New York State

Tech can help address aging population’s health needs, expert says

A program in New York aims to support healthy aging among older individuals by encouraging social interactions and health maintenance using TVs.

Albany’s blueprint for schools: cell-free halls, looser Yeshiva rules, new aid math

It’s up to school districts in New York to figure out how to implement cellphone bans, but the budget does include $13.5 million to assist districts in purchasing supplies that can help.

New York’s cellphone ban: Exemptions, enforcement, and costs explained

Under the policy, school districts across the state will have until this summer to craft their implementation plans and must begin enforcing them at the start of next school year.

Report: More than 80% of NY parents support law restricting app downloads for teens

The study released by the Black Institute comes as two states already have passed legislation with such restrictions.

The New York State Police are feeding ICE a gang database

For 20 years, the state police have been quietly building a database of suspected gang members — and they’re feeding it to Donald Trump’s administration.

These states have cracked the customer experience code

COMMENTARY | By implementing enterprise customer experience programs, New York and Maryland are improving service, lowering operating costs and building back trust with constituents.

Lawmakers strive to protect New York’s universal broadband rollout

The state is pushing forward with its goals under the threat of Trump administration cuts.

New York leaders agree to school cellphone ban as rest of budget remains in limbo

Legislative leaders and Gov. Kathy Hochul have settled on a bell-to-bell cellphone ban in schools, a top priority for the governor and the first budget item that appears settled

City & State’s 2025 Digital Summit explores AI, vulnerabilities to cyberattacks

The event featured keynote remarks from Dru Rai, the state’s chief information officer and a fireside chat with New York City Chief Technology Officer Matt Fraser.

‘Science experimenting’ in a leading AI state

New York CIO Dru Rai said failing fast doesn’t need to be a bad thing as agencies experiment with new technologies.

A simple fix could stop millions in food stamp theft. Will New York commit?

Chip technology has been standard in credit and debit cards for a decade. They could stop New York’s surging rate of stolen benefits.

Federal tech grant recipients sweat future amid ongoing uncertainty

The federal Office of Management and Budget’s memo pausing grants caused massive uncertainty, including for technology efforts reliant on the money. Recipients say their work will continue, but be harder, without federal help.

For New York statewide school cellphone ban, Hochul proposes $13.5 million to cover costs

The proposal came Tuesday as Hochul presented her $252 billion 2026 state budget, which would send roughly $37.4 billion to schools across the state.

Drone sighting epidemic spurs Dems in Congress to urge more transparency from feds

Unexplained drone sightings in New Jersey and New York have raised concerns across the Northeast. Some lawmakers are demanding more information from federal agencies.

At legislators' retreat, lawmakers discuss AI and economic growth

City & State’s Legislators’ Retreat featured keynote speeches from Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez and Center for an Urban Future executive director Jonathan Bowles.

Haitian immigrants find new footholds, and familiar backlash, in the Midwest, South

Jobs are drawing Haitians from traditional communities in Florida and New York.

A $1.3 billion project that would save drivers six minutes max

As the state’s plans to get New Yorkers out of their cars stall, Gov. Kathy Hochul is championing a highway expansion in the Hudson Valley.

The right to repair electronics is now law in 3 states. Is Big Tech complying?

You're legally entitled to fix your own gadgets in California, Minnesota, and New York — but not all tech companies have gotten the memo.

Facing natural disasters, more lawmakers look to make oil companies pay for the damage

The oil industry rejects the idea that as contributors to climate change, they are legally liable for disaster damages.