[ THEME MUSIC ] >> WELCOME TO THIS WEEK'S EDITION OF "NEW YORK NOW."

I'M SHANTEL DESTRA.

THE GRAVITY OF THE OPIOID ADDICTION EPIDEMIC IN THE COUNTRY CANNOT BE OVERSTATED.

THE CRISIS DATES BACK DECADES AND HAS AFFECTED COUNTLESS PEOPLE, FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES.

IN NEW YORK, THE OFFICE OF ADDICTION SERVICES AND SUPPORT OASAS HAS BEEN AWARDED BILLIONS OF DOLLARS FROM COMPANIES WHO HAVE FACED LITIGATION FOR THEIR PART IN THE EPIDEMIC.

BUT THE STATE HAS ALSO FACED SCRUTINY FROM ADVOCATES ON HOW THE FUNDS ARE BEING DISTRIBUTED TO COMMUNITIES SINCE 2022, AS WELL AS ITS WORK TO ASSIST IN DRUG RECOVERY EFFORTS.

IN THIS NEXT SEGMENT, WCNY'S DAVID LOMBARDO SITS DOWN WITH DR.

CHINAZO CUNNINGHAM, WHO LEADS OASAS ABOUT THE OPIOID SETTLEMENT DOLLARS AND THE EFFORTS TO RESOLVE ISSUES WITH DISTRIBUTION.

HERE'S THAT CONVERSATION, [ THEME MUSIC ] >> DR.

CUNNINGHAM, THANKS SO MUCH FOR MAKING THE TIME.

I REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

>> YES.

HAPPY TO BE HERE, DAVID.

>> WELL, BEFORE WE GET INTO HOW THE SETTLEMENT DOLLARS ARE BEING DOLLED OUT, CAN YOU GIVE US A LITTLE BACKGROUND ON THIS MONEY THAT'S BEEN OBTAINED FROM SETTLEMENTS WITH OPIOID MANUFACTURERS AND DISTRIBUTORS FOR THEIR ROLE, AND I GUESS, CONTRIBUTING TO THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC AND HOPEFULLY, USING SOME OF THAT MONEY TO COMBAT THE EPIDEMIC?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I THINK WHAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT IS OBVIOUSLY WE'VE EXPERIENCED THE WORST OVERDOSE EPIDEMIC ON RECORD.

THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT THE NUMBERS ARE DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY, SO IN NEW YORK STATE, THERE'S A 44% REDUCTION IN OVERDOSE DEATHS.

AND WE ARE LEADING, REALLY, YOU KNOW, IT'S BETTER THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE IN TERMS OF THAT REDUCTION, BUT YOU KNOW, WHAT HAPPENED, YOU KNOW, HOW DID WE END UP HERE WITH THE WORST OVERDOSE EPIDEMIC ON RECORD AND A LOT OF THAT HAD TO DO WITH PRESCRIPTION OPIOIDS.

SO YOU KNOW, THROUGH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE, REALLY ACROSS THE COUNTRY, DISTRIBUTORS AND MANUFACTURERS OF OPIOIDS HAVE BEEN SUED AND THESE DOLLARS ARE GOING TO PREVENT THIS KIND OF THING FROM HAPPENING AGAIN.

SO WE ARE VERY PROUD OF OUR WORK IN NEW YORK STATE.

WE'VE HAD DISTRIBUTED OVER $450 MILLION TO COMMUNITIES TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE ARE AT LOWER RISK OF DYING, LOWER RISK OF DEVELOPING AN ADDICTION AND REALLY PREVENTING THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN.

YOU KNOW, NEW YORK STATE IS ACTUALLY LEADING THE COUNTRY IN TERMS OF GETTING THESE DOLLARS OUT INTO COMMUNITIES IN TERMS OF THE SPEED AND THE AMOUNT OF DOLLARS.

