Today's daily news update.

Inbox: ⁦@CarlHeastie⁩ suspends impeachment investigation into ⁦@NYGovCuomo⁩ ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/GX9qKeAcFw

— Zack Fink (@ZackFinkNews) August 13, 2021

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said Aug. 13 that the New York State Assembly Judiciary Committee will suspend its impeachment investigation into ⁦Governor Andrew Cuomo upon his resignation Aug. 24. Heastie said that their attorneys believe the state constitution doesn’t allow them to impeach an elected official that’s no longer in office. "We have been advised by Chairman Lavine -- with the assistance of counsel -- of the belief that the constitution does not authorize the legislature to impeach and remove an elected official who is no longer in office," he said. Heastie said there was evidence that likely would have led to impeachment had Cuomo not resigned. The Attorney General's report released last week outlined how Cuomo sexually harassed 11 women.

The Times Union reports about rising COVID-19 case counts in the area, and events being canceled because of the rapid spread of the Delta variant. This week there were COVID-19 deaths in Greene and Schenectady counties. In Albany County, County Executive McCoy said Aug. 13 they had 51 new positive cases in the past two days. The fireboat Harvey canceled its visit with the Hudson River Maritime Museum in Kingston after the crew had a positive COVID result. The Iroquois Museum in Howes Cave canceled the Iroquois Arts Festival on Sept. 4 and 5. "The Museum remains open on our regular schedule but concern for the safety of our visitors, artists, volunteers, and staff at a large event like the Festival helped us to make this difficult decision," a statement said. Proctors Theatre is now requiring vaccinations for anyone attending shows there, where previously they just had a mask mandate. Southwest Airlines reported in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission Aug. 11 that it’s seeing an increased number of cancellations and fewer bookings because of the highly contagious Delta variant. Greene County announced 12 more COVID-19 cases Aug. 12, and a high 4.9 percent positive test results over the last week. Columbia County reported nine new cases Aug. 12. Dutchess County has 595 active cases, more than double the number at the beginning of August. Read more about this story in the Times Union.

Melanie Lekocevic reports for Capital Region Independent Media in the Ravena News-Herald that Ravena citizens will get to speak out Aug. 17 about two large issues there: feeding ducks and cannabis sales. Ravena, in southern Albany County, has a proposed local law that would make feeding wildlife illegal in the village. Mayor Bill Misuraca said at a July 20 town meeting that Ravena has a duck problem, and needed a solution. Misuraca claims the ducks are damaging the town, but the article does not describe how. "Essentially it will be no feeding of wildlife with the exception of songbirds — so no deer, turkeys, ducks, geese, buzzards — whatever you are feeding, can’t be done anymore,' he said. “The fines are substantial — $300 to $600 for a first offense, $600 to $1,000 for the second. They are not criminal charges — no one is going to jail for this, but we would encourage people that it is just easier to stop. Please — you are not helping them.” There will also be a second public hearing on whether the town should opt-out of allowing retail cannabis sales. All municipalities in New York have until Dec. 31 to vote against cannabis sales, or else they are allowed under the new cannabis legalization that passed in the spring. Both public hearings are at 6 p.m., Aug. 17 at Village Hall, 15 Mountain Road, Ravena. Read more about this story in the Ravena News-Herald.

The Daily Freeman reports that Kingston Point Beach was closed again Aug. 13 due to “slightly elevated bacteria levels” by the Ulster County Department of Health. After a series of heavy rains the Hudson River beach was closed for a week in July due to poor water quality issues. Dirty runoff water after rains generally makes many swimming areas toxic these days, and in July all Hudson River beaches were closed to the public at one point. Read more about this story in the Daily Freeman.

Today's daily headlines.

