(The Center Square) – New York will lift the COVID-19 state of emergency effective Thursday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Wednesday. Read more from OnSachem News.

(The Center Square) – New York received a double dose of good economic news over the past two days. Read more from OnSachem News.

(The Center Square) – New York reached the 70% threshold for COVID-19 vaccines on Tuesday, prompting Gov. Andrew Cuomo to lift many of the emergency orders he initiated more than a year ago. Read more from OnSachem News.

(The Center Square) – The cost of New York's vaccine passport program appears to go far beyond the $2.5 million state officials announced in March, according to published reports. Read more from OnSachem News.

LAKE RONKONKOMA, NY — Students in the Sachem Central School District had a single day to go mask-less if they wanted. Less than 24 hours after the district’s Board of Education held an emergency meeting on Sunday evening and voted to make facemasks optional as of on Monday, the students will once again be wearing their masks on Tuesday. Read more from OnSachem News.

(The Center Square) – New York Republicans don’t want to leave Albany this week without getting Democrats to agree on ending the COVID-19 emergency the state’s been under for more than a year. Read more from OnSachem News.

LAKE RONKONKOMA, NY — Sachem students can go to school without a face mask on Monday. Read more from OnSachem News.

(The Center Square) – New York officials plan to move away from requiring masks at schools and camps and switch to a policy that “strongly encourages” students, campers, teachers, counselors and staff who are not fully vaccinated to use them. Read more from OnSachem News.

(The Center Square) – A law firm representing New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and his administration as part of a federal investigation into the state’s handling of nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic will be paid through public funds. Read more from OnSachem News.

HAUPPAUGE, NY — As the pandemic slows and more residents are vaccinated, the Suffolk County Legislature will reopen meetings to in-person public attendance starting Tuesday, June 1. Read more from OnSachem News.

HOLBROOK, NY — More than three-quarters of New Yorkers surveyed said they want the ability to order alcoholic beverages when they get takeout or delivery from a restaurant. Read more from OnSachem News.

(The Center Square) – A credit ratings agency says mobile workers in California and New York who remained employed through the COVID-19 pandemic could keep the states from full recoveries. Read more from OnSachem News.

(The Center Square) – New York may consider mandating the COVID-19 vaccine for eligible students if the federal government gives Pfizer full approval. That’s according to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who answered questions on the topic during a news conference Monday at Jones Beach. Read more from OnSachem News.

(The Center Square) – Starting on Monday, New York is giving individuals who have yet to get a COVID-19 vaccine up to 5 million reasons to get one. Read more from OnSachem News.

(The Center Square) – New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo came under withering criticism from his foes at both ends of the political spectrum after his annual financial disclosure documents, released Monday afternoon, revealed that he was paid more than $3 million for his book on leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more from OnSachem News.

HOLBROOK, NY — Governor Andrew Cuomo announced on Saturday that 50 percent of all New Yorkers ages 18 and older have completed the COVID-19 vaccine series. Read more from OnSachem News.

HOLBROOK, NY — New York state's COVID-19 restrictions, including mask-wearing and social distancing, are still in effect—despite the CDC’s newest guidance that the precautions are no longer necessary for fully vaccinated people in most settings. Read more from OnSachem News.

(The Center Square) – Students who want to go back to in-person classes at State University of New York and City University of New York colleges this fall will need to get a COVID-19 vaccination first. Read more from OnSachem News.

(The Center Square) – A New York lawmaker has unveiled a bill that would make forging or possessing a fake vaccination document a felony, with offenders serving up to 15 years in prison depending on the magnitude of their offense. Read more from OnSachem News.

(The Center Square) – New York state lawmakers this week passed a bill to extend a moratorium on evictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, despite Republicans issuing concerns that the measure may do more harm than good. Read more from OnSachem News.

(The Center Square) – New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Monday announced the most significant easing of COVID-restrictions since the pandemic began. Read more from OnSachem News.

LAKE RONKONKOMA, NY — Rite Aid announced on Friday it is now administering the COVID-19 vaccine at every store, with or without an advance appointment. Within Sachem, Rite Aid is located near Kohl’s on Hawkins Avenue in Lake Ronkonkoma. Rite Aid also has stores nearby in Medford, Sayville, Selden, Smithtown, and West Patchogue. Read more from OnSachem News.

(The Center Square) – The Cuomo administration reportedly held up New York health officials from reporting the true COVID-19 death toll attributable to nursing homes for at least five months. That’s according to a bombshell report published by The New York Times on Wednesday. Read more from OnSachem News.