>> WELL, LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT AND HELP ME RECONCILE THAT CLAIM WITH WHAT WE HEAR ON THE GROUND FROM SOME PROVIDERS, WHICH IS CONCERNS ABOUT THE PACE OF THE MONEY BEING FLOWED OUT.

AND AS YOU POINTED OUT, IT'S MORE THAN $450 MILLION MADE AVAILABLE SINCE SEPTEMBER OF 2025, SOMETHING THAT'S HIGHLIGHTED IN THE NEW REPORT THAT YOU GUYS PUT OUT ON SETTLEMENT DOLLARS.

IS THERE A DISCONNECT?

IS IT JUST THAT THINGS ARE NEVER FAST ENOUGH FOR PEOPLE WHEN THEY WANT IT, ESPECIALLY IN A CRISIS LIKE WE'RE HAVING HERE?

I MEAN, WHY DO YOU FEEL LIKE THE PEOPLE ON THE GROUND ARE DISSATISFIED, TO SOME DEGREE, THAT SOME ARE DISSATISFIED?

>> WELL, I THINK WHAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT IS FOR PEOPLE TO RECOGNIZE THERE'S DIFFERENT CATEGORIES FOR HOW THE DOLLARS FLOW.

SO THERE ARE DIRECT FUNDS, AND THAT'S ACTUALLY THE MAJORITY OF THE DOLLARS.

SO THAT'S ABOUT 46% OF ALL OPIOID SETTLEMENT DOLLARS.

THOSE DOLLARS GO FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE THROUGH A THIRD PARTY DIRECTLY TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.

SO CITIES AND COUNTIES.

SO OASAS HAS NO ROLE IN THAT, AND I THINK THAT PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT.

THE MONEY DOESN'T COME THROUGH US AT THE STATE, AND WE DON'T TELL THAT CITIES AND COUNTIES HOW TO USE THOSE DOLLARS.

THEN THERE'S ANOTHER CATEGORY OF MONEY CALLED THE STATE DISCRETIONARY FUND, AND THAT'S ABOUT 36%.

THAT'S WHAT WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR OASAS.

THOSE ARE THE DOLLARS GOING OUT TO THE COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS TO PROVIDE PREVENTION, TREATMENT, HOME REDUCTION, HOME RECOVERY SERVICES AND THERE'S ANOTHER CATEGORY CALLED REGIONAL ABATEMENT.

THAT'S ABOUT 17% AND THAT GOES DIRECTLY TO COUNTIES.

IT'S ADMINISTERED THROUGH OASAS BUT IT GOES TO THE COUNTIES AND THE COUNTIES DECIDE HOW TO USE THOSE DOLLARS.

SO THE MAJORITY OF THE DOLLARS ARE GOING TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.

WHAT THEY'RE DOING WITH THEIR DOLLARS, I CAN'T TELL YOU.

WE DON'T TELL THEM HOW TO USE THOSE DOLLARS.

THEY HAVE TO USE THE DOLLARS ACCORDING TO THE LEGAL AGREEMENTS AND THERE'S NINE WAYS TO USE THAT.

SO, YOU KNOW, THEY CAN'T USE IT FOR BRIDGES AND POTHOLES BUT THEY HAVE TO USE IT FOR PREVENTION AND TREATMENT AND HARM REDUCTION AND HOUSING AND TRANSPORTATION, RECOVERY, ET CETERA, ET CETERA.

THERE'S A LOT OF, OF COURSE, VARIATION IN HOW THOSE COUNTIES ARE USING THE DOLLARS, BUT OUR DOLLARS, THE STATE DISCRETIONARY FUNDS, SO WE REALLY, YOU KNOW, THAT'S WHERE WE FOCUS ON WHERE WE HAVE CONTROL AND WE PUT THE DOLLARS OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY.

