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Emilie Munson

@emiliemunson.bsky.social
1.3K followers 607 following 181 posts

Investigative reporter @startribune.com // Previously data @timesunion.com, chasing politicians in DC and CT// tips? emilie.munson@startribune.com

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Emilie Munson @emiliemunson.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Peace groups call it a “betrayal”. The GOP calls it “the swamp.” How Rep. Betty McCollum’s advocacy for Minnesota’s defense sector is landing after a @startribune.com investigation www.startribune.com/peace-groups...
startribune.com
Peace groups call McCollum’s defense work a ‘betrayal’; GOP rival calls it ‘the swamp’
Without U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum’s advocacy, supporters say other states would benefit at Minnesota’s expense.
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Emilie Munson @emiliemunson.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
A powerful appropriator, U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum of Minnesota has wielded her influence to help Minnesota companies access hundreds of millions in Pentagon spending in recent years. Defense contractors are rewarding her campaign with cash www.startribune.com/betty-mccoll...
startribune.com
Betty McCollum became Minnesota’s pipeline to the Pentagon. The defense industry took notice.
With help from a former staffer turned lobbyist, the powerful Democrat and occasional critic of Pentagon spending is helping fund Minnesota’s defense industry. Defense donors are opening their wallets...
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Emilie Munson @emiliemunson.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
Mike Lindell is now registered to vote in Minnesota, the state where he is running for governor as Trump's endorsed candidate. @startribune.com was the first to report last week that he was not registered www.startribune.com/mike-lindell...
startribune.com
Mike Lindell, now registered to vote, blames state for report that he was not
After registering Monday, the MyPillow CEO and Republican candidate for governor questioned Minnesota’s election system, though state officials stand by their records.
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Emilie Munson @emiliemunson.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
He's been battling the IRS over a $6 million tax debt. The government placed a lien on his house. His wages were garnished. More details on Mike Lindell's finances from court depositions as he runs for governor of Minnesota www.startribune.com/in-2024-lind...
startribune.com
Lindell had wages garnished, IRS lien on Texas house in 2024
The Republican candidate for governor said in sworn depositions that a failed COVID-19 investment compounded his financial struggles. He insists the tax dispute will be resolved.
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Emilie Munson @emiliemunson.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
My 1st @startribune.com byline: How Vance Boelter’s federal guilty plea could make some answers about his motive and the manhunt harder to get. Many questions remain about his shocking murder of Melissa Hortman and her husband and shooting of John Hoffman app.startribune.com/story/601856...
app.startribune.com
Boelter guilty plea could hide answers about motive and manhunt
The plea secures a life sentence and spares Vance Boelter the death penalty, but it may also close off one of the public’s best opportunities to understand what happened and why.
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Paul Walsh @pwalshstrib.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
www.startribune.com/suspect-jail...
startribune.com
Suspect jailed, quickly released soon after fatal shooting in northwest Minnesota home
The gunfire erupted in connection with a disturbance, police said.
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Emilie Munson @emiliemunson.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
Big news: it’s my first day as an investigative reporter at @startribune.com. I am thrilled to be joining this incredible newsroom. I’ll be relocating to Minneapolis by the end of the month. Reach me at my new email emilie.munson@startribune.com or on signal at emiliemunson.68
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Emilie Munson @emiliemunson.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
My last story for the @timesunion.com published today: I found numerous nonprofits across the U.S. made campaign contributions to candidates, parties and PACs that may violate federal law. Give it a read! www.timesunion.com/capitol/arti...
timesunion.com
Across U.S., nonprofits are making possible illegal campaign donations
Charities are engaging in prohibited election activity as the IRS neglects enforcement of a longstanding federal law.
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Emilie Munson @emiliemunson.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Today is my last day @timesunion.com. I've been at Hearst Newspapers for almost 10 years and the TU for the last half dozen, so it's incredibly bittersweet to say goodbye. I've learned so much from all my colleagues and editors. I'm proud of the journalism we did together.
