WCDO Radio News

Walmart has recalled nearly 10,000 cases of apple juice sold in stores across the U.S. that were found to contain potentially harmful levels of inorganic arsenic. The recall applies to 9,535 cases of Great Value brand apple juice sold in 25 states, including New York State, as well as Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. Florida-based manufacturer Refresco Beverages voluntarily recalled the contaminated 6-packs of 8-ounce juice bottles after discovering levels of the chemical contaminant that exceeded industry standards.

State Police and the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services announced that a contingent of 50 State Troopers left Saturday morning for Puerto Rico to help the island nation as it recovers from the devastation left behind in the wake of Hurricane Fiona. The first wave of 50 Troopers, along with 69 New Jersey State Troopers, flew out of JFK airport at about 10 am. this morning bound for Luis Munoz Marin International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The flight was donated by Jet Blue Airlines.

P.M. NEWS TUESDAY 9-8-20

Governor Cuomo gave a COVID 19 update today, where he first discussed the regulations regarding Colleges:

(Cuomo Colleges)

The Governor also discussed the COVID report card for K-12 School districts:

(Cuomo K-12)

The COVID-19 Report Card will be live at schoolcovidreportcard.health.ny.gov. The Governor also announced that 4 states: Delaware, Maryland, Ohio and West Virginia have been added to the State's COVID-19 travel advisory. Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands have been removed. The advisory requires individuals who have traveled to New York from areas with significant community spread to quarantine for 14 days.

Governor Cuomo announced today that New York has added 3 more states to the travel advisory; Illinois, Kentucky and Minnesota.  Governor Cuomo also added Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico to the advisory, along with 34 states.  Anyone traveling to New York from the location mentioned in the advisory must quarantine for 14 days to monitor for coronavirus symptoms.

There were 2,290 cases of lung injury
linked to vaping as of November 20, according to the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention.  Vaping injuries
have been reported in 49 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the
US Virgin Islands, the CDC also reports 47 confirmed deaths in 25 states and
the District of Columbia, 2 deaths have occurred in New York State.

Last Year, Hurricane Maria plowed through Puerto Rico, making public health conditions for the survivors very poor, with a 1 major Hospital being destroyed, and chronically ill patients are still struggling to get the care they need. 4 Members of Bassett Hospital will be going to Puerto Rico Saturday for about a week; Dr. Celeste Johns is one of the 4:

(Dr. Celeste Johns 9-21-18)

Dr. Chris Kjolhede (Coal-Heed), a Bassett pediatrician is also going:

(Dr. Chris Kjolhede 9-21-18)

Along with Drs Johns & Kjolhede, registered nurses Anna Buell & Rachel Gaston from Bassett will make the trip along with 8 other volunteers from around New York State.

Nearly a year after Hurricane Maria plowed through Puerto Rico, public health conditions are still poor and access to basic health care is limited. Maria was a Category 4 hurricane, a Hospital was destroyed, and chronically ill patients are still struggling to get the care they need. Waterborne and infectious diseases continue to rise, and the mental health crisis Puerto Rico faced before Maria has worsened. 4 representatives will be going to Puerto Rico later this month to assist, according to Nurse Anna Buell:

(Anna Buell 9-12-18)

The Bassett staff will include Buell, Dr. Celeste Johns, chief of Psychiatry; Dr. Chris Kjolhede (Coal-Heed), a pediatrician, and registered nurse Rachel Gaston along with 8 other volunteers from New York State.

Governor Cuomo today announced the deployment of 72 additional New York State electric utility experts to Puerto Rico arriving today and tomorrow to assist with the ongoing recovery of Puerto Rico's power grid. The deployment coincides with the arrival of a barge loaded with an additional 55 utility vehicles and equipment docking at the port in San Juan. Under Governor Cuomo's direction, this week's deployment brings the total number of New York utility personnel involved in the power restoration effort to 457 along with approximately 330 New York utility vehicles and other power recovery equipment to assist with the island's restoration of power.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the appointment of Pete Lopez to become Regional Administrator for Region 2. Lopez will oversee environmental protection efforts in New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Lopez has served as a member of the New York State Assembly since 2007.

