Key 965 | radioNOVO News NY News Roundup for April 27, 2026

Good morning,New York State is heading to court over a major funding dispute with the federal government. Officials say the state could lose roughly 74 million dollars in highway funding tied to commercial driver’s license policies for immigrants. The state has filed a lawsuit challenging the decision, arguing it followed existing rules and calling the potential funding loss unfair.In Albany, a proposal backed by Governor Kathy Hochul to create protest buffer zones is drawing mixed reaction among Democrats. The plan would ban protests within 25 feet of houses of worship and certain health care facilities, following incidents where demonstrators surrounded worshippers. Supporters say the measure protects people from harassment, while critics—including civil liberties groups—argue it could violate free speech rights and face legal challenges. Lawmakers remain divided as budget negotiations continue, and no final agreement has been reached on whether the proposal will be included.In environmental news, a prominent advocacy group is suing New York City over a new land-use agreement in the Catskills. The lawsuit claims the plan allows expanded development—including renewable energy and utility infrastructure—on protected watershed lands without proper environmental review. City officials say the agreement is critical to maintaining the region’s water supply and avoiding the need for a costly filtration system.Meanwhile, New York Attorney General Letitia James is taking legal action against major cryptocurrency platforms Coinbase and Gemini. The lawsuits allege the companies are operating illegal prediction markets, allowing users to wager on future events in violation of state gambling laws. The companies argue those markets are federally regulated, setting up a broader legal fight that could have national implications.And in Albany, lawmakers continue to weigh key policy and funding priorities as the legislative session moves forward. Officials say ongoing debates over infrastructure, public safety, and economic development could shape spending decisions in the weeks ahead, with budget talks now running past their original deadline.More News on our radioNOVO App, Codi Gaboff, radioNOVO News — a service of Seven Mountains Media.