NOW THE THING ABOUT THIS IS THAT WE'VE ALSO HEARD FROM OUR ADVISORY BOARD AND FROM PROGRAMS, WE DON'T WANT ALL THE MONEY IN JUST ONE YEAR BECAUSE WE CAN'T DEVELOP PROGRAMS THAT START AND END IN A YEAR.

SO THESE PROGRAMS OCCUR OVER MULTIPLE YEARS SO WE HAVE MULTIYEAR CONTRACTS SO WE WOULDN'T EXPECT THAT ALL THE DOLLARS WOULD BE SPENT IN ONE YEAR.

THE DOLLARS ARE BEING SPENT OVER MULTIPLE YEARS, AND THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT, TOO, BECAUSE THE DOLLARS ARE GOING DOWN WITH THE OPIOID SETTLEMENT FUNDS.

SO IT'S 18 YEARS OF FUNDING, BUT REALLY, THE DOLLARS ARE GOING DOWN OVER THOSE 18 YEARS AND SO TO PLAN FOR THAT, WE'RE USING THE EARLY DOLLARS OVER MULTIPLE YEARS TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE'S SUSTAINABILITY.

>> AND WITH REGARD TO THOSE REGIONAL ABATEMENT DOLLARS, THOUGH, WHERE DO THINGS STAND WITH THAT AUDIT RIGHT NOW?

WHY IS THAT SOMETHING WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IN 2026 AS OPPOSED TO 2023, 2024, 2025?

>> RIGHT, YOU KNOW, OBVIOUSLY THINGS TAKE TIME.

SO GETTING THE DOLLARS DISPERSED, OUT TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND THEN THEY HAVE SET UP THEIR OWN PROCESSES FOR HOW TO GET THOSE DOLLARS OUT.

SO SOME OF THEM, YOU KNOW, MAY HAVE GOTTEN THOSE DOLLARS OUT VERY QUICKLY AND OTHERS NOT SO MUCH.

BUT WE ARE WORKING, YOU KNOW, WITH OUR COUNTERPARTS IN ALL OF THE COUNTIES.

THEY ARE REPORTING TO US IN TERMS OF INITIALLY WHAT THEY'RE PLANNED USE WAS.

WE MADE THAT AVAILABLE, THAT INFORMATION AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE.

AND THEN ULTIMATELY HOW THEY HAVE USED THOSE DOLLARS IS IN THE REPORT.

>> AND WHAT ABOUT THAT APPROXIMATELY 38%, THE STATE SHARE OF THE MONEY, WHAT SORT OF REVIEW IS ONGOING OR PLANNED FOR THAT MONEY?

>> YEAH.

SO WE'RE DOING AUDITS AS WELL FOR THOSE INITIATIVE-SPECIFIC DOLLARS.

SO YOU KNOW, WE AUDIT OUR PROGRAMS ALL THE TIME IN THE REGULAR COURSE OF BUSINESS, SO THIS IS ALSO GOING TO BE PART OF THAT IS WITH THE OPIOID SETTLEMENT FUNDS, AND THOSE DOLLARS, JUST TO BE CLEAR, THAT INFORMATION HAS BEEN ON OUR WEBSITE SINCE THE BEGINNING, IN TERMS OF REALLY BEING ABLE TO TRACK HOW THE DOLLARS ARE GOING TO THE COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS, YOU KNOW, HOW THEY'RE BEING USED FOR TREATMENT OR RECOVERY OR TRANSPORTATION OR HOUSING, ET CETERA.

>> A KEY ELEMENT OF THIS MONEY WAS THIS IDEA THAT IT IS SUPPOSED TO AUGMENT WHATEVER THE STATE WAS ALREADY DOING TO ADDRESS THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC AND THERE HAVE BEEN CONCERNS RAISED.

MAYBE THEY'RE REAL.

MAYBE THEY'RE IMAGINED ABOUT MONEY BEING USED TO SUPPLANT EXISTING OR PREVIOUS STATE EFFORTS.

