Press Release, NYS Department of Education

ALBANY – The New York State Education Department today announced that the Board of Regents has authorized the Department to move forward with the next phase of NY Inspires, advancing plans to establish a single New York State high school diploma, sunset separate diploma assessment requirements, and refocus Regents examinations on measuring student achievement of State learning standards.

The action marks a significant step forward in New York’s multi-year transformation of graduation measures, developed following extensive statewide stakeholder engagement and the recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Graduation Measures.

Under the implementation plan, beginning with students graduating in 2028, New York will transition to one State high school diploma, and students will no longer be required to pass a prescribed set of Regents examinations to graduate.

Regents examinations will continue as rigorous statewide measures of student achievement. The Department will advance proposed regulatory amendments to the Board of Regents by February 2027 to implement the changes in the 2027-2028 school year.

Board of Regents Chancellor Lester W. Young, Jr. said, ”Every student in New York deserves access to rich, high‑quality learning experiences and meaningful opportunities to demonstrate what they know and can do. Advancing this work moves us closer to a more equitable system, one that upholds high expectations for all while ensuring that a student’s zip code, background, or circumstance never determines their opportunities for success.”

NY Inspires was announced in November 2024 and includes four major transformations:

• Adoption of the New York State Portrait of a Graduate;
• Redefining credits and learning experiences;
• Sunsetting separate diploma assessment requirements; and
• Moving to one New York State high school diploma.

The Board of Regents adopted the New York State Portrait of a Graduate in July 2025. With the Board’s authorization to advance the remaining transformations, the Department will now continue the policy, regulatory, guidance, and implementation work necessary to begin in the 2027-28 school year.

Regents Exams Will Continue, With a More Focused Purpose

As NY Inspires moves forward, Regents examinations will not be eliminated. Instead, their role will become more focused.

Regents exams were designed to measure student achievement of specific State learning standards. Under the new framework, they will continue to serve as rigorous measures of academic achievement but will no longer be a separate diploma requirement, beginning with students graduating in 2028.

Consistent with New York’s Educational Assessment Strategy, districts and schools will develop local assessment strategies that draw on multiple sources of evidence, including classroom assessments, student work, performance-based learning experiences, educator observations, and State assessments.

The Department has released initial guidance, a template, and a webinar to support districts in beginning this work and will continue to provide comprehensive resources as this transformation continues.

One New York State Diploma

NY Inspires will transition New York from the current local, Regents, and Regents with Advanced Designation diplomas to one New York State high school diploma. Students will continue to have opportunities to distinguish their accomplishments through State and locally developed seals and endorsements. The current Advanced Designation will transition to a seal or endorsement, preserving opportunities to recognize additional academic achievement.

The Department will continue partnering with educators, students, families, school leaders, higher education, employers, and other stakeholders to seek feedback as it develops the regulations, guidance, and supports necessary to implement these changes.

For more information on this transformation, please visit the New York Inspires website.

Ian Mackay wants to show what’s possible for wheelchair users with accessible outdoor infrastructure; Trip goes through Orleans County on Sept. 27-28

Provided photo: Ian Mackay will use mouth-controlled power wheelchair to travel the Erie Canal towpath. He is scheduled to pass through Orleans County on Sept. 27-28.

Press Release, Ian’s Ride

ALBANY TO BUFFALO – Ian Mackay, who is paralyzed from the neck down, will take on his next Big Ride, traveling 360 miles along New York’s historic Erie Canalway Trail in his power wheelchair Sept. 20-28.

The ride from Albany to Buffalo will highlight what’s possible for wheelchair users when accessible infrastructure makes outdoor recreation more inclusive. Mackay, founder and executive director of Ian’s Ride, a Port Angeles, Washington-based nonprofit, will travel through communities along the historic canal, drawing attention to the importance of accessible trails and the opportunities they create for people with mobility disabilities.

Following the ride will be the premiere of Good Moment, a feature-length documentary chronicling Mackay’s world-record ride in a mouth-controlled power wheelchair. The film explores Mackay’s determination, his relationship with the outdoors and the role of community and adaptive technology in making adventures like this possible.

