Utica

Whether it's Hurricane Sandy or another natural disaster, it's always comforting to know you're prepared for whatever comes your way. Here, you will find a guide, courtesy of the Delaware County Department of Emergency Services.

With Hurricane Sandy's imminent landfall in the northeast, possibly New York, it evokes memories of last year's Hurricane Irene, from which several local communities are still recovering.

At first, Hurricane Sandy was forecast to head out into the Atlantic Ocean. Then, it was a 50-50 shot of coming ashore in the northeast. Now, forecasters say it's imminent.

New York State is facing a growing obesity problem that costs nearly $12 billion each year, New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli said in a speech Wednesday to the Association of New York State youth bureaus.

The State Labor Department recently released local area unemployment rates for September, which are developed using a procedure determined by the U.S. Department of Labor.

In response to periodic inquiries from the public, the New York State Police advises state residents that neither the state police, nor any agency authorized by it, ever solicits donations from the general public.

Hurricane Sandy has been upgraded to Category 2 as it churns over Cuba and moves just east of Florida. Hurricane tracking models now project Sandy to move north and slightly east as it travels up the east coast of the United States. It is then expected to make a left turn and strike New England, possibly further south along New Jersey and New York, early Monday morning.

On Tuesday, the Otsego County Sheriff’s Department joined the New York State Sheriff’s Association Institute in announcing a new program to keep victims of domestic violence safe.

The City of Oneonta Police Department and AAA are urging both parents and motorists to be even more alert during Halloween trick-or-treating on Oct. 31. Oneonta Police Chief Dennis Nayor offers these other safety tips to parents for their children on Halloween:

Albany, NY (WIBX) - New York's highest court will not hear a challenge to the state's same-sex marriage law.