Analysis links housing to red-state population gains Watch the full interview here.

As housing construction booms in red states, blue states are falling behind. That will likely boost Republicans in federal politics.

Thank you, @spectrumnewsny1.bsky.social for having New York Focus Senior Reporter @sammellins.bsky.social on the show to talk about his story.

Racing Investigator Resigns After New York Focus Investigation The investigator was initially placed on leave after New York Focus revealed that state gaming regulators ignored evidence of a massive horse doping ring.

@sammellins.bsky.social gets results nysfocus.com/2026/02/20/h...

Racing Investigator Resigns After New York Focus Investigation The investigator was initially placed on leave after New York Focus revealed that state gaming regulators ignored evidence of a massive horse doping ring.

Last month, my investigation revealed that state horse racing regulators spent years ignoring evidence of a major horse drugging ring.

Now, NY's top racing investigator has resigned to avoid being fired:

nysfocus.com/2026/02/20/h...

Hochul hopped on the anti-ICE train with some new, two-pronged legislation.

One proposal, to ban jail contracts, would be big.

The other... maybe not so much.

I've said it before: 287(g) is the red herring of local ICE collaboration.

From @liv-veazey.bsky.social and @sammellins.bsky.social:

FBI Wiretaps, Illegal Drugs, and Dead Horses The feds gave New York key evidence on horse racing’s largest doping ring. State regulators have done nothing with it for years.

And a report from @sammellins.bsky.social for @nysfocus.bsky.social on the largest doping scandal in horse racing history and the often sordid worlds of horse racing & New York State politics.

Antonio Delgado on Hochul's Big Speech, Mamdani, and More New York Focus interviewed Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado as he challenges his boss for the Democratic nomination for governor.

NEW: As Kathy Hochul seeks reelection this year, she's facing a challenge from her own lieutenant governor, Antonio Delgado.

New York Focus interviewed Delgado this week about his underdog campaign as he challenges his boss from the left.
nysfocus.com/2026/01/16/a...

FBI Wiretaps, Illegal Drugs, and Dead Horses The feds gave New York key evidence on horse racing’s largest doping ring. State regulators have done nothing with it for years.

AJP-supported @nysfocus.bsky.social uncovered that state regulators long-ignored evidence of illegal drug use in horse racing. Now, a state investigation is underway, and an official is on leave. Read the reporting:

Antonio Delgado on Hochul's Big Speech, Mamdani, and More New York Focus interviewed Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado as he challenges his boss for the Democratic nomination for governor.

I interviewed Lt. Governor Antonio Delgado about Hochul's big speech this week, Mamdani, and why he's running for governor:

nysfocus.com/2026/01/16/a...

Governor Hochul and Lawmakers Call for Consequences for Horse Doping State regulators ignored FBI evidence of horse drug purchases for years. That was a “huge failing,” a key assemblymember said.

After we revealed years of state inaction on horse drugging last week, the NY gaming commission opened an investigation.

Now Gov Hochul says there should be "consequences" for dopers. Other top lawmakers echoed her statement.

nysfocus.com/2026/01/16/h...

Illegal horse doping and tax-payer funded prizes?

A must-read investigation by @sammellins.bsky.social

We Investigated Horse Drugging. Here's What We Found. New York racing regulators have failed to take action against drug buyers for years, even after federal law enforcement gave them clear evidence.

NEW: New York regulators got FBI evidence of a massive cheating scandal in horse racing. They ignored it.

5 takeaways from our investigation: nysfocus.com/2026/01/08/t...

FBI Wiretaps, Illegal Drugs, and Dead Horses The feds gave New York key evidence on horse racing’s largest doping ring. State regulators have done nothing with it for years.

NEW: New York regulators got FBI evidence of a massive cheating scandal in horse racing.

They ignored it.

nysfocus.com/2026/01/07/h...

FBI Wiretaps, Illegal Drugs, and Dead Horses The feds gave New York key evidence on horse racing’s largest doping ring. State regulators have done nothing with it for years.

Big, important story on how New York has turned a blind eye to illicit drugs in harness racing.

nysfocus.com/2026/01/07/h...

FBI Wiretaps, Illegal Drugs, and Dead Horses The feds gave New York key evidence on horse racing’s largest doping ring. State regulators have done nothing with it for years.

NEW: NY got evidence from the FBI of a massive horse doping ring, and did nothing about it.

Many of the dopers are still racing and winning today.

nysfocus.com/2026/01/07/h...

Here's Every Bill That Kathy Hochul Vetoed in 2025 One hundred and forty laws that almost were.

One hundred and forty laws that almost were.

Here are some highlights among the scores of bills Hochul vetoed in 2025.

nysfocus.com/2025/12/23/h...

NY's Home Health Aides Will Get New Insurance A health insurer offering shoddy coverage to low-wage workers at taxpayer expense will be replaced next year. But will what comes next be any better?

NEW: A health insurer offering shoddy coverage to low-wage workers at taxpayer expense will be replaced next year. But will what comes next be any better?
nysfocus.com/2025/12/09/n...

State Senator Vows to Tackle Foreclosure ‘Injustice’ After NY… In response to reporting by New York Focus and Gothamist, State Senator Zellnor Myrie has introduced a bill to standardize debt calculations.

NEW: New York state Senator Zellnor Myrie has introduced new legislation to impose consistent standards on foreclosure auction sales following a New York Focus and @gothamist.com investigation into widespread irregularities that can cost former homeowners thousands of dollars.

Big Banks Accused of ‘Systematic Fraud’ in New York Foreclosure… An investigation by New York Focus and Gothamist found lenders are using a disputed method of calculating debts in thousands of foreclosures and taking…

NEW: A @gothamist.com and New York Focus investigation reviewed more than 7,000 New York foreclosure cases and found that a disputed calculation may have cost hundreds of homeowners thousands of dollars.

Our reporting on federal cuts to public media was featured on @lastweektonight.com with John Oliver!

Because of the congressional cuts, New York public media will lose at least $57 million. 27 media organizations in New York, including 18 public radio and TV stations, count on this funding.

VIDEO: Federal Agents Bust Into Queens Apartment, Pointing Guns at Mother and Her Four Kids

www.thecity.nyc/2025/11/19/q...

Zohran Mamdani’s Next Big Battle Is in Albany - The American Prospect Mamdani convinced New York City voters to back his agenda—now he needs to convince Albany politicians. The money his administration needs to fund his priorities will not be won without a fight.

The story I've been wanting to read is about the actual obstacles in Albany to Mayor-elect Mamdani's agenda, what the political dynamics are, and what might be the competition for any revenue increases. Our friends at @nysfocus.bsky.social told that story and we're proud to elevate it.

It’s Not Just Mamdani: Progressives Rack Up Victories Upstate Working Families Party–backed candidates flipped county legislatures, won big-city mayoralties, and secured an Assembly seat in Elise Stefanik’s backyard.

NEW: Voters didn’t just elect a socialist mayor in New York City.

They also voted in progressive candidates in several of the state’s largest cities, flipped county legislatures blue, and chose a new Democratic assemblymember in US Representative Elise Stefanik’s backyard.

Zohran Mamdani’s Next Big Battle is in Albany Mamdani convinced New York City voters to back his agenda. Now he needs to convince Albany politicians.

Zohran Mamdani scored a historic, decisive win last night.

His next battle: Getting Albany to give NYC the cash it needs for his ambitious agenda.

nysfocus.com/2025/11/05/z...

Zohran Mamdani’s Next Big Battle is in Albany Mamdani convinced New York City voters to back his agenda. Now he needs to convince Albany politicians.

NEW: Zohran Mamdani made history last night, romping to a decisive victory over former Governor Andrew Cuomo in New York City’s mayoral election.

In January, he will become New York’s first Muslim mayor, first immigrant mayor in 50 years, and youngest mayor in a century.

Helpful explainer on a confusing ballot prop!

In its endorsement of Andrew Cuomo, the NY Sun compares him to the biblical Jephthah, who literally sacrificed his own daughter:

New York Launches Organ Donation Program, Ending Years of Delay The rollout follows years of reporting by New York Focus on delays and missed deadlines.

The state health department announced that it is launching the Living Donor Support Program, which will reimburse organ donors up to $14,000 for their medical expenses and recovery-related costs.

nysfocus.com/2025/10/28/n...

New York Launches Organ Donation Program, Ending Years of Delay The rollout follows years of reporting by New York Focus on delays and missed deadlines.

Following years of accountability reporting from @nysfocus.bsky.social, the state health department has finally launched a program to boost organ donation rates by reimbursing donors for their medical costs. My report:

nysfocus.com/2025/10/28/n...

Hochul Hits Pause on Hudson Valley Highway Expansion Reporting from New York Focus last year found that the project would save drivers six minutes max, at a cost of $1.3 billion.

NEW: A controversial highway expansion in the Hudson Valley has been delayed after pushback from transportation planners and environmentalists.

Last year, New York Focus reported that the project would cost the state at least $1.3 billion and save drivers just one to six minutes.

Adams Locks In Big Apple Connect Through 2028, One Day Before… The renewal locks New York City into well over $100 million in costs for the controversial program.

NYC #civictech could decry Eric Adams' last-hour renewal of the opaque Big Apple Connect program, in a giveaway to Altice USA and Spectrum.

Story by Zachary Groz for @nysfocus.bsky.social,who is staying on the #govtech beat in NYC and nine-figure spending favors by the insider-driven Adams admin: