WCDO Radio News

A BILL TO REPLACE THE WORD "INMATE" WITH "INCARCERATED INDIVIDUAL" WAS JUST SIGNED INTO LAW BY GOVERNOR CUOMO. THE BILL PASSED THE NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY AND SENATE WITH BIPARTISAN SUPPORT IN JUNE. THE LAWMAKERS WHO WROTE THE BILL CLAIM THAT THE WORD "INMATE" PERMANENTLY DEMONIZED AND STIGMATIZED AN INDIVIDUAL. THE NEW LAW TAKES EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.

IN LIGHT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S REPORT ON GOVERNOR CUOMO, A DOWNSTATE ASSEMBLYMAN IS URGING ASSEMBLY COLLEAGUES TO JOIN HIM ON 2 PIECES OF LEGISLATION. ASSEMBLYMAN MIKE LAWLER FROM ROCKLAND COUNTY WANTS TO CHANGE THE NAME OF THE MARIO M. CUOMO BRIDGE BACK TO THE TAPPAN ZEE BRIDGE. AND HIS SECOND PIECE OF LEGISLATION WOULD ESTABLISH CRIMINAL PENALTIES FOR RETALIATION AGAINST STATE EMPLOYEES.

Governor Cuomo held his daily Coronavirus briefing in New York City today, where they finally entered Phase1 of the reopening, on the 100th day since the first Positive case in New Rochelle.  The Governor reminded New Yorkers that other states saw increases in the number of Cases after they re-opened too quickly, New York’s number continue to shrink:

(Cuomo 6-8-20-#2)

The Governor said that on Sunday, more than 60,000 Coronavirus tests were conducted state wide, with only 1% testing positive.

School Budget votes will be counted starting tomorrow for all school districts statewide.  The Bainbridge Guilford central School District has a proposed budget of 20.1 Million Dollars, BG Superintendent Tim Ryan comments:

(Tim Ryan 6-8-20)

The Afton Central School District has a budget, a bus proposition, and others items for voters to decide on, including a large Capital Project, Afton Superintendent Tim McNamara comments:

(Tim McNamara 6-8-20)

The Proposed budget for the Afton District is $16.4 Million dollars & the Building project is about 19 Million Dollar Building Project.  Governor Cuomo announced over the weekend that they will extend the deadline for school districts to receive school budget ballots, they can be hand delivered by 5:00 PM tomorrow and can be received by mail through June 16th.

Governor Cuomo announced Sunday that the state is considering allowing outdoor Graduation ceremonies up to 150 people with social distancing later this month:

(Cuomo 6-8-20 Graduation)

Governor Cuomo signed legislation extending the deadline to submit absentee ballots until the day of the election.  Primary Ballots must be postmarked by June 23rd, the Governor will extend the deadline for school districts to receive school budget ballots, they can be hand delivered by 5:00 PM tomorrow and can be received by mail through June 16th.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Office arrested 31 year old Mario Darder of Hancock following an investigation into a domestic dispute.  Deputies located an individual walking away from the scene of the reported domestic dispute, Darder possessed methamphetamine and heroin, he was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, he was released on an appearance ticket and directed to appear in the Tompkins Town Court on a later date.

Governor Cuomo today announced New York's efforts to deter
underage drinking resulted in a record number of fake identification seizures
in 2018. The year-round Operation Prevent initiative focuses on concert venues,
bars, restaurants and alcohol retailers throughout the State. The State seized
892 fake documents as part of the initiative, 922 people were ticketed for
using false identification or using another person's identification.  18 Fake identification arrests were conducted
in the Southern Tier, 18 fake ID's were seized.

Aaron Powell was found guilty on all charges Thursday in
Broome County Court, for the 2013 murders of his estranged wife Christina &
Mario Masciarelli, in Binghamton.  Powell
was granted a 2nd trial by a higher court, which led to this week's trial, and
a 2nd conviction for these murders.

Governor Cuomo has directed the
State Police & The State Education Department to launch an investigation
into the allegations that 12-year-old girls were strip searched for drugs at
the Binghamton middle school recently.
Cuomo said that the girls were strip searched as they were perceived as
“'hyper and giddy” and it raises concerns of racial and gender bias.

The Murder Trial of Aaron Powell
has been turned over to the jury in Broome County Court for deliberations this
afternoon.  Powell is facing a 2nd trial
for the murder of his estranged wife Christina & Mario Masciarelli in
Binghamton on March 22nd, 2013. Powell’s early conviction had been overturned
by a higher court & this 2nd trial was ordered.

