New York NOW

Will state lawmakers repeal a controversial civil rights law that protects police misconduct records? We’ll take a look at the issue from both sides. We also examine how a new statewide public campaign finance system could affect future elections and third parties. At the Reporters Roundtable, Karen DeWitt and Bernadette Hogan of the New York Post join us to analyze this week’s news.

The latest on how the vaping-related health crisis is affecting New York.

We’ll also touch on another controversial ban state lawmakers may consider – prohibiting tackle football before age 12. A recent study revealed a link between an increased risk of the degenerative brain disease CTE and playing tackle at an early age.

On this episode of New York Now, it’s the eve of New York’s first early voting period.

We’ll be taking a look at how one county prepared for the process, which wasn’t as smooth as hoped. Many counties across the state struggled to find accessible polling places. Others dealt with upgrading voting technology to accommodate early voting. Will the state and counties iron out the wrinkles by next year for the presidential election? Join us.

The early voting period starts October 26 and ends November 3. Check your county board of elections for details on where you can vote early this year.

On this episode of New York Now, we welcome award-winning journalist Ray Suarez to our ranks as host. He will be with us as interim host for the next several weeks.

Learn about the severe overcrowding of the Adirondacks with longtime Mountain Lake PBS journalist Thom Hallock. We'll also analyze why environmental groups are criticizing President Donald Trump's administration, the big election just north of the border next week and Congresswoman Elise Stefanik's shift more to the right in 2019.

Learn More: nynow.org

Senate minority leader Charles Schumer joined Congressional representatives Paul Tonko and Antonio Delgado to announce legislation pushing for limo safety, one year after the deadly Schoharie limo crash. New York now's Jessica Bloustein Marshall reports.

One of the big legislative accomplishments for Democrats this session was getting early voting passed. New York now joins 38 other states in giving their residents this option. 

So how will it work?  Laura Bierman of the League of Women Voters of New York State sits down with our Karen DeWitt to help explain.

Also,Jimmy Vielkind of the Wall Street Journal joins us to analyze the week's news. 

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A joint legislative hearing took place in Albany this month to examine the status of broadband in rural areas across New York. What they heard is there's still a lot of work to do. Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara (D-Rotterdam), one of the co-chairs of the hearing, discusses what issues are standing in the way of getting a more universal coverage.

Learn more: nynow.org

New York made national headlines this week becoming the first state to ban flavored e-cigarettes.  We'll hear arguments for and against the move from Governor Cuomo, Health Commissioner Howard Zucker and a vape shop owner in Schenectady.  Mike Gormley of Newsday and Shannon Young of Politico help us analyze the week's news at the Reporters Roundtable.

Also, we head to the North Country where local community members, not state or federal government officials, have restored the grounds of a forgotten burial ground.

The news that starting April 2020 residents would have to pay a new $25 fee when they register their car, plus an extra $20 if they want to keep the same number, overshadowed the new plate design. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have hammered Governor Cuomo over the news. Capital Region State Senator Jim Tedisco stops by this week to decry what he calls a "highway heist" by the governor.

Learn More: nynow.org