Luke Parsnow at Spectrum News reports that New York Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos is taking a personal leave to help the humanitarian effort in Ukraine, he announced on Twitter Sept. 19. "We all must do our part to keep Ukrainians safe during this brutal war, and support democracy wherever it is imperiled," Seggos wrote, not saying exactly how long he will be out of the office. While Seggos is gone, Executive Deputy Commissioner Sean Mahar and Chief of Staff Erica Ringewald will be in charge of the department. Seggos has held the job since 2015. Russia invaded Ukraine seven months ago, and recently lost much territory it took from Ukraine in the invasion. Read more about this story at Spectrum News.