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Emilie Munson @emiliemunson.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
NEWS: NY State Educate Dept review finds upstate district placed five students with disabilities in wooden boxes and held the door shut. The district violated education regulations and has been ordered to change its practices www.timesunion.com/education/ar...
timesunion.com
State finds school district put 5 students in wooden boxes with door held shut
An investigation by the New York State Education Department found the Salmon River Central School District violated many state regulations when it confined students in wooden “timeout boxes.”
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The New York Times @nytimes.com · 13/05/2026
Breaking News: A former New York judge was arrested and accused of defrauding investors of millions of dollars, including by offering fake real estate deals in New Jersey.
nyti.ms
Former Brooklyn Judge Arrested in Real Estate Fraud Case
The former judge, Edward Harold King, and a Brooklyn real estate investor are accused of defrauding investors of millions of dollars in a deal in New Jersey.
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Casey Seiler @caseyseiler.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
The state Health Department @nysdoh.bsky.social has a massive backlog of FOIL requests. The agency couldn't even be bothered to offer @emiliemunson.bsky.social a response as to why that was so or what it's doing to reduce it.
timesunion.com
Families wait years due to NY Health Department records backlog p
The New York State Department of Health has a records backlog of thousands across vital records and Freedom of Information Law requests. It's damaging lawsuits, citizenship efforts and research.
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Sammy Sussman @sammysussman.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
NEW, for @nysfocus.com: Last month, we obtained hours of body-cam from Oswego County. It showed sheriff's deputies pulling over drivers — and if the drivers didn't speak English, the deputies called Border Patrol. Some drivers were held for 30+ min while BP responded. nysfocus.com/2026/05/07/o...
nysfocus.com
Videos Show Upstate NY Cops Calling Border Patrol on Drivers
Oswego County sheriff’s deputies held drivers for up to 45 minutes as they waited for immigration agents, potentially breaking the law.
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Casey Seiler @caseyseiler.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
The Fonda Fair, which is operated by a nonprofit, has been promoting Anthony Constantino’s congressional campaign — a likely violation of the law. @emiliemunson.bsky.social reports. www.timesunion.com/capitol/arti...
timesunion.com
A local fair promoted Constantino's campaign. It was likely illegal.
The Fonda Fair repeatedly promoted events for congressional hopeful Anthony Constantino likely in violation of the law which prohibits certain nonprofits from supporting political campaigns.
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Emilie Munson @emiliemunson.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
Syracuse University donated to the campaign of its former rowing coach. An affordable housing nonprofit gave to the re-election of a mayor who was helping it ink a new project deal. These contributions and many more were forbidden by state and fed law www.timesunion.com/capitol/arti...
timesunion.com
These colleges and big nonprofits likely made illegal campaign donations
Syracuse University, Le Moyne College, Bryant & Stratton College, the Binghamton Philharmonic, Munson Williams Proctor Arts Institute and more are on the list.
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Emilie Munson @emiliemunson.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
NEWS: large nonprofits like Syracuse University, Le Moyne College, Bryant & Stratton College, Liberty Affordable Housing, Binghamton Philharmonic and more have made prohibited contributions to PACs and candidates timesunion.com/capitol/arti...
timesunion.com
These colleges and big nonprofits likely made illegal campaign donations
Syracuse University, Le Moyne College, Bryant & Stratton College, the Binghamton Philharmonic, Munson Williams Proctor Arts Institute and more are on the list.
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Emilie Munson @emiliemunson.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
News: NY elections officials have sued nearly 300 campaigns and PACs as they step up their enforcement of state election law www.timesunion.com/capitol/arti...
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Lois Norder @gainvestigate.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
Will the IRS take action against tax-exempt nonprofits that violate the law by participating in election activities? Some are foreign-influenced nonprofits; others are churches, health care groups and youth organizations. www.timesunion.com/news/article...
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Emilie Munson @emiliemunson.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
FIRST in @timesunion.com: Leaders of 2 Congressional committees wrote to the IRS asking for a briefing from the IRS on how the agency is addressing “threats to our political institutions” from tax-exempt nonprofits, esp those subject to Chinese influence www.timesunion.com/news/article...
timesunion.com
Congressional committees demand IRS briefing on nonprofit election interference
Leaders of the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee and Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party want the tax agency to scrutinize foreign influence and nonprofits.
