News

Hochul declares state of emergency over measles outbreak

3 weeks ago in Community, Health & Wellness, Local, Politics, Regional

September 18, 2026 — Mineola, NY — Governor Kathy Hochul delivers remarks at Mineola Community Center Improvements Event. (Susan Watts/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul) Photo: Saga Communications

ALBANY, NY (607NewsNow) — Gov. Kathy Hochul is declaring a disaster emergency.

The statewide outbreak of measles has resulted in dozens of positive cases in rural areas, including in the Southern Tier.

“After reviewing the latest data on measles cases in New York State, I am declaring a State Disaster Emergency to strengthen our ongoing efforts to confront this disease,” Hochul said. “No one should get seriously ill or die from a vaccine-preventable disease. That is why I have taken steps to increase the number of health professionals who can vaccinate and test. These emergency measures will protect New Yorkers and support our community partners as they work tirelessly to address the spread of this disease.”

New York has over 100 positive cases. Among counties with the most cases are Steuben and Seneca. Recently, the Department of Health published a dashboard with measles data.

Recent Headlines

23 hours ago in Sports, Trending

Rays stun Brewers with 2-run rally in 12th inning and force World Series Game 5 with 4-3 win

Milwaukee was three outs from its first World Series title when Junior Camerino started the bottom of the 12th inning with a grounder to third. Thousands of Brewers fans who trekked to Tropicana Field to witness the long-awaited moment started to cheer. Not so fast.

2 days ago in Sports, Trending

Rays put on the brink of World Series flop by Brewers’ historic 8-run, 2-out surge

Milwaukee became the first team to score eight runs with two outs in a World Series inning, routing the Rays 10-1 on Monday night to take a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

2 days ago in Entertainment, Music

Jay-Z picks himself to headline the Super Bowl halftime show at SoFi Stadium in Southern California

The man who has helped produce the Super Bowl halftime show is stepping into the spotlight: Jay-Z will headline the show himself. The NFL, Apple Music and Roc Nation announced Monday night that Jay-Z will be the featured performer for the halftime festivities on Feb. 14 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.

3 days ago in Entertainment

‘You Can See Everything’ surges with $19.5M at box office; ‘Clayface’ takes No. 1

DC Studios scored a modest, R-rated win with "Clayface," landing a $24 million opening weekend, according to studio estimates Sunday. But the biggest success story in theaters remained A24's Elizabeth Holmes documentary "You Can See Everything," which pulled in $19.5 million in its first weekend of wide release.

3 days ago in Lifestyle, Trending

Halloween candy sales are off to a slow start amid high chocolate prices and affordability concerns

Halloween candy sales are off to a slow start this year as U.S. consumers grapple with high living costs and eye-popping chocolate prices. Halloween candy sales fell 6.7% in the month ending Oct. 17 compared to the same period last year, according to NielsenIQ, a market research firm.

3 days ago in Features, Trending

‘Picasso of Pumpkin Carvers’ brings artistry to a Halloween tradition

When fall arrives and leaves start changing color, Mike Valladao, a systems engineer at a cybersecurity company, slips into his alter ego, "Farmer Mike," also known as the "Picasso of Pumpkin Carvers."