KATHY HOCHUL

“The omicron variant is here, and as anticipated we are seeing the beginning of community spread," state Health Commissioner Mary Bassett said in a news release. The arrival of omicron comes as hospitals statewide continue to strain under a surge in coronavirus cases, most traced to the delta variant, along with staffing shortages. New York’s omicron cases so far appear to be unrelated, Hochul said. Maryland's first three cases of the omicron variant were found in the Baltimore metropolitan region and include two people from the same household, authorities said. Colorado detected the state's second case of the omicron variant just a day after the state's first confirmed case, officials said Friday.

(AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura) (Yuki Iwamura)New York announced three more cases of the omicron variant of the coronavirus Saturday, bringing the number of state cases linked to the new variant to eight. “The omicron variant is here, and as anticipated we are seeing the beginning of community spread," state Health Commissioner Mary Bassett said in a news release. The arrival of omicron comes as hospitals statewide continue to strain under a surge in coronavirus cases, most traced to the delta variant, along with staffing shortages. Fifteen members of the National Guard arrived at Monroe Community Hospital in Rochester on Saturday, WROC reported. “We knew the omicron variant was coming and we expect to see more cases.

New York has announced three more cases of the omicron variant of the coronavirus, bringing to eight the number of state cases linked to the new variant.

New York announced three more cases of the omicron variant of the coronavirus Saturday, bringing the number of state cases linked to the new variant to eight. “The omicron variant is here, and as anticipated we are seeing the beginning of community spread," state Health Commissioner Mary Bassett said in a news release. The number of states finding the variant is growing as well, with Massachusetts, Connecticut and Washington state announcing their first cases Saturday, a day after New Jersey, Georgia, Pennsylvania and Maryland reported their first confirmed cases.

Department of Justice's "ongoing investigation" into claims against the former New York governor is revealed in a contract between the current governor's office and a law firm.

The U.S. Department of Justice began a civil inquiry in August into sexual harassment claims made against former Cuomo, New York officials disclosed Thursday, Dec. 2, 2021. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File) (Seth Wenig)ALBANY, N.Y. — (AP) — The U.S. Department of Justice began a civil inquiry in August into sexual harassment claims made against former Gov. Justice Department spokespeople declined to comment. The department's civil rights division has some enforcement powers under federal anti-discrimination law. It launched an initiative in 2018 to fight sexual harassment of government employees and handles complaints made under the U.S.

Five cases confirmed: Officials in New York confirmed five cases of the omicron variant in the state. (Pavlo Gonchar/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)NEW YORK — Five cases of the omicron variant of COVID-19 have been detected in New York state, marking the fourth known instance of the newly identified viral variant nationwide. Kathy Hochul confirmed the cases in a joint news conference with New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, WABC reported. Cases of the omicron variant of COVID have been identified in New York - both in and out of the five boroughs, Gov. On Wednesday, Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, confirmed that the first case of the omicron variant had been confirmed in California.

New York officials have disclosed that the U.S. Department of Justice began a civil inquiry in August into sexual harassment claims made against former Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

(AP Photo) (Uncredited)NEW YORK -- Health officials have confirmed at least five cases of the omicron coronavirus variant in New York, Gov. The Colorado case comes after two other confirmed omicron variant cases were found in California and Minnesota. Ontario Chief Medical Officer Dr. Kieran Moore says thus far five Omicron variant cases have bee identified in Ontario and additional cases are expected soon. With the three cases confirmed Wednesday in Sao Paulo, the number of confirmed cases of the omicron in Brazil rises to five. The ex-Soviet nation of 44 million people has reported a total of over 3.4 million confirmed coronavirus cases and 87,057 deaths in the pandemic.

One omicron case was discovered in Long Island and four in the boroughs that make up New York City: two in Queens, one in Brooklyn and one in Manhattan.

The variant was detected in Minnesota in a person who is fully vaccinated.

The new, highly mutated omicron Covid-19 variant is expected to hit New York state in the "coming days," the state health commissioner said.

The omicron variant of COVID-19 has been discovered in at least five states, showing yet again how mutations of the virus can circumnavigate the globe with speed and ease.

The man, who was fully vaccinated and has since recovered, traveled to New York City to attend the Anime NYC 2021 convention at the Javits Center from Nov. 19-21.