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Eric Geller @ericjgeller.com · 07/04/2026
No big deal just a solar eclipse as seen from the moon streamed to us here on Earth by astronauts who are farther away from their home planet than any human has ever been
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maddy varner @regret.bsky.social · 06/04/2026
NEW: I found IRS paperwork for several nonprofits whose addresses matched Border Patrol stations. Some of the groups, named after the military's "morale, welfare, and recreation" program, were selling challenge coins commemorating last year's enforcement surges: www.wired.com/story/us-bor...
wired.com
Border Patrol Agents Sold Challenge Coins With ‘Charlotte’s Web’ Characters in Riot Gear
Nonprofits run out of US Border Patrol stations are also selling other “operation”-themed coins that include a phrase popularized by the Proud Boys, potentially in violation of government rules.
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Emilie Munson @emiliemunson.bsky.social · 03/04/2026
Increasingly American politics is being funded by nonprofits that do not have to disclose their donors. The growth is particularly stark on the left, reports @nytimes.com @teddyschleifer.bsky.social and @datab.ae www.nytimes.com/2026/04/03/u...
nytimes.com
Wealthy Donors Are Hiding Political Money in Secretive Nonprofits
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Emilie Munson @emiliemunson.bsky.social · 03/04/2026
ICE arrested more people in NY in Nov, Dec and Jan than any other months going back to 2022, new data shows. More details on ICE enforcement in NY in @timesunion.com www.timesunion.com/news/article...
timesunion.com
ICE arrests spiked in New York from November to January
ICE arrested more people in New York from November to January than any other time since 2022. Arrests took place across the state from New York City courthouses to the Canadian border.
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Emilie Munson @emiliemunson.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
Welcome to Hearst!
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Casey Seiler @caseyseiler.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
BREAKING: The Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany is offering a $148M settlement to resolve the hundreds of sexual abuse lawsuits that forced it into bankruptcy three years ago. Brendan Lyons reports. www.timesunion.com/capitol/arti...
timesunion.com
Albany diocese announces $148M settlement to resolve abuse lawsuits
The proposed deal must be approved by a victims committee and a bankruptcy judge; litigation against the diocese's insurers could continue.
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Emilie Munson @emiliemunson.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
IMPACT: in 5 days since @timesunion.com published my reporting on illegal nonprofit electioneering in NY, the state elections board issued a new warning, a U.S. Congresswoman wrote to the IRS demanding action, a Syracuse city auditor started a probe and more www.timesunion.com/capitol/arti...
timesunion.com
Congresswoman demands IRS probe of illegal nonprofit election activity
After a Times Union investigation, NY elections officials issued a new warning, a city auditor has launched a probe and candidates and nonprofits have begun refunding donations.
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Emilie Munson @emiliemunson.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
UPDATE: In response to this investigation, Rep. Claudia Tenney sent a letter to the IRS demanding the agency take action against these nonprofits. The state elections board issued a new warning, Syracuse city auditor started a probe and much more... www.timesunion.com/capitol/arti...
timesunion.com
Congresswoman demands IRS probe to illegal nonprofit election activity
After a Times Union investigation, NY elections officials issued a new warning, a city auditor has launched a probe and candidates and nonprofits have begun refunding donations.
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Emilie Munson @emiliemunson.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
More 501(c)(3) nonprofits making illegal contributions are located in Brooklyn than anywhere else in NY, although Manhattan has 40,000 more registered nonprofits than Brooklyn. I found more than a dozen cases of them making endorsements, promoting election fundraisers and displaying campaign signs
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Emilie Munson @emiliemunson.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
NEWS: Hundreds of NY nonprofits that are prohibited from engaging in election activity have been making contributions to candidates in violation of state and federal law. Many told the IRS under penalty of perjury that made no such donations. Read more with gift 🔗 www.timesunion.com/capitol/arti...
timesunion.com
Hundreds of nonprofits made illegal campaign contributions in NY
Hundreds of New York nonprofits made illegal political donations in the last decade, a Times Union investigation finds. Many of them claimed they made no such contributions in federal tax...
