(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.

(The Center Square) – A bill passed by the New York state lawmakers on Tuesday that seeks to prevent workers from being exposed to airborne diseases is now headed to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, but while labor advocates hailed its passage, business groups fear it will harm small businesses across the state. Read more from OnSachem News.

(The Center Square) – New York state collected $3 billion more in tax revenue than anticipated during the 2020-21 fiscal year, according to Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli. Read more from OnSachem News.

(The Center Square) – Republicans in the New York Assembly said on Thursday that Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s move to push back the curfew for bars and restaurants to midnight is a welcome change, it’s not nearly enough for businesses that have endured several challenges over the past year. Read more from OnSachem News.

(The Center Square) – New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Wednesday that people who want to dine out can do so a little later starting next week. Read more from OnSachem News.

LONG ISLAND, NY — PSEG Long Island announced Tuesday funding for the Outdoor Spaces program has been renewed for a limited time. Over $2 million in grants and discounts were provided last year to help more than 1,000 local businesses and organizations meet the ever-evolving challenges of COVID-19. Read more from OnSachem News.

(The Center Square) – The Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a warning Tuesday advising Americans and their healthcare providers to discontinue using the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine after reports of health complications. Read more from OnSachem News.

LAKE RONKONKOMA, NY — Sachem Schools along with other high schools, colleges, and universities in New York state could enjoy larger — but still limited — graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2021, as the pandemic adversely affects commencements for the second consecutive year. Read more from OnSachem News.

(The Center Square) – A provision in the recently passed $212 billion New York state budget will give thousands of dollars to undocumented immigrants and others excluded from COVID-19 assistance programs. Billed as the Excluded Worker Program, the $2.1 billion measure is seen as an important economic development initiative by some, but others see it as just a wasteful handout. Read more from OnSachem News.

SELDEN, NY — Dozens of senior citizens received COVID-19 vaccinations thanks to the help of Suffolk County Legislator Nick Caracappa, R-Selden, of the 4th District and Belle Mead Compounding Pharmacy in East Setauket. Read more from OnSachem News.

(The Center Square) – New York state Senate Republicans offered Wednesday an amendment that would have eliminated the income tax liability on a portion of unemployment benefits residents received last year. However, Democrats voted against the proposal. Read more from OnSachem News.

FARMINGVILLE, NY — Brookhaven Town Supervisor Ed Romaine has announced the Town of Brookhaven Youth Bureau’s INTERFACE Program is holding an emergency food drive to help residents in need affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more from OnSachem News.

(The Center Square) – New York state has announced the establishment of a digital app residents can use to offer proof of a coronavirus vaccination or recent negative COVID-19 test. Read more from OnSachem News.

HOLBROOK, NY — Governor Andrew Cuomo announced on Monday a new expansion of COVID-19 vaccine eligibility in New York. Beginning Tuesday, March 30, at 8 a.m., all New Yorkers 30 years of age and older will be eligible to receive the vaccine. Beginning April 6, universal eligibility goes into effect and all New Yorkers 16 years of age and older will be eligible to receive the vaccine. Read more from OnSachem News.

(The Center Square) – Red states are leading economic growth in the U.S., a new report by the U. S. Commerce Department shows, with South Dakota, Texas and Utah reporting the highest growth. However, blue state New York came in far lower. Read more from OnSachem News.

(The Center Square) – As the time draws closer for New York to pass its fiscal year budget, the state’s dining establishments are urging lawmakers not to forget about them.  Read more from OnSachem News.