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SEPTEMBER 17– FLASH! GOVERNOR HOCHUL ANNOUNCES $300 MILLION INVESTMENT TO ESTABLISH QUANTUM RESEARCH AND INNOVATION HUB –INSPIRED BY HER FATHER’S LIFE

Funding Will Further Fuel New York’s Research Excellence; Brings Governor’s Total Investment in Higher Education Research Under Her Leadership to $1.34 Billion

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced $300 million to establish the Quantum Research and Innovation Hub at the State University of New York at Stony Brook, further catapulting New York’s national leadership in groundbreaking research that saves lives, grows the economy and improves national security.

“At a time when national investment in research and innovation is at risk, New York State is doubling down and SUNY is on the move,”

Governor Hochul said. “The State University of New York at Stony Brook is a research powerhouse and will now be able to reach new heights in quantum. We know that to provide our state and nation with a brighter future, we need to invest today, and that is what New York is committed to do.”

Reversing years of disinvestment, since Governor Hochul took office in 2021, the State University of New York at Stony Brook has received $73 million in additional Direct State Tax Support operating aid and $969 million in additional State capital commitments (including the $300 million for the Quantum Research and Innovation Hub).

In addition to increased operating aid, Stony Brook has also received $12 million to support new full-time faculty, $8 million to fully close the “TAP gap,” and access to the State’s $500 million endowment match. The latter provides a $1.00 in Direct State Tax Support for every $2.00 raised by philanthropic activity at the University Centers.

The $300 million Quantum Research and Innovation Hub will be New York’s premier facility dedicated to leading-edge research and education in quantum science and technology, with a particular focus on quantum communication and networking.

Building on the State University of New York at Stony Brook’s current leadership in this area, the hub positions the State University of New York at Stony Brook to become one of the premier global centers for Quantum Information Science and Technology, ensuring that the United States leads the world in this critical technology area.

As part of this funding commitment, over the course of the current semester, the State University of New York at Stony Brook will engage in a rebranding to more fully align to the SUNY name and logo in order to consistently demonstrate and amplify SUNY’s leadership on research and in recognition of the campus’s role in New York State’s public higher education system. SUNY will work with each University Center on their own similar branding process.

Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said: “The State Legislature is committed to ensuring that New York’s public higher education system has the resources to thrive. This $300 million investment to establish the Quantum Research and Innovation Hub at Stony Brook reaffirms our dedication to making New York a leader in discovery and innovation. Supporting world-class research in quantum science and technology will fuel breakthroughs that grow our economy and prepare the next generation of students for the jobs of the future. This investment reflects our belief that public education should drive opportunity and excellence for all New Yorkers.”

Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie said: “As a proud alumnus of Stony Brook University and a staunch supporter of the public education system in New York State, continued investment in our educational institutions are tantamount for the future success of the next generation. Our research universities have become the driving force behind technological and scientific advancements. As our SUNY system continues to expand, bridging the educational gap and fostering innovation, we must persist in making these investments that solidify New York and SUNY campuses as premier educational institutions. I want to express my gratitude to the leadership of Governor Kathy Hochul and the tireless advocacy of my many colleagues in government.”

SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. said:

“The State University of New York at Stony Brook is leading the way on cutting-edge research and emerging technologies, and this historic investment will accelerate efforts to ensure New York State is a global leader for generations to come. SUNY is committed to achieving Governor Hochul’s goal to double research expenditures for the sake of our students and our state.”

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said: “ESD was proud to support the Long Island Quantum Internet Test Bed at Stony Brook, laying the foundation for New York’s leadership in this transformative field. The creation of the Quantum Research and Innovation Hub marks the next step in expanding research capacity, cultivating top talent, and advancing breakthroughs that will drive economic growth and cement New York’s position as a global leader in quantum technology.”

State University of New York at Stony Brook President Andrea Goldsmith said: “Stony Brook is proud to have built the largest quantum network in the United States. Through such transformative research, in partnership with New York State and SUNY, we are accelerating technology advancement and its positive impact across our state and beyond.

The Quantum Research and Innovation Hub will spearhead the future of quantum computing and networking. We are grateful to Governor Hochul, Chancellor King, and SUNY for placing their trust in Stony Brook with this historic investment that further advances our leadership in quantum science and technology, and showcases the bold ground-breaking research across our campus that delivers solutions to society’s most pressing challenges.”

Governor Hochul has announced more than $1.34 billion over the last three years in State and matching private sector funding commitments for cutting-edge research by New York’s leading higher education institutions. These resources include support for the Empire AI research center for the public good — which is housed at the State University of New York at Buffalo (UB) and includes leading public and private universities from across the state — as well as research investments through SUNY’s annual capital appropriations.

SUNY is the largest comprehensive public institution of higher education in the nation, and thanks to the steadfast support of Governor Hochul and state leaders, the SUNY system is a hub of innovation, discovery, and real-world impact. With groundbreaking research taking place at campuses throughout the state, SUNY is making progress toward achieving technological breakthroughs that will help shape the future of New York and the United States.

