ALBANY, N.Y. (AP)  U.S. Rep. Antonio Delgado will serve as New York’s next lieutenant governor, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Tuesday. Delgado, a Democrat, will take on the largely ceremonial role previously formerly held by Brian Benjamin, who resigned following his arrest for federal corruption charges, which he has denied. The Democratic governor touted […]

By Christopher RugaberAP Economics Writer WASHINGTON (AP) The U.S. economy shrank last quarter for the first time since the pandemic recession struck two years ago, contracting at a 1.4% annual rate, but consumers and businesses kept spending in a sign of underlying resilience. The weak showing does not mean a recession is likely in the […]

WASHINGTON (AP) President Joe Biden on Thursday announced an additional $800 million in military aid to help Ukraine fight back against the Russian invasion, but he also warned Congress will need to approve additional assistance. The new military assistance package includes much needed heavy artillery, 144,000 rounds of ammunition, and drones for Ukrainian forces in […]

 Several U.S. government agencies issued an alert warning of the discovery of cyber tools that can allow hackers to overtake computer systems at energy facilities. Using the tools, a hacker would be able to get into a company’s security network and “disrupt critical devices or functions.” The alert was released by the Energy and Homeland […]

By Christopher RugaberAP Economics Writer WASHINGTON (AP) Federal Reserve officials are signaling that they will take an aggressive approach to fighting high inflation in the coming months, actions that will make borrowing sharply more expensive for consumers and businesses and heighten risks to the economy. In minutes from their March policy meeting, released Wednesday, Fed […]

SILVER SPRING, Md. (AP) U.S. consumer confidence bounced back in March and remains high, though consumers’ short-term outlook is not quite as rosy. The Conference Board, a business research group, said Tuesday that its consumer confidence index, which takes into account consumers’ assessment of current conditions and their outlook for the future, rose to 107.2 […]

By Gene JohnsonAssociated Press Over the past few years, Jonny Griffis has invested millions of dollars in his legal marijuana farm in northern Michigan, which produces extracts to be used in things like gummy bears and vape oils. But now that farm, like many other licensed grows in states that have legalized marijuana, faces an […]

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) New York expanded workplace harassment protection for all public employees and banned the release of anyone’s employment records in retaliation for speaking up about alleged abuse, part of a package of new laws signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul on Wednesday. State law had previously excluded personal staff of elected officials and judges […]

By Fatima HusseinAssociated Press WASHINGTON (AP)  President Joe Biden on Wednesday signed an executive order on government oversight of cryptocurrency that urges the Federal Reserve to explore whether the central bank should jump in and create its own digital currency. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said the effort would “promote a fairer, more inclusive, and more […]

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP)  School districts across New York state, including many of the largest, made mask wearing optional for students and staff beginning Wednesday as a statewide mandate came to an end. Districts in Yonkers, Syracuse, Rochester, Buffalo and Albany were among those to stop requiring face coverings following Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul’s decision to […]