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John Kruzel reports at The Hill that the conservative judges that make up the majority of the Supreme Court struck down one part of New York's eviction moratorium on Aug. 12. The court ruled against the part of the moratorium that stopped landlords from challenging a tenant’s self-certified claim of financial hardship, which automatically paused eviction proceedings. The eviction moratorium was put in place because of the economic hardships associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. “This scheme violates the Court’s longstanding teaching that ordinarily ‘no man can be a judge in his own case’ consistent with the Due Process Clause,” the justices wrote in their decision. The court did not strike down a tenant’s ability to mount a so-called hardship defense in an eviction court proceeding. New York's Governor-in-waiting Kathy Hochul responded to the ruling on Twitter, writing, "As NY's next Governor, I look forward to working with the Legislature to quickly address the Supreme Court's decision and strengthen the eviction moratorium legislation. I will work with our partners in the Legislature to help get the funding available to those in need as soon as possible." Read more about this story at The Hill.

Melanie Lekocevic is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media the first day of school in the Catskill school district has been pushed back to September 13, because of its summer renovation project, not COVID-19. The delay was approved by the board of education Wed., Aug. 11, at the recommendation of Superintendent Ronel Cook. The first day of school was originally supposed to be September 9. Cook said in a letter to the community, “My recommendation has nothing to do with COVID and/or reopening plans. Summer capital project work is occurring at both the elementary and middle schools. The contractor has indicated that both buildings will be turned over to the district by or before August 28, .... This will not provide ample time for teacher set-up [and] preparation, thorough cleaning and relocating staff, who are temporarily located at the high school, back to their assigned locations.” The delayed start will not have an impact on the school calendar. Major renovations and upgrades occurred districtwide during the summer, but the bulk of the work was done in the elementary and middle schools, Cook said. That work included upgrades to heating, ventilation and air-conditioning units; new shelf construction; window replacement; roofing; and wiring to enhance internet access and more. Cook apologized to the school community for the delayed start date, and he encouraged anyone with questions or concerns to contact him directly at 518-943-4696. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.

Emilie Munson is reporting for the Times Union Orange and Saratoga counties were among the top five counties in New York for population growth from 2010 to 2020, according to new data released by the U.S. Census Bureau late August 12. The population in New York and nationwide grew most around metropolitan areas and in counties that were already most populated. New York also became more racially and ethnically diverse, in line with a national trend. The number of people identifying as white declined in every New York county except in Saratoga, Rockland, Hamilton, New York and King counties. As of April 1, 2020, the New York population was 58 percent white, 18 percent Hispanic, 14 percent black, 7 percent Asian, less than 1 percent American Indian and less than 1 percent Pacific Islander, while 2 percent of people self-identified as two or more races. In the Capital Region, Orange, Saratoga, Albany, Schenectady, Sullivan and Rensselaer counties showed an increase in population from 2010 to 2020. During that same period, Dutchess, Montgomery, Putnam, Columbia, Greene, Washington, Delaware and Schoharie counties recorded population declines. The data released Thursday will kick off redistricting processes in all 50 states, allowing politicians to redraw the political maps. The numbers will influence the distribution of more than $1 trillion in federal funding for states, counties, cities and towns and will be used by by various institutions to make economic decisions or for research purposes. In the Capital Region, poor, urban areas and very rural areas were most at risk for an undercount in the 2020 census, experts said. It will take researchers several years to evaluate whether an undercount of these groups actually occurred. Read the full story in the Times Union.

Melanie Lekocevic is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media online voting began Wed., Aug. 11, to select a new mascot for the Coxsackie-Athens Central School District. There are 14 choices on the ballot, and voters are being asked to select their first, second and third choices. Mascot names being considered are Black Bears, Blue Jays, Blue Thunder, Coyotes, Cyclones, Eagles, Firebirds, Pride, Raptors, Rip Tides, Riverhawks, Storm, Sturgeon and Wolfpack. Voting concludes at 4 p.m. on August 18. Only one vote per person is allowed. Following the first round, a final public vote will be conducted on September 13, after school reopens. Once the final votes are tallied, the board of education will make the final decision. In June, the Coxsackie-Athens Board of Education voted to retire the district's long-time mascot, the Indian. The decision was contested by opponents who claimed the mascot was a part of the district’s heritage and that it was a positive symbol of strength and determination. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.

Today's daily news update.

