New York Focus
@nysfocus.bsky.social
New York Focus is a nonprofit newsroom investigating power in the Empire State.
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New York Focus
@nysfocus.bsky.social
· Nov 17
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Prison officials are using a novel legal reading to argue that the HALT Solitary Confinement Act doesn’t apply to units where most people are incarcerated.
nysfocus.com/2025/11/13/n...
nysfocus.com/2025/11/13/n...
Prison Agency Seeks to Dramatically Narrow Solitary Confinement Law
Prison officials are using a novel legal reading to argue that the HALT Solitary Confinement Act doesn’t apply to units where most people are incarcerated.
nysfocus.com
November 15, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Prison officials are using a novel legal reading to argue that the HALT Solitary Confinement Act doesn’t apply to units where most people are incarcerated.
nysfocus.com/2025/11/13/n...
nysfocus.com/2025/11/13/n...
As its latest defense in an ongoing court battle, New York’s state prison agency is arguing that the core of a landmark solitary confinement reform law does not apply to the vast majority of the people it incarcerates.
nysfocus.com/2025/11/13/n...
nysfocus.com/2025/11/13/n...
Prison Agency Seeks to Dramatically Narrow Solitary Confinement Law
Prison officials are using a novel legal reading to argue that the HALT Solitary Confinement Act doesn’t apply to units where most people are incarcerated.
nysfocus.com
November 15, 2025 at 6:00 PM
As its latest defense in an ongoing court battle, New York’s state prison agency is arguing that the core of a landmark solitary confinement reform law does not apply to the vast majority of the people it incarcerates.
nysfocus.com/2025/11/13/n...
nysfocus.com/2025/11/13/n...
Federal HEAP funding will not reach New Yorkers until at least November 24, state officials say.
nysfocus.com/2025/11/15/t...
nysfocus.com/2025/11/15/t...
Heating Assistance Still on Hold as Federal Government Reopens
Federal HEAP funding will not reach New Yorkers until at least November 24, state officials say.
nysfocus.com
November 15, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Federal HEAP funding will not reach New Yorkers until at least November 24, state officials say.
nysfocus.com/2025/11/15/t...
nysfocus.com/2025/11/15/t...
NEW: The uncertainty around federal funding for heating assistance has left advocates worried about heat and power shutoffs heading into winter.
Shutoffs have already spiked this year.
nysfocus.com/2025/11/15/t...
Shutoffs have already spiked this year.
nysfocus.com/2025/11/15/t...
November 15, 2025 at 4:00 PM
NEW: The uncertainty around federal funding for heating assistance has left advocates worried about heat and power shutoffs heading into winter.
Shutoffs have already spiked this year.
nysfocus.com/2025/11/15/t...
Shutoffs have already spiked this year.
nysfocus.com/2025/11/15/t...
NEW: Even if the Trump administration sends states funding for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program in the coming days, the state agency that manages the program in New York told New York Focus that it won’t be able to open applications until at least November 24.
Heating Assistance Still on Hold as Federal Government Reopens
Federal HEAP funding will not reach New Yorkers until at least November 24, state officials say.
nysfocus.com
November 15, 2025 at 3:00 PM
NEW: Even if the Trump administration sends states funding for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program in the coming days, the state agency that manages the program in New York told New York Focus that it won’t be able to open applications until at least November 24.
NEW: The US government is open again, but many low-income people are still waiting for federal benefits they count on.
The stopgap bill President Donald Trump signed Wednesday night should allow the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program to reopen, but it could still take weeks.
The stopgap bill President Donald Trump signed Wednesday night should allow the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program to reopen, but it could still take weeks.
Heating Assistance Still on Hold as Federal Government Reopens
Federal HEAP funding will not reach New Yorkers until at least November 24, state officials say.
nysfocus.com
November 15, 2025 at 2:00 PM
NEW: The US government is open again, but many low-income people are still waiting for federal benefits they count on.
The stopgap bill President Donald Trump signed Wednesday night should allow the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program to reopen, but it could still take weeks.
The stopgap bill President Donald Trump signed Wednesday night should allow the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program to reopen, but it could still take weeks.
NEW: Freezing temperatures hit much of the state in October and reached New York City this week.
Even though the US government is open again, federal benefits could still take weeks for many low-income people who rely on heating assistance.
nysfocus.com/2025/11/15/t...
Even though the US government is open again, federal benefits could still take weeks for many low-income people who rely on heating assistance.
nysfocus.com/2025/11/15/t...