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Dave Levinthal @davelevinthal.com · 22/03/2026
Tremendous investigation by @emiliemunson.bsky.social of @timesunion.com: www.timesunion.com/capitol/arti...
timesunion.com
Hundreds of nonprofits made illegal campaign contributions in NY
Hundreds of New York nonprofits made illegal political donations in the last decade, a Times Union investigation finds. Many of them claimed they made no such contributions in federal tax...
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Casey Seiler @caseyseiler.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
Great reporting from @emiliemunson.bsky.social. More evidence that New York’s enforcement of campaign finance law is, to be generous, porous in the extreme.
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Emilie Munson @emiliemunson.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
My latest for @timesunion.com
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Emilie Munson @emiliemunson.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
It's the end of 🌞Sunshine Week🌞, celebrating public records and government transparency, so take this opportunity to exercise your right and file a records request if you haven't already! I've filed 5 this week
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Emilie Munson @emiliemunson.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
SCOOP: A special education teacher was arrested in the district that used wooden 'timeout boxes' with students. A parent told police the teacher put her child in a closet and poked with with tooth picks. Much more in @timesunion.com www.timesunion.com/news/article...
timesunion.com
Special education teacher arrested in NY district roiled by ‘timeout box’ controversy
Karrie Haverstock, a teacher at the Salmon River Central School District, was arrested by the New York State Police on Wednesday.
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Steven Rich @datab.ae · 16/03/2026
happy sunshine week! go file an open records request. you do not have to be a journalist to do it and i highly recommend that everyone file at least one at some point and learn about how your government (federal, state, local, all of the above) works!
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Emilie Munson @emiliemunson.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
An uncredentialed "behaviorist" directed an upstate NY school district to use wooden "timeout" boxes to confine elementary schoolers. That violated state education regulations concluded a lawyer hired by the Salmon River CSD. More in @timesunion.com www.timesunion.com/news/article...
timesunion.com
NY school district’s use of ‘timeout’ boxes deemed ‘illegal’
The Salmon River Central School District violated state education laws, an attorney concluded. Police and the state are also investigating.
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Emilie Munson @emiliemunson.bsky.social · 28/02/2026
Big thank you to @syracuseup.bsky.social for selecting me as a finalist for the Toner Prize in Political Reporting! What an incredible honor. My work investigating NY’s public campaign finance program was selected. Links below! newhouse.syracuse.edu/centers/robi...
newhouse.syracuse.edu
Toner Prizes
The Toner Prizes for Excellence in Political Reporting recognize the best U.S. national or local political reporting in any medium or on any platform—print, broadcast or online.
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Casey Seiler @caseyseiler.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
UPDATE: @emiliemunson.bsky.social's reporting on New York's public campaign finance program — including her Slater bombshell — was just honored as a finalist for this year's Toner Prize for Local Political Reporting. newhouse.syracuse.edu/centers/robi...
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Emilie Munson @emiliemunson.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
New York investigators say a state Senate candidate ran a “straw donor scheme,” “participated in material misrepresentations and fraud” and now owed the state more than $200K. Confirms findings of my August investigation www.timesunion.com/capitol/arti...
timesunion.com
Election officials say Senate candidate defrauded state of over $200,000
Caleb Slater, a former state Senate candidate, has been directed to repay more than $200K his 2024 campaign received through a taxpayer-subsidized program intended to reduce influence of big...
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Casey Seiler @caseyseiler.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
Republican state Senate candidate Caleb Slater rooked the state out of more than $200K in a 2024 political fundraising scheme, a probe by the NY Public Campaign Finance Board has concluded. New reporting from @emiliemunson.bsky.social, who exposed the scam last summer.
timesunion.com
Election officials say Senate candidate defrauded state of over $200,000
Election officials say a New York senate candidate Caleb Slater defrauded the state of over $200,000 during his 2024 campaign in the Syracuse area.