Melanie Lekocevic reports in Columbia-Greene Media that students are only a few weeks away from a new year, and local school administrators still have not announced publicly how they are handling COVID-19 protocols. Gov. Andrew Cuomo's staff and the state health department both failed to give local school districts any guidance or rules even though there is currently an outbreak of the much more contagious delta variant locally and nationally. Lekocevic does not quote any advocates for children's health, or experts who know the science of the pandemic. Instead, she quotes local school administrators who all say the same thing, they are waiting for the State Education Department. “We are waiting for SED guidance before we make any proclamations regarding COVID protocols and in- person learning,” Coxsackie Assistant Superintendent of School Services Leslie Copleston said. “We are convening a safety committee meeting on Monday to plan.” Catskill District Superintendent Ronel Cook wrote online to parents that he is also waiting instructions, but that students who want to learn remotely this year will be required to get a doctor's note. He did not reveal if masks will be worn, or if vaccines will be mandated, But that parents or children worried about health issues will need a doctor's note to avoid possible infection. State education officials did release a report Aug. 12 with some more information. "Schools and school districts should promote social distancing while maintaining existing safety requirements designed to protect students," the report said. "Schools and districts will be required to perform health checks and screenings.... require wearing appropriate face coverings...." with some students "in remote or hybrid settings." Andrea Macko in Porcupine Soup reports that, "Last week, Greene County Public Health Director Kim Kaplan issued a letter to all schools in the county. In that letter, Kaplan stated that the American Academy of Pediatrics and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend all K-12 schools adopt universal masking for teachers, staff, students, and visitors, regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status."

Robert Harding reports for Auburn Publications that Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul -- now Governor-in-waiting -- will run for election in 2022. Hochul, a Buffalo Democrat taking over for the resigning Andrew Cuomo, said Aug. 12 that she will run for a full four-year term in 2022. "I fully expected to," she said on the "Today" show. "I'm prepared for this. I've led a life working in every level of government from Congress to local government. I am the most prepared person to assume this responsibility, and I'm going to ask the voters at some point for their faith in me again." Hochul has been Lt. Gov. for two terms, and becomes Governor on Aug. 24, with Cuomo taking two weeks to clear out his desk after an investigation overseen by state Attorney General Letitia James found that he sexually harassed 11 women. While Democrats may challenge Hochul for the nomination, none have come forward yet. Republican state leaders have anointed Suffolk County congressperson Lee Zeldin as their presumptive nominee. Rob Astorino, who lost as the GOP gubernatorial nominee in 2014, and Andrew Giuliani, the son of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, have also announced election campaigns. Zeldin voted against accepting the results of last year's presidential election. Besides the advantage of being an incumbent Democrat in New York, Hochul has spent her time as Lt. Gov. mostly traveling across the state and shaking hands, and having her photo taken, with local officials in all 57 counties. Read more about this story in Auburn Publications.

Stephen T. Watson reports in the Buffalo News that Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul's husband will not step down as a top executive with a Buffalo-based concessions and gambling corporation that does business with the state, even as she becomes governor. William J. Hochul Jr. was hired by Delaware North in 2016 after Hochul became Lt. Gov. and as senior vice president and general counsel managing legal, regulatory, and compliance matters. Delaware North is downplaying the possible conflicts of interest between the woman who will soon become governor and her husband. The company oversees the food and retail business at Niagara Falls State Park; concessions at two upstate airports; and management of operations at Hamburg Gaming and a second casino in the Finger Lakes, all regulated by the state. "With her succession as governor of New York state, Delaware North is implementing additional restrictions on Mr. Hochul’s interaction with the company’s business activities in New York state in order to avoid even the appearance of a conflict of interest that could be claimed to exist by virtue of the governor’s private interests deriving from Mr. Hochul’s employment by Delaware North," the company said. "Effective immediately, Mr. Hochul will be precluded from involvement in matters relating to business conducted by Delaware North in New York state in which a New York state government official, department or agency is, or potentially could be, engaged." But that was not enough for everyone. "The conflict of interest exists as long as Bill Hochul is getting paid from this company with such extensive business before the state," said Robert Galbraith, senior research analyst at the Public Accountability Initiative. "The decision to carry this blatant conflict of interest into the Governor's Office is an ignominious start for Kathy Hochul's administration." The governor-in-waiting addressed the issue in one of her first interviews since Gov. Andrew Cuomo resigned Aug. 10. "People should realize that Bill has been a public servant for 30 years, (including) eight years as Barack Obama's United States attorney. And throughout our 37 years of married life, we've both had careers, and we have developed a very strong internal ethics among ourselves about not being involved or discussing each other's professional world, professional work. But with respect to what he does at Delaware North, he will continue to recuse himself from anything to do with state government and they will be examining that policy internally as well." Read more about this story in the Buffalo News.

