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New York’s governor launched her push last week to create distraction-free environments in schools by proposing smartphone usage be restricted for all students Kindergarten through 12th grade. In a press event last week, Governor Kathy Hochul said there is a war going on for kids’ minds, and it’s all being funneled through their phones and social media…

Hochul’s plan, outlined in her Executive Budget Proposal last week, would restrict use of smartphones on school grounds during the day, allow schools to develop their own plans for storing kids’ smartphones, give schools $13.5 million if they need assistance in purchasing storage solutions to help kids be distraction-free, and require schools to give parents a way to contact their kids during the day if needed.

Phase two of a West Nyack revitalization project is underway in Clarkstown. Supervisor George Hoehmann says traffic congestion will ease once the project on West Nyack Road between Strawtown Road and Western Highway is complete…

Stores along West Nyack Road will also see improved shopper parking. The project is expected to take about a year.

The crypto industry and some public officials are pushing back after the president launched a meme coin days before his inauguration. Meme-coins are often used by speculators to make money or to allow fans to show support to a celebrity or moment in internet culture. The value of a single TRUMP coin rose to $75 within a day, but since fell by Friday to $39. WRCR market analyst Connor Mahoney of Mahoney Asset Management called Trump’s move “off-putting, random, silly and pointless”…

This wasn’t the first time Trump got into the digital market. The BBC reported his first was a series of NFTs, images of him in various superhero poses, off which he made millions three years ago.

A bill reforming the Port Authority is coming back before New York’s Legislature. The bill dates back to the Bridgegate scandal of former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, and would increase oversight measures and transparency regarding capital planning. It passed with bipartisan support during last year’s legislative session, but Governor Kathy Hochul vetoed it. Rachael Fauss with “Reinvent Albany” says these reforms can improve the agency…

While it remains to be seen how the bill could shake out in the coming session, it could get bogged down in politics. New York launched congestion pricing earlier this month, to which New Jersey has long been opposed, so it’s uncertain whether the two states can come together for Port Authority reform legislation.