Residents are encouraged to wear masks in public and indoor settings where risk of spread is higher.

Residents are encouraged to wear masks in public and indoor settings where risk of spread is higher.

He is the 18th House Democrat to leave this cycle.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi is joining a competitive primary race for New York governor that became wide open when Andrew Cuomo resigned.

Chip Somodevilla/GettyParts of the U.S. have begun an all-out assault against the new, highly transmissible Omicron variant of COVID-19 as Dr. Anthony Fauci warned that the variant is likely already circulating in the country.New York Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency Friday, limiting hospital capacity to emergency needs as of Dec. 3 and arranging for the purchase of medical supplies. The emergency state, which temporarily bans elective surgeries, will remain in effect until at lea

"While the new omicron variant has yet to be detected in New York, it’s coming,” warned Gov. Kathy Hochul.

Even as visitors again crowd below the jumbo screens in New York’s Times Square, the souvenir shops, restaurants, hotels and entrepreneurs within the iconic U.S. landmark are still reeling from a staggering pandemic.

New York Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin is amassing a campaign war chest that could fend off a primary challenger and help finance future campaigns.

So far, more than 50,000 children in the state have received at least one shot since the CDC approved Pfizer's vaccine for the age group, according to the governor's office.

The annual Stand Up for Heroes fundraiser on Monday attracted Bruce Springsteen, Jon Stewart, Brandi Carlisle, Jim Gaffigan, Nate Bargatze and Nikki Glaser.

Election 2022 Governor New York FILE - The new Attorney General of New York, Letitia James, smiles during an inauguration ceremony in New York, Sunday, Jan. 6, 2019. Months after getting its first female governor, New York now has two prominent women running to lead the state in the wake of Andrew Cuomo’s resignation in August amid allegations he sexually harassed women. A sweeping report issued by her office concluded the 11 women who accused Cuomo of sexual harassment were credible. New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio have both said they are considering a run. James is one of six Black women running in 2022, tying a record set in 2018.

It’s not a boys’ club anymore.

She is the first woman elected as New York's attorney general and the first Black person to serve in the role.

She is the first woman elected as New York's attorney general and the first Black person to serve in the role.

She is the first woman elected as New York's attorney general and the first Black person to serve in the role.

She'll challenge Governor Kathy Hochul, who became New York's chief executive when Andrew Cuomo resigned two months ago.

Election 2022 Governor New York FILE - In this Friday May 21, 2021, file photo, New York Attorney General Letitia James acknowledges questions from journalists at a news conference in New York. James has announced that she is running for governor, according to three people directly familiar with her plans. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File) (Richard Drew)NEW YORK — (AP) — New York Attorney General Letitia James formally announced Friday that she is running for governor, a widely anticipated move from the woman who oversaw an investigation into allegations that former Gov. James, 62, is the first woman elected as New York's attorney general and the first Black person to serve in the role. New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio have both said they are considering a run.

New York Attorney General Letitia James has formally announced that she is running for governor.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo resigned after a probe overseen by Attorney General Letitia James. She also has led a an investigation of the Trump Organization.

The charges come after several sexual harassment allegations led Cuomo to resign in August.

Micah Beals, 37, was charged with criminal mischief after he was accused of splashing gray paint on a statue of George Floyd in New York City.

The race for mayor of Buffalo has four-term incumbent Byron Brown relying on a write-in campaign to fend off a challenge from newcomer India Walton.

Election 2022 Governor New York FILE - In this Friday May 21, 2021, file photo, New York Attorney General Letitia James acknowledges questions from journalists at a news conference in New York. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File) (Richard Drew)NEW YORK — (AP) — New York Attorney General Letitia James plans to run for governor, according to three people directly familiar with her plans who spoke to The Associated Press on Wednesday. Messages seeking comment were left with James’ office and several of her advisers. With a power base in New York City, she is poised to be a top threat to Gov. New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio have both said they are considering a run.

NEW YORK — (AP) — New York Attorney General Letitia James plans to run for governor, according to three people directly familiar with her plans who spoke to The Associated Press on Wednesday. Messages seeking comment were left with James’ office and several of her advisers. James, 62, is the first woman elected as New York’s attorney general and the first Black person to serve in the role. With a power base in New York City, she is poised to be a top threat to Gov. New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio have both said they are considering a run.