WHAT SORT OF SAFEGUARDS ARE THERE IN THE WAY YOU DOLE OUT MONEY TO ENSURE THERE'S NO BLURRING OF THE LINES?

>> YEAH.

WE ARE VERY CLEAR ABOUT THIS LAW, AND OUR DOLLARS ARE NOT GOING TO SUPPLANT OTHER DOLLARS.

SO THEY ARE REALLY GOING TO AUGMENT, YOU KNOW, PREVIOUS SERVICES, AND SO WHETHER THAT MEANS, YOU KNOW, WHOLE NEW INITIATIVES, LIKE DOING OUTREACH IN COMMUNITIES, REACHING THOSE WHO ARE AT HIGHEST RISK, OR IF IT MEANS EXPANDING SERVICES SO IN OUR RECOVERY CENTERS, FOR EXAMPLE, BEING ABLE TO DO MORE OUTREACH AND BEING ABLE TO HIRE MORE PEERS, THAT KIND OF THING.

WE'RE VERY CLEAR, YOU KNOW, IN TERMS OF OUR BUDGET REVIEWS AND OUR CONTRACTS ABOUT THESE DOLLARS NOT BEING USED TO SUPPLANT PREVIOUS DOLLARS, AND THAT'S ALSO CLEAR IN THE REPORT BECAUSE WE PROVIDE SORT OF THE BASELINE FUNDING PRIOR TO OPIOID SETTLEMENT DOLLARS >> SO WE'RE TALKING AROUND 2022 WHEN THINGS GOT UP RUNNING HERE IN NEW YORK.

HAS THE STATE'S COMMITMENT FROM ITS SHARE OF DOLLARS CONTINUED TO GROW IN TERMS OF WHAT THEY'RE SPENDING ON THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC?

HAS IT REMAINED FLAT?

BECAUSE I THINK THAT'S WHAT PEOPLE MIGHT POINT TO AND SAY, WELL, XYZ DIDN'T GO UP AS MUCH AND WE'RE SPENDING ON SOMETHING SIMILAR WITH THE SETTLEMENT DOLLARS, SO MAYBE THERE IS SOME SUPPLANTING?

>> I CAN TELL YOU THIS YEAR'S BUDGET, OUR BUDGET WENT UP 8% AND THAT'S IN THE FACE OF ALL OF THESE FEDERAL CHALLENGES AND ATTEMPTED FEDERAL CUTS OF THE WORK THAT WE'RE DOING.

SO WE ARE PLEASED IN THAT INCREASE IN OUR BUDGET.

>> WHERE DO YOU SEE THIS CONVERSATION HEADING IN THE FUTURE GIVEN THE FEDERAL ANTIPATHY TOWARD SOME OF THE GOALS THAT YOU GUYS ARE INVESTING ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO SOMETHING LIKE HARM REDUCTION?

>> WE'RE VERY CONCERNED.

HARM REDUCTION IS A GREAT EXAMPLE.

THERE ARE DECADES OF STUDIES THAT HAVE BEEN, YOU KNOW, PUBLISHED ON THE EVIDENCE OF USING A HARM REDUCTION APPROACH.

SO WE'RE FOLLOWING THE SCIENCE.

SO YOU KNOW, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SEEMS TO BE IGNORING A LOT OF THE SCIENCE, YOU KNOW, BASED ON IDEOLOGY, BUT WE'RE FOLLOWING THE SCIENCE AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO THAT.

SO WE ARE FIGURING OUT WAYS SO NOT USING OUR FEDERAL DOLLARS BUT USING OTHER DOLLARS TO BE ABLE TO DO THE WORK THAT SAVES LIVES AND HAS THE EVIDENCE BEHIND IT.

>> I HAVE TO IMAGINE A LOT OF THESE SERVICES ARE MEDICAID RELIANT GIVEN THE POPULATIONS THAT YOU'RE SERVING AND THERE HAVE BEEN INCREASED SCRUTINY FROM FEDERAL WATCH DOGS ON HOW NEW YORK SPENDS ITS MEDICAID DOLLARS.