Heating Assistance Still on Hold as Federal Government Reopens
Federal HEAP funding will not reach New Yorkers until at least November 24, state officials say.
nysfocus.com
November 15, 2025 at 1:03 PM
NEW: Freezing temperatures hit much of the state in October and reached New York City this week.
Even though the US government is open again, federal benefits could still take weeks for many low-income people who rely on heating assistance.
nysfocus.com/2025/11/15/t...
Even though the US government is open again, federal benefits could still take weeks for many low-income people who rely on heating assistance.
nysfocus.com/2025/11/15/t...
New York environmental regulators approved a major Trump-backed underwater gas pipeline in a U-turn for state energy policy.
nysfocus.com/2025/11/07/n...
nysfocus.com/2025/11/07/n...
New York Approves Trump-Backed Gas Pipeline
The Northeast Supply Enhancement pipeline had been rejected by environmental regulators three times but was revived this spring after talks between Hochul…
nysfocus.com
November 14, 2025 at 8:52 PM
New York environmental regulators approved a major Trump-backed underwater gas pipeline in a U-turn for state energy policy.
nysfocus.com/2025/11/07/n...
nysfocus.com/2025/11/07/n...
Hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers could lose their food benefits due to new SNAP work requirements, after the Trump administration phased them in months earlier than expected.
nysfocus.com/2025/11/10/t...
nysfocus.com/2025/11/10/t...
'Blindsided' Counties Struggle to Implement Trump's SNAP Work Rules
Hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers could lose their food benefits due to new SNAP work requirements, after the Trump administration phased them in…
nysfocus.com
November 14, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers could lose their food benefits due to new SNAP work requirements, after the Trump administration phased them in months earlier than expected.
nysfocus.com/2025/11/10/t...
nysfocus.com/2025/11/10/t...
New York has long offered health insurance to legal immigrants that aren’t eligible for federal Medicaid dollars.
That’s because of a 2001 court case in which the state Court of Appeals ruled that denying Medicaid benefits to otherwise eligible legal immigrants violated the state’s constitution.
That’s because of a 2001 court case in which the state Court of Appeals ruled that denying Medicaid benefits to otherwise eligible legal immigrants violated the state’s constitution.
In Brief: New York’s Essential Plan
Massive changes are coming to the state’s comprehensive, low-cost healthcare plan.
nysfocus.com
November 14, 2025 at 7:00 PM
New York has long offered health insurance to legal immigrants that aren’t eligible for federal Medicaid dollars.
That’s because of a 2001 court case in which the state Court of Appeals ruled that denying Medicaid benefits to otherwise eligible legal immigrants violated the state’s constitution.
That’s because of a 2001 court case in which the state Court of Appeals ruled that denying Medicaid benefits to otherwise eligible legal immigrants violated the state’s constitution.
In July, Congress cut funding for Medicaid by nearly $1 trillion over the next decade.
One of the most expensive changes for takes effect January 1, when the federal government will eliminate an estimated $7.5 billion in annual support for certain legal immigrants enrolled in NY's Essential Plan.
One of the most expensive changes for takes effect January 1, when the federal government will eliminate an estimated $7.5 billion in annual support for certain legal immigrants enrolled in NY's Essential Plan.
In Brief: New York’s Essential Plan
Massive changes are coming to the state’s comprehensive, low-cost healthcare plan.
nysfocus.com
November 14, 2025 at 6:01 PM
In July, Congress cut funding for Medicaid by nearly $1 trillion over the next decade.
One of the most expensive changes for takes effect January 1, when the federal government will eliminate an estimated $7.5 billion in annual support for certain legal immigrants enrolled in NY's Essential Plan.
One of the most expensive changes for takes effect January 1, when the federal government will eliminate an estimated $7.5 billion in annual support for certain legal immigrants enrolled in NY's Essential Plan.
As its latest defense in an ongoing court battle, New York’s state prison agency is arguing that the core of a landmark solitary confinement reform law does not apply to the vast majority of the people it incarcerates.
nysfocus.com/2025/11/13/n...
nysfocus.com/2025/11/13/n...
Prison Agency Seeks to Dramatically Narrow Solitary Confinement Law
Prison officials are using a novel legal reading to argue that the HALT Solitary Confinement Act doesn’t apply to units where most people are incarcerated.
nysfocus.com
November 14, 2025 at 5:02 PM
As its latest defense in an ongoing court battle, New York’s state prison agency is arguing that the core of a landmark solitary confinement reform law does not apply to the vast majority of the people it incarcerates.
nysfocus.com/2025/11/13/n...
nysfocus.com/2025/11/13/n...
