Saturday, October 26, 2024

DEC Announces 20th Annual "Create a Watershed Superhero" Poster Contest for Middle School Students

 

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New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar and the New York Water Environment Association (NYWEA) announced the annual “Create a Watershed Superhero” poster contest for middle school students. The 2025 Create a Watershed Superhero poster theme challenges middle school students to create their own superhero to inspire environmental stewardship. 

 

“DEC is excited to launch the 20th ‘Create a Watershed Superhero’ poster contest, which for two decades has helped inspire New York's next generation of environmental stewards,” Interim Commissioner Mahar said. “DEC's annual poster contest encourages young people across New York State to become guardians of their watersheds and reminds all New Yorkers of the everyday actions each of us can take to protect and conserve precious water resources.”  

 

"This poster contest is one of the things that makes NYWEA members proud of what we do,” NYWEA Executive Director Khris Dodson said. “I am even more proud of all of the Watershed Superheroes we now have because of the involvement of the students and teachers who have participated throughout the years."  

 

Since 2004, the annual poster contest has encouraged thousands of middle school students across New York State to learn about their role in protecting local watersheds and how to conserve and safeguard water resources, now and for future generations. This is the fourth year of the superhero poster contest theme. Previous themes include "We All Live in a Watershed," "Conserve and Protect our Watersheds," and "The Importance of Wastewater Treatment."  

 

New York State teachers, schools, and clubs are advised to visit DEC's website for more information about participating in the 2024-25 school year contest. Posters will be accepted through Jan. 3, 2025. The 14 winning posters will be featured in DEC and NYWEA's 2026 Annual Calendar. 


The poster contest helps raise awareness of the importance of natural resources and the DEC programs that help manage sources of water pollution and improve water quality. Many lakes and rivers are managed through watershed programs that plan and initiate activities to protect and restore water quality. DEC is one of several New York State agencies funding projects to conserve water and protect water quality through statewide grant funding opportunities.  

 

To see if an area is covered by a Clean Watershed Plancheck out DECInfo Locator under the Environmental Monitoring layer category. To learn more about positive actions New Yorkers can take to protect New York's waters visit DEC's Keep Water Clean and Water Quality Management webpages.


Governor Hochul Announces Friendly Wager With Governor Newsom Ahead Of The Yankees-Dodgers World Series

Yankee Stadium

 

The Losing State's Governor Will Display the Winning Team's Memorabilia in Their Office for 24 Hours

First Yankees-Dodgers World Series Matchup Since 1981

Governor Kathy Hochul announced a friendly wager with California Governor Gavin Newsom ahead of the 2024 World Series between the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Dodgers. If the Yankees win, Governor Newsom will display Yankees memorabilia in his office for one day. If the Dodgers win, Governor Hochul will display Dodgers memorabilia in her office for one day.

“Here’s my wager to you Governor Newsom: If it turns out that I win — and I will — I’ll be requiring that you display some Yankees memorabilia in your office,” Governor Hochul said. “If the opposite occurs, we’ll talk about that then, but I’d have to do the same for you. Let’s play ball!”

California Governor Gavin Newsom said, “Game on, Governor Hochul! While I respect the Yankees' storied history, California knows how to win championships. As a proud San Franciscan, you won’t hear me say this often, but this year: Go Dodgers!”

The bet was announced Friday on Governor Hochul and Governor Newsom’s Twitter/X accounts.

The Yankees–Dodgers rivalry is one of baseball's most storied, dating back to the 1940s when the Dodgers were based in Brooklyn and the Yankees in the Bronx. Since then, the teams have met 11 times in the World Series — more than any other matchup — with the Yankees winning eight of those championships. The 2024 World Series will mark the twelfth meeting between the two teams.


State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli's Weekly News - MTA Faces Growing Fiscal Uncertainties

 

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MTA Faces Growing Fiscal Uncertainties

Subway train in NYC

After a brief period of financial stability secured by an infusion of State funds last year, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) now faces growing fiscal uncertainties and risks that create projected budget gaps that start at $211 million this year and increase to $652 million in 2028, according to a new report from State Comptroller DiNapoli. Those gaps could grow much wider if various budget risks that the MTA has identified come to pass.

“A year ago, the MTA was looking forward to a period of solid fiscal health, but its financial condition has quickly turned from stable back to uncertain,” DiNapoli said. “Paid ridership is not coming back as fast as the MTA hoped. With farebox and tax revenues down, a pause on congestion pricing and other financial risks, significant operating budget gaps could again be on the horizon. This is a very real and troubling possibility.”

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Better Oversight Needed at Juvenile Justice Facilities

The New York State Office of Children and Family Services is not adequately overseeing juvenile justice facilities outside New York City to ensure they meet State regulations for the health and safety of the youth and facility staff that are there, according to an audit released by State Comptroller DiNapoli.

“The Office of Children and Family Services needs to step up its oversight to make sure at-risk youth are getting the appropriate supervision and care, and staff have the required training,” DiNapoli said.

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Monitoring NYC’s Ongoing Recovery

State Comptroller DiNapoli’s industry sector dashboards provide monthly updates tracking New York City’s economic recovery from the pandemic. The most recent updates show that, for the second month in a row, NYC restaurant employment remains above pre-pandemic levels, while the City’s construction and retail sectors are experiencing stalled employment growth. These industries are essential for the City’s economic stability, and boosting job numbers is critical.

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