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The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug for use in the treatment of hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Remdesivir's road to approval was paved by numerous institutions researching the drug, including the University at Buffalo's Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.

Early voting in New York state starts Saturday and runs through Nov. 1. It’s the second year New Yorkers have the option to vote early, but it’s taken on greater importance this year with a presidential election and COVID-19 pandemic that necessitates social distancing. Here’s what you need to know.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo held a conference call with the media Thursday to provide an update on COVID-19 infection trends in New York State. Cuomo noted that the state's focus over the past two weeks has mainly shifted to microclusters of positive results, with many reported downstate in Brooklyn and Queens and in some New York City suburban counties. There have also been increases in the Southern Tier, due to people crossing into and out of Pennsylvania, where COVID rates have been rising. Listen to the entire interview.

While theaters are dark, theater companies are busy, including Chautauqua with a play filmed at and airing on WNED-TV (airdate: Monday, October 26, starting at 8). And airing on your device of choice will be TEA FOR THREE, filmed at the TR Inaugural site in Buffalo, about three First Ladies. Meet Lady Bird Johnson, Pat Nixon, and Betty Ford, a charming antidote to the politics of today, as explained by Mary Kate O'Connell. 

Early voting begins in New York on Saturday, and continues through Nov. 1, two days before Election Day.

Researchers around the world are searching for a vaccine to counter the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of those studies are happening nearby. "We are really lucky to live in an area where cutting-edge research is really pushing science to deal with this pandemic," said Dr. Nancy Nielsen, Senior Associate Dean for Health Policy at UB's Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. Two vaccine trials--for Johnson and Johnson, and Pfizer-- are taking place in Rochester. "UB is beginning a clinical trial of the Regeneron monoclonal antibodies. That's what was given to the President." Nielsen encourages those interested in helping to seek out available studies. 

Visitors will now be restricted at two upstate New York correctional facilities after recent COVID19 outbreaks among inmate populations. Effective 3 p.m. Wednesday, visitation was suspended at New York’s Greene and Elmira Correctional Facilities. Transfers in and out of the facilities have also been suspended.

With 43 states now on New York State’s banned list, Gov. Andrew Cuomo says he’s talking to health experts about a possible testing regimen that could end the mandatory quarantine period.

At a public hearing Wednesday afternoon, Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown heard from concerned community members regarding Cariol’s Law, named after former Police Officer Cariol Horne. 

Remote instruction has been a challenge for some students, and a nightmare for some parents who may not be savvy in working with computers. Literacy issues are compounding the problem. "With the pandemic and so much at-home, we have really seen where those gaps are in a lot of adult reading skills," said Amy Moritz, Literacy Coordinator for Literacy Buffalo Niagara.  She says some parents "may not understand all the instructions that teachers are sending home." 

They covered a wide variety of issues, from the economy and COVID-19 to immigration, abortion rights and racial inequity. But the debate among three candidates for New York's 27th Congressional District at St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute had none of the interruptions and other problems witnessed in recent nationally-televised political debates.