Reopening

Some Buffalo Public Schools students will be returning to the classroom in a couple weeks, the first time since the coronavirus pandemic started nearly a year ago.

Governor Andrew Cuomo hinted Friday he'd support the possibility of allowing some fans into Bills Stadium for National Football League playoff home games, if the COVID-related statistics were favorable and if a proper plan was ready.

SUNY Oswego will go back to in-person classes starting Monday.

Local governments in New York could be fined up to $10,000 per day by the state Department of Health if they don’t enforce the agency’s guidelines concerning COVID-19 precautions and protection, like cracking down on mass gatherings and people not wearing masks.

The unemployment rate in most of the state’s metro areas in New York dipped below 10% in August for the first time since March, according to preliminary data released Tuesday by the state Department of Labor.

An array of student-athletes in the Sweet Home school district will be out on the practice field Saturday, after the School Board decided Monday evening to hire coaches for a group of sports.

New York state announced this week it is easing visitation rules at adult care facilities. Families can now visit their loved ones who are in assisted living facilities if there has not been a case of COVID-19 there in at least 14 days, down from the previous requirement of 28 days.

It appears the U.S.-Canada border closure to non-essential travelers will be extended again.

New York will begin allowing visitors to see loved ones at nursing homes that have been coronavirus-free for 14 days, down from 28 days under previous rules, the health commissioner said Wednesday.

Monday was the first day back at school for many of New York’s kindergarten through 12th-grade students, though some students will learn remotely. Health officials say they will monitor whether the in-person classes cause any outbreaks of COVID-19.

SUNY Brockport says that as of Saturday morning it suspended its wrestling program pending the outcome of investigations stemming from potential COVID-19 policy violations. Two wrestling physical education classes have also been canceled for the Fall semester.

New York’s largest teachers union is planning to file a lawsuit against the state if Gov. Andrew Cuomo and members of the state Legislature don’t release funds withheld in recent weeks from school districts, some of which have had to lay off hundreds of employees as a result.

The war of words between Gov. Andrew Cuomo and President Donald Trump escalated again Tuesday, with both accusing the other of attempting to destroy the economic viability of New York City, and the state, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Erie County is putting $25 million into emergency child care. The money will pay for regular child care and new virtual learning centers.