Morning Edition: Thruway faces $1.2B funding gap + free school lunch program update!
Plus, photos from a fiery incident along the Thruway in Seneca County, as well as hospital grades across the Finger Lakes. We also have your daily top-10 must read stories, and the photo of the day fr
Each day we bring you the biggest headlines and the stories that matter from the heart of the Finger Lakes. Our newsroom is locally owned-and-operated — keeping you informed and up-to-date every day of the year.
Thruway Authority faces massive funding gap: How will $1.2 billion be made up?
The New York State Thruway is facing a financial crisis, with a $1.2 billion funding gap projected through 2031, as per a recent report by TRIP, a national transportation research nonprofit. Despite an increase in annual trips and revenues from tolls and rest-stop sales, the report states that rising costs of highway and bridge improvements and increased reliance on borrowing will lead to a 171% increase in annual debt service. The current condition of the Thruway’s highways and bridges is anticipated to deteriorate over the next decade, based on the existing funding.
How many kids will qualify for free meals at school? Over 80%, per new data.
State lawmakers announced on Thursday that around 81% of New York school children will be eligible for free breakfast and lunch, thanks to combined state and federal aid for food programs. New York’s state budget allocated $134 million to supplement the expiration of some federal aid for meals. The final budget deal established a mechanism for schools participating in the federal Community Eligibility Program to receive reimbursements covering the costs of all meals not currently supported by the federal government. With the federal government reducing the qualification threshold for free meals from 40% to 25%, more schools will become eligible for the program.
No injuries after fiery incident on Thruway.
No major injuries were reported after firefighters from Clyde were dispatched to the a stretch of the Thruway in Seneca County yesterday. A pickup truck ignited into a fireball, prompting quick action from first responders to knock the flames down. The vehicle had to be towed from the scene.
More Stories For Friday, May 5th!
New York struggles in hospital grade update: How do Finger Lakes hospitals score?
Manchester Shortsville school district announces new superintendent
Spectrum 911 issue in Seneca County resolved: What’s causing this repeated problem?
Voters in Cato-Meridian will vote on propositions later this month
Inmate serving 25 year sentence attacked twice: NYSCOPBA claims its gang activity
Huron man charged after long investigation into crash: Found to have BAC over twice legal limit
Photo of the Day!
Steve Eichorn captured this awesome shot of a bird taking flight in an Ontario County backyard.