About the State University of New York at Stony Brook

The State University of New York at Stony Brook is New York’s flagship university and No. 1 public university. It is part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system. With more than 26,000 students, more than 3,000 faculty members, more than 225,000 alumni, a premier academic healthcare system, Stony Brook is a research-intensive distinguished center of innovation dedicated to addressing the world’s biggest challenges. The university embraces its mission to provide comprehensive undergraduate, graduate and professional education of the highest quality, and is ranked as the #58 overall university and #26 among public universities in the nation by U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges listing.

Fostering a commitment to academic research and intellectual endeavors, Stony Brook’s membership in the Association of American Universities (AAU) places it among the top 71 research institutions in North America. The university’s distinguished faculty have earned esteemed awards such as the Nobel Prize, Pulitzer Prize, Indianapolis Prize for animal conservation, Abel Prize, Fields Medal and Breakthrough Prizes in Mathematics and Physics.

Stony Brook has the responsibility of co-managing Brookhaven National Laboratory for the U.S. Department of Energy — one of only eight universities with a role in running a national laboratory. In 2023, Stony Brook was named the anchor institution for The New York Climate Exchange on Governors Island in New York City. Providing economic growth for neighboring communities and the wider geographic region, the university totals an impressive $8.93 billion in increased economic output on Long Island.

About the State University of New York

The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive system of higher education in the United States, and more than 95 percent of all New Yorkers live within 30 miles of any one of SUNY’s 64 colleges and universities. Across the system, SUNY has four academic health centers, five hospitals, four medical schools, two dental schools, a law school, the country’s oldest school of maritime, the state’s only college of optometry, and manages one U.S. Department of Energy National Laboratory.

In total, SUNY serves about 1.4 million students amongst its entire portfolio of credit- and non-credit-bearing courses and programs, continuing education, and community outreach programs. SUNY oversees nearly a quarter of academic research in New York. Research expenditures system-wide are nearly $1.16 billion in fiscal year 2024, including significant contributions from students and faculty. There are more than three million SUNY alumni worldwide, and one in three New Yorkers with a college degree is a SUNY alum. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunities, visit suny.edu.

The following is Governor Hochul’s personal remarks about what the new center will accomplish:

Photos courtesy of the Governor’s Press Office.

“I don’t know how you don’t believe in the power of SUNY, we’ve seen that, but also how SUNY is embracing the power of quantum computing.

I mean, this is something I don’t think a few years ago people would’ve envisioned. I mean, that’s something the private sector does — we’re going to teach the basics here. There are leaders who’ve come before who’ve left their mark here. And I always want to mention James and Marilyn Simons on this organization, on this institution, and their belief and their ideas that maybe seem so wild and farfetched at the time, but really create an opportunity for them to be successful, but also to return to this great place and make massive, major investments.”

I know because we started a program a few years ago where the state would match contributions to endowments to our public institutions. I didn’t know that the Simons would break the bank on the first day. It was a lot of money. But it all came here. So I was like, okay, I have to go back to my Budget Director. And I thought it was a little here, there a little there. It’s all gone.

But I was there at those great announcements. But this institution has been the beneficiary of a lot of people who believe in what you do is the point. As I do and I look at your new leadership and the support of the trustees and everyone else who’s part of this — we’re creating an institute of advanced computational sciences and moving us in from the theoretical to the practical, which I probably won’t even understand when it becomes the practical.

But people who need to know will know, and that’s why to make further investments and to sort of catalyze our belief in the future of State University of New York at Stony Brook University. We’re investing big time today, big time. How does $300 million sound to you?

It’ll establish the new Quantum Research and Innovation Hub right here. You heard it here first, it’ll cement SUNY’s role as a global powerhouse. We don’t just want to be the best in the nation. That’s shooting too low. Our moonshot is to be the one recognized globally as the place where the smartest people want to be, and the smartest students want to be educated. And the ideas that are incubated here are commercialized, and we create more jobs here on Long Island in New York State. That’s my vision of how these investments will ultimately benefit all the people of our great state.

So that’s what we’re going to do. We’re going to strengthen our leadership in the industries of tomorrow. And as you mentioned, I designated the Stony Brook University as a flagship because people say, “Well, how come some of these other states — you think about Michigan and California, other places in Texas — like they have a flagship. Well, why don’t we?” Well, if we don’t have one, I’m going to have one. I mean, I want to have my flagship.

So we had this kind of ambition in mind. With that designation, but also I knew that designation would help lift up the prestige of Stony Brook University and let’s look at some of the results. Freshman applications are up 65 percent. PhD applications are up 45 percent. This is the smartest in the nation and abroad, they want to be here — 45 percent increase, and faculty applications, because everybody wants to be part of the action, are up 100 percent. That’s what a designation and the leadership and the cultivation of this innovation hub, this whole concept of a place where the smartest people gather. The momentum that we’re experiencing here is nothing short of extraordinary, beyond my expectations. And that’s why I’m so excited but we’re not done. No matter what the topic is, I say we are not resting on our laurels. We’re never saying mission accomplished for anything, because I want to make sure that we establish New York’s brand as the place for the smartest minds gathered, but also there’s opportunities for everyone.

Whether it’s what we’re doing with free community college now – which is often a pipeline. President, you said that you started in community college yourself. And to realize that there’s a lot of adults, not everybody knows their future when they’re 18 years old and they take a pass on even applying to colleges.

