Yonkers, NY
Politics
Former State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver Dies At Prison In Hudson Valley Former State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver Dies At Prison In Hudson Valley
Former State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver Dies At Prison In Hudson Valley Embattled former New York State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, once one of the state’s most powerful politicians, has reportedly died at the age of 77 in a Hudson Valley prison. A Democrat, Silver was sentenced to six-and-a-half years in prison in July 2021 on corruption charges and died at the Otisville Correctional Institution in Orange County on Monday, Jan. 24, officials announced. Silver, who at one point represented most of Manhattan, was found guilty of two counts of honest service wire fraud, two counts of honest services mail fraud, two counts of extortion under the color of off…

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by Zak Failla
Brookfield, CT
Schools
COVID-19: CT High School To Have Early Dismissal Due To Staff Shortage COVID-19: CT High School To Have Early Dismissal Due To Staff Shortage
Covid-19: CT High School To Have Early Dismissal Due To Staff Shortage A Connecticut high school will be dismissed early due to a staffing shortage caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. In New Haven County, on Friday, Jan. 21, officials in the Hamden School District said that Hamden HS students will attend their first four periods and be dismissed at 11:30 a.m. Officials noted that the staffing shortage has only impacted the high school. No other schools in the district were affected. 
“Due to a shortage of staff, Hamden High School will institute an early dismissal schedule today, Friday, (Jan. 21),” the district posted on social media. “Students will attend pe…

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by Zak Failla
Hartford, CT
Business
Orange Juice Prices Could Increase Amid Lower Yield, Report Says Orange Juice Prices Could Increase Amid Lower Yield, Report Says
Orange Juice Prices Could Increase Amid Lower Yield, Report Says Orange juice prices could increase as Florida orange groves are seeing a lower crop yield this season.  According to a January report from the United States Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Statistics Board, the 2021-2022 forecast of Florida oranges is 44.5 million boxes, which is 1.5 million fewer than the December forecast. The USDA said if the forecast is realized, the final production will be 16 percent less than last year.  ABC News reported that this lower yield could lead to higher prices, adding that prices are already high due to the COVID-19 pandemic. According…

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by Nicole Valinote
Massapequa, NY
Schools
NY Launches Plan To Address School Bus Driver Shortage NY Launches Plan To Address School Bus Driver Shortage
NY Launches Plan To Address School Bus Driver Shortage New York has a plan to address the growing shortage of school bus and truck drivers that has plagued the state of late. Under the plan presented by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, the state would expand the availability of road tests for Commercial Driver License (CDL) applicants while permitting qualified third parties to offer the road tests, which would reduce the time it takes to get CDL drivers on the road. Much of the shortage concerns have been attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic. “As we continue to fight this pandemic, we remain committed to expanding opportunities for New Yorkers, sup…

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by Zak Failla
Greenburgh, NY
News
Here's Who Will Be Eligible For $5,000 Stimulus Checks Here's Who Will Be Eligible For $5,000 Stimulus Checks
Here's Who Will Be Eligible For $5,000 Stimulus Checks It is unlikely that the federal government will distribute a fresh round of stimulus checks to most Americans again, but some will qualify for some financial assistance in 2022. During the COVID-19 pandemic, eligible Americans received as many as three stimulus checks to help them ride out the pandemic, though a fourth is unlikely, outside of a specific group. Parents who gave birth to a child in 2021 will be eligible for a 2022 stimulus check of up to $1,400, similar to the third round that was issued in March last year. Eligible new parents who inform the IRS they had a baby — or babies …

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by Zak Failla
Pleasantville, NY
Politics
Albany's Director Of Operations Taking Job In Westchester Albany's Director Of Operations Taking Job In Westchester
Albany's Director Of Operations Taking Job In Westchester One of Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan’s top aides announced that he will be leaving upstate to take on a new job in Westchester. Brian Shea, the director of operations for the City of Albany is heading to Westchester, where he will serve as Rye’s newest assistant city manager beginning in February. Prior to his time in the mayor’s office, Shea was chief of staff to the mayor, serving as a chief spokesperson for the mayor and as Albany’s public information officer. Shea also spent time working for the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services after receiving his underg…

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by Zak Failla
Bedford, NY
Business
Here's How Much, When Minimum Wage Will Increase In Westchester Here's How Much, When Minimum Wage Will Increase In Westchester
Here's How Much, When Minimum Wage Will Increase In Westchester Workers in downstate New York are all getting a holiday bonus this year, as minimum wage rates get bumped for the third straight year. As of Friday, Dec. 31, minimum wage workers in Westchester, Suffolk, and Nassau counties will see a bump in their paychecks as their hourly wages will rise to a minimum of $15, putting them on par with employees at large firms in New York City, which has been at that benchmark for three years. Minimum wage employees in those counties had previously been getting $14 an hour. Fast-food workers across New York also make $15 an hour, regardless of location, wh…

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by Zak Failla
Worcester, MA
Business
Here's How Much, When Minimum Wage Will Increase In Massachusetts Here's How Much, When Minimum Wage Will Increase In Massachusetts
Here's How Much, When Minimum Wage Will Increase In Massachusetts Massachusetts is one of more than two dozen states that will be giving employees a holiday bonus as minimum wage is getting an increase for the beginning of 2022. As of Saturday, Jan. 1, the state’s minimum wage in Massachusetts will rise 75 cents from $13.50 an hour to $14.25. The new wage translates to $29,640 a year for employees working 40 hours a week, 52 weeks a year. The minimum wage for tipped workers who make more than $20 in tips monthly will also rise to $6.15 an hour on Jan. 1. Officials noted that the Massachusetts minimum wage bill also established a paid family and medical…

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by Zak Failla
Egg Harbor Township, NJ
News
What Newly Signed Tax Bill Means For Atlantic City Casinos What Newly Signed Tax Bill Means For Atlantic City Casinos
What Newly Signed Tax Bill Means For Atlantic City Casinos State legislation giving tax breaks to Atlantic City casinos was signed into law by Gov. Phil Murphy on Tuesday night. The bill does not affect state taxes that casinos must pay on internet gambling, online sports betting revenue or in-person casino gambling. Those taxes range from 9 to 15 percent annually. Outgoing state Senate President Stephen Sweeney, a Democrat from Gloucester who sponsored the bill, said up to four of the city’s nine casinos might close without the new legislation, NJ Advance Media  reported. But critics said the casinos have enjoyed higher revenues due to sport…

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by Jon Craig
White Plains, NY
News
COVID-19: These Will Be Key Signs When End To Pandemic Is Coming, CDC Director Says COVID-19: These Will Be Key Signs When End To Pandemic Is Coming, CDC Director Says
Covid-19: These Will Be Key Signs When End To Pandemic Is Coming, CDC Director Says The COVID-19 pandemic is now nearly two years old, and there's still no end in sight. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky says there are two key signs to look for down the line that are key indicators when the time comes that it does finally wind down. The first is a manageable number of hospitalizations, and the second is a significant drop in the number of daily deaths, she said in an interview with ABC News. To get there, Walensky emphasized the importance of relying on strategies that have proven to be effective, namely vaccines and mask…

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by Joe Lombardi
Paterson, NJ
Schools
Paterson Schools Superintendent Eileen F. Shafer To Retire Paterson Schools Superintendent Eileen F. Shafer To Retire
Paterson Schools Superintendent Eileen F. Shafer To Retire A renowned educator in Passaic County has announced her retirement after 31 years in the industry. At a Paterson Board of Education workshop meeting this week, Eileen F. Shafer stated her intention to retire on June 30, 2022. "Those aren’t easy words to say, especially about a career I have loved so much,” she said.  “I have been immensely proud to work for the students and families of Paterson Public Schools – not only while serving as Superintendent of Schools, but during every single day of the 31 years I have been here.” Shafer was appointed superintendent of Paterson Public Scho…

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by Nicole Acosta
Mount Pleasant, NY
Business
It's Opening Day For New Restaurant In Hudson Valley It's Opening Day For New Restaurant In Hudson Valley
It's Opening Day For New Restaurant In Hudson Valley A new restaurant is set to throw open its doors in the Hudson Valley. The International Buffet & Grill, in Dutchess County, opens on Tuesday, Dec. 7, at 2355 South Road in the town of Poughkeepsie, taking the place of a Golden Corral that shuttered during the COVID-19 pandemic. Not a lot is known about the new restaurant except it serves a variety of international food including American, Mexican, Italian, and Dominican, the restaurant said on Facebook. Some choices on the buffet will include pizza, chicken rotisserie, desserts, and a chocolate fountain. The restaurant…

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by Kathy Reakes