New York Attorney General Letitia James plans to run for governor, according to three people directly familiar with her plans who were not authorized to speak publicly.

A bitcoin operation in central New York has taken over a power plant to find cheap energy for currency mining in a move that has alarmed environmentalists.

The decision comes as advocates and lawmakers have reported severe public health concerns at the facility.

A federal judge ruled health care workers in New York can seek religious exemption from being required to get vaccinated.

A federal judge ruled health care workers in New York can seek religious exemption from being required to get vaccinated.

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey has extended through the end of the October a COVID-19 state of emergency that relaxes some health care regulations to help hospitals cope with coronavirus patients.

2021 Global Citizen Live - New York New York governor Kathy Hochul speaks at Global Citizen Live in Central Park on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP) (Evan Agostini)NEW YORK — (AP) — After being vaulted into office two months ago, New York Gov. And New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, who is term limited, hinted this week that he is also considering a gubernatorial campaign. De Blasio, Williams, James and Hochul all attended a Brooklyn Democratic Party breakfast fundraiser Thursday. Hochul has already beaten him once before, when the two faced off in a race for lieutenant governor in 2018.

After being vaulted into the New York governor’s office two months ago, Democrat Kathy Hochul is preparing to run for the job in her own right next year.

While New York healthcare workers have overwhelmingly chosen vaccination, some are choosing to lose their jobs instead of getting the shot.

A lawyer for a group trying to preserve a religious exemption for health care workers says New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is unjustly using God's name to try to nudge employers into ignoring court orders allowing the exemption.

Kathy Hochul released figures showing vaccination rates rising among the state’s 450,000 hospital workers and for other health care workers. The order broadens the roles of emergency medical technicians, allowing basic EMTs to vaccinate and test for the coronavirus. It has criticized Johnson and his Conservative government for a lack of protective gear for health workers, delaying lockdowns and a too-lax travel policy. White House COVID-19 coordinator Jeff Zients says an additional 1 million people have scheduled booster shots for the coming weeks. John Carney announced all teachers and school staff in Delaware will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or undergo weekly testing.

Kathy Hochul released figures showing vaccination rates rising among the state’s 450,000 hospital workers and for other health care workers. It has criticized Johnson and his Conservative government for a lack of protective gear for health workers, delaying lockdowns and a too-lax travel policy. ___PHOENIX — Arizona reported 1,123 confirmed COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, a figure less than half the state’s latest seven-day rolling average that state officials say is low because of a reporting problem. Some bigger companies that require in-office workers be vaccinated now or in coming weeks include Google, McDonald’s (U.S.-based office workers), and Goldman Sachs, among others. Romania has recorded more than 1.2 million confirmed cases and 36,658 confirmed deaths.

In a story published September 27, 2021, about vaccine mandates for health care workers, The Associated Press erroneously reported that Dr. Jeff Smith was the CEO of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

ALBANY, N.Y. — (AP) — The deadline for hospital and nursing home workers in New York state to be vaccinated against COVID-19 arrived Monday with the prospect of severe staff shortages fueled by workers getting suspended or fired for refusing to be inoculated. Kathy Hochul said this weekend she was prepared to call in medically trained National Guard members and retirees, or vaccinated workers from outside the state, to fill any gaps. All health care workers in New York state at hospitals and nursing homes are required to be vaccinated with at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by Monday. The mandate comes as hospitals are already reeling from staff shortages fueled in part by workers retiring and employees seeking other jobs after 18 months of the pandemic. Health care workers can apply for a religious exemption, at least for now.

Some hospitals and nursing homes in New York began removing workers Monday for failing to meet a state-mandated deadline to get a COVID-19 vaccine as Gov. Kathy Hochul pleaded with holdouts to get 11th-hour inoculations.

Governor Kathy Hochul said a state emergency declaration and other options are on standby to address any potential hospital staffing shortages.

The state's vaccine mandate for hospital and nursing home workers takes effect on Monday, and officials are bracing for staffing shortages. Gov. Kathy Hochul has announced a plan for filling them.

Governor Kathy Hochul said she is prepared to call in medically-trained National Guard members, retirees and workers outside New York.