But to say in our budget, again I thank our Senators and our Assemblymember for their support. We offer in the State of New York, for the first time ever, free adult learning free community college for anyone over the age of 25 to be able to go back and get a degree or an enhanced or get more credentials — and to really embrace these new opportunities and technologies and curriculum that weren’t there before.

So I want people to have a reset in life sometimes and just another chance to lift their credentials. And I’m going to call on the Chancellor, and maybe he knows this number. A few weeks ago I asked and said, “how many more students have applied to college at SUNY community colleges this year than last.” I think it was 16,000 — over 16,000 people. We just enacted this a few months ago.

So that shows the demand, and we’re focusing people on the jobs we know that there’s openings. Whether it’s health care or education, but also specific industry, advanced manufacturing in particular. But also the trades, I want more people to learning skills and so that’s what I get most excited about.

I want every single student to have the same shot at the American Dream that lifted my family out of its circumstances. My parents lived in a trailer park and my dad worked at the steel plant — it was tough, dirty work. His father worked there, his brothers were, this was the American dream for poor Irish immigrants, that was to be able to work at a steel plant and have a union card.

But my dad had an even bigger dream and he worked all day and had a little baby, my brother, lived in the trailer park. I came along a year later. We’re Irish, like I said, a year later and there’s more and more, there’s more lots of little kids. But he went on and pursued a college degree at night and when he got that credential, he’s able to move up out of the hard work in the factory and move into a different position there and ultimately took a risk — and I’d say this because I think I have the same risk-taking gene or else I wouldn’t be here. But my dad, when he was 30 and had five of his six kids, already had a secure job at Bethlem Steel. He had met a couple of guys who had just been involved in something crazy called computers, and my dad left his job. People thought he was crazy. And took a chance to join a couple of other guys who started before.

Four people started a company that worked in technology and solutions and went into companies and sold business, and I went on business calls with my dad and they almost went under so many times — we struggled and struggled. But eventually, they made it and grew to 3,000 employees in my hometown and took the company, not national, but global — my dad became the CEO.

I take all that success back to a decision he made to get a college degree. And whether you want to go into the trades out of high school, we have great programs and BOCES and others you can go on that path. And I meet so many people in that space as well. But for those who want to embrace these new opportunities of the future, they’re being developed and unfolded as we speak before our very eyes today.

Giving people that chance to get that degree without worrying about the cost. It is something I feel is a gift to the people of this State, and I’m so proud about that initiative and I know that there are going to be other lives that are transformed just as my family was because of that access to education.

So we’re going to have a brand new quantum hub here. It will be anchored by other institutions. It’ll be a data center, a network control room, an institute — all sorts of big, fancy names and people are going to make this happen. I’m going to come back and say, “That’s very cool, I don’t really quite understand it, but that’s all right. As long as you do, I don’t need to.”

But I’ll close with this. It just means an investment like this solidifies our position — as an incubator of ideas and possibilities and ultimately an educational system that’ll lead to more businesses being created and supported by the graduates of institutions like this.

This is the whole ecosystem because I want Long Island to thrive and prosper, and this is the linchpin — this is our key to unlock that even more. It’s a wonderful place to live, raise families. I know that our educational institutions K through 12 are outstanding, especially since the kids are finally off the cell phones.

I said our kids will be a lot smarter than the other states’ kids, I’m telling you I’m putting my money on them, but this is what it’s all about. It’s about opportunity, and I want to thank everyone involved in this because for me, this is a good day. And I can look out at a room full of true believers. People know that we just haven’t quite unleashed our full potential. And we’re going to seize it like this.”

SEPTEMBER 17 — HOCHUL NEWS NETWORK: TRANSIT COMEBACK CONTINUES: BEST PUBLIC TRANSIT RIDERSHIP SINCE BEFORE COVID. THEY’RE RIDING THE RAILS AGAIN IN NEW YORK METRO AREA

Posted on September 17, 2025 by John Bailey

GOVERNOR HOCHUL ANNOUNCES RECORD 7-DAY SUBWAY RIDERSHIP WITH 26.8 MILLION RIDES LAST WEEK

Subway Ridership Exceeded Four Million Riders Every Weekday for the First Time Since March 2020

Paratransit Achieves Highest Ridership Month Ever in August and Sets New Single-Day Ridership Record With Nearly 47,000 Trips

Metro-North Railroad Hits Highest 5-Day Ridership Average Since March 2020

Governor Kathy Hochul announced TUESDAY the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) set a new post-pandemic subway ridership record, setting a new 7-day high of 26.8 million riders traveling between Monday, Sept. 8 and Sunday, Sept. 14.

Additionally, the subway recorded more than four million riders every weekday – a first since the COVID-19 pandemic.

New York City Transit recorded 4.1 million riders on the subway on Monday; 4.44 million on Tuesday; 4.48 million on Wednesday; 4.51 million on Thursday; and 4.2 million riders on Friday.

This ridership milestone underscores customer confidence in public transit as the best way to get around the region as the MTA continues to deliver the best service in over a decade, with record on-time performance and enhanced reliability.

