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1 week ago | 
fingerlakes1.com | Edwin J. Viera
A new analysis examines the financial costs “forever chemicals” have on New York. “PFAS” chemicals in everyday items pose numerous health risks, and the report says health-care costs for New Yorkers are up to $4.4 billion annually. But it doesn’t account for all the health impacts of PFAS. The report estimates it could cost water utility systems $32 million to $54 million to comply with federal drinking water standards.
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1 week ago | 
fingerlakes1.com | Edwin J. Viera
New York’s Legislature did not pass a bill ending the Opportunity Zone tax-credit program. The federal tax credit was implemented during the first Trump administration to build more affordable housing in low-income neighborhoods. A New York University Furman Center report found 60% of new apartments built with the credit in low-income areas are rented at market rate and do not offer rental assistance.
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1 week ago | 
fingerlakes1.com | Edwin J. Viera
A new report found nonprofit leaders in New York and nationwide are worried about the country’s political and economic climate. The 2025 State of Nonprofits report showed risks to funding from federal budget cuts and polarization of nonprofit work are top concerns. Elisha Smith Arrillaga, vice president of research at the Center for Effective Philanthropy, said nonprofit leaders feel the current climate exacerbates long-term feelings of burnout.
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1 week ago | 
fingerlakes1.com | Edwin J. Viera
New York groups are helping immigrants deal with immigration arrests in courthouses. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents are detaining immigrants after attending hearings on their immigration status. A Bronx high school student was detained in late May while attending a federal immigration court hearing.
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2 weeks ago | 
fingerlakes1.com | Edwin J. Viera
New York State is improving child well-being in some ways, but struggles to provide economic opportunity, a new annual report finds. The state ranked 29th in the 2025 Kids Count Data Book, published by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, matching its ranking in last year’s report. New York improved its health and education rankings, but a high cost of living is restraining the economic well-being of children.
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2 weeks ago | 
publicnewsservice.org | Edwin J. Viera
Hawaii's housing cost burden is affecting child well-being, according to a new report. The state ranked 24th in this year's Annie E. Casey Foundation Kids Count Data Book, after holding steady at 25th for two years. It improved in children's health and economic well-being but Hawaii is not stemming the tide of economic issues brought on by other factors. Nicole Woo, director of research and economic policy for the Hawaii Children's Action Network, said housing challenges hold the state back.
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3 weeks ago | 
fingerlakes1.com | Edwin J. Viera
New reports show New York faces multibillion-dollar budget cuts if the federal budget reconciliation bill passes in its current form. A nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office report found what is known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” would cost the state government more than $15 billion annually and kick 1.5 million New Yorkers off health insurance. Medicaid cuts of this magnitude would also affect hospitals statewide.
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3 weeks ago | 
fingerlakes1.com | Edwin J. Viera
Women in New York and nationwide face challenges with alcohol use. Data from the state’s Department of Health data showed 13% of adult New York women are heavy or binge drinkers. American Addiction Centers finds more female high school students engaged in binge drinking than men in 2019. Haven Battles, director of the alcohol surveillance and epidemiology program for the New York State Department of Health, said alcohol abuse can have severe health consequences for young women.
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1 month ago | 
fingerlakes1.com | Edwin J. Viera
Groups advocating for New York retirees are backing a State Legislature bill requiring drug manufacturers to notify officials of any “pay-for-delay” actions preventing a brand-name medication from becoming a lower-cost generic drug. Senate Bill 488 would require drug-makers to inform the state of any steps they take to maintain brand-name status after the patent on a drug is scheduled to expire.
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1 month ago | 
fingerlakes1.com | Edwin J. Viera
With looming budget cuts to Medicaid, advocates are sounding the alarm about the potential effects on Community Health Centers in New York and nationwide. It is estimated the House budget cuts to Medicaid funding would mean more than 8 million people would lose their health coverage across the nation, including as many as 1 million in New York.