Angela Weiss/GettyAs tens of thousands of unvaccinated New York healthcare workers are set to be fired on Monday once the state’s COVID-19 vaccination deadline kicks in, Gov. Kathy Hochul has a plan for a potential staffing shortage: a statewide state of emergency. Hochul said preparations were underway Saturday to make an emergency declaration, clearing the way for healthcare workers not licensed in New York to fill in the gaps of those terminated. The declaration will also allow workers from o

Many health care workers have still not yet received a required first shot of a COVID-19 vaccine days before the deadline. The vaccine train, named Transvaco, is on a three-month tour through Eastern Cape province and stop at seven stations for two weeks at a time to vaccinate people. But state health officials says that includes reports from earlier this month as they work to clear a backlog that has built up during the latest case surge. Health officials encourage looking at cases by their symptom onset date versus the date they were submitted to the state health department. ___WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden is urging those now eligible for COVID-19 booster shots to get the added protection.

New York City schools have been temporarily blocked from enforcing a vaccine mandate for its teachers and other workers by a federal appeals judge days before it was to take effect.

The statewide COVID-19 vaccine mandate for health care workers takes effect Monday and hospitals and nursing homes fear it could lead to staff shortages.

Hospitals and nursing homes in New York are bracing for the possibility that a statewide COVID-19 vaccine mandate for health care workers could lead to staff shortages when it takes effect Monday, Sept. 27, 2021. That left the prospect of potentially thousands of health care workers being forced off the job next week. The state’s largest health care provider, Northwell Health, was keeping thousands of volunteers on standby. New York is not the only state to require health care workers to get vaccinated. One wild card is no one knows if a burst of health care workers will simply wait until the last minute to get a jab.

Some of the nation’s most aggressive COVID-19 vaccine mandates are scheduled to take effect Monday in New York amid continued resistance from some to the shots.

The Duke and Duchess Of Sussex are in New York for a Global Citizen Live event to call for vaccine equity.

Virus Outbreak New York FILE - Dr. Howard A. Zucker, commissioner of the New York State Department of Health, speaks during a news conference on coronavirus vaccination at Suffolk County Community College on Monday, April 12, 2021 in Brentwood, N.Y. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo as state health commissioner in 2015. Kathy Hochul says state Health Commissioner Howard Zucker has submitted his resignation. Andrew Cuomo as state health commissioner in 2015. Education Commissioner Randy Watson said Wednesday that state health officials told him the child died this week.

ALBANY, N.Y. — (AP) — New York Health Commissioner Howard Zucker, who was a leading defender of former Gov. Under Zucker, the department of health worked with hospitals statewide to ensure that a surge of COVID-19 patients wouldn’t catastrophically overwhelm hospital systems. But Zucker has faced heated criticism over the state’s COVID-19 response, particularly in nursing homes. Zucker has defended a since-rescinded March 2020 directive that said nursing homes couldn’t refuse to admit patients solely because they had COVID-19. Zucker and Cuomo have said the directive was needed to ensure elderly patients weren’t languishing in hospitals.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul says state Health Commissioner Howard Zucker has submitted his resignation.

NEW YORK — (AP) — Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, got a hawk's-eye view of New York City on Thursday with a visit to the rebuilt World Trade Center's signature tower. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, de Blasio's wife, Chirlane McCray, and their son, Dante de Blasio, posed for photos with Harry and Meghan at the 1,268-foot (386-meter) observatory at One World Trade Center, where clouds partially obscured the panoramic view. In answer to a question about how she was enjoying her trip to New York, Meghan could be heard saying, “It's wonderful.”The duke and duchess are in New York for a Global Citizen Live event to call for vaccine equity. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, got a hawk’s-eye view of New York City with a visit to the rebuilt World Trade Center’s signature tower.

Rikers Island Jail Crisis FILE - This March 16, 2011 file photo shows a barbed wire fence outside inmate housing on New York's Rikers Island correctional facility in New York. New York City’s notorious Rikers Island jail complex, troubled by years of neglect, has spiraled into turmoil during the coronavirus pandemic. The demand followed the 11th death reported at Rikers Island this year. Of the 11 inmates who have died at Rikers Island this year, at least five died in suspected suicides. Michael Skelly, a spokesperson for the Correction Officers’ Benevolent Association, representing the jail guards, dismissed the letter.