“The subway is New York City’s lifeblood, and when ridership is growing, it means even more New Yorkers are going to work, to school, to shop, and to take advantage of everything this city has to offer,” Governor Hochul said. “We’ve made real progress in the subway system delivering more service with increased reliability and by improving safety and reducing crime. This is what New Yorkers expect and deserve: a safe and reliable ride. By continuing to improve what matters to riders, I look forward to even more record weeks to come.”

Growing ridership comes on the heels of strong performance and improving safety.

ONTIME!

Subway weekday on-time performance in August was 85.2%, matching the previous high set in May of this year. It was also the best August in 10 years. The subway had a historically safe August, with transit crime down 22.8% from August of 2024. Last month was the safest August in the subway system in recorded history.

MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said, “Back to school always brings a bump in ridership, but this one’s for the record books – MTA’s busiest week across almost all agencies since before the pandemic. It’s simple math: increased safety + top notch performance = huge transit turnout.”

New York City Transit President Demetrius Crichlow said, “With a new and improved bus network in Queens and historic subway on-time performance and Paratransit ridership in August, it’s no surprise we’re already breaking records in September. New York City Transit will continue to deliver safe, reliable, and fast service and I look forward to bringing this incredible momentum into the fall.”

Buses saw its third highest weekly ridership since the pandemic with 9.3 million rides, up 2.7% compared to 2024. The highest week was the week of September 12, 2022, with 100,000 more riders.

Can’t get around without help? MORE USE ACCESS-A-RIDE+ A RECORD MONTH

Access-a-Ride paratransit service continues to experience historic ridership growth, setting a milestone of the highest monthly total ridership of all time in August and a new single-day record on Wednesday, Sept. 10, with 46,875 scheduled trips. Paratransit leads the MTA in post-pandemic ridership return, with 2025 ridership at 140% of its pre-pandemic peak.

Access-A-Ride now regularly exceeds 40,000 scheduled weekday trips, with ridership the size of entire bus networks of cities such as Charlotte, Cincinnati and Kansas City.

It has also been a strong week for the commuter railroads.

Metro-North Railroad carried an average of 237,994 riders for the workweek, the highest 5-day average since March 2020.

The Long Island Rail Road reached its highest 5-day ridership average since the pandemic the week of August 25, with an average of 288,459 riders,and continued to see strong ridership this past workweek with an average of 277, 435 riders.

Additionally, on-time performance for both the Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North have consistently been at or near 97% in 2025.

The first time the MTA reached four million subway riders in a single day during the non-school summer season since the start of the pandemic was on Wednesday, June 25, 2025. These milestones reaffirm the MTA’s path towards a record-breaking year in ridership and on-time performance.

AND PEOPLE ARE PAYING FARES!

On top of the ridership increases, tap-and-go fare payment continues to grow in popularity with 81percent of riders deciding to tap their phones, contactless debit/credit cards, or OMNY cards to pay their fares during the week of Sept. 8, up from 67 percent in March 2025.

SEPTEMBER 17– NONPROFIT WESTCHESTER SURGES INTO THE BRAVE NEW WORLD OF NONPROFITS

Posted on September 17, 2025 by John Bailey

WPCNR THE LETTER TICKER

Following the success of last year’s NPW NextGen networking event, we are pleased to once again welcome young professionals to an exceptional gathering of individuals from the nonprofit, business, and government sectors.

NPW is committed to providing this and other meaningful opportunities that foster connection, learning, professional growth, and collaboration among young leaders across our Westchester County.

Amy Rivera
Director of Communications, NPW
NextGen Coordinator

NextGen Westchester: Young Professional Networking: October 28

SEPTEMBER 17– COUNTY EXECUTIVE JENKINS AND NEW YORK STATE COMPTROLLER DiNAPOLI URGE WESTCHESTER RESIDENTS TO CLAIM OVER $453 MILLION IN LOST MONE

Posted on September 17, 2025 by John Bailey

Over $453 Million Waiting to Be Claimed in Westchester

Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins and New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli are urging residents to check if they have lost money owed to them. Westchester County residents, businesses, nonprofits, religious institutions and others have about $453 million waiting to be claimed.

Every day the State Comptroller returns more than $2 million to New Yorkers, and today reconnected nearly $12,000 in unclaimed funds to local organizations, including $5,781 for the White Plains City School District, $3,695 for the Business Council of Westchester, $2,175 for My Sisters Place and $330 for the Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 21.

County Executive Jenkins said: “Too often, people don’t realize they’re owed money—and the truth is, you could be one of them. Westchester residents work hard for every dollar they earn, and we want to make sure they get back what’s rightfully theirs. It only takes a minute to check the State Comptroller’s website and see if you or a loved one is owed unclaimed funds. Don’t leave your money behind.”

State Comptroller DiNapoli said: “We’re returning more than $2 million a day to New Yorkers, and my office is working to make it easier than ever to reclaim lost money, including mailing some checks directly to their rightful owners. If you get a check, cash it. There are $453 million reasons why people living in Westchester should visit our website to search for their names, check for family members and reclaim their money.”

Unclaimed funds occur when people lose track of their money or an account and can come from utility deposits, trust funds, old bank accounts, uncashed checks or unused gift cards. These funds never expire, and its quick and easy to check the website: https://www.osc.ny.gov/unclaimed-funds.