Today's daily headlines.

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Joshua Solomon is reporting for the Times Union in her first public remarks since Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced his resignation, Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul Wed., Aug. 11, promised that her administration will not include any Cuomo staffers found to have committed unethical offenses by the state attorney general's office. Hochul also noted her arms-length relationship with Cuomo and said that her administration will bring a people-first policy to focus on pressing issues. "I think it's very clear that the governor and I have not been close, physically or otherwise," she said. "I'm going to stand right here at the end of my term, whenever it ends — no one will ever describe my administration as a toxic work environment. ... There will be turnover." Hochul said she will spend the two weeks before Cuomo leaves preparing for a smooth transition of power, including taking the opportunity to meet with current cabinet members. "The promise I make to all New Yorkers, right here and right now: I will fight like hell for you every single day," she said. In her remarks, delivered in the Blue Room of the state Capitol, Hochul outlined the issues she sees New Yorkers facing, including the spread of the delta variant of COVID-19 and how that has complicated the opening of schools, small businesses and factories. As the state's 57th governor, Hochul said she will quickly establish her own, diverse administration, including the selection of a new lieutenant governor. She will finish out Cuomo's third term, which was set to expire next year, but has not indicated if she will run in 2022. During the briefing Wednesday, Hochul deflected a question about impeachment and the next steps for Cuomo. Hochul has served as lieutenant governor since 2015, beginning with Cuomo's second term. Read the full story in the Times Union.

Bill Williams is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media the New York State Police Mon., Aug. 9, investigated two separate bomb threats in Columbia County, Aaron Hicks, Troop K public information officer said. Officials did not say whether the two incidents were related. The first threat was reported at approximately 10:25 a.m., at the Berkshire Farm Center and Services for Youth on Route 22 in Canaan. Campus buildings were evacuated and residents kept a safe distance away while police worked, Hicks said. Two state police bomb-sniffing dogs were brought in to help troopers search the buildings. Police were on the scene for several hours, but no explosive devices were found, Hicks said. The second incident occurred roughly four hours later at the Chatham Public Library on Woodbridge Avenue in the village. State police responded at about 2:44 p.m., after they received a reported bomb threat. Police declined to say how the two threats were communicated. The library was evacuated and police and bomb-sniffing dogs searched the building. The search turned up nothing, but the library chose to remain closed until the next day. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.

Sam Raudins is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media Columbia Memorial Health announced August 11, it will join 10 other Capital Region hospitals in requiring staff to get the COVID-19 vaccine. CMH came to the decision roughly a week after Albany Medical Center announced its vaccine mandate. Columbia Memorial serves Columbia, Greene and Dutchess counties with a 192-bed acute care facility in Hudson, along with 40 outlying care centers. Those required to receive the vaccine include front-line staff, volunteers, students and operations staff, according to a CMH statement. The messaging on when this must happen was vague. Hospital spokesman William Van Slyke said employees are to be vaccinated as soon as is feasible. Columbia Memorial joins Albany Med and other affiliates, Glens Falls Hospital and Saratoga Hospital, in making the policy decision. Other area health-care facilities joining the mandate include Ellis Medicine, Nathan Littauer Hospital, St. Mary’s Hospital in Amsterdam and St. Peter’s Health Partners including St. Peter’s Hospital, Samaritan Hospital and Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital. Dr. Ronald Pope, vice president of medical services at Columbia Memorial, said, “Vaccination has had a staggering impact on the spread of the disease. In June, over 99 percent of all COVID-related hospitalizations were unvaccinated people. At CMH, our top priority is the health of the community and our staff.” Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.