State grants are being used to upgrade a pediatrics ward at Monroe Community Hospital and local community centers; a bill intended to help state troopers with mental health issues is in limbo; and how a unique baseball franchise is an example of conscious capitalism.

When lawmakers enacted this year's state budget, they included $100 million in grant money to support building or renovating municipal or nonprofit community centers. Several Monroe County towns have applied for money.

Monroe Community Hospital recently received a $10 million grant from the state as part of a statewide health care facility transformation program.

A $50,000 grant from Canandaigua National Bank is the first contribution to support creating accounts in every kindergartner's name, starting with $50 in seed money.

The executive order comes as access tightens and lawmakers eye state-level solutions.

In the second hour of "Connections" on Friday, Sept. 5, Andrew Brady joins us to talk about conscious capitalism (and how the Savannah Bananas fit into that).

A state report released last month studied 16 of New York’s rural counties and found “low rates of health care providers, and an alarming lack of access to basic care in many counties.”

While many small colleges are consolidating or closing, Keuka College has seen its enrollment grow. Administration credits financial discipline, and living within means.

The shaggy monster is Gov. Kathy Hochul’s latest way of touting New York state’s new school smartphone ban.

A bill to widen leave policies for state troopers was passed by Buffalo-area Assemblyman Pat Burke with bipartisan support. However, the bill has yet to be signed by Governor Kathy Hochul.