There are currently over 648,000 accounts with addresses in Westchester County.

In an effort to speed up returns, the State Comptroller’s Office of Unclaimed Funds (OUF) began mailing checks for newly reported accounts of $250 or less to eligible individuals in January. About 73,000 checks have been sent out, valued at $5.5 million as of August.

Residents who need assistance with the search process can attend an in-person event held by DiNapoli’s office or call OUF at (800) 221-9311, Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

SEPTEMBER 17–SUNRISE HEADING YOUR WAY

Posted on September 17, 2025 by John Bailey

SEPTEMBER 16- COUNTY SCHEDULES PUBLIC BUDGET SESSIONS COMING UP

Posted on September 16, 2025 by John Bailey

Westchester County Requests Your Participation at the 2025
Westchester County Budget Public Input Sessions

Before the 2026 Westchester County budget is finalized,
come and share your priorities for County programs and services.

This year’s information is as follows:

Monday, September 29
4 to 6 p.m.
Yonkers Public Library
1 Larkin Center
Yonkers, NY 10701

Tuesday, October 7
4 to 6 p.m.
Mount Kisco Public Library
100 E Main Street
Mount Kisco, NY 10549

Those who wish to submit written comments may do so by emailing
To RSVP, please email Communications@westchestercountyny.gov

SEPTEMBER 16– BOARD OF LEGISLATORS EXPANDS FAMILY NEEDS CAREER TRAINING CRIME-FIGHTING TECH

Posted on September 16, 2025 by John Bailey

WESTCHESTER WATCH: LEGISLATIVE HIGHLIGHTS

Board Invests in Families, Career Training, and Crime-Fighting Technology

WHITE PLAINS, NY — At Monday night’s meeting, the Westchester County Board of Legislators acted to improve life quality for families, passing legislation to ensure diaper changing stations are available to all parents. The Board also expanded educational and training opportunities for adult learners, incarcerated individuals and invested in crime-fighting technology for the Westchester County District Attorney’s office.

Board Chairman Vedat Gashi (D- New Castle, Ossining, Somers, Yorktown) said, “From the playground to the courtroom to our educational centers, and correctional facilities, Monday’s actions show that we’re thinking about every member of our community. Whether you’re a parent changing a diaper, a resident concerned about public safety, or someone seeking a second chance or new career skills, Westchester County is investing in your success.”

New Law Makes Diaper Changes Easier for All Westchester Parents

Westchester families will soon find diaper changing stations in more places, easing outings with young children for mothers, fathers and other caretakers. The Board passed new bipartisan legislation requiring at least one changing station in all County park bathrooms and on each publicly accessible floor of County buildings. Currently, many men’s restrooms lack these facilities, forcing fathers to seek alternatives or ask female family members to handle diaper changes.

The bipartisan DIAPRS Act (Diapers Involve All Parents Regardless of Sex) was co-sponsored by 13 legislators from both parties. The County’s Department of Public Works and Transportation will create a plan indicating where new stations will be installed, their cost, and installation timeline.

Legislator Colin D. Smith (D- Cortlandt, Peekskill, Yorktown), Chair of the Board’s Legislation Committee, said, “I am proud to support the DIAPRS Act, as it underscores the fundamental principle that both parents share equal responsibility in the upbringing of their children. Historically, fathers have faced practical barriers—such as the absence of changing facilities in men’s restrooms—that have limited their ability to support their partners in childcare duties. Fatherhood merits the same respect and recognition as motherhood, and this legislation is an important step toward ensuring that equality.”

Legislator Erika L. Pierce (D- Bedford, Lewisboro, Mount Kisco, North Salem, Pound Ridge, Somers) said, “Being able to change a diaper on the fly is no small need, and this legislation will help us make certain that every caregiver, regardless of their gender, can do that safely and hygienically. This is a real win for dads all across Westchester.”

Board Secures Larger, Safer, More Modern Space for WCC Adult Ed Center

Westchester Community College, part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system, now has approval to relocate the SUNY Westchester Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) to a larger, modern facility, following the Board’s passage of its 11-year lease on Monday night. The new 44,000-square-foot facility on four floors in Building #3 at 28 Wells Avenue in Yonkers will significantly expand the center’s capacity.

The EOC’s tuition-free programs provide crucial pathways for adult students to improve their financial trajectories and those of their families. The center offers vocational training programs, college preparation courses, and workforce development services that help eligible adults gain the skills and credentials needed for higher education or career-focused employment.

Moving from its current South Broadway location will benefit students through improved facilities, 49 parking spaces, and enhanced security. For families, these accessible programs offer opportunities for career advancement without the burden of tuition costs. The expanded facility will also better serve local employers by training more skilled workers for critical industries.

The lease agreement, set to begin in July 2026, ensures these vital educational services remain available to Westchester residents seeking stronger financial futures and contribute to the regional workforce.

