New York lawmakers gaveled into 2015 Wednesday, beginning a six-month session that’s likely to focus on education policy, New York City’s rent laws, and the debate over police safety and alleged misconduct.

A ban on outdoor smoking in New York parks was upheld Wednesday by a midlevel court, reversing a judge, and dismissing a challenge filed by a smokers’ rights group.

New York officials said Monday that 13 more businesses have agreed to expand to or locate in tax-free zones at colleges and universities across the state while committing to bring new jobs.

New York financial regulators have reached a settlement with Ocwen Financial Corp. requiring the nation’s largest subprime mortgage servicer to reform its practices and provide $150 million to help struggling New York homeowners.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is getting heaped with praise by environmentalists and scorn by business interests for a planned state ban on hydraulic fracturing for natural gas, even as he insists the decision wasn’t his.

The billionaire appointed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo to oversee the Thruway Authority has resigned as the agency deals with the fallout from how it handled last month’s massive snowstorm in western New York.

New York’s attorney general launched a new web-based app on Tuesday to help struggling homeowners determine whether offers of foreclosure rescue are legitimate or scams.