Strained social service departments across the state are scrambling to implement new work rules that suddenly went into effect this month for New Yorkers who rely on food assistance.
nysfocus.com/2025/11/10/t...
nysfocus.com/2025/11/10/t...
'Blindsided' Counties Struggle to Implement Trump's SNAP Work Rules
Hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers could lose their food benefits due to new SNAP work requirements, after the Trump administration phased them in…
nysfocus.com
November 14, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Strained social service departments across the state are scrambling to implement new work rules that suddenly went into effect this month for New Yorkers who rely on food assistance.
nysfocus.com/2025/11/10/t...
nysfocus.com/2025/11/10/t...
State prison officials are putting forth “absurd” legal arguments and deceiving a court about conditions on the inside, advocates, incarcerated people, and legal filings allege.
nysfocus.com/2025/11/13/n...
nysfocus.com/2025/11/13/n...
Prison Agency Seeks to Dramatically Narrow Solitary Confinement Law
Prison officials are using a novel legal reading to argue that the HALT Solitary Confinement Act doesn’t apply to units where most people are incarcerated.
nysfocus.com
November 14, 2025 at 1:01 PM
State prison officials are putting forth “absurd” legal arguments and deceiving a court about conditions on the inside, advocates, incarcerated people, and legal filings allege.
nysfocus.com/2025/11/13/n...
nysfocus.com/2025/11/13/n...
Federal changes to Medicaid funding passed by Trump could result in hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers losing their coverage — including many enrolled in a program called the Essential Plan that has been key to the state’s success in near-universal coverage.
Here’s what you need to know.
Here’s what you need to know.
In Brief: New York’s Essential Plan
Massive changes are coming to the state’s comprehensive, low-cost healthcare plan.
nysfocus.com
November 13, 2025 at 11:24 PM
Federal changes to Medicaid funding passed by Trump could result in hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers losing their coverage — including many enrolled in a program called the Essential Plan that has been key to the state’s success in near-universal coverage.
Here’s what you need to know.
Here’s what you need to know.
The board overseeing opioid lawsuit settlements is raising the alarm that New York could use the funds, which are meant to expand substance abuse initiatives, to backfill federal cuts.
nysfocus.com/2025/11/07/h...
nysfocus.com/2025/11/07/h...
Opioid Settlement Advisors Say Hochul Administration is Keeping Them…
The board overseeing opioid lawsuit settlements is raising the alarm that New York could use the funds, which are meant to expand substance abuse…
nysfocus.com
November 13, 2025 at 10:15 PM
The board overseeing opioid lawsuit settlements is raising the alarm that New York could use the funds, which are meant to expand substance abuse initiatives, to backfill federal cuts.
nysfocus.com/2025/11/07/h...
nysfocus.com/2025/11/07/h...
The board advising New York on how to spend huge sums from opioid lawsuit settlements pressed Governor Kathy Hochul for greater transparency and faster action in its annual report released this week.
nysfocus.com/2025/11/07/h...
nysfocus.com/2025/11/07/h...
Opioid Settlement Advisors Say Hochul Administration is Keeping Them…
The board overseeing opioid lawsuit settlements is raising the alarm that New York could use the funds, which are meant to expand substance abuse…
nysfocus.com
November 13, 2025 at 9:07 PM
The board advising New York on how to spend huge sums from opioid lawsuit settlements pressed Governor Kathy Hochul for greater transparency and faster action in its annual report released this week.
nysfocus.com/2025/11/07/h...
nysfocus.com/2025/11/07/h...
Prison officials are using a novel legal reading of the HALT Solitary Confinement Act to argue that it doesn’t apply to units where most people are incarcerated.
nysfocus.com/2025/11/13/n...
nysfocus.com/2025/11/13/n...
Prison Agency Seeks to Dramatically Narrow Solitary Confinement Law
Prison officials are using a novel legal reading of the HALT Solitary Confinement Act to argue that it doesn’t apply to units where most people are…
nysfocus.com
November 13, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Prison officials are using a novel legal reading of the HALT Solitary Confinement Act to argue that it doesn’t apply to units where most people are incarcerated.
nysfocus.com/2025/11/13/n...
nysfocus.com/2025/11/13/n...