Legislator Jewel Williams Johnson (D- Elmsford, Greenburgh, Tarrytown, White Plains), Chair of the Board’s Budget and Appropriations Committee, said, “As Legislator for District 8, home to WCC’s main campus and the district with the most students enrolled, I am proud to support this Local Law securing a new, stable home for the Educational Opportunity Center. Though the site is in Yonkers, this modern facility is an investment in our entire County. By expanding space and resources, we’re opening doors for more residents to gain the skills needed to thrive. This is not just about buildings — it’s about strengthening lives, families, and communities. Education remains our surest pathway to equity, mobility, and prosperity.”

Board Approves HVAC-R Training Program for Incarcerated Individuals

The Board authorized an Intermunicipal Agreement with Southern Westchester BOCES to provide an HVAC-R training course for incarcerated individuals at the Westchester County Department of Correction. The program will run from November 1, 2025 to October 31, 2026 teaching refrigeration and air conditioning basics, award participants a certificate, and provide a scholarship for a follow-up course after release. This initiative, costing under $11,250, helps expand career opportunities and supports successful re-entry into the community.

Majority Whip Terry Clements (D- New Rochelle, Pelham, Pelham Manor) said, “HVAC-R system training for incarcerated individuals is a proven vocational program that equips participants with valuable in demand skills while reducing recidivism and supporting successful re-entry into society.”

Board Greenlights $1.1 Million for Crime-Fighting Technology

Westchester residents will benefit from faster, more thorough investigations thanks to new funding for the District Attorney’s Office. The County Board approved $1,091,000 to purchase modern crime-fighting tools. The funding will pay for improved forensic equipment to analyze evidence, upgraded surveillance systems to track criminal activity, and new computers and software to help prosecutors build stronger cases.

These installation of these technology improvements at DA offices countywide, giving investigators and prosecutors tools to solve crimes more effectively, keeping communities safer.

SEPTEMBER 15….GASOLINE PRICES RISE 7% AND UP IN WHITE PLAINS NY USA.

Posted on September 15, 2025 by John Bailey

$3.20 A GALLON FOR REGULAR FOR CASH

WPCNR MOVING ON. NEWS & COMMENT By John F. Bailey. September 15, 2025:

I drove out to fill up for the coming week Saturday and had a deja’ vu moment as I pulled in to my regular gas stop.

The price of unleaded regular had gone up from a very manageable $2.99 to $3.20.

Is this just the seasonable change over to winter gas?

Is this Middle East manipulation of their production?

Is it oil companies trying to beef up quarterly earnings?

Is this the beginning of steady increases in tariffs? Or all of the above?

Funny did any media even recognize this as a story? It is.

The Newsmobile took its usual 8 gallons but it cost $25.49 not the usual $23.92. All summer long I’ve been paying $2.99 ($36) to fill my 12 gallon tank, now that fill up costs $38.40. I get good mileage but do not do a lot of driving.

The average person commutes by car 50 60 miles if you commute to the city. After the over summer gas prices to encourage vacations, we get spoiled.

(Long paragraph ahead to give you the big picture)

If you earn under a $100,000 A YEAR, and have to commute by car this ominous upturn in the face of inflation which supposedly is now going to go up with the tariff policies the nation is imposing at the same time, the money people in Washington want to lower interest rates (which seems like a sure thing right now, because real estate and the banks and the stock industries have to keep us going, coupled with industries continuing to raise prices which will mean windfall profits for them, you have a real squeeze on those families on everything they need to buy to live and work and eat and take care of their health.

Look what is going up: Food, gas, health care, car prices, clothing, child care, airfare,house prices, layoffs, electricity

Look what is going down: jobs, purchasing power, benefits, aid, clean power

Looking at that new price of gas took me back to 1976 to 1980 when OPEC nations in the Middle East imposed the oil embargo in 1973 when Egypt and Syria crossed into the Sinai and attempted to seize the Sinai lands..this spiked gas prices up overnight. Gas lines around the block, arguments at the pump leading to fist fights. Trains were jammed.

Gas Shortage Sign in Connecticut During Energy Crisis

The gaslines cost President Carter a second term. Why? Here is how Encyclopedia Britannica explains it:

The Jimmy Carter administration began a phased deregulation of oil prices on April 5, 1979, when the average price of crude oil was US$15.85 per barrel ($100/m³). Starting with the Iranian revolution, the price of crude oil rose to $39.50 per barrel ($248/m³) over the next 12 months (its all-time highest real price until March 3, 2008).^[11] Deregulating domestic oil price controls allowed U.S. oil output to rise sharply from the large Prudhoe Bay fields, while oil imports fell sharply.

Although not directly related, the near-disaster at Three Mile Island on March 28, 1979, also increased anxiety about energy policy and availability.^[12] Due to memories of the oil shortage in 1973, motorists soon began panic buying, and long lines appeared at gas stations, as they had six years earlier.^[13] The average vehicle of the time consumed between two and three liters (about 0.5–0.8 gallons) of gasoline an hour while idling, and it was estimated that Americans wasted up to 150,000 barrels (24,000 m³) of oil per day idling their engines in the lines at gas stations.^[14]

When the Reagan administration came in, we continued to do business as usual with OPEC

We have learned nothing in 40 years.

We practice the comfortable art of wishful thinking.

Denying reality.

Dumb ideas in the 1930s made the depression worse.

