Last week, Donald Trump claimed to have renamed Lake Ontario to Lake America. He didn’t. What he did do – in an effort to troll our biggest trading partner – was sign an executive order (14420) directing federal agencies and the U.S. Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) to use the new name: [Read more…] about Trump Changes Lake Ontario’s Federal Name; New Yorkers Are Not Amused
Kathy Hochul
Balcony Solar Plug-in Power Awaits NY Governor Hochul’s Signature
Back on May 28, 2026 the New York State Legislature passed the Solar Up Now New York (SUNNY) Act (A.9111C/S.8512C), which would remove red tape and legalize “balcony solar,” the small, plug-in solar panels that everyday families can use to lower their energy bills and generate renewable energy.
After two months, the bill is still awaiting Governor Kathy Hochul‘s signature. [Read more…] about Balcony Solar Plug-in Power Awaits NY Governor Hochul’s Signature
New York’s Electric Vehicle Conversion Well Underway
The seemingly inevitable conversion toward electric vehicles is well underway in New York, with 600,000 electric, plug-in hybrid vehicles, and older hybrid electric registered in the state in 2024.
According to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), the state now has over 323,000 electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids alone registered statewide. To support this accelerating transition, the state is investing nearly $3 billion in zero-emission vehicles and charging infrastructure, which is also expanding rapidly. [Read more…] about New York’s Electric Vehicle Conversion Well Underway
North Country Proposals in the Proposed State Budgets
The New York Senate and Assembly have passed their “one-house” budget bills and Adirondack Park advocates are watching annual negotiations with the Governor to see how their budget priorities are reflected in Northern New York.
Adirondack Council Executive Director Raul J. Aguirre called the proposals a “commitment to clean water funding, wilderness and visitor-use management, climate data collection, and crucial training programs for next-generation leaders.” [Read more…] about North Country Proposals in the Proposed State Budgets
Legislative Budgets Propose Increased Adirondack Environmental Funding
Adirondack Park advocates are applauding the New York State Senate and Assembly for proposing increased funding for the Adirondack Park in their FY2027 one-house budgets.
Both proposals increase the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) and restore and/or enhance support for several Adirondack programs that were reduced or eliminated from Governor Kathy Hochul’s proposed budget. [Read more…] about Legislative Budgets Propose Increased Adirondack Environmental Funding
Adirondack Park Agency Relocation Comes Down to the Wire
Ready or not, the 2026 elections have arrived. Villages across New York State will elect local leaders on March 18th. In the Adirondack Village of Saranac Lake, the election is hinging in part on plans by New York’s Adirondack Park Agency to relocate it’s headquarters.
Nearly four years ago, Park Agency staff approached Saranac Lake’s newly-elected mayor, Jimmy Williams, with a request to explore leasing and refurbishing a village-owned office building and erecting an accompanying structure on the same property for a new agency headquarters. [Read more…] about Adirondack Park Agency Relocation Comes Down to the Wire
Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley & the African American History Commission
The latest New York Minute in History podcast features an interview with New York’s Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley to discuss his Chairmanship of the New York State Commission on African American History.
Also known as the 400 Years of African-American History Commission, it was established by Governor Kathy Hochul in March 2022 via Executive Order No. 15. [Read more…] about Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley & the African American History Commission
Historic $200 Million Downtown Albany Strategy Released
Governor Kathy Hochul has unveiled the Downtown Albany Strategy, a revitalization plan that is part of the $400 million Championing Albany’s Potential (CAP) Initiative.
The strategy is backed by $200 million in public investments from New York State to guide coordinated action that is hoped to “spur housing growth to attract new residents, create jobs, promote long-term redevelopment, enliven commercial corridors, and energize the public realm.” [Read more…] about Historic $200 Million Downtown Albany Strategy Released
State Parks Outlines New Investments Hoped for 2026
In support of the goals outlined in Governor Kathy Hochul’s State of the State and executive budget, New York State Parks has announced support for several initiatives they say are designed to create jobs, enhance state park experiences, improve access to outdoor recreation and preserve state history. [Read more…] about State Parks Outlines New Investments Hoped for 2026
2025 Progress Towards Planting 25 Million Trees by 2033
Governor Kathy Hochul launched the 25 Million Trees by 2033 initiative during her 2024 State of the State Address to recognize the importance of trees and forests for climate mitigation and community health.
DEC has established an online Tree Tracker, where New Yorkers can record trees they plant. Here are some statistics from the tracker for trees planted in 2025: [Read more…] about 2025 Progress Towards Planting 25 Million Trees by 2033
Hochul’s State of the State & The Adirondacks
New York Governor Kathy Hochul committed to a 50% increase in state funding for clean water infrastructure projects, steady funding for the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) and a constitutional amendment to remove former prison sites on the Adirondack Forest Preserve lands from state ownership in the 2026 State of the State message she delivered on Tuesday. [Read more…] about Hochul’s State of the State & The Adirondacks
‘Adirondack Imaginarium’ Debuts at Albany Airport
Albany International Airport has installed a new children’s play area — the Adirondack Imaginarium — created in collaboration with The Wild Center, the Six Nations Iroquois Cultural Center in Onchiota, and artist Gracelee Lawrence.
The airport’s new thirteen-hundred-square-feet children’s play area — the Adirondack Imaginarium — celebrates the natural and cultural beauty of New York’s North Country and the Adirondacks. [Read more…] about ‘Adirondack Imaginarium’ Debuts at Albany Airport
New York Declares State of Emergency Amid Food Stamps Halt
On Thursday, New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency and announced new actions in response to the Trump administration stripping food assistance (SNAP / EBT Food Stamps) from about 3 million New Yorkers come November 1. [Read more…] about New York Declares State of Emergency Amid Food Stamps Halt
Reconnect the Empire State Plaza Public Workshop
Governor Kathy Hochul’s Championing Albany’s Potential initiative is bringing $400 million in new investment to Downtown Albany. This includes the Downtown Albany Strategy, led by Empire State Development, to create a long-term vision for the area.
As part of this work, the New York State Office of General Services (OGS) is leading the Reconnect the Empire State Plaza project. [Read more…] about Reconnect the Empire State Plaza Public Workshop
Replica Erie Canal Boat ‘Seneca Chief’ Completes Bicentennial Journey
On October 26, Buffalo Maritime Center’s replica of the Erie Canal Boat Seneca Chief, built by over 200 volunteers over five years, pulled into Pier 26 at Hudson River Park.
It was 200 years to the day in 1825 after the initial voyage from Buffalo to New York City when the Erie Canal opened. [Read more…] about Replica Erie Canal Boat ‘Seneca Chief’ Completes Bicentennial Journey
NYS Governor Commits To Protecting Whitney Estate
New York State Governor Kathy Hochul has made a commitment toward the permanent protection of the ecologically rich forests and waters of the 36,000-acre Whitney Estate.
One of the largest and most important intact forest landscapes in the heart of the Adirondack Park, the Whitney Estate has been recognized as a conservation priority since the 1980s. [Read more…] about NYS Governor Commits To Protecting Whitney Estate
Paddler Protest Calls for Adding Whitney Park to the Forest Preserve
Several dozen paddlers from Protect the Adirondacks and Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter attended a water-based protest earlier in September. The Paddle for Wilderness at Forked Lake in the central Adirondacks, on waters bordering Whitney Park, was a floating protest calling for the protection of the 36,000-acre Whitney Park that is up for sale and threatened with development.
This tract has been at the top of the State’s land protection list for 50 years. Whitney Park includes 22 lakes and ponds, and over 100 miles of undeveloped shorelines. The tract has important natural habitat and is the missing link for re-establishing historic canoe routes that traversed the property. [Read more…] about Paddler Protest Calls for Adding Whitney Park to the Forest Preserve
‘Now Is The Time’: Albany Waterway Project Calls for Action
“Now is the time to make your voices heard supporting The Albany Waterway Inc. vision to positively transform downtown Albany,” according to B.J. Costello, Chair of Albany Waterway, Inc.
The organization is seeking support for the restoration of historic Lock One of the Erie Canal, now celebrating its 200th year, as well as a water feature in front of the SUNY headquarters on Broadway. [Read more…] about ‘Now Is The Time’: Albany Waterway Project Calls for Action
Former New Jersey Congressman, First Latino Appointed to Board Overseeing Adirondack Park
Governor Kathy Hochul has nominated to the Adirondack Park Agency (APA) board an environmental attorney who would become the board’s first Latino member, and a nuclear physicist and former U.S. Congressman from New Jersey. The APA oversees protection of the Adirondack Park. The New York State Senate is expected to confirm the appointments before the current legislative session ends. [Read more…] about Former New Jersey Congressman, First Latino Appointed to Board Overseeing Adirondack Park
New York State to Send Taxpayers up to $400
Checks up to $400 will be sent this fall to 8.2 million households across New York State according to an announcement made by Governor Kathy Hochul on Friday. The checks which the governor office is calling an “inflation refund,” will be mailed directly to eligible New Yorkers starting in October and will continue through November.
There is no need to apply, sign up or do anything to receive a check. [Read more…] about New York State to Send Taxpayers up to $400