In the News

ALBANY — The new New York State budget agreement is set to include new ideas to crack down on three persistent problems that have exploded in recent years: Illegal cannabis shops, retail theft and toll evasion on bridges and highways.

An Albany-based consultant who used to help oversee nursing homes statewide will serve as an independent health care monitor at Cold Spring Hills Center for Nursing & Rehabilitation, managing patient care at the troubled Woodbury facility.

“I think our chances are excellent,” said Kelcey Smith, 48, who has worked in the VW plant’s paint department for a year and is a member of a committee working to build support for the U.A.W. “The energy is high. I think we are going to nail it.”

ALBANY — The State Legislature on Thursday began passing a $237 billion state budget that would launch an effort to make New York a leader in artificial intelligence development, combat a spike in infant mortality and criminalize AI abuse, according to bills that were made public.

“We welcome the court’s decision requiring Cold Spring Hills’ management to make their contractually required payments to the workers’ health benefit fund,” 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East said of the judge's actions.

A Garden City business owner allegedly cheated two insurance companies out of more than $235,000 in premiums by underreporting his company’s payroll and number of employees, Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly said in a statement.