IS THAT CAUSING YOU ANY SORT OF ADDITIONAL STRESS?

EITHER IT'S BECAUSE OF ACTUAL CONCERNS WITH THE WAY YOU'RE SPENDING MEDICAID DOLLARS.

MAYBE YOU'RE ROLLING MONEY OVER FROM YEAR TO YEAR.

THERE'S CERTAIN PRACTICES THAT MAYBE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DOESN'T LIKE, OR THINGS THAT THEY ARE PROACTIVELY MAKING ISSUES THAT MIGHT NOT ACTUALLY BE ISSUES?

HOW BIG OF A DEAL ARE THOSE MEDICAID DOLLARS?

>> IT'S A BIG DEAL.

SO IN OUR SYSTEM, AMONG THOSE WHO HAVE SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER, ABOUT TWO-THIRDS OF THEM HAVE MEDICAID.

SO THAT CERTAINLY ANY CHANGE TO MEDICAID WILL HAVE AN OUTSIZED IMPACT ON THE FIELD OF ADDICTION.

WE ARE VERY CONCERNED.

YOU ANY, WE DON'T CONTROL MEDICAID.

WE DON'T HAVE AUTHORITY OVER THAT.

OBVIOUSLY, THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH DOES.

SO WE'RE WORKING ACROSS AGENCIES TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN SAFEGUARD AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE AND MITIGATE THE NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES AND CERTAINLY, YOU KNOW, EDUCATE OUR PROVIDERS AND, YOU KNOW, NEW YORKERS ABOUT WHAT THEY NEED TO DO IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE IF THEY'RE ELIGIBLE FOR MEDICAID THAT THEY CAN CONTINUE TO GET THAT.

>> THINKING ABOUT THE FLOW OF SETTLEMENT DOLLARS, AGAIN, HOW HAS A LACK OF WORKFORCE IMPEDED YOUR ABILITY TO SPEND DOLLARS BECAUSE, AS YOU SAID, YOU'RE TRYING TO SET UP PROGRAMS FOR ONE, TWO, THREE YEARS POTENTIALLY, YOU NEED BODIES TO ACTUALLY STAFF THEM AND THIS DIRECT CARE WORK IS OFTEN HARD, NOT THE BEST PAID AND THERE ARE STRUGGLES TO STAFF THESE JOBS.

SO IS THAT PRESENTING SOME SORT OF CHALLENGE?

IF IT IS, HOW ARE YOU TRYING TO ADDRESS IT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

SO I CAN TELL YOU THAT NEARLY EVERY SINGLE MEETING THAT I HAVE WITH PROVIDERS WORKFORCE ISSUES COME UP.

LET ME TELL YOU ALSO THIS IS NOT NEW.

THIS HAS BEEN DECADES OF UNDERINVESTMENT IN THE ADDICTION FIELD.

SO YOU KNOW, DURING COVID NOW, THAT MADE MANY OF THESE THINGS WORSE.

YOU KNOW, THAT HAD DECADES OF UNDERINVESTMENT, SO WE'RE NOW SEEING THIS PLAY OUT IN A WAY THAT REALLY HAS AN IMPACT ON THE FIELD.

WE HAVE REALLY IMPLEMENTED A LOT OF INITIATIVES TO ADDRESS THIS.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO CHANGE IT OVERNIGHT, RIGHT.

SOMETHING THAT'S BEEN GOING ON FOR 30 YEARS, BUT WE ARE MAKING A DENT.

SO WE HAVE, FOR EXAMPLE, 2,000 PEOPLE WHO HAVE GOTTEN SCHOLARSHIPS IN ORDER TO BECOME CREDENTIALED COUNSELOR, YOU KNOW, A CERTIFIED RECOVERY PEER ADVOCATE, OR PREVENTION SPECIALIST.

