In her first speech before the state’s business leaders, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said Friday that she will focus on economic development and helping workers get better access to child care as the economy struggles to regain pre-pandemic levels.

Hochul, speaking at the annual meeting of the state’s Business Council on Lake George, said she will intensify efforts to empower the Regional Economic Development Councils, begun by her predecessor, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who resigned in August over a sexual harassment scandal.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Thursday that embattled state health commissioner Howard Zucker is out.

Zucker, who became embroiled in a controversy over the true number of nursing home deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic under former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, submitted his resignation on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Hochul is also bracing for a Monday vaccination deadline for the state’s health care workers amid worries over intensifying staffing shortages at hospital and nursing homes.

New York’s unemployment insurance fund, which the state Labor Department says has paid out over $100 billion in benefits to millions of New Yorkers during the COVID-19 pandemic, is now running a deficit.

State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli is now proposing some ways to make the fund -- which owes the federal government $9 billion -- solvent. 

Gov. Kathy Hochul said Wednesday that she doesn't believe health care workers in New York should be able to cite a religious exemption to avoid getting the COVID-19 vaccine.

The governor, who held a briefing on the status of the coronavirus in the state, was reacting to a court decision temporarily upholding the rights of some health care workers to refuse the vaccine on religious grounds. 

A new report by the state’s comptroller finds that despite years of government programs, 1 million New York households still have no access to the internet, and many in rural areas have limited access to inadequate services.  

Gov. Kathy Hochul, responding to strict new abortion laws in Texas, said Monday that she’ll make New York a safe legal haven for women’s reproductive health.

“We have to stop extremists from taking women's rights away,” Hochul said at an appearance with U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and other female state and local leaders at the Women's Rights Pioneers Monument in New York City’s Central Park.

The National Women’s Hall of Fame in Seneca Falls is postponing this year’s induction ceremonies due to concerns related to inductees and guests having to travel during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A statement released by the Hall on Thursday said the decision was reached after conversations with inductees, and other stakeholders critical to the event’s success.

Kathy Hochul was sworn in as New York’s first female governor at midnight, early Tuesday, after a disgraced Andrew Cuomo resigned to avoid impeachment by the State Legislature. 

Hochul faces multiple challenges, including rising COVID-19 rates due to the delta variant of the coronavirus and stagnating vaccination rates, as well as a looming eviction crisis.

Two of New York’s poorly ranked bridges cross Route 590 near Pittsford Plaza. During a visit to Monroe Avenue in Brighton Monday, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer pointed to the bridges and at one point touched the rust. He remarked on the visible wear on those structures.

The New York State Assembly committee investigating accusations against Governor Andrew Cuomo will release a report on their findings, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie confirmed Monday. Now, ranking Republicans wonder why the report would be released if impeachment does not move forward.