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Bill Grueskin @bgrueskin.bsky.social · 25/02/2026
This blind man - a refugee from Burma - was dropped off by Border Patrol at a Tim Horton's in Buffalo, NY. In the middle of February. A mile from a home where he no longer lived. While his relatives were searching for him. Cops found his body 5 days later www.investigativepost.org/2026/02/25/b...
investigativepost.org
Blind refugee abandoned by Border Patrol dies in Buffalo.
A nearly blind refugee abandoned by Border Patrol miles from his home dies in Buffalo after having been missing for nearly a week.
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Joshua Eaton @joshuaeaton.bsky.social · 22/02/2026
The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing people local newspaper reporters are rarified elites instead of ink-stained wretches driving their Honda Civic to a crime scene so you know don’t have to rely on Nextdoor and the police press release.
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Emilie Munson @emiliemunson.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
The invitation came as Cuomo traveled to Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic with real estate mogul Andrew Farkas, who was close to Epstein. Epstein offered to send a helicopter to pick them up.
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Emilie Munson @emiliemunson.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
NEWS: Jeffrey Epstein invited Andrew Cuomo to his island in October 2014 while Cuomo was governor and campaigning for re-election. Cuomo said he never went. Much more in @timesunion.com www.timesunion.com/capitol/arti...
timesunion.com
Jeffery Epstein invited Andrew Cuomo to his island
Jeffrey Epstein invited the New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo to his island in 2014 through real estate tycoon Andrew Farkas according to texts in the U.S. Department of Justice's Epstein files.
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Emilie Munson @emiliemunson.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
ICYMI: Lawmakers say the NY legislature must act after "timeout boxes" found at an upstate school. They say state education regulations revised three years ago do not go far enough www.timesunion.com/news/article...
timesunion.com
Lawmakers said legislature must act after 'timeout box' found in school
New records show the Salmon River Central School District bought supplies at a local hardware store. Lawmakers have proposed bills to ban such boxes.
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Jacqueline Rabe Thomas @jrabethomas.bsky.social · 03/02/2026
License plate camera data from Connecticut towns searched to track woman who Texas officials say had an abortion. And Out-of-state police are using Connecticut license plate camera data for immigration enforcement. www.ctinsider.com/connecticut/...
ctinsider.com
Out-of-state police are using Connecticut license plate camera data for immigration enforcement
A full record of which police departments are using the equipment is not kept by state officials.
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Emilie Munson @emiliemunson.bsky.social · 21/01/2026
If you've been following the battle over the reappointment of Schoharie County's 92-year-old elections commissioner, we have an update: the county rejected another candidate. Some county board members are still holding out hope to get Clifford Hay back www.timesunion.com/news/article...
timesunion.com
Schoharie County rejects another election commissioner candidate
The Schoharie County Board of Supervisors has rejected another nominee for the Democratic Board of Elections commissioner.
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Adam Shinder @adamshinder.bsky.social · 19/01/2026
Buffalo Bills fire head coach McDermott after 9 seasons www.timesunion.com/sports/artic...
timesunion.com
Buffalo Bills fire head coach McDermott after 9 seasons
Sean McDermott has been fired as the head coach of the Buffalo Bills, according to multiple media reports on Monday.
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Emilie Munson @emiliemunson.bsky.social · 19/01/2026
NY is one of 12 states that votes on legislation without knowing how much it will cost. www.timesunion.com/capitol/arti...
timesunion.com
In New York, lawmakers often vote without knowing the price tag
New York is one of 12 states that don't produce public fiscal notes on all bills that could impact the state's finances.
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Emilie Munson @emiliemunson.bsky.social · 16/01/2026
NEWS: After the discovery of multiple wooden "timeout boxes" at a school district in northern New York, police are examining a new device allegedly used to block or confine students there. More in @timesunion.com www.timesunion.com/news/article...
timesunion.com
Police probe another device at New York school with 'timeout box'
Police showed a mother a photo of another object possibly used to block or confine students at Salmon River Central School District.
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