As the New York state legislative session draws to a close, a new poll finds support for several items before the Senate and Assembly, including protecting children from harmful algorithms on social media.

The New York Senate and Assembly celebrated a belated Earth Day this week by acting on environmental bills. But the two houses acted on different measures, and lawmakers could not predict if any of the legislation will become law in 2024.

Lou Gramm posted on Instagram Sunday that, “We are grateful and honored. We have waited a long time for this.”

The $237 billion spending plan includes restored funding for school aid, and a housing package to encourage the growth of affordable housing in New York.

The Senate and Assembly planned to remain at the Capitol until Saturday, in order to complete the bills and finish getting a budget in place.

The New York state budget, which is already over two weeks late, is likely to be even later, after the Legislature’s bill drafting office was the victim of a cyberattack.

A local college professor has been suspended after publishing a controversial article about the Israel-Hamas war in a blog on a left-wing book publisher’s site.

The legislature approved one budget bill, to authorize the state to continue paying its debts, and adjourned until next Tuesday, April 2, one day after the budget is due.

A bill that would extend New York state’s ban on natural gas fracking is heading to Gov. Kathy Hochul’s desk after the State Legislature acted recently to prohibit using liquid carbon dioxide to extract the gas from shale rock. It’s one of a number of measures that lawmakers are considering to combat climate change. 

The upcoming solar eclipse, which is occurring in two weeks, will be fully visible in 29 counties in western and northern New York and at least 88% visible in the rest of the state.