WAMC Northeast Report

The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Albany County has been steadily rising, prompting a new round of stern warnings from local officials.

     Education officials in Massachusetts today said school districts should make in-person learning a priority even in places where risk levels are high for community spread of COVID-19.

While the outcome of the presidential election has been the focus this week, the coronavirus pandemic has not taken a break. It’s on the rise in New York, and Governor Andrew Cuomo says he’s considering placing new restrictions on portions of Western and Central New York, and the Rochester region, and has declared a town along the Connecticut border as a hotspot. 

A housing project in Ulster County, New York is moving forward with the selection of a development team and release of preliminary designs. Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan talked about the project during his COVID-19 briefing Thursday.

There will be a number of changes in the leadership of the Vermont Legislature if election results stand.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said he’d wait until after the general election before deciding how to close the state’s multibillion dollar budget gap, hoping that Democratic wins for president and U.S. Senate might lead to a larger federal relief package for blue states. Now that Election Day has come and gone, and with the most likely scenario a President Joe Biden but a Republican-led U.S. Senate, the governor and the legislature will have to soon make some big decisions.

Dennis Powell was re-elected to a fourth two-year term as president of the Berkshire County Branch of the NAACP in Wednesday’s virtual election. 

A number of New York state Senate races in the Hudson Valley have not been decided. It could be weeks before constituents know who will represent them next year.

Voters in the city of Plattsburgh knew they would have a new mayor following the election. But they won’t know who until at least next Monday.

Election Day brought mixed results for Democrats and Republicans in New York’s congressional and legislative races. Republicans were quick to claim victory, but Democrats, who will remain in the majority no matter the outcomes of contested races, say the record number of absentee ballots need to be counted first and it might take weeks.

Democratic Congressman Paul Tonko has declared victory in New York’s 20th House District as he heads to a seventh term.

   As vote-counting continued in five key states, a powerful House Democrat from western Massachusetts said trends point to a victory for former Vice President Joe Biden. 

There were few surprises in Berkshire County on Election Day, with the region’s all-Democratic legislative delegation running unchallenged.

Voter turnout has been high at many Capital Region polling sites today despite nine days of early voting and an expanded mail-in option during the pandemic.

   Voters have a few more hours to cast ballots in Massachusetts where representatives on Capitol Hill and Beacon Hill will be elected today.

The Westchester County executive says a pattern of a higher number of COVID-19 cases continues but has not neared crisis status. Separately, he says the county is prepared for any issues regarding election security and rallies.

A survey on the city of Albany’s COVID-19 response in minority communities includes some harsh findings.

       With COVID-19 cases rising, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker has ordered new restrictions.

Voters in New York who have not cast their ballots early, in-person or by mail, go to the polls Tuesday. While Democrat Joe Biden is heavily favored to win the state over President Donald Trump, there is plenty of action in congressional and state races for voters to weigh in on.