Jennifer Lopez has pledged $1 million to aid victims of the hurricanes that have devastated Puerto Rico. Lopez joined Governor Cuomo at a press conference announcing aid to the stricken island; her personal donation will be taken from the proceeds of her residency shows in Las Vegas.

Governor Cuomo announced that the members of the U.S. Climate Alliance, which is a coalition of 15 states and Puerto Rico, that are committed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, are on track to meet and possibly exceed their portion of U.S. commitment under the Paris Agreement that the Trump Administration recently backed out of:

(CUOMO 9-21-17)

The co-chairs of the U.S. Climate Alliance are Governor Cuomo, Governor Jerry Brown of California, and Governor Jay Inslee of Washington, along with former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry.

Governor Cuomo announced that Taste New York has achieved the goal of tripling gross sales of participating vendors in 2015, to over 4.5 Million dollars. Additionally, the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets partnered with Empire State Development to provide New Yorkers and visitors worldwide instant access to a list of all the Taste NY agri-tourism destinations through the I LOVE NY mobile app, bringing greater exposure to New York’s food and beverage businesses across the state. The Department also worked with Food Export USA and Empire State Development this year to ensure Taste NY products were included in the Governor Cuomo's trade missions to Cuba and Puerto Rico.

New York State Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul continues delegation meetings with elected officials at various health care facilities throughout Puerto Rico to further Governor Cuomo's commitment to assist with the health care crisis. At 4:00 PM the Lieutenant Governor and State Elected Officials Hold a Press Conference with the Puerto Rican Delegation.

Governor Cuomo retunred today after a trip to Puerto Rico. The governor was invited by the Puertan Governor to discuss lagging healthcare and econimic challenges:

(Cuomo 9-8-15)

Cuomo arrived in Puerto Rico with a New York delegation Monday, they also discussed the need for Washington to take action to help Puerto Rico's economy.

Governor Cuomo announced that he would lead a delegation to Puerto Rico to meet with local officials and discuss the Puerto Rican governments' ongoing healthcare crisis and economic challenges as well as the need for Washington to act. The Governor is leading the delegation at the invitation of Puerto Rico’s Governor, Alejandro Garcia Padilla. The group will depart on September 7th & return on September 8th.

Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced the formation of a coalition of state attorneys general from Connecticut, Indiana and Puerto Rico to further investigate the business practices of the herbal supplement industry. The coalition's formation follows a recent analysis that found contaminants, unlabeled plant species, and other substances in certain herbal supplements, many of the supplements had either been heavily processed & the genetic material of the original plant source was undetectable. Mislabeled supplements ingested by the public may pose a significant danger to those who have food allergies or take medication.

Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and New York State Police Superintendent Joseph D’Amico announced the indictment of 41 people charged with operating 2 drug trafficking pipelines that transported heroin between New York City; Providence, Rhode Island; Worcester, Massachusetts & Syracuse, and cocaine from Puerto Rico to Syracuse. 9 members of the same Syracuse family helped run one of the rings, and 1 was involved in the second ring. The defendants were arrested in a series of early morning raids in Syracuse, the Bronx, Manhattan, Ossining & Paterson, New Jersey.

Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced a multi-count indictment resulting in the arrest of11 Syracuse-area residents on drug trafficking charges Tuesday. The 69 count indictment includes counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the First, Second and Third Degree, as well as Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First, Second & Third Degree, as well as Conspiracy in the Second Degree.  The drug network transported cocaine from Puerto Rico, Arizona and New York City for distribution in Syracuse and Watertown.  The Attorney General office’s seized in excess of six kilograms of cocaine and approximately six ounces of heroin.