanic small businesses today, including challenges in the state's Minority Women-Owned Business Enterprise or MWBE program.    EXP...

Assembly Member John McDonald (D - Parts of Albany, Rensselaer and Saratoga Counties) joins us to unpack a bill that would help the state navigate the elimination of pennies and another bill prohibiting the sale of nitrous oxide. The lack of affordable housing has become a pertinent issue across the state. We examine how state lawmakers are hoping to provide legislative support to New Yorkers feel...

New York is one of eleven states in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, RGGI. Jon Binder, executive director of the Model Climate Laws Initiative, joins us to unpack the impact of the program and the latest updates. About 8 million New York households will receive utility rebate checks - an initiative from this year's enacted state budget. Samuel King, of WXXI and the NYPNN, joins us to discus...

This week marks the 25th Anniversary of the September 11th attacks. We connect with 9/11 survivors to understand the severity of long-lasting health issues from the attacks and dive into the challenges with the federal 9.11 World Trade Center Health Program. David Lombardo, of WCNY's The Capitol Pressroom, sat down with POLITICO's Marie French to understand the coordinated effort from utility comp...

David Lombardo, of WCNY's The Capitol Pressroom, sits down with Dr. Chinazo Cunningham, Commissioner of the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports, to unpack the state's opioid settlement funds and the work to help with addiction recovery efforts. The Great New York State Fair is back! Shantel Destra and Elise Kline take a day trip to Syracuse to experience the fun fair tradition...

On This Week's Edition Watch this week's show on  your local PBS member station , or watch  on YouTube ,  Facebook , or using the  free PBS app  anytime after Friday. A  podcast version  is available wherever you normally get podcasts. Newly minted Democratic Campaign Committee Chair State Sen. Shelley Mayer (D - S.D. 37)  joins us to discuss the goals of the committee, competitive races this year...

New York State Lawmakers and Child Abuse Advocates are calling on Gov. Kathy Hochul to sign Kyra's Law. The bill's sponsor, Assembly Member Andrew Hevesi (D-Child and Families Committee Chair)  joins us to unpack the bill and how the state can expand support for victims. David Lombardo, of the WCNY's The Capitol Pressroom, and POLITICO'S Nick Reisman have an in-depth roundtable discussion on the p...

New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Barbara Guinn unpacks the issue of EBT benefit fraud, the rollout of chip based benefit cards and funding for the office. We dive into the challenges of the legal cannabis industry and the New York State Office of Cannabis Management - including lack of regulation and the enforcement of licenses. New York lawmakers have pass...

Gov. Kathy Hochul and State Attorney General Letitia James announce the standards for the Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation (SAFE) for Kids Act. Assembly Member Phil Steck (D - 110th A.D., Colonie) unpacks legislation requiring social media companies to comply with law enforcement warrants within 72 hours. Rory Christian, Chair and CEO of the New York State Public Service Commission, details the c...

It's been one year since New York unveiled the Master Plan for Aging - a comprehensive roadmap for the state's efforts in supporting elder adults. Sebrina Barrett, President and CEO of LeadingAge New York, joins us to discuss the impact of the plan and state progress so far. State lawmakers and health advocates are hoping Gov. Kathy Hochul will sign legislation to improve health data privacy in th...

Gov. Kathy Hochul signed an executive order placing a one-year moratorium on A.I. data centers -- making New York the first state in the nation to place a restriction on the growing A.I. industry. SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. joins us to discuss the one year anniversary of SUNY Reconnect, the expansion of the program and the state funds needed to support the university system. Kelli Owens, exe...

We dive into a bill that would establish a ban on surveillance pricing in the state. If passed, New York would be the third state in the country to implement this policy. Laura Rabinow, director of research for the Rockefeller Institute of Government, unpacks the role of dams in New York and why several have been deemed hazardous.   EXPLORE MORE: nynow.org

As America marks 250 years since the Declaration of Independence, New York NOW explores New York’s pivotal role in the American Revolution, how historic sites are being preserved across the state, and PBS’s upcoming documentary series from Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt.   Learn More: nynow.org

New York Democratic Insurgents, backed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, had historic wins on primary night. We dive into the results from the competitive congressional primary races with Jon Campbell, of WNYC & Gothamist, and Jason Beeferman of POLITICO. State lawmakers are trying to get increased support for pet owners across the state. We dive into the several bills passed this session...

This year's state budget established controversial changes to the state's approach to climate. We spoke with the Assembly's Environmental Conservation Committee Chair Deborah Glick (D - 66th A.D., Lower Manhattan) about the changes to the climate law as well as her identity as the first open member of the LGBTQ+ community to serve in the legislature as she prepares to retire. The Capitol Pressroom...

The 2026 Legislative Session has officially wrapped! New York State Lawmakers passed more than 700 bills this year, many of which will head to the governor's desk soon. We sit down with WXXI's Samuel King and Newsday's Keshia Clukey to unpack some of the big bills awaiting the governor's review, including bills to redistrict congressional election maps and put a moratorium on data centers. State A...

On This Week's Edition Catch this week's show on your local PBS member station, or watch on YouTube, Facebook, or using the free PBS app anytime after Friday. A podcast version is available wherever you normally get podcasts. It was a very busy last week of the 2026 Legislative Session! New York State Lawmakers introduced and passed a measure to allow for mid-decade redistricting following the Apr...

New York state finally has a FY'27 Budget! New York state lawmakers spent the last week voting - and debating - the remaining budget bills for the governor's signature. We dive into the elements of the budget bills with Rebecca Lewis, of City and State New York. State lawmakers and mental health advocates are trying to get Daniel's Law passed before the end of the legislative session. This year's...

New York State's budget is now officially six weeks late. We bring updates on where negotiations stand as of this week. Criminal Justice Advocates and State Lawmakers are trying to shore up support for a bill that would end qualified immunity for officers. We unpack the bill's impact from supporters and critics. State Sen. Nathalia Fernandez (D - Bronx & Westchester) joins us to discuss a legi...

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a "general agreement" for the state's FY27 budget. However, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie told reporters there was no deal. We dive into the latest developments on negotiations and where things stand with the remaining budget bills with Newsday's Keshia Clukey and Alex Gault, of NNY360 & The Watertown Daily Times. Assembly Member Landon Dais (D - The Bronx) joins us...