Governor Cuomo today announced that $30 million in Upstate
Revitalization Initiative funding has been awarded to Binghamton University to
complete its Health Sciences Campus in Johnson City. This latest investment
will finalize the nursing school building that will be housed in an historic,
former Endicott Johnson shoe box factory, and co-located with the University’s
new School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

The 2nd murder Trial of Aaron
Powell of Binghamton continues in Broome County Court.  Powell is accused of killing his estranged
wife Christina & Mario Masciarelli at Christina's Residence on Lisi Lane in
Binghamton on March 21st 2013.  Powell
was found guilty of several felony counts in his first trial; a higher court
overturned the original conviction & ordered a new trial.

Governor Cuomo signed legislation Thursday to upgrade New
York State's voting laws.  The new laws
will allow for eight days of early voting before an election, synchronize
federal and state primary elections, allow voter preregistration for teenagers,
provide voter registration portability within the state, and close the LLC
loophole, by limiting political spending by an LLC to a total of $5,000 annually.

An online petition has been gathering names to keep the name of the new Bridge over the Hudson River as the "Tappan Zee" Bridge. Earlier this year, proposals were made by Governor Cuomo's political Allies to name the new bridge as the "Mario Cuomo" bridge after the former Governor, who of course was the current Governor's father. The petition is located at change.org; it received 40,000 signatures in the first week.

State Lawmakers have reportedly reached a deal to name the new Tappan Zee Bridge after the late Governor Mario Cuomo. A new bridge is currently being built to replace the old span over the Hudson River, which was originally named after Governor Malcolm Wilson, who served as Governor in the 70's.

Governor Cuomo today announced that during the past year, 43 new farm breweries have opened their doors in New York State, bringing the state's total number of operational farm breweries to 106. Additionally, the Governor's Farm Brewery law, which created a new license for craft brewers that use New York grown ingredients and included an exemption on brand label registration fees for small brewers, has saved brewers nearly $1 million to date. Aside from the 106 farm breweries, New York is now home to 133 micro-breweries, up from just 40 in 2011, and 39 restaurant breweries, up from 10 in 2011. Additionally, eight farm breweries have opened off-site branch stores, a practice which was also authorized under the Governor's law.

Governor Cuomo announced a 60% decrease in alcohol-related traffic fatalities since Governor Mario Cuomo raised New York State's drinking age to 21 exactly 30 years ago. According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, youth who drink alcohol are more likely to experience alcohol-related car crashes and other unintentional injuries; school, social, legal, and physical problems; abuse of other drugs; and death from alcohol poisoning.

Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul visits Sidney & Norwich today. Hochul will meet with Local Officials and will Tour Sidney Green Plains site, in Norwich, Hochul will convene a Roundtable with Business Leaders at Commerce Chenango this afternoon, she will then tour downtown Norwich, convene a Women’s Roundtable to Discuss Governor Cuomo’s Initiatives at the Artists Pallet, & she will tour the Northeast Classic Car Museum.

Governor Cuomo today instructed Acting State Labor Commissioner Mario Musolino to empanel a Wage Board to investigate and make recommendations on an increase in the minimum wage in the fast food industry.

(Cuomo 5-8-15)

The Wage Board will take approximately 3 months to examine the issue and make recommendations regarding a possible increase, those recommendations do not require legislative approval in order to become enacted. State law allows for a Wage Board to suggest changes to the minimum wage in a specific industry or job classification if it finds that wages are insufficient to provide for the life and health its workers.

Governor Cuomo delivered his combined “State of the State” address & executive Budget presentation to a joint session of the legislature in Albany this afternoon. In His Summation, the Governor quoted his recently departed father & former Governor Mario Cuomo:

(Cuomo 1-21-15)

Cuomo is proposing about 100 proposals for the legislature to consider in the 2015 session.

Governor Cuomo will combine both his State of the State address and the release of his executive budget into one presentation next week on January 21st. The address and release of the 2015-16 executive budget will be presented to a joint session of the legislature on January 21st at 1:30 PM in the Empire State Plaza Convention Center in Albany. Governor Cuomo originally planned to give his State of the State address on January 7th, that was pushed back due to the death of his father, former Governor Mario Cuomo

Governor Cuomo today announced new efforts to combat human trafficking and provide help to survivors safely re-enter their home community. This crime affects more than 1,000 children in New York each year, and it is estimated that nearly 18,000 people are brought into the United States annually for the same purpose. The Governor also proclaimed January as Human Trafficking Awareness Month, and unveiled a new poster that lists possible trafficking red flags, plus a free confidential hotline, which is 1-888-373-7888.