Those same Dumb ideas were used in the 1990s (eliminating the Glass-Seagal Act comes to mind)

Now the 40 years between 1976 and 2025 has apparently taught us nothing.

The country is still partners with the Middle East oil producers they are holding us hostage again in a nice way of course.

(Another long long paragraph to round up the maverick cattle in the congressional herd:)

We are throwing out environmental protections. The oil industry now essentially the Standard Oil Trust recreated has had their way with the new administrations, all of the and restrictions on how they make oil how they pollute and deplete the ozone to the point where climate change has turned weather into something unpredictable and dangerous to the point where the planet is warming to destructive status. However, our “leaders” in congress continue to twiddle their thumbs and do nothing, empowering our arch enemies. And thinking everything will work out and “Happy Days a booming economy, and it is just a bad winter will come back” The more the leaders in Washington think that in both houses and in positions of power say that the more they believe it.

As Governor Hochul said this weekend “You have to govern in reality.”

SEPTEMBER 15–GASOLINE PRICES RISE 7% AND UP IN WHITE PLAINS NY USA. $3.20 A GALLON FOR REGULAR FOR CASH

Posted on September 15, 2025 by John Bailey

SEPTEMBER 15– 100 SCHOOL SHOOTINGS THIS YEAR. COVID SPREAD GROWS NATIONALLY. VACCINE HEADLINES SAYS: YOUR LOCAL EPIDEMIOLOGIST

Posted on September 15, 2025 by John Bailey

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School shootings, brace for vaccine headlines this week, Covid-19 vaccine access CHAOS AHEAD, another measles death, and more.

The Dose (September 15)

Katelyn Jetelina

Sep 15

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Paid

Reprinted with permission

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Last week was my first grader’s back-to-school night. I found myself sitting in those tiny chairs, scanning the classroom. As I admired the adorable drawings on the walls and watched my daughter try to spell “bestie” in her notebook, I was calculating risk: where her desk was, how close it sat to the door, and what that might mean if a mass shooter walked onto campus. I hate that my mind went there, but it did.

And as a parent, I know I’m not alone.

The very next day, news broke of another school shooting—the 100th this year— overshadowed by the separate campus shooting that killed Charlie Kirk.

This week’s Dose covers not only the waves of disease and vaccine news (and there’s a lot!), but also another public health crisis: the reality that gun violence is a public health problem in the United States, and guns are the number one killer of children. Public health is about protecting health and safety in every sense.

The reality is stark, but change is possible.

Infectious disease “weather report”

Covid-19: Wastewater levels, a key indicator of community spread, are now “high.” Encouragingly, infections appear to be slowing in Florida and Hawaii, the leaders of this wave, suggesting the national peak may be near. Other metrics, like emergency department visits for Covid-19 and the number of positive tests, have already started decreasing.

The common cold (gray line) is also experiencing a significant spike.

Everything else is quiet still:

Flu: Outpatient visits for flu-like illness are climbing, especially among kids. We haven’t crossed the 3% threshold that defines flu season yet, but the South is seeing early growth, as it often does.
RSV: Still quiet—nothing notable so far.

What does this mean for you? If you’re sick, it’s most likely the cold or Covid-19. It’s safest to continue to mask in indoor crowded areas. If you start to feel sick, stay home. To get ahead of the flu and RSV, plan for your vaccine (and other fall vaccines) with our 2025 guide to fall vaccines.

Another measles death: A sobering reminder

Los Angeles County reported the tragic death of a school-aged child from a complication of measles.

The child was infected years ago, before they were eligible for vaccination.
They later developed subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), a rare but fatal brain disease that appears years after initial infection. About 1 in 600 infants infected with measles will develop SSPE.
SSPE causes progressive neurologic decline; most victims die within 1–3 years of symptom onset. There is no cure.

The CDC still lists three measles deaths this year. It’s unclear whether they will add this delayed case to official counts.

Ultimately, this is a heartbreaking reminder of one reason we vaccinate: to protect those who cannot protect themselves. This type of story will be increasingly important to elevate to neighbors and communities if (and when) more states drop vaccination requirements for schools.

See more from CA YLE Matt Willis here. And, if you’re a grandparent, consider joining Grandparents for Vaccines grassroots effort. Learn more here!

Covid vaccine access: States to the rescue (mostly)

As of Friday, 16 states have acted to preserve Covid-19 vaccine access by ensuring pharmacists can keep administering shots. This matters: over 90% of Americans get vaccinated at pharmacies.

States are improvising because many laws tie access to federal guidance, and this year federal decisions are not following the best science. Some states are now exclusively relying on professional organizations, like the American Academy of Pediatrics, who continue to use transparent, evidence-informed practices.

So far, we’ve seen:

Expanding pharmacists’ scope (CA, CO, MD)
Executive orders or emergency declarations (MA, NY)
Standing orders (WA, NY, DE, NC)
Pharmacy board directives (PA, NV, KY)

What we’re hearing from you: Confusion is everywhere. More than 200 of you shared stories, from all 50 states. Many are incredibly frustrating to read:

“I’m 33 weeks pregnant and want to give my baby as much coverage going into ‘sick season’ as possible .… My provider said I couldn’t get any fall vaccines at my visit or even make a plan because they aren’t ‘in season’ and my local hospital (part of a national health care system) hasn’t stocked them yet in my small community given the confusion. What’s the point in having the power to make an informed choice if the system isn’t set up to give us access?”

