Assisted by Shawn Ness, here are the latest updates from New York:
– State Sen. Zellnor Myrie is running for mayor and may face a Senate opponent.
– Mayor Eric Adams will appear on The Daily Show tonight.
– The Brooklyn Maritime Terminal is set for renovation by Gov. Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams.
– Attorney General Tish James has appealed a court decision on the Equal Rights Amendment.
State Sen. Zellnor Myrie’s potential challenger in 2026 is Assemblymember Brian Cunningham, who filed a campaign committee for Myrie’s District 20 seat. The move has sparked speculation on Cunningham’s motives, with some suggesting support for Adams and others thinking Myrie may win the mayor’s race.
Advocacy groups are urging for a reallocation of funds from highway developments to projects enhancing transit accessibility. Prominent labor unions in New York are backing a measure to shorten prison sentences for vocational training, aiming to alleviate the state’s labor shortage.
Despite the political maneuvers, Mayor Adams remains focused on governing and is not yet thinking about the upcoming election. — Nick Reisman
UPK FUNDING: The state Education Department announced today that $34 million in universal pre-kindergarten funding will be distributed to 64 school districts across New York. This funding follows significant changes to pre-kindergarten funding in the 2025 enacted budget, streamlining the process for schools to create or expand their programs. The budget consolidated funding into one source, providing $10,000 per pupil for programs led by certified teachers and $7,000 per pupil for programs led by teachers without early childhood certification.
Commissioner Betty Rosa stated, “When we provide equitable opportunities for children in their early years, they reap the benefits throughout their lives.” — Katelyn Cordero
JAMES FILES ERA APPEAL: Attorney General Tish James’ office has filed an appeal to a Livingston County court’s decision blocking the state Equal Rights Amendment from appearing on the November ballot. The appeal will be brought to a mid-level court in Rochester. New Yorkers for Equal Rights campaign director Sasha Ahuja expressed confidence that the amendment will be on the ballot. — Bill Mahoney
BROOKLYN IN THE HOUSE: Governor Hochul, Mayor Adams, and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey have reached a preliminary agreement to transform the Brooklyn Maritime Terminal into a modern ship port. The project aims to create more jobs and stimulate the economy. A task force chaired by Brooklyn lawmakers will gather input from various stakeholders to shape the vision for the waterfront. — Shawn Ness
DAILY SHOW PLAYS THE HITS: Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show” will feature a “Daily Showography of Eric Adams” tonight, showcasing the mayor’s memorable moments. The video takes a comedic look at Adams’ statements and actions during his time in office. — Jeff Coltin
OPERATION PADLOCK TO PROTECT: City Hall announced the success of “Operation Padlock to Protect,” which resulted in the closure of 75 illegal weed shops and nearly $6 million in penalties. Mayor Adams emphasized the city’s commitment to combatting illegal cannabis operations and protecting legal businesses. — Shawn Ness
ENDORSEMENT WATCH: Assemblymember Ron Kim received endorsements from District Council 37 and the New York State United Teachers in his reelection bid. Kim faces a primary challenge from Andy Chen for his Queens seat. Chen, on the other hand, was endorsed by the Chinese American Trucker Association.
— Nick Reisman
CELEBRATING HISTORY: Hochul announced today the inception of the 250th Commemoration Commission to recognize the American Revolution and signing of the Declaration of Independence.
“New York State played a pivotal role in the American Revolution, and we look forward to welcoming people from all over the world to join us in commemorating the 250th anniversary in 2026,” Hochul said in a statement.
The commission will be co-chaired by Randy Simons, the commissioner pro tempore of the Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, as well as Dr. Betty Rosa, the education commissioner.
The commission’s goal in its first year is to support the state’s heritage organizations in developing exhibits, coordinate state learning standards and promote heritage tourism.
The commemoration will take place in 2026. — Shawn Ness
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE LEGISLATION: The Senate is gearing up to pass legislation that would further protections for domestic violence victims in New York. Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins announced a package of legislation set to pass the Senate on Tuesday.
The package includes legislation that would eliminate voluntary intoxication of a victim from use as a permissible defense in sex crimes. Other bills include a requirement that extreme risk protection orders be added to a statewide registry; a bill that would clarify the definition of “welfare” to increase awards made to crime victims; and another bill that would help to inform victims of their rights upon conviction.
“Those who have survived domestic and sexual violence should have access to all available resources and protection during their journey toward recovery,” Stewart-Cousins said in a statement.
“Unfortunately, existing regulations and practices often create unnecessary obstacles, bureaucratic processes, and discourage individuals from seeking essential services. Through this legislative package, we aim to clarify procedures and genuinely prioritize the rights of victims.” — Katelyn Cordero
A SURPRISINGLY QUIET COLUMBIA GRADUATION: Columbia College students graduated in a relatively calm atmosphere this morning despite recent pro-Palestinian protests on campus.
To be sure, there were brief moments in which students expressed solidarity with Palestinians at the ceremony, the institution’s largest for graduating seniors. But overall, the event went down without significant demonstrations. Columbia President Minouche Shafik decided to skip the ceremony.
Kathy Fang, the college’s valedictorian, arrived onstage with a keffiyeh and held up her hand to show off a “Free Palestine” sticker.
The salutatorian — Priya Chainani, president of Columbia College Student Council, which offered support to students — lauded student-run publications Columbia Daily Spectator, a newspaper, and WKCR, a radio station, as “the best, most reliable sources for on the ground reporting.”
“In the past weeks, students continue to uphold the true values of Columbia even when many of the adults in the room or not in this room did not,” Chainani said to loud and continuous cheers.
Longtime CNN anchor Poppy Harlow’s speech was largely well-received by students.
“Now like some of you I am considering my options. I am unemployed, find me on LinkedIn,” Harlow said, to laughter and cheers, referring to her recent exit from CNN. The crowd was also supportive when she fought back tears as she honored her late father, a 1969 Columbia graduate.
She praised student journalists on campus, adding that over 300 journalists are currently in jail, including The Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich. “You have blown me away, you have worked day and night in such difficult circumstances to document history,” Harlow said.
Columbia College Dean Josef Sorett also called for acknowledging everyone’s pain, noting the deaths of Palestinian and Israeli people due to the Israel-Hamas war as well as conflicts in Armenia and Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Yemen, Haiti, Sudan and the Congo. — Madina Touré and Irie Sentner
— Central New York’s Regional Market Authority is in a poor financial situation, an audit from Comptroller Tom DiNapoli found. (State of Politics)
— Adams wants to restructure the police academy to consolidate training programs for various agencies. (Daily News)
— More chemical barrels were found underneath a park on Long Island. (Newsday)
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