New York NOW

Courtney Burke, the commissioner of the New York Office of People With Developmental Disabilities, discusses changes in the wake of New York Times reports documenting widespread abuse at privately-run and state-run group homes and institutions. Also, members of the Public Employees Federation (PEF) consider a new contract offer from Gov. Cuomo, and the push for a 'millionaire's tax' is renewed.

'New York NOW' explores the goals and strategies of Occupy Wall Street demonstrators in Manhattan, who have sparked a growing movement in many other U.S. cities. In our featured interview, ACLU President Susan Herman says that President Obama's time in office has been a disappointment to civil liberties advocates. Also, Transportation Commissioner Joan McDonald discusses infrastructure repairs.

Since 2009, the Crown Point Bridge closing has cut off a lifeline to travelers and local business in the southern Champlain Valley. While the new bridge didn't open as scheduled on October 9, 2011, Department of Transportation Commissioner Joan McDonald offers a guarantee on the bridge's timeline for completion. Also, 'New York NOW' presents a special Reporters' Roundtable from the North Country.

Upstate New York receives major news, both good and bad, on the employment front. First, technology companies IBM, Intel and Samsung announce they will invest $4.4 billion in the region, creating or retaining approximately 7,000 jobs. Meanwhile, the Public Employees Federation votes down the contract their leadership made with the governor, triggering layoff notices to approximately 3,500 people.

As New York prepares for the once-a-decade redistricting process based on census data, Gov. Cuomo has proposed that the electoral map be redrawn by an independent commission, as opposed to the legislature, which has created some highly-gerrymandered districts in the past. Assemblyman Jack McEneny (D), co-chair of the redistricting task force, joins 'New York NOW' to discuss this important process.

Republican Bob Turner wins a special election to fill the congressional seat vacated by Anthony Weiner in a usually solidly-Democratic New York district. Is the result a message to President Obama from a dissatisfied base, or were other factors more significant? Also, New York Canal Corporation Director Brian Stratton discusses the damage tropical storms Irene and Lee have done to the Erie Canal.

Manhattan Congressman Jerry Nadler criticizes officials' response to the 9/11 attacks in his district: 'They were saying the air was safe when we knew damn well it wasn't safe,' Nadler says. 'Frankly, people like [former EPA Administrator] Christie Todd Whitman and city officials are guilty of manslaughter, because people are dead...who might not have been if they hadn't been lying to people.'

In Hurricane Irene's wake, Gov. Cuomo says New York suffered what could be up to $1 billion in damages to property and agriculture. With a new property tax cap limiting government coffers, how can the state deliver relief? State Director of Operations Howard Glaser discusses the response and how the federal government can help. Also, Assemblyman Peter Lopez recounts Irene's impact on his family.

As the Saratoga horse racing season winds down, New York Racing Association President Charlie Hayward discusses the fiscal stability of his organization, which plans to develop a new Web site to take advantage of the growing trend of online betting. Also, the Innovation Trail examines differing viewpoints on Gov. Cuomo's regional economic development councils, which will compete for state funding.

In the early 1900s, Buffalo, New York was the eighth-largest city in the world, but as the Erie Canal became less necessary, jobs left Buffalo and today it ranks as the third-poorest large city in the U.S. But now, with technology enabling companies to house many day-to-day functions anywhere, some say the unique assets of New York's second-largest city make it an attractive new hub for business.