As New Yorkers and people nationwide protest certain Trump administration actions, some groups are trying to keep protestors safe. Along with developing a safety plan, there are other ways people can stay safe at protests when emotions and aggression run high. Comments from Kalaya’an (kuh-LIE-ah-AHN) Mendoza, head of U.S. programs, Nonviolent Peaceforce.

While it was initially met with criticism, New York City's "congestion pricing" program has been successful so far. So, federal attempts to end it could have a serious ripple effect on the state. Comments from Renae Reynolds, executive director, Tri-State Transportation Campaign; Eric A. Goldstein, senior attorney, Natural Resources Defense Council; and Rachael Fauss (FOSS), senior policy analyst, Reinvent Albany.

New York's long and often bleak winters can lead to Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD for some. Whether it's SAD or another mental health issue, proper treatment can help you maintain good mental and physical health. Comments from Dr. Bridget Rippe (rip-E), president, Psychological Association of Western New York; and Dr. Rhonda Randall, chief medical officer, UnitedHealthcare Employer and Individual.

Medicaid cuts proposed by President Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans would harm New York State’s health-care sector. This comes as the state is facing severe financial impacts that already restrict and limit patient care. Comments from Amy Lee Pacholk (pash-AULK), surgical and trauma critical-care nurse, SUNY Stony Brook Hospital.

Los recortes a Medicaid propuestos por el presidente Donald Trump y los republicanos del Congreso dañarían el sector de atención médica del estado de Nueva York. Esto se produce cuando el estado enfrenta graves impactos financieros que ya restringen y limitan la atención al paciente. Comentarios de Amy Lee Pacholk (pash-AULK), enfermera de cuidados críticos de cirugía y traumatología, SUNY Stony Brook Hospital.

A YES! MEDIA/NEW YORK NEWS CONNECTION COLLABORATION – On New York City's public transit system, fare evasion has been a persistent problem. Fully funding the city’s public transit could reduce this, although other issues with transit policing as a whole affect people trying to use the system, too. Comments from Justin A. Davis, freelance journalist/contributor, YES! Media.

New Yorkers are closely watching attempts in Congress to roll back regulations that cap bank overdraft fees at $5. Ending them would raise fees to at least $35. This comes amid efforts to dismantle the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Comments from Rebecca Garrard, interim co-executive director, Citizen Action of New York; and Christine Chen Zinner, senior policy counsel, Americans for Financial Reform.

New York doctors are developing new ways to treat advanced cancers. What's known as "CAR T-Cell" therapy is the current blood cancer treatment, but doctors who’ve pioneered it are working to upgrade it to tackle more common types of cancer. Comments from Dr. Renier (REN-ear) Brentjens, deputy director and chair of medicine, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo; and Chris Vogelsang, a lymphoma patient there. (Pronouncers: Chimeric, 'kah-MAIR-ick;' Antigen, 'AN-tih-jen.')

A bill in the New York State Legislature would require K-12 schools to teach kids about the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. While there are concerns about how to teach about such a polarizing event, the bill’s sponsor says its goal is to ensure students know the facts about what happened. Comments from Assemblymember Charles Lavine (LUH-veen), D-Glen Cove.

Faculty members from a New York City music school are back in the classroom after a weeklong strike. While there’s hope this will aid further negotiations, it’s uncertain whether the school is willing to meet teachers halfway to finalize a union contract. Comments from Adam Kent, president, Manhattan School of Music Precollege Faculty Union.

A SENTIENT/NEW YORK NEWS CONNECTION COLLABORATION – There are ways New Yorkers can have diets that are both healthy and sustainable. While most people separate the two issues, some feel there are ways to combine them, though it’s been challenging for people to make that connection. Comments from Matthew Hayek, assistant professor, New York University Department of Environmental Studies.

New York State is proposing free community college tuition as part of the governor's 2026 budget proposal. As beneficial as supporters believe this could be for the state, some feel investments across all parts of the education system are needed to strengthen college experiences. Comments from Jeff Smink, deputy director, Ed Trust New York.

New York’s regulations have kept the menhaden population high amid reduction fishing in other Atlantic states. While those states have trouble passing regulations like New York’s, there are economic and ecological benefits to doing so. Comments from John McMurray, president, One More Catch Charters Inc; and Jaclyn Higgins, forage fish manager, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership.

New York’s undocumented immigrant students are concerned about the impacts of President Donald Trump’s mass-deportation policies. Families are worried their kids could be taken at schools since some elected officials are helping ICE carry out raids. Comments from Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner, executive director and CEO, MomsRising; and Dan McNeil, general counsel, American Federation of Teachers.

Los estudiantes migrantes indocumentados de Nueva York están preocupados por el impacto de las políticas de deportación masiva del presidente Donald Trump. Las familias están preocupadas de que sus hijos puedan ser llevados en las escuelas, ya que algunos funcionarios electos están ayudando al ICE a realizar redadas. Comentarios de Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner, directora ejecutiva y CEO de MomsRising; y Dan McNeil, asesor general de American Federation of Teachers.

New York is among the states plugging away at removing older lead water lines, despite the federal political turmoil and funding pauses that could jeopardize some of these projects. Comments from Maureen Cunningham, chief strategy officer and director of water for the Environmental Policy Innovation Center.

New York disability-rights advocates are going to Albany to address lawmakers about how to help the state’s disabled population. While they’re concentrating on many issues, they want to see advancements in mental and physical health care, and housing. Comments from Dr. Sharon McLennon-Wier, executive director, Center for Independence of the Disabled New York.

Los defensores de los derechos de las personas con discapacidad de Nueva York viajarán a Albany para dirigirse a los legisladores sobre cómo ayudar a la población discapacitada del estado. Si bien se concentran en muchos temas, quieren ver avances en la atención de la salud física y mental y en la vivienda. Comentarios de la Dra. Sharon McLennon-Wier, directora ejecutiva del Center for Independence of the Disabled New York.

A New York State Senate report finds the state is losing $3 billion in revenue from certain tax exemptions. These exemptions don’t benefit most New Yorkers, but the revenue the state misses out on could be used to improve numerous quality of life issues. Comments from state Sen. Andrew Gounardes (guh-NAR-des), D-Sunset Park.

Elected officials in New York and nationwide are taking legal action to block President Donald Trump’s executive order ending birthright citizenship. This will have major implications across all levels of government. Comments from Michael Chameides (shuh-ME-diss), Hudson 3rd Ward representative, Columbia County Board of Supervisors.