Murphy warns COVID variants may cause record high infections in NJ

New Jersey is leading the nation in new COVID infections for close to a week now, with Governor Phil Murphy warning that variants could send case levels to record highs.

New Yorkers can now legally possess up to 3 ounces of cannabis

New Yorkers can now possess up to 3 ounces of cannabis under a legalization bill signed Wednesday by Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Reversing Trump policies, Pentagon to release new rules for transgender troops

The Pentagon on Wednesday will sweep away Trump-era policies that largely banned transgender people from serving in the military, issuing new rules that offer them wider access to medical care and assistance with gender transition, defense officials told The Associated Press.

NY Legislature passes marijuana legalization bill

If the legislation passes, as it is expected to, New York would become the 16th state to legalize marijuana sales to adults. 

Biden’s dog Major involved in another biting incident at the White House

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden’s dog Major has been involved in another biting incident at the White House, Fox News confirmed Tuesday.

Student loan payment pause extended to borrowers who have defaulted on private loans

The federal government has extended a pause on student loan payments to more than 1 million people who have defaulted on loans held by private lenders, aiding thousands who were at risk of having tax returns seized to pay the debts.

Teen bystander who took Floyd video testifies in Chauvin trial

Darnella Frazier, the young woman who took the widely shared Facebook video of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin kneeling on George Floyd, testified Tuesday as one of the key witnesses for the state. 

Biden announces broad efforts to combat anti-Asian violence, bias in US

President Joe Biden announced Tuesday broad actions by the White House to address the rise in anti-Asian violence in the U.S. and bias against Asian communities.

Biden signs extension of Paycheck Protection Program for small businesses by 2 months

President Joe Biden singed an extension of the Paycheck Protection Program a day before it was poised to expire, giving small businesses until May 31 to apply.

Stimulus checks: 21 Senate Democrats urge Biden to put recurring direct payments in infrastructure plan

A group of Democratic senators is urging President Joe Biden to extend rescue measures for Americans — including recurring direct payments and extended jobless benefits — in his “Build Back Better” legislation.

Trump's heir? Mike Pence re-emerges, lays groundwork for 2024 presidential run

Former Vice President Mike Pence is steadily reentering public life as he eyes a potential run for the White House in 2024 -- despite an apparent snub by former President Donald Trump.

Biden names diverse slate of judicial nominees for federal courts

President Joe Biden on Tuesday announced his first slate of judicial nominees to serve as federal district or appeals court judges.

Woman says Cuomo kissed her cheeks in 'sexual manner'

A woman from Rochester area said Gov. Andrew Cuomo kissed her cheeks in an "aggressive" and "sexual" way when he visited her home to inspect flood damage a few years ago.

Twitch and politics connection grows

In addition to its robust gaming section, Twitch has a growing political component to the platform.

White House, UN signal possible 'additional actions' after N. Korea missile tests

The Biden administration said Monday it's looking at “additional actions” that the United Nations might take to respond to North Korea’s recent missile tests.

‘This is deadly serious’: Biden calls for states to reinstate mask mandates amid uptick in COVID-19 cases

President Joe Biden implored state officials who lifted mask mandates to reinstate them as well as maintaining any preventative health measure to stave off a potential fourth COVID-19 surge, Monday.

Lil Nas X ‘Satan Shoes’: Nike files copyright infringement suit over modified Airmax 97 sneakers

Lil Nas X and MSCHF, a streetwear label, released a modified Nike Airmax 97 called “Satan Shoes,” according to multiple reports, but Nike said it wasn’t involved in the production of the sneakers and filed a copyright infringement lawsuit.