State Lawmakers were in Albany yesterday to begin the 2015 session. Area assemblyman Cliff Crouch Comments:

(Crouch 1-8-15)

The session started without a "State of The State" address, it has been moved to January 21st in Albany following the death of Governor Andrew Cuomo's Father, former governor Mario Cuomo.

State Lawmakers will move into the 2015 session today in Albany. Governor Cuomo & state leaders have postponed the State of the State address to January 21st, following the death of Former Governor Mario Cuomo, whose funeral service was held in New York City yesterday, with Governor Andrew Cuomo delivering the eulogy.

(Cuomo 1-8-15)

Governor Cuomo is scheduled to remain in New York City today.

Hundreds attended the funeral of former Governor Mario Cuomo in Manhattan this morning in New York City. Current Governor Andrew Cuomo performed the eulogy, referring to his father as his hero, inspiring him to go into a life of public service. Cuomo died last Thursday from heart related issues, he was 82, and he served 3 terms as the Governor from 1983 to 1994.

Governor Cuomo recently signed Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo’s Hemp bill into law. The bill states that hemp can be used for making textiles, building insulation, and even food sources. The state bill precedes a possible federal industrial hemp-growing act.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM this morning for former Governor Mario Cuomo at St. Ignatius Loyola Church in New York City. Dignitaries from state government up to former President Bill Clinton will be in attendance.

The Cuomo family announced details of the wake and funeral arrangements for former Governor Mario M. Cuomo. Today, calling hours will be held between 1:00PM-5:00PM and 7:00PM-10:00PM at the Campbell Funeral Home in Manhattan. On Tuesday, at 11:00AM, a funeral service will be held at St. Ignatius Loyola Church, in Manhattan. In place of flowers, the Cuomo family requests contributions to be made to HELP USA for the Mario M. Cuomo Mentoring Fund, 5 Hanover Square, 17th Floor New York, NY 10004.

Governor Cuomo, Senate Majority Coalition Leader Dean Skelos, and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver announced that due to extenuating circumstances the Governor's 2015 State of the State address has been rescheduled to Wednesday, January 21st at 1:30PM, to be held in the Empire State Convention Center. The Senate and the Assembly 2015 legislative session will convene on January 7th as mandated by the State Constitution.

Former New York Governor Mario Cuomo died Thursday at the age of 82. The father of current governor Andrew Cuomo, Mario Cuomo died about 6 hours after his son’s second swearing into the office that he held for 3 terms, from 1983 to 1994.

Former New York Governor Mario Cuomo has been hospitalized to treat a heart condition, the 82 year old Cuomo was governor for 3 terms from 1983-1995, he was hospitalized over the Thanksgiving holiday when current Governor Andrew Cuomo visited. DetaiLs about the former Governor's condition will be released shortly.

Governor Cuomo announced New York State has been awarded a $22.4 million "GEAR UP" grant by the U.S. Department of Education, to help low-income and at-risk students receive college preparation beginning in 7th grade through high school. Participating school districts will have the opportunity to prepare students through the Pathways in Technology Early College High Schools program, which includes training science, technology, engineering and math careers, targeted to at-risk, disadvantaged students.

U.S. Senators Schumer and Gillibrand called on the federal Department of Justice to allow the state to begin part of its medical marijuana program early to treat children with forms of epilepsy and other seizure disorders. State health officials, at the request of Governor Cuomo, asked the federal government for permission to begin receiving the drug from out-of-state manufacturers even before the formal state program begins.

Former New York Governor George Pataki is indicating he may run for president. Pataki, who served for 3 terms from 1995 to 2006, met recently with David Koch, the billionaire businessman and GOP backer. Pataki was a relatively unknown state lawmaker when he beat 3 term Governor Mario Cuomo in 1994. He easily won reelection in 1998 and 2002, but endured slumping popularity ratings in his final term, and chose to not run again.

Aaron Powell was found guilty on murder charges yesterday in Broome County Court. Jury deliberations lasted only about 2 hours yesterday afternoon, the jury found the 40 year old Powell guilty on 2 counts of 2nd degree murder & 1 counts of 1st degree murder, for the murder of his estranged wife Christina Powell, & 24 year old Mario Masciarelli in the Powell's family home in Binghamton last year.

