Afternoon News Brief

Governor Cuomo announced today that he will be stepping down from his post and Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul will become New York’s first female governor.   In a live address just before noon Tuesday, Gov. Cuomo denied the allegations of sexual harassment but did say he takes “full responsibility” for making the women who came forward uncomfortable.  Cuomo says he will leave office within 14 days.  His announcement came just after his attorney addressed the allegations and charges against him in a separate press conference where Outside Council Glavin said the Attorney Generals reports were full of errors and omitted key evidence.

There is a heat advisory today through 8pm on Wednesday in the GLOW region.  The temperature is expected get up to mid 90s with a high humidity.  Officials say to drink plenty of water, avoid staying out in the sun, seek air conditioning and keep special watch over pets, children and older adults.

The State Education Department is picking up the slack on guidance for schools this fall.  Earlier this week the New York State Health Department said it would not send out additional COVID guidance for the fall term and that school districts should make their policies based on CDC guidance.  Now The State Education Department says it will provide its own guidance.  Betty Rosa, head of NYSED, said they were forced to develop guidance because the state health department and Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office did not. She did not indicate when that guidance would be put forth.  Last month, local superintendents implored the state to provide reopening guidance so they could plan their return to school.

GO Health says that Orleans county is now in the level of Substantial community transmission with 26 active cases after months of having under 10 active cases a day.  Director Paul Petit says that this was not unexpected as case rates have been higher in surrounding counties and the delta variant is causing higher numbers of unvaccinated people to contract COVID.