Karen DeWitt

Capitol Bureau Chief, New York State Public Radio

Karen has covered state government and politics for New York State Public Radio, a network of 10 New York and Connecticut stations, since 1990.  She is also a regular contributor to the statewide public television program about New York State government, New York Now. She appears on the reporter’s roundtable segment, and interviews newsmakers. 

Karen previously worked for WINS Radio, New York, and has written for numerous publications, including Adirondack Life and the Albany newsweekly Metroland.

She is a past recipient of the prestigious Walter T. Brown Memorial award for excellence in journalism, from the Legislative Correspondents Association, and was named Media Person of the Year for 2009 by the Women’s Press Club of New York State.

Karen is a graduate of the State University of New York at Geneseo.

A New York court settlement means more money for poorer school districts

By • Oct 14, 2021
The New York Capitol Building in Albany
Pete Dzintars / Flickr

Gov. Kathy Hochul said the state has ended its opposition to a 2006 ruling from New York's highest court that required billions more to be allocated each year to schools to address inequities in the education system.

Hochul apologizes to family members of nursing home residents who died of COVID

By • Oct 13, 2021
New York governor Kathy Hochul speaks during a ceremony to sign a package of bills to combat the opioid crisis, Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021, in New York.
Mary Altaffer / Associated Press

Governor Kathy Hochul said she has apologized to family members of nursing home residents who died at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in New York. The governor, in a weekly briefing on the state’s management of the coronavirus, also drew attention to another infectious disease — the flu — which she said may also pose a serious health threat this year.

Court rules unvaccinated New York hospital workers can claim religious exemptions — for now

By • Oct 12, 2021
Courtesy of Pixabay

New York State will have to temporarily continue to allow religious exemptions for health care workers who say their faith prevents them from getting the COVID-19 vaccine. A federal court ruling extends the moratorium on that portion of Governor Kathy Hochul’s vaccine mandate for hospital workers until a full court proceeding can be held.

An early poll of the New York governor's race finds Hochul in the lead

By • Oct 12, 2021
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul wears a necklace with the word "vaxed" during an event in the Harlem neighborhood of New York, Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021.
Mary Altaffer / Associated Press

A new Marist College poll finds that New York Governor Kathy Hochul, who’s been in office for less than two months after former Governor Andrew Cuomo resigned in disgrace, is the front-runner for election next year.

Hochul asked for 45 days to make key changes in New York. Here's what she's done with them

By • Oct 7, 2021
Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul said New Yorkers should "be ready" for a school mask mandate when she takes over as governor. She spoke to reporters on Long Island after a meeting with labor leaders on August 20, 2021.
Desiree D'Iorio / WSHU Public Radio

New York Governor Kathy Hochul was thrust into the state and national spotlight this summer when she replaced former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who resigned in disgrace over a sexual harassment scandal. At the time, Hochul asked the public to give her 45 days to make the transition and start implementing key changes. Heres a look at what she's done so far.

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