The Peru Gazette

Includes $516,000 for North County Communities Albany, NYS DEC News Release of Jan. 2, 2026 – New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton today announced $22.7 million in Climate Smart Communities Grant awards for 43 projects to help municipalities take action to address climate change. This year’s funded projects reduce flood risk by […]

Average Increase of Nearly $1,400 for Individuals and $3,000 for Couples Per Year Albany, NY NYS News Release of Jan. 2, 2026 – Governor Hochul today slammed Congressional Republicans for failing to extend the existing enhanced premium tax credits, which expired on December 31, 2025. Due to Washington Republicans’ failure to take action, health insurance […]

Middle Class Tax Cut Beginning on January 1 for More Than 8.3 Million New Yorkers Minimum Wage Increasing Statewide on January 1 Largest Child Tax Credit Expansion in New York State History Beginning in 2026 Albany, NYS News Release of Jan. 1. 2026 – With the new tax year beginning January 1, 2026, Governor Kathy […]

Click here for the VTDigger story 

Includes Expansion of New York State’s Polystyrene Foam Ban and Restrictions on Hotel Hospitality Single-Use Plastic Bottles The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is reminding businesses, organizations, and consumers of upcoming waste reduction law requirements taking effect on January 1, 2026. The provisions will help reduce pollution by expanding the State’s ban […]

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WAMC Reports 

NYS News Release of December 31, 2025 – Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the availability of resources aimed at educating young people, caregivers and educators on how to safely navigate digital media content in a way that protects their mental health. Developed by the state Office of Mental Health, digital wellness resources are available on […]

NYS DEC News Release of Dec. 30, 2025 – York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents statewide. Working with other State agencies, local emergency response organizations, and volunteer search and rescue groups, Forest Rangers locate, and extract lost, injured, or distressed people from across New York State. […]

More than 645,500 Pounds of Chemicals, Pesticides, Paint, Oil, Flammable Liquids, and Other Hazardous Materials Collected During 2025 Albany, DEC News Release of Dec. 29, 2025 – New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton today announced another record-breaking year for the CleanSweepNY program. More than 645,500 pounds of chemicals, including pesticides, […]

Troopers Seized 170 Vehicles and Issued More Than 1,000 Tickets To Ensure Public Safety and Accountability 30 Individuals Owed Nearly $82,000 in Unpaid Tolls and Fees to Thruway Authority NYS News Release of Dec. 29, 2025 – Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that the New York State Police Troop T, in partnership with the New York […]

The letters paint a picture of a CIU process rife with roadblocks, especially for applicants who didn’t have lawyers. Click here for the New York Focus story 

One hundred and forty laws that almost were. Click here for the New York Focus story 

Construction Closures Temporarily Suspended To Ease Holiday Travel Albany, NYS News Release, Dec. 23, 2025 – Governor Kathy Hochul today reminded New Yorkers that State Police and local law enforcement agencies are participating in an ongoing nationwide enforcement strategy to remove impaired drivers from our roads this holiday season. The “Drive Sober or Get Pulled […]

The state plans to ask a court to dismiss some 500 prison sexual assault lawsuits for not strictly abiding by filing requirements. Click here for the New York Focus Story 

Prohibits Sale of Kratom to Individuals Under the Age of 21, Imposes Civil Penalties for Violations and Requires Product Warning Label Requirements  NYS News Release of Dec. 22, 2025 – Governor Kathy Hochul today signed two pieces of landmark legislation to protect New Yorkers from the harmful effects of kratom, a commercially available herbal product sold […]

Recently adopted environmental regulations have added months to New York’s already years-long energy permitting process, colliding with new deadlines for federal subsidies. Click here for the New York Focus story 

DEC News Release of December 19, 2025 – DEC recently acquired approximately 1,624 acres of conservation easement on lands in northern New York from the Open Space Institute (OSI). Approximately 1,414 acres were acquired through a conservation easement held by OSI on lands owned by Chazy Resource Management Inc. (CRMI) in Clinton County, while a […]

Flags To Be Flown at Half-Staff Across New York State on Saturday, December 20 Governor Kathy Hochul today directed flags on all State government buildings be lowered on Saturday, December 20 from sunrise to sunset in honor of Michael Ryan, firefighter and commissioner for the Phoenicia Fire District who died in the line-of-duty on December […]

Tree Stand Fall – Washington County On November 24, ECO Krug responded to a call that went out over Washington County Fire and EMS radio regarding a 29-year-old hunter who fell from his tree stand about a mile into a wooded area in the Town of Salem. The individual, who was not wearing a safety […]

Legislation Will Do Away With Outdated 100-Foot Rule for Natural Gas Hookups That Cost New Yorkers Hundreds of Millions of Dollars Each Year NYS News Release of December 19, 2025 – Governor Kathy Hochul today signed legislation to eliminate the “100-foot-rule” for new natural gas hookups that costs New Yorkers hundreds of millions of dollars […]

Expands Use of Cameras, Increases Reporting and Investigative Powers When Deaths Occur, and Adds Members to the State Commission of Corrections New York State News Release of December 19,2025 – Governor Kathy Hochul today announced an agreement with the Legislature on the prison reform omnibus bill that would enact a series of ten transformational changes […]

Elise Stefanik News Release, December 19, 2025, 4:20 p.m. SARATOGA, N.Y. – Chairwoman Elise Stefanik released the following statement: “While spending precious time with my family this Christmas season, I have made the decision to suspend my campaign for Governor and will not seek re-election to Congress. I did not come to this decision lightly […]

DEC’s Camps, Centers, and Educators Engaged with More than 41,000 Youth in 2025 NYS News Release of Dec. 19, 2025 – New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton today announced that online registration for DEC’s 2026 Summer Camps program will open Sunday, March 22, 2026, at 1 p.m. The six weeks […]

Named in Memory of New York State Police Lieutenant Joseph Banish, Bill Seeks To Reduce Stigma and Create Formal Pathways For First Responder Mental Wellness NYS News Release of Dec. 18, 2025 – Governor Kathy Hochul today signed legislation to establish confidentiality requirements for communications made by law enforcement during peer-to-peer counseling sessions. Amid a […]