“This is an opportunity to show what’s possible when people have access to the outdoors,” Mackay said. “The Erie Canalway Trail is an incredible piece of American history, and I’m excited to experience it with my friends, meet people along the way and continue pushing for trails that everyone can enjoy.”

The Erie Canalway Trail adventure builds on a series of long-distance rides that began in 2016, when Mackay crossed Washington state in his power wheelchair. Those experiences inspired the creation of Ian’s Ride, a nonprofit dedicated to making the outdoors more accessible for people living with paralysis and mobility disabilities.

Highlighting the importance of accessible infrastructure

The Erie Canalway Trail offers Mackay an opportunity to demonstrate how accessible public spaces can expand opportunities for people with disabilities to explore the outdoors, connect with communities and experience the history and beauty of their surroundings.

Kim Ridley, New York state chief disability officer, said the journey underscores the importance of inclusive outdoor environments.

“New York state is committed to building an inclusive outdoor environment where every individual, regardless of mobility, can experience the beauty and history of our state,” Ridley said. “Ian’s 370-mile journey along the historic Erie Canalway Trail highlights the critical importance of accessible public trails, recreational infrastructure, and community connection.”

Ridley said Mackay’s ride demonstrates how universal design and outdoor accessibility can create transformative experiences for residents and visitors of all abilities.

“We are proud to welcome Ian’s Ride to the Empire State and look forward to continuing our work toward a fully accessible New York,” she said.

New York State Canal Corp. Director Ben Walsh said the corporation shares Mackay’s commitment to expanding accessible outdoor recreation.

“We are proud to welcome Ian to the Erie Canalway Trail,” Walsh said. “Like Ian, we are on a mission to increase accessibility and promote accessible outdoor recreation, so we are thrilled to support him on his journey.”

Walsh encouraged people to join Mackay on the trail, adding that he looks forward to riding alongside him.

Rails to Trails Conservancy also is supporting the journey. Brandi Horton, the organization’s vice president of communications, said Ian’s Ride demonstrates how trails connect people to opportunities and bring communities together.

“When Ian and his team set out to tackle a trail ride, they prove the power of trails to build community, inviting partners like us to be part of the journey and introducing the importance of accessible outdoor recreation all along the way,” Horton said.

“The impact that Ian’s Ride delivers is invaluable, making clear that having safe ways to be active outside is not nice to have — it’s essential,” she said.

United Spinal Association, which advocates for people with mobility-related disabilities, also will support Mackay’s efforts to expand access to trails and parks.

“United Spinal Association is proud to support Ian’s Ride in its critical effort to open up the great outdoors to people of all abilities,” said Matt Castelluccio, the organization’s CEO. “Like Ian’s Ride, United Spinal Association is committed to helping people with mobility-related disabilities live their lives to the fullest.”

Castelluccio said the organization will continue working alongside Mackay to expand access to America’s trails and parks.

Join Ian on the trail

The Erie Canalway Trail ride is an opportunity for people to experience the trail alongside Mackay and learn more about the role accessible infrastructure plays in making outdoor recreation possible.

Community members and media are encouraged to join the ride for a portion of the journey, meet the group along the route and follow updates from the trail.

For more information about the ride, its itinerary and opportunities to participate, visit iansride.com/ride-the-erie.

About Ian’s Ride

Ian’s Ride is a Washington State-based nonprofit founded by Ian Mackay in 2016. The organization works to make the outdoors more accessible for people living with paralysis and mobility disabilities through inclusive rides, community partnerships and advocacy for accessible outdoor recreation.

The schedule includes:

• Day One (Explore NYC): Saturday, Sept. 19 – Battery Park, NYC → Elmsford for 28 miles
• Day Two (Start the Erie): Sunday, Sept. 20 – Albany/Waterford → Amsterdam for 47 miles
• Day Three: Monday, Sept. 21 – Amsterdam → Little Falls for 39 miles
• Day Four: Tuesday, Sept. 22 – Little Falls → Rome for 40 miles
• Day Five: Wednesday, Sept. 23 – Rome → Syracuse for 45 miles
• Day Six: Thursday, Sept. 24 – Syracuse → Weedsport for 26 miles
• Day Seven: Friday, Sept. 25 – Weedsport → Newark for 33 miles
• Day Eight: Saturday, Sept. 26 – Newark → Rochester for 34 miles
• Day Nine: Sunday, Sept. 27 – Rochester → Albion for 34 miles
• Day Ten: Monday, Sept. 28 – Albion → Buffalo for 46 miles

Average price in Orleans County now at $4.38 a gallon

Photo by Tom Rivers: The average price for regular unleaded is at $4.39 today at the Crosby’s in Albion, corner of routes 98 and 31. With the rewards card at 5 cents off, the price drops to $4.34.

The average price for regular unleaded gas jumped 16 cents nationally in the past week to $4.31 a gallon, while in New York State, the average is at $4.39, which is up 8 cents since last Monday, AAA reported.

A year ago the average prices were at $3.17 nationally and $3.25 in New York State.

In Orleans County, the price increased from $4.34 to $4.83.

“Volatility in the Strait of Hormuz has pushed crude oil back into the $100 to $110 per barrel range for the first time since July, sending pump prices to levels comparable to June,” AAA said in a  statement this morning for its weekly gas price report. “This September, the national average is rising during a period when gas prices typically decline due to lower seasonal demand.”

Diesel prices are at a record high. The national average is $6.23 per gallon, up 33 cents from last week. New York’s average diesel price is $6.17 per gallon, up 25 cents from last week and nearly double the $3.10 average recorded one year ago.

Here are the average prices around Western New York:

• Orleans, $4.383
• Genesee, $4.316
• Monroe, $4.302
• Niagara, $4.314
• Erie, $4.324
• Wyoming, $4.342
• Livingston, $4.319
• Chautauqua, $4.377
• Cattaraugus, $4.326
• Allegany, $4.343

Single filers with incomes under $150K to receive $100

Press Release, Governor Kathy Hochul’s Office

Photo courtesy of Governor’s Office:  Governor Kathy Hochul speaks on Aug. 20 in Webster for a celebration of Coca-Cola Company and Fairlife’s $650 million, state-of-the-art dairy production facility in Monroe County.

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that energy rebate checks up to $200 will be sent to 8.2 million households across New York State starting on September 21.

Checks will be mailed directly to eligible New Yorkers, with deliveries to continue through December. There is no need to apply, sign up or do anything to receive a check.

“As Washington Republicans continue to send the cost of everything from utility bills to gas and groceries soaring, I’ll never stop working to address the rising cost of living for New Yorkers,” Governor Hochul said. “Too many families are struggling with rising household energy bills and soaring gas prices at the pump — and that’s why we’re putting money directly back in New Yorkers’ pockets by sending energy rebate checks to millions of families as part of our affordability agenda.”

Governor Hochul’s enacted budget included a one-time $1 billion Protecting Our Wallets Energy Rebate (POWER) to help provide needed relief in the face of federal tariffs that have increased the cost of living across the board and President Trump’s war in Iran that has New Yorkers now paying on average $4.35 per gallon at the pumps, a 45% jump since the war began. Diesel has jumped 49% since the war began at the end of February to $5.98 per gallon.

POWER checks will provide $200 to joint filers with incomes under $150,000 and $150 to joint filers with incomes between $150,000 and $300,000. Single filers with incomes under $150,000 will receive $100. The rebates will be issued as advanced credit checks and will be mailed out between September and December.

Who’s Eligible for a POWER Check?

You are eligible for a rebate credit check if, for tax year 2024, you:

• Filed a timely New York State Resident Income Tax Return;
• Were a full-time resident for New York State;
• Reported income within the qualifying thresholds; and
• Were not claimed as a dependent on another taxpayer’s return.