Author Archive

Austin C. Jefferson

News & Politics

Politics

Here’s where New York politicos are watching tonight’s debate

The Working Families Party, local political clubs and elected officials are hosting debate watch parties across the state.

Energy & Environment

Policy

Hochul pushes nuclear energy as state struggles to meet climate goals

New York shuttered its primary nuclear power plant in 2021, which led fossil fuel emissions to spike, but there’s strong opposition to readopting nuclear power.

News & Politics

Politics

State AG warns of AI-driven election misinformation

State Attorney General Letitia James encouraged voters to contact her office’s Election Protection Hotline if they come across any election-related deepfake images or videos.

Albany Agenda

Politics

Advocates push for public ownership of Hudson Valley energy company

As Central Hudson continues to raise rates, activists and progressive lawmakers are making a new push to bring it under public ownership – but organized labor is wary.

Kathy Hochul

Politics

Hochul and Heastie talk politics at the state fair

Fried dough and chocolate milk couldn’t distract from Democrats’ 2022 midterm losses or their concerns about November.

2024 New York congressional battleground

Politics

Democrats target Latino voters in Hudson Valley swing district

The party is bringing on bilingual staff and tweaking its abortion messaging as it looks to increase turnout in Spanish-speaking communities.

Personality

Personality

Mondaire Jones hopes to bring pragmatic progressivism back to the Hudson Valley

The former congressional representative now running for his old seat views himself as an independent voice fighting extremists on the right and the left.

Policy

Policy

Union leaders testify at hearing on public school funding

UFT President Michael Mulgrew and NYSUT President Melinda Person spoke out against Gov. Kathy Hochul's proposed changes to the school funding formula.

Interviews & Profiles

Personality

NYSUT leader Melinda Person on the changing role of public schools

The president of the state’s largest teachers union is optimistic about the future of school funding.

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Campaigns & Elections

Politics

GOP tried to recruit Albany DA David Soares

Soares lost the Democratic primary to a progressive challenger but is now running an independent write-in campaign.

News & Politics

Politics

House Dems and GOP hone their messages for the suburbs

With control of Congress in the balance, Democrats and Republicans are sparring over abortion, immigration and Trump – along with more local concerns.

Policy

Policy

Which upstate cities are adopting ‘good cause’ eviction and rent control?

Progressives have successfully pushed a handful of municipalities outside New York City to adopt tenant-friendly housing policies in recent years.

Interviews & Profiles

Personality

Albany County DA David Soares isn’t interested in repairing his relationships with local Democratic leaders

He’s confident he’ll win via a write-in campaign a la Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown after losing the Democratic primary in June.

News & Politics

Politics

Molinaro launches new ad tying Democratic challenger to Harvey Weinstein

Republican Rep. Marc Molinaro is highlighting challenger Josh Riley’s past work for the law firm Boies, Schiller and Flexner, which represented Weinstein.

Interviews & Profiles

Personality

Marc Molinaro says upstate voters aren’t buying what Democrats are selling

The member of Congress thinks the region takes a back seat to New York City’s interests too often.

2024 presidential election

Politics

NY swing district Democrats breathe a sigh of relief

Joe Biden’s withdrawal was welcome news for members of his party in competitive districts.

Politics

Politics

Where do progressives go from here?

The Working Families Party, Democratic Socialists of America and For the Many scored few wins this year but have no plans to shake up their electoral strategy.

Politics

Politics

Josh Riley highlights Marc Molinaro’s controversial abortion vote in new ad

Rep. Marc Molinaro voted against codifying Roe v. Wade while in the Assembly, which challenger Josh Riley hopes to capitalize on.