Articles by Bobby Caina Calvan, Maysoon Khan and Michael Hill

Associated Press
Maysoon Khan is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America .Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.

New York Sets ‘Gun Free Zones’ to Restrict Guns; Regulates Concealed Carry Permits

Amid the bright lights and electronic billboards across New York’s Times Square, city authorities are posting new signs proclaiming the bustling crossroads a “Gun Free Zone.” The sprawling Manhattan tourist attraction is one of scores of “sensitive” places — including …

New York Vaccine Privacy Bill Sent to Gov. Hochul

Privacy advocates are urging New York Gov. Kathy Hochul to affix her signature on a bill that would protect sensitive information gathered from people being vaccinated against COVID-19. Advocates say the unfettered sharing of information could be misused by a …

Families Allege Safety Violations in Suing Building Owners Over Bronx Fire That Killed 17

Several families whose loved ones died or were critically injured while trying to escape a smoked-filled Bronx apartment building sued the owners Tuesday, alleging safety violations that led to the wrongful deaths of 17 people, including eight children. The five …

Investigations Begin Into Deadly New York City Apartment Building Fire

Doctors raced Monday to save survivors of New York City’s deadliest fire in three decades as authorities began investigating how thick smoke could billow through the high-rise, trapping many families inside and killing 19 people, including nine children. Dozens of …

New York City Sued by Business Over Workplace Vaccine Rule

A lawsuit has been filed in federal court challenging New York City’s sweeping mandate requiring nearly all private-sector businesses to ban unvaccinated employees from the workplace, asserting that the city’s attempt to control the coronavirus pandemic deprives tens of thousands …

After Northeast Flooding, Insurance Woes Swamp Residents

After being pummeled by two tropical storms that submerged basements, cracked home foundations and destroyed belongings, Northeastern U.S. residents still in the throes of recovery are being hit with another unexpected blow: Thousands of families are now swamped with financial …

Florida COVID Cases Jump 65% From Previous Week

Florida’s COVID-19 hospitalizations and cases again jumped significantly this week as the vaccination rate in rural counties where some of the worst outbreaks are occurring remains well below the state and national averages. About 5,300 Floridians are now hospitalized with …

Biden Backs States Against Manufacturers Over Prescription Drug Imports From Canada

The Biden administration is urging a federal court to dismiss a lawsuit that could stand in the way of states like Florida in allowing prescription drugs to be imported from Canada. In a legal brief filed Friday, the White House …

Florida House Overwhelmingly Approves Consumer Privacy Bill

The Florida House resoundingly approved a consumer privacy bill on Wednesday, giving the public an opportunity to regain ownership of the personal data collected by companies and the right to sue companies for mishandling information in a marketplace where consumers …

Florida Lawmakers Send Legislation to Fight Sea Level Rise to Governor

Legislation hailed as some of the most robust yet to defend U.S. coasts against sea level rise is headed to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a proposal that would provide millions of dollars annually to communities threatened with losing ground to …