Shantel Destra

New York

Reporter at WMHT-TV (Troy, NY)

Reporter at New York NOW

Journalist & Host focused on New York state politics for @nynow_pbs @wmhtpubmedia | connect with me, tips are welcomed.

Featured in: Favicon

cityandstateny.com Favicon

nbcnewyork.com Favicon

chalkbeat.org Favicon

newsbreak.com Favicon

brooklyneagle.com Favicon

amsterdamnews.com Favicon

thecity.nyc Favicon

route-fifty.com Favicon

nynmedia.com Favicon

wmht.org (+1)

Articles

Full Episode: SUNY Chancellor, End of Year Capitol Traditions

1 week ago | nynow.wmht.org | Shantel Destra

SUNY Chancellor John King joins us to unpack the threats of federal funding cuts impacting New York's public universities investments from the Fiscal Year 26 state budget. We dive into the end of year traditions at the state capitol - from sneaker day to senate snow cones. The Assembly officially wrapped up session this week. We dive into the last-minute priorities of the lower chamber.
Full Episode: End of Session Priorities, Support for Kyra's Law

2 weeks ago | nynow.wmht.org | Shantel Destra

Full EpisodesIt was quite the busy week at the state Capitol to close out the 2025 Legislative Session - from Democratic leaders sounding the alarm on federal Medicaid cuts to Rep. Elise Stefanik taking aim at Gov. Kathy Hochul. We'll unpack the news driving the last week of session with Alex Gault, of the Watertown Daily Times and Northern New York Newspapers, and Jeongyoon Han, of WXXI and the New York Public News Network.
Full Episode: LG Challenges Hochul, Senate Finance Chair, Period Poverty

3 weeks ago | nynow.wmht.org | Shantel Destra

Full EpisodesLieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado has launched a campaign for governor - officially challenging his boss Gov. Kathy Hochul in the 2026 Democratic Primary. We discuss Delgado's campaign and the political implication with Rebecca Lewis of City and State New York. State Senate Finance Committee Chair Liz Krueger (D - Manhattan) unpacks this year's state budget and the possibility of lawmakers making a return to the capitol later this year to address federal cuts.
Full Episode: Medical Aid in Dying & Interchange Fees

1 month ago | nynow.wmht.org | Shantel Destra

Full EpisodesAs the legislative session come to a close in the next few weeks, lawmakers and advocates are spending the final days pushing for a slew of policy initiatives they'd like to get passed. One such bill is the Medical Aid in Dying Act. After years of rallying, advocates were happy to see it passed for the first time in the Assembly chamber a few weeks ago. But it's unclear whether or not it will make any movement in the state Senate before the end of session. State Sen.
Full Episode: Deputy State Senate Majority Leader & Assembly Speaker Talk Priorities

1 month ago | nynow.wmht.org | Shantel Destra

We sit with State Senate Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris (D-Queens) to discuss a push for the 21st Century Antitrust Act which would work to increase state regulation on monopolies in the state and Senate Democrats' priorities through the end of the year. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (D-Bronx) joins us to unpack the FY '26 state budget, controversial bills in the lower chamber and the possibility of extending the legislative session.
Full Episode: Hochul Unveils Budget Agreement, Consumer Protection and Environmental Priorities

1 month ago | nynow.wmht.org | Shantel Destra

Gov. Kathy Hochul and legislative leaders have reached a general state budget agreement three weeks after the initial deadline. However, state leaders are working on a few outstanding issues, and lawmakers still need to pass budget bills before the final budget can officially be enacted. We unpack the details of the agreement with Jimmy Vielkind of WNYC and Austin C. Jefferson of City & State. State Sen.
Full Episode: Hochul Approval Up, COELIG, Diversity in Schools

2 months ago | nynow.wmht.org | Shantel Destra

Full EpisodesWhile the state budget is three weeks late, New York voters seem to back the many policy items that Gov. Kathy Hochul is pushing to be included in the budget. The governor saw positive job approval and favorability ratings for the first time in over a year. Sanford Berland, executive director of the state commission on ethics and lobbying in government, joins us to discuss the body's plans ahead and budget asks.
Full Episode: Discovery Law Deal, Federal Tax Bill, CDPAP Transition Issues

2 months ago | nynow.wmht.org | Shantel Destra

Full EpisodesWhile the state budget is several days late, a breakthrough on discovery reform have pushed negotiations forward. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie met with five New York City DAs and settled on a deal rooted in compromise. State Sen. Jessica Ramos (D-Senate Labor Committee Chair) talks state budget progress and a bill meant to stop the state from having to pay federal taxes in the event of cuts from Washington.
Full Episode: NYS Budget Negotiations Have Stalled, Transparency in the Budget & A.I. Priorities

2 months ago | nynow.wmht.org | Shantel Destra

Full EpisodesIt's been over a week since the April 1st deadline and state budget negotiations have stalled because of discovery reform! Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie introduced a bill that would allow lawmakers to get paid when the budget is late due to policy. We're joined by Patrick Orecki, director of state studies with the Citizens Budget Commission, to unpack the calls from good government groups for more transparency in the state budget process for New Yorkers. State Sen.
Full Episode: Late State Budget, Abortion Access in New York

2 months ago | nynow.wmht.org | Shantel Destra

The April 1st budget deadline came and went this week - with leader unable to come to an agreement. We give an update on where negotiations stand. With the threat of federal funding cuts looming, we dive into their impact on budget negotiations and how New York leaders are prepping for those cuts. Assembly Member Amy Paulin (D - Assembly Health Committee Chair) - joins us for an comprehensive discussion on abortion access in the state.