NY Gov. Hochul proposes $216 billion budget

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is proposing to increase aid to schools and school programs by $2.1 billion. Her budget plan includes investments in childcare and afterschool programs, an increase to the Tuition Assistance Program, and even a rainy day fund.

COVID emergency could end this year but virus may remain, WHO says

A leading World Health Organization official says the worst of the coronavirus pandemic — including deaths, hospitalizations and lockdowns — could be over this year if huge inequities in vaccinations and medicines are addressed quickly. But "we may never end the virus" because such pandemic viruses "end up becoming part of the ecosystem," the official said.