With permission, we compiled these stories into a congressional brief sent to senators and professional societies last week. Keep sharing your stories here.

Expect even more vaccine headlines this week

There will be two key developments in the vaccine policy space this week:

The HELP committee hearing. Former CDC director Susan Monarez—removed by HHS Secretary RFK Jr.—will testify about political interference in vaccine policy. She is expected to describe the pressure she faced to “rubber-stamp” recommendations not grounded in science. This could prompt pushback from senators, including Bill Cassidy (R-LA), a physician who cast the deciding vote for RFK Jr.’s confirmation. That said, this is an oversight hearing—more investigation than action—so it won’t directly affect you.
The September ACIP meeting. On Thursday and Friday, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)—the external body that sets vaccine policy—will hold a special session, its second under RFK Jr.’s leadership. This committee already has a record of disregarding scientific evidence. On the agenda: three vaccines—MMRV (measles, mumps, varicella, rubella), hepatitis B for infants, and Covid-19. There’s a real possibility this group could vote against recommending some—or even all—of them. If that happens, these vaccines may be removed from many state programs or forced off-market. The consequences could be deeply disruptive for families trying to access routine, life-saving immunizations.

Why this meeting will spark confusion

Beyond the decisions themselves (and implications for access), expect a wave of rumors and falsehoods online and in conversations with your family and friends. Last time, this ACIP committee—hand-picked by RFK Jr.—flat out ignored scientific evidence or consensus. There’s little reason to think this meeting will be any different, so scientists, policymakers, and communicators are bracing for chaos.

We already have a preview. On Friday, The Washington Post reported that ACIP plans to discuss reports of 25 pediatric Covid-19 deaths using VAERS (the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System). VAERS is an important tool for spotting early safety signals, but it has significant limitations:

Anyone can file a report, not just healthcare providers.
It runs on an honor system, which means reports can be incomplete, inaccurate, or even intentionally misleading.
Most critically: VAERS data cannot establish causality. CDC conducts investigations after reports come in, but the raw data alone does not prove that a vaccine caused an event.

This is why VAERS is often misused by vaccine skeptics to cast doubt on safe vaccines. I would not be surprised if this committee leans on VAERS in the same way—to justify pulling Covid-19 vaccines off the market for pediatric patients.

What this means for you: Until the votes are final, the exact impact is hard to predict. But you can expect a flood of headlines and social media chatter this week—much of it a mix of rumors and falsehoods, amplified by misuse of data like VAERS. I’ll be back as quickly as possible to help sort through what’s fact, what’s spin, and what it means for your health and your family.

School shootings: 100 in 2025 so far

Last week, Evergreen High School near Denver became the 100th school shooting this year. It wasn’t labeled a mass shooting (fewer than 4 injuries/deaths), but the trauma is no less real. On the same day, Charlie Kirk was shot to death on a college campus.

Figure Source: Everytown Research

Gun violence is clearly a public health problem in the United States. And, like infectious diseases, it spreads in patterns:

School shootings cluster around transitions in the school calendar (start of year, winter break, year-end). The timing of a Sept/Oct shooting follows this pattern.
Whether it’s a mass shooting or firearm injury, these have outsized impacts on mental health and perceptions of safety.
Firearm injuries are the number one cause of death for U.S. children. This is a distinction no other high-income country shares.

Source: Everytown Research

Since there are patterns in public health, it indicates that the issue’s not random but preventable. There are some things you, as an individual, can do right now to address gun violence. I’ve written about them extensively before:

Practice gun safety.
Hear something, say something. Among school shootings, more than 78% of shooters leaked their plans.
Be cognizant of media.

But in the end, the thing that makes the most impact is policy. We’ve been here before with other massive challenges, like smoking and car crashes, and we’ve been able to do unimaginable things and save millions of lives when we approach problems with a public health lens.

There is bipartisan support for many common-sense gun policies, including background checks and red flag laws.

And policy change works.

For example, states with the strictest gun laws have fewer deaths than states with more permissive gun laws, as shown in a recent JAMA Pediatrics study.

This was after controlling for several other factors. My friend and colleague was one of the principal authors and wrote more commentary on this in detail here.

Faust et al., JAMA Pediatrics.

While policy proposals tend to fall short, they make progress and inch us forward to a safer world. Change is possible, and we need to fight for it.

Bottom line

Stay safe and brace for a noisy week of vaccine headlines. I’ll be back with more and what it means for your health and your family.

And if you find yourself at a back-to-school night, I hope your thoughts linger more on joy than mine did—on the art taped to the walls, the messy handwriting, the little sparks of hope sitting in those tiny chairs, and ultimately the future of our nation.

Love, YLE

Upcoming YLE webinar on fall vaccines

This week will be chaotic on the vaccine front (see more below). To help cut through the noise, join me and Chelsea Cipriano of the Common Health Coalition next Monday for a live webinar on fall vaccines: the who, what, when, where, and why of fall vaccination. Paid subscribers can register below.

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