As its latest defense in an ongoing court battle, New York’s state prison agency is arguing that the core of a landmark solitary confinement reform law does not apply to the vast majority of the people it incarcerates.
nysfocus.com/2025/11/13/n...
nysfocus.com/2025/11/13/n...
Prison Agency Seeks to Dramatically Narrow Solitary Confinement Law
Prison officials are using a novel legal reading of the HALT Solitary Confinement Act to argue that it doesn’t apply to units where most people are…
nysfocus.com
November 13, 2025 at 3:57 PM
As its latest defense in an ongoing court battle, New York’s state prison agency is arguing that the core of a landmark solitary confinement reform law does not apply to the vast majority of the people it incarcerates.
nysfocus.com/2025/11/13/n...
nysfocus.com/2025/11/13/n...
NEW: State prison officials are putting forth “absurd” legal arguments and deceiving a court about conditions on the inside, advocates, incarcerated people, and legal filings allege.
nysfocus.com/2025/11/13/n...
nysfocus.com/2025/11/13/n...
Prison Agency Seeks to Dramatically Narrow Solitary Confinement Law
Prison officials are using a novel legal reading of the HALT Solitary Confinement Act to argue that it doesn’t apply to units where most people are…
nysfocus.com
November 13, 2025 at 2:16 PM
NEW: State prison officials are putting forth “absurd” legal arguments and deceiving a court about conditions on the inside, advocates, incarcerated people, and legal filings allege.
nysfocus.com/2025/11/13/n...
nysfocus.com/2025/11/13/n...
Zohran Mamdani now faces tremendous pressure to deliver on his agenda.
To do it, he’ll need Governor Kathy Hochul and the leaders of the Democratic majorities in the legislature to get on board.
To do it, he’ll need Governor Kathy Hochul and the leaders of the Democratic majorities in the legislature to get on board.
November 12, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Zohran Mamdani now faces tremendous pressure to deliver on his agenda.
To do it, he’ll need Governor Kathy Hochul and the leaders of the Democratic majorities in the legislature to get on board.
To do it, he’ll need Governor Kathy Hochul and the leaders of the Democratic majorities in the legislature to get on board.
Strained social service departments across the state are scrambling to implement new work rules that suddenly went into effect this month for New Yorkers who rely on food assistance.
That undertaking is magnified in NYC, where an estimated 230,000 residents could be subject to the requirements.
That undertaking is magnified in NYC, where an estimated 230,000 residents could be subject to the requirements.
'Blindsided' Counties Struggle to Implement Trump's SNAP Work Rules
Hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers could lose their food benefits due to new SNAP work requirements, after the Trump administration phased them in…
nysfocus.com
November 12, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Strained social service departments across the state are scrambling to implement new work rules that suddenly went into effect this month for New Yorkers who rely on food assistance.
That undertaking is magnified in NYC, where an estimated 230,000 residents could be subject to the requirements.
That undertaking is magnified in NYC, where an estimated 230,000 residents could be subject to the requirements.
Strained social service departments across the state are scrambling to implement new work rules that suddenly went into effect this month for New Yorkers who rely on food assistance.
The rushed rollout comes at a chaotic time for food assistance.
nysfocus.com/2025/11/10/t...
The rushed rollout comes at a chaotic time for food assistance.
nysfocus.com/2025/11/10/t...
'Blindsided' Counties Struggle to Implement Trump's SNAP Work Rules
Hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers could lose their food benefits due to new SNAP work requirements, after the Trump administration phased them in…
nysfocus.com
November 12, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Strained social service departments across the state are scrambling to implement new work rules that suddenly went into effect this month for New Yorkers who rely on food assistance.
The rushed rollout comes at a chaotic time for food assistance.
nysfocus.com/2025/11/10/t...
The rushed rollout comes at a chaotic time for food assistance.
nysfocus.com/2025/11/10/t...
Almost half of New York's newspapers have closed in the last 20 years. New York Focus launched in 2020 to fill those gaps.
We can't do it without you. Right now, your donation will be tripled. Visit nysfocus.com/donate.
We can't do it without you. Right now, your donation will be tripled. Visit nysfocus.com/donate.
November 12, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Almost half of New York's newspapers have closed in the last 20 years. New York Focus launched in 2020 to fill those gaps.
We can't do it without you. Right now, your donation will be tripled. Visit nysfocus.com/donate.
We can't do it without you. Right now, your donation will be tripled. Visit nysfocus.com/donate.