Researchers at the Wesleyan Media Project found over $187 million spent on nearly 300 AI-generated or AI-enhanced political ads this election cycle, with more than 90% of that spending coming from Republican campaigns or allied groups. CNBC identified undisclosed AI-generated ads targeting New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Texas Senate candidate James Talarico, circulating on platforms like YouTube and X without clear labeling despite roughly 30 state laws addressing AI disclosure in political advertising.
cnbc.com
· 2026-11-03
Governor Kathy Hochul signed an executive order in July creating a one-year pause on new data center development in New York, after the state legislature had passed a broader moratorium bill. Activists like Adrienne Yocina, who has spent two years fighting a proposed 600-megawatt facility near the Tonawanda Seneca Nation's reservation, say nearly four months into the pause they remain uncertain whether Hochul will sign stronger legislation or ensure proper environmental review.
wired.com
· 2026-11-01
Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation mandating AI companies offer age verification methods, at least one not solely reliant on government ID, and delete collected age data after use. For users under 18 or unverified as adults, chatbots are barred from pretending to be human, claiming personal relationships, discussing self-harm or suicide, or sharing sexually explicit content. Violations can bring civil penalties up to $25,000 each plus damages, with the law taking effect in six months.
engadget.com
· 2026-10-28
New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a disaster emergency on Monday in response to a measles outbreak, as national case counts reached their highest level in 35 years. Hochul said no one should become seriously ill or die from a vaccine-preventable disease.
gizmodo.com
· 2026-10-06
MSG owner James Dolan and his family have donated roughly $108,000 directly to Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman, the Nassau County executive who is trailing Governor Kathy Hochul by nine points or more in most polls. Blakeman has proposed expanded surveillance infrastructure, including license plate readers and biometric tracking along the city-suburb border, and supports data centers, AI deepfakes, Flock surveillance, ICE and private militias. Dolan previously donated to Hochul in the last election cycle and has also given significant sums to Trump's 2020 campaign and the RNC.
wired.com
· 2026-10-01
New York Attorney General Letitia James and Governor Kathy Hochul filed suit against Polymarket, alleging the prediction-market platform operates without a required gambling license and fails to pay state taxes. The suit, filed in Manhattan under Executive Law 63(12), also claims Polymarket markets its products to users aged 18 to 20, below the state's 21-year minimum for mobile sports betting. It follows a similar lawsuit against rival platform Kalshi filed roughly two months earlier.
techspot.com
· 2026-09-26
New York filed a lawsuit against Polymarket in state court, alleging the platform runs unlicensed gambling and asking a judge to block it from operating in the state. The state is seeking fines and restitution for users, arguing Polymarket never obtained a required gaming license. Polymarket's chief legal officer said the company will fight the claims and remain in New York.
fastcompany.com
· 2026-09-25
New York's attorney general and governor announced a lawsuit against Polymarket, accusing it of running an unlicensed gambling operation disguised as a prediction market. The state claims Polymarket allows users as young as 18 to bet, violating New York's rule requiring bettors to be at least 21, and is avoiding taxes that licensed gambling operators must pay. The state is asking a court to shut down Polymarket's operations within New York.
arstechnica.com
· 2026-09-24
New York Attorney General Letitia James and Governor Kathy Hochul filed a lawsuit against Polymarket's domestic arm, alleging it operates as an unlicensed gambling business and permits underage betting. The suit follows similar actions James has brought against Kalshi, Coinbase Financial Markets and Gemini Titan.
engadget.com
· 2026-09-24
New York Governor Kathy Hochul's administration released a Community Investment Framework advising local governments on negotiating with data center developers. The guide recommends towns demand roughly $1 million per megawatt of power demand in community investment, alongside plans covering long-term maintenance, site abandonment, and phased funding timelines.
tomshardware.com
· 2026-09-17
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