WE HAVE PAID INTERNSHIPS SO THAT PEOPLE WILL GO INTO THE FIELD AS THEY'RE DOING THEIR INTERNSHIPS AND THEY'RE MORE LIKELY TO STAY THERE.

WE, YOU KNOW, HAVE LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS SO THAT PEOPLE STAY IN THE FIELD SO THEY CAN WORK ON, YOU KNOW, THE CAREER LADDER AND THEIR OWN PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.

WE HAVE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAMS WITH THE MEDICAL SCHOOL SO THAT MEDICAL STUDENTS AND PHYSICIANS AND SOCIAL WORKERS AND NURSES AND NURSE PRACTITIONERS CAN GET THAT ADDITIONAL ADDICTION TRAINING.

SO THERE'S NOT GOING TO BE ONE WAY TO FIX THIS.

AND SO THERE'S MULTIPLE INITIATIVES THAT WE HAVE TO REALLY ATTRACT MORE PEOPLE INTO THE FIELD AND KEEP PEOPLE IN THE FIELD.

>> WELL, IT SEEMS LIKE THE ONE WAY WOULD BE FOR SOMEBODY TO BACK UP A DUMP TRUCK OF CASH TO A PROVIDER AND SAY, HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO MAKE $40 AN HOUR VERSUS $20 AN HOUR?

>> WE ALSO HAVE INCREASED REIMBURSEMENT RATES TOO, AS WELL.

THROUGH INSURANCE REIMBURSEMENT OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.

I MEAN, I THINK CERTAINLY MONEY IS PART OF IT, BUT WE ALSO HEAR IT'S NOT ALL ABOUT MONEY.

>> IT'S DEFINITELY A CALLING FOR PEOPLE.

>> YES, ABSOLUTELY.

PEOPLE WANT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AS WELL, AND THEY WANT, YOU KNOW, TO BE SEEN AND BE SATISFIED AND BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO GROW AND LEARN.

>> WELL, DR.

CUNNINGHAM, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR MAKING THE TIME.

I REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

>> YEAH.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME ME.

[ THEME MUSIC ] >> AND FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE WORK OF OASAS AROUND THE STATE'S OPIOID SETTLEMENT FUNDS, YOU CAN VISIT OUR WEBSITE.

THAT'S AT NYNOW.ORG.

NOW TURNING TO ANOTHER IMPORTANT TOPIC.

THE GREAT NEW YORK STATE FAIR IS BACK AND SEVERAL ELECTED OFFICIALS HAVE ALREADY MADE THEIR WAY TO THE FAIR, INCLUDING GOVERNOR KATHY HOCHUL AND STATE COMPTROLLER TOM DINAPOLI.

THIS WEEK, OUR TEAM TOOK OUR ANNUAL TRIP TO SYRACUSE TO ATTEND THE FAIR AND OUR TRIP WAS NOTHING SHORT OF AMAZING.

WITH ALL OF THE FAIR FAVORITE ATTRACTIONS AND TRADITIONS TO CLOSE OUT SUMMER.

HERE'S THAT STORY.

[ THEME MUSIC ] >> IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN AND WE'RE BACK AT THE GREAT NEW YORK STATE FAIR.

FAIRGOERS ARE TRICKLING IN AS WE SPEAK AND EVERYONE SEEMS EXCITED TO EXPERIENCE THE GREAT TRADITIONS OF THE NEW YORK STATE FAIR.

>> AND THIS IS AN EXCITING YEAR.

THE FAIR TURNS NEARLY 200 YEARS OLD.

THIS YEAR, IT IS 185.

IT WAS FIRST INAUGURATED BACK IN 1841, AND WE HAVE A LOT TO SEE TODAY.

SO LET'S GET STARTED.

>> TODAY IS FIRE RESCUE AND EMS DAY, ALL ACTIVE DUTY AND RETIRED EMERGENCