Author: Derrick Whitmore

National Apprenticeship Week, observed from April 26 – May 2 this year, underscores the expanding role of apprenticeship programs across New York and beyond. Traditionally viewed as a pathway for young people entering the workforce, apprenticeships have broadened to serve learners at different life stages, offering structured, often paid training that combines practical experience with formal skill development. This has become a platform for employers, educators and training providers to showcase the varied options available and to encourage wider participation. Expanding Apprenticeship Roles Beyond Entry-Level Paths Apprenticeships now span a wide range of industries, reflecting shifts in labor market demands…

Construction of a large student housing complex in Vestal, New York, is progressing despite significant winter weather challenges. Dozens of workers remain active on the site along the Vestal Parkway, just across from the Binghamton University campus, even as snow and ice complicate efforts. A Major Investment in Student Housing The project, backed by a $70 million investment from New Jersey-based Aptitude Development, envisions a modern, five-story residential building designed to house 516 students. The complex, marketed as The Marshall Binghamton, is slated to open in mid-2027, adding significant off-campus capacity for students seeking accommodation near the university. The development…

GameStop is set to close roughly 30 locations across New York State as part of a sweeping nationwide downsizing that will see more than 470 stores shuttered by the end of January 2026. The closures span the entire state, from New York City and Long Island to Westchester, the Hudson Valley, and Upstate New York, affecting both mall-based outlets and standalone stores. Statewide Impact and Local Examples In New York City, stores across all five boroughs are scheduled to close, including locations in Brooklyn neighborhoods such as Bensonhurst and Brownsville, as well as a South Bronx store that has already…

Cryptocurrency theft has increasingly targeted everyday investors, highlighting both the opportunities and risks of digital assets in New York and nationwide. Cases such as Helen and Richard, a couple from the U.S., illustrate how even modest investors can lose substantial amounts to cybercriminals. In February 2024, following a small test transfer, the couple’s Cardano holdings were stolen in a single, silent transaction. While blockchain technology makes transactions traceable, the perpetrators remained anonymous, transferring the stolen funds through multiple wallets and leaving the victims powerless to recover their money. Despite having the wallet addresses, Helen and Richard must rely on private…

Upstate New York is a region of contrasts, economically, culturally, and demographically. One of the most striking contrasts is in population trends. While some cities such as Albany, Rochester, and Syracuse maintain steady or modestly growing populations, many rural counties are experiencing population decline, aging demographics, and workforce shortages. Understanding these differences is crucial for policymakers, business leaders, and community planners, as population trends directly influence economic vitality, infrastructure needs, and social services. Demographic Overview of Upstate New York Upstate New York covers a large geographic area, from the Hudson Valley and Capital Region to the Western New York and…

New York Governor Kathy Hochul used her 2026 State of the State speech to highlight an affordability agenda aimed at easing the cost of living for residents across the state. Standing in Albany before a crowd that included lawmakers and local leaders, Hochul outlined proposals to tackle housing costs, expand child care, and rein in expenses that many families face daily. The speech marked her fifth such address and came as she moves toward a re-election campaign, underscoring her focus on concrete economic issues that affect everyday New Yorkers. Hochul framed her approach as a direct response to rising prices…

Delta Air Lines had announced plans to discontinue its only commercial service at New York’s Greater Binghamton Airport, a move that would have taken effect on February 14, 2026. The airline had been operating a daily flight between Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport and Binghamton on Delta Connection Bombardier CRJ-900 regional jets, the sole scheduled commercial link at the upstate facility. Without it, the airport would have been left without any commercial flights, a stark prospect given that other carriers such as United and American withdrew service in the 2010s and low-cost carrier Avelo briefly entered but later exited the…

The City University of New York (CUNY) has reported rising student enrollment for the third consecutive year, driven largely by gains at its community colleges. Governor Kathy Hochul highlighted these increases as evidence that targeted state initiatives, particularly the free community college program CUNY Reconnect are successfully expanding access to higher education for adult learners. Driving Factors Behind Enrollment Gains Fall 2025 enrollment grew by 3.8 percent compared with the previous year, with community colleges experiencing a 7 percent increase. In total, CUNY welcomed about 9,000 additional students this semester, bringing the systemwide enrollment to roughly 247,000 students. Since Fall…

New York State has enacted the Responsible AI Safety and Education Act (RAISE Act), a landmark law creating broad safety, transparency, and compliance obligations for developers of powerful artificial intelligence systems, called frontier models. Signed by Governor Kathy Hochul, the legislation is designed to ensure that companies building advanced AI address critical safety risks and report notable incidents, establishing enforceable standards ahead of the law’s effective date on January 1, 2027. The RAISE Act targets only the largest AI developers whose models meet specific computational and cost thresholds. Under the agreed framework for implementation, the law will apply to entities…

Delta Air Lines has announced it will discontinue its sole scheduled commercial service at Greater Binghamton Airport (BGM), in Broome County, New York. The airline informed local officials that its daily Detroit-bound flight will cease operations on February 14, 2026, effectively ending all scheduled passenger airline service at the facility. Delta’s decision removes the only regular commercial flights for residents and businesses that have depended on the airport for convenient regional and national connections. A Regional Airport Loses Its Last Airline The Greater Binghamton Airport, located in the town of Maine just north of the city, has struggled in recent…