Governor Cuomo directed State Labor Commissioner Peter Rivera to convene a Wage Board to review and recommend any changes to the relevant regulations for food service workers and service employees in New York State. Tipped workers are paid a required base rate. Their tips added to that base pay must equal or exceed the minimum wage. The Wage Board will meet to review regulations for food service workers and service employees and recommend changes if needed. The minimum wage will increase to $8.75 on December 31st, and to $9.00 on December 31st, 2015. A schedule of public hearings will be announced soon.

The murder trial of 40-year-old Aaron Powell continues in Broome county court.  Powell is accused of murdering his estranged wife Christina Powell and 24-year-old Mario Masciarelli at the Powell's Binghamton home in March of 2013.  Prosecutors allege that Powell killed Masciarelli with a baseball bat and strangled his wife with an electrical cord.  Powell remains held in the Broome County jail without bail during the trial.

The Anti-Fracking movement claimed victory this week when a supreme court judge tossed out lawsuits from the Joint Landowners Coalition and Norse energy, the 2 entities were trying to push Governor Cuomo to make a decision on Hydrofracking after 6 years of a moratorium.  Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Rob Astorino vowed to move forward with allowing hydro-fracking is elected as governor in the November election.  Governor Cuomo inherited the gas-drilling moratorium from the previous administration of David Paterson; research is still being performed by the state health department following thousands of [public comments on the issue.

Governor Cuomo and leaders in the tourism industry met in New York City today, to discuss the expansion of efforts to increase tourism this year, beyond last year’s record breaking efforts:

(Cuomo 5-14-14)

Cuomo said that last year; over 54 million people visited the state, after the state spent an unprecedented 40 million dollars in advertising, a move that led to an addition to the state’s over all economy of about 55 Billion dollars. Billy Joel & Former Buffalo Bills Running Back Thurman Thomas are expected to participate in ads for New York state Tourism.

Jury selection will now begin July 10th for the trial of Aaron Powell of Binghamton, who is accused of murdering his estranged wife and one of her friends in the family home. Jury selection was scheduled to start this Friday, but Powell’s attorney asked for an adjournment at Monday’s pre-trial hearing. Broome County Judge Cawley made the decision to allow the adjournment. Prosecutors accuse Powell of killing 35-year-old Christina Powell and 24-year-old Mario Masciarelli in March 2013, he is charged with 1st degree murder and 2 counts of 2nd degree murder.

Governor Cuomo is signing the final budget plan today, to bring the state the 3rd on time budget in a row.  The governor discussed the achievements of the budget plan:

(Cuomo 4-1-13)

The budget wraps up at around 141.5 billion dollars, the increase in the total from last year is from federal money designated for Hurricane Sandy repairs to infrastructure in the hardest hit areas.

39-year-old Aaron Powell of Binghamton was denied bail in Broome county court, and was returned to the Broome County jail.  Powell faces 2 counts of 2nd degree murder for the deaths of his estranged wife Christina and 24 year old Mario Masciarelli in the family home on Lisi drive in Binghamton on march 22nd.  Powell was arrested march 26th after he was spotted at a conveniece store in Springville Pennsylvania. .

The Broome County Sheriff’s Department announced that the Susquehanna County Sheriff's Office has 39-year-old Aaron Powell in custody. Powell is the 'person of interest' in the double homicide in Powell’s house in the Town of Binghamton.  An autopsy ruled that the deaths of 35 year old Christina Powell, and 24 year old Mario Masciarelli were homicides, their bodies were found Friday at 4185 Lisi Lane Binghamton.  Powell was taken into custody at a store in the Montrose Pennsylvania.

Governor Andrew Cuomo detailed an agreement to guarantee every school district has a permanent teacher and principal evaluation system in place by June 1st.   Last year, Governor Cuomo established a new statewide evaluation system based on multiple measures of performance including student achievement and rigorous classroom observations. The new law will ensure 100% compliance.

Governor Cuomo announced that he would deliver his Budget Address to the legislature on Tuesday January 22nd in Albany.  The presentation will begin at 2:00 pm at the Hart Theater at the Egg Center for Performing Arts, it will be streamed at the Governor’s website at governor.ny.gov.

State agriculture commissioner Darrel Aubertine announced that Thomas Ryan of Little Falls would replace Dan O'Hara as director of the great New York State Fair, on February 1st.  Ryan is the current serves in the Thruway Authority, he has also held positions with the U.S. General Services Administration, the Federal Transit Administration, and has served in a variety of positions for the late New York Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan and former Governor Mario Cuomo.  O'Hara was the director of the last 6 state fairs starting in 2007, when he was appointed by then-Governor Eliot Spitzer.