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Election Day is just two weeks away! A recent poll from Quinnipiac University shows Gov. Kathy Hochul with a 14-point lead over Republican Challenger Bruce Blakeman. We'll dive into the status of the race for New York's Attorney General and Comptroller as well as the Democratic Socialist candidates slated to head to Congress next year. Kate Lisa, of City and State New York, and Alexander MacDougall, from the Times Union, join us for a reporter's roundtable. NY& Climate is back! WMHT Producer Dana Wright examines the harm of Algal Blooms, their causes and how to spot them.   EXPLORE MORE: nynow.org

Gov. Kathy Hochul and Republican Gubernatorial Challenger Bruce Blakeman met for their first and only debate of the campaign season. The two clashed over President Donald Trump, immigration, the Cornell University sexual assault case, the state's cost of living, and more. Alex Gault of the Watertown Daily Times and Austin Jefferson of Streetsblog NYC join us to unpack the debate highlights and what to expect from the candidates as they prepare for election day. We dive into the competitive race for New York's 19th Congressional District between Democratic Incumbent Rep. Josh Riley and Republican Challenger Peter Oberacker.   EXPLORE MORE: nynow.org

We unpack the race for New York 20th Congressional District Representative between longtime Rep. Paul Tonko and Republican Challenger Ralph Ambrosio. The NY-20 Congressional Candidates will meeting for a LIVE televised debate on October 15th at the WMHT studio hosted by the Upstate Debate Consortium. We dive into the impact of Gov. Kathy Hochul's moratorium on A.I. data centers across the state and how A.I. companies are working with local municipalities.   EXPLORE MORE: nynow.org

Murad Awawdeh, president of the New York Immigration Coalition, joins us to unpack ICE harassment and immigration policies signed into law earlier this year that could have an impact. In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, we examine what discrimination looks like for Hispanic small businesses today, including challenges in the state's Minority Women-Owned Business Enterprise or MWBE program.    EXPLORE MORE: nynow.org

Assembly Member John McDonald (D - Parts of Albany, Rensselaer and Saratoga Counties) joins us to unpack a bill that would help the state navigate the elimination of pennies and another bill prohibiting the sale of nitrous oxide. The lack of affordable housing has become a pertinent issue across the state. We examine how state lawmakers are hoping to provide legislative support to New Yorkers feeling the burden of housing costs.

New York is one of eleven states in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, RGGI. Jon Binder, executive director of the Model Climate Laws Initiative, joins us to unpack the impact of the program and the latest updates. About 8 million New York households will receive utility rebate checks - an initiative from this year's enacted state budget. Samuel King, of WXXI and the NYPNN, joins us to discuss the measure's journey through budget negotiations and utility priorities next year.   EXPLORE MORE: nynow.org

This week marks the 25th Anniversary of the September 11th attacks. We connect with 9/11 survivors to understand the severity of long-lasting health issues from the attacks and dive into the challenges with the federal 9.11 World Trade Center Health Program. David Lombardo, of WCNY's The Capitol Pressroom, sat down with POLITICO's Marie French to understand the coordinated effort from utility companies to gain control of power plants across the state.   EXPLORE MORE: nynow.org

David Lombardo, of WCNY's The Capitol Pressroom, sits down with Dr. Chinazo Cunningham, Commissioner of the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports, to unpack the state's opioid settlement funds and the work to help with addiction recovery efforts. The Great New York State Fair is back! Shantel Destra and Elise Kline take a day trip to Syracuse to experience the fun fair traditions and new attractions.   EXPLORE MORE: nynow.org

On This Week's Edition Watch this week's show on your local PBS member station, or watch on YouTube, Facebook, or using the free PBS app anytime after Friday. A podcast version is available wherever you normally get podcasts. Newly minted Democratic Campaign Committee Chair State Sen. Shelley Mayer (D - S.D. 37)  joins us to discuss the goals of the committee, competitive races this year, and the future of the Democratic Party. We dive into the impact of climate change on rare aquatic species and ecosystems. We also examine therole of New York state agencies and lawmakers in addressing the issue as well as funding for fish hatcheries.

New York State Lawmakers and Child Abuse Advocates are calling on Gov. Kathy Hochul to sign Kyra's Law. The bill's sponsor, Assembly Member Andrew Hevesi (D-Child and Families Committee Chair)  joins us to unpack the bill and how the state can expand support for victims. David Lombardo, of the WCNY's The Capitol Pressroom, and POLITICO'S Nick Reisman have an in-depth roundtable discussion on the potential impact of the incoming progressive and DSA members to the state legislature.   Explore More: nynow.org

New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Barbara Guinn unpacks the issue of EBT benefit fraud, the rollout of chip based benefit cards and funding for the office. We dive into the challenges of the legal cannabis industry and the New York State Office of Cannabis Management - including lack of regulation and the enforcement of licenses. New York lawmakers have passed legislation to help crack down on illegal cannabis shops and provide better support to the workforce.   EXPLOR MORE: nynow.org

Gov. Kathy Hochul and State Attorney General Letitia James announce the standards for the Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation (SAFE) for Kids Act. Assembly Member Phil Steck (D - 110th A.D., Colonie) unpacks legislation requiring social media companies to comply with law enforcement warrants within 72 hours. Rory Christian, Chair and CEO of the New York State Public Service Commission, details the changes to reporting standards for the rate hikes for utility companies and the expanded powers of the commission from the enacted state budget.   EXPLORE MORE: nynow.org

It's been one year since New York unveiled the Master Plan for Aging - a comprehensive roadmap for the state's efforts in supporting elder adults. Sebrina Barrett, President and CEO of LeadingAge New York, joins us to discuss the impact of the plan and state progress so far. State lawmakers and health advocates are hoping Gov. Kathy Hochul will sign legislation to improve health data privacy in the state by expanding the definition of health data to include sensitive information on phone applications and devices.   EXPLORE MORE: nynow.org

Gov. Kathy Hochul signed an executive order placing a one-year moratorium on A.I. data centers -- making New York the first state in the nation to place a restriction on the growing A.I. industry. SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. joins us to discuss the one year anniversary of SUNY Reconnect, the expansion of the program and the state funds needed to support the university system. Kelli Owens, executive director of the New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence, spoke with David Lombardo, of WCNY's The Capitol Pressroom, about the recent comptroller's report highlighting issues with the state's domestic violence support hotline.   EXPLORE MORE: nynow.org

We dive into a bill that would establish a ban on surveillance pricing in the state. If passed, New York would be the third state in the country to implement this policy. Laura Rabinow, director of research for the Rockefeller Institute of Government, unpacks the role of dams in New York and why several have been deemed hazardous.   EXPLORE MORE: nynow.org