Four members of Congress from New York demanded the release of inmates and the closure of New York City’s troubled Rikers Island jail complex after another inmate was reported dead at the facility this weekend.

Google is planning to buy New York's St. John’s Terminal for $2.1 billion, making it the anchor of its Hudson Square campus. Alphabet and Google Chief Financial Officer Ruth Porat said Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021, that the company is looking to invest more than $250 million in its New York campus this year. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, FILE) (Mark Lennihan)Google is planning to buy St. John’s Terminal in New York City for $2.1 billion, making it the anchor of its Hudson Square campus. “Google’s historic investment in New York City marks an enormous step for our recovery,” de Blasio said in a prepared statement. Its 1.7 million-square-foot Hudson Square campus is on the Hudson River just south of the New York University campus and Greenwich Village.

Google is planning to buy New York’s St. John’s Terminal for $2.1 billion, making it the anchor of its Hudson Square campus.

New Yorkers will be able to avoid jail time for most nonviolent parole violations under a new law signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul.

New York City’s Rikers Island jail complex has been troubled by years of neglect and now has spiraled into turmoil during the coronavirus pandemic.

Fifty years after the Attica prison uprising in New York, the families of slain and injured prison guards say they're still waiting for an apology from the state.

New York’s first female governor.

President Joe Biden has approved major disaster declarations greenlighting federal aid for people six New Jersey counties and five New York counties affected by devastating flooding last week from the remnants of Hurricane Ida.

The destruction left by the remnants of Hurricane Ida have officials and experts agreeing that infrastructure including roads, sewers and housing in New York and New Jersey must be quickly improved.

Police are going door to door and drawing up lists of the missing as the death toll edges higher from the catastrophic flooding set off in the Northeast by the remnants of Hurricane Ida.

Many people are asking why no one foretold of the deadly ramifications of Hurricane Ida's remnants in the Northeast, but some did.

A person with direct knowledge of the details tells The Associated Press the the Buffalo Bills' proposed new stadium would include about 60,000 seats and be built by 2027.

Resigning from office probably didn’t end former Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s legal problems, and no matter what happens next, taxpayers are likely to wind up with a hefty bill.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul introduced state Sen. Brian Benjamin as her choice for lieutenant governor Thursday in the senator’s Harlem district.

New York’s new governor is acknowledging that the state has had nearly 12,000 more deaths from COVID-19 than former Gov. Andrew Cuomo told the public.

Kathy Hochul became the first female governor of New York at the stroke of midnight Tuesday, taking control of a state government desperate to get back to business after months of distractions over complaints that her predecessor abused his power and sexually harassed at least 11 women.

Kathy Hochul has become the first female governor of New York.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is beginning her term in office with plenty of challenges.

Kathy Hochul has become New York’s first female governor.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo spent his second-to-last day in office projecting an image that he is still in control and fully engaged as the state dealt with heavy rain from Tropical Storm Henri.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo will resign in disgrace this week.

The tropical storm system Henri brought heavy winds and rain to the Northeast U.S. as it began pummeling the New England coast early Sunday.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo's lawyer has again attacked the accuracy of the report that led to his resignation.

The Supreme Court is blocking part of New York’s moratorium on evictions, put into effect because of the coronavirus pandemic, less than a month before it is supposed to expire anyway.

Sexual harassment allegations cost New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo his job.

Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul says she plans to run for governor in her own right after serving out the rest of Andrew Cuomo's term.

With New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announcing that he would leave office in two weeks, it remains an open question whether state lawmakers would nevertheless launch impeachment proceedings against the three-term Democratic governor.

New York Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul is pledging to set a better tone in state government after the sexual harassment scandal that spurred Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s resignation.

After months of holding on to power, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo abruptly resigned Tuesday.

The publisher of Gov. Cuomo’s book on his handling of the coronavirus, “American Crisis: Leadership Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic,” had announced earlier this year that it halted promotion as Cuomo faced allegations of his treatment of women and that aides manipulated nursing home data.

As New York’s lieutenant governor, Kathy Hochul has spent years on the road as the friendly face of the administration.