southern tier

Republican incumbent lawmakers and candidates rallied together in Elmira on Wednesday at the Elk’s Lodge downtown. The event was meant to get voters to the polls for Election Day and showcased the GOP ticket for state and federal office.

Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state disaster emergency this week in response to the measles outbreak across rural areas of New York including the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regions. The declaration comes as Steuben County reported its 17th case on Tuesday.

Local organizations continue to endorse Aaron Gies, the Democratic candidate for New York’s 23rd Congressional District, as he faces scrutiny over his brother-in-law’s criminal history.

The school board for the Corning-Painted Area School District approved a $150.7 million budget Wednesday. The proposed budget increased $6.4 million over last year and the district kept it within the tax cap at a 2.56 percent tax levy.

The WSKG News team is reporting on the state of school districts in our region. We want to hear from you.

Langworthy, a Republican, represents New York’s 23rd congressional district, including Tioga and Chemung counties and parts of Schuyler and Steuben counties.

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) is offering up to $500,000 for business and community grant opportunities in the Southern Tier.

Nationwide “No Kings” rallies on Saturday will also be happening across the Southern Tier. The protests are in response to what some organizations are calling “authoritarian actions” by the Trump administration since taking office for a second term in January.

A $9.4 billion rescission package is now in the hands of Congress. President Trump is asking to cancel federal funding for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). Southern Tier Rep. Nick Langworthy (R-NY23) supports the funding cuts.

Pride gatherings will take place this month across the region, including in Elmira, Ithaca, Binghamton, Corning and Waverly. Pride events in Elmira kickoff with an arts festival in Wisner Park on June 7.