Six months after the unsanctioned correctional officer strike, NY prisons face deep staffing shortages, HALT Act debates, and slow recruitment. We explore the fallout and speak with Sen. Lea Webb on her legislation to create an Ebony Alert system for missing Black youth in New York.

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We sit down with Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy to discuss the demolition of the Central Warehouse and the history of the project. State Sen. Jabari Brisport (D-Bedford Stuyvesant) unpacks the calls from progressive lawmakers for a special legislative session to address federal cuts.

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We dive into the latest developments in the race for New York City Mayor and Democrat's positioning on whether or not to endorse Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani with Jimmy Vielkind of WNYC and the New York Public News Network. The New York NOW team takes a day trip to the 184th annual New York State Fair and highlights many of the new attractions as well as the crowd favorites this year.

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Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal (D - Housing Committee Chair) joins us to unpack the newly-introduced legislative package aimed at increasing support for women dealing with menopause and perimenopause in the state. This summer, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a law that would require public schools accross the state to implement emergency cadiac safety plans. We dive into the law's impact and the process of putting this plans in place.

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New York has its first ever Master Plan for Aging! We sat down with James McDonald, commissioner for the State Health Department, and Greg Olsen, acting director for the State Aging Office for a deep dive on the plan and its impact. We'll unpack the latest on the ongoing process of transitioning New Yorkers enrolled in the consumer directed personal assistance program, CDPAP, to using one fiscal intermediary: Public Partnerships LLC.

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The New York State Office of General Services Commissioner Jeanette Moy unpacks the decarbonization efforts for the Empire State Plaza, emission goals, and climate objectives in the state. State lawmakers have been pushing for a bill that would ban toxic chemicals in beauty products. We dive into the bill's history, regulations at the federal level, and the impact of toxic chemicals on consumers. 

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The New York Protect Our Courts Act prevents ICE from making courthouse arrests without a judicial warrant. But a lawsuit from the federal justice department is threatening to challenge that law. State Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal (D - Senate Judiciary Committee Chair) joins us to unpack the bill and the lawsuit. In the final days of the legislative session, there was energy around the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act. Assembly Member Deborah Glick (D -Environmental Conservation Committee) unpacks the support around the bill and plans to build on its momentum through the summer.

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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.

The newly-confirmed New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities Commissioner Willow Baer joins us to discuss the goals for the office and the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. We dive into the push from lawmakers and healthcare advocates  for legislation meant to improve workforce protections for nurses across the state. Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo has confirmed his independent campaign for New York City mayor in the general election. The moves comes about one month after Cuomo lost the democratic primary to Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani.

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The state budget provided $400 million in funding to invest in New York's capital city. State Sen. Pat Fahy (D - 46th State Senate District) joins us to discuss the importance and impact of this investment. The newly-confirmed commissioner of the state Division of Human Rights Denise Miranda unpacks her plans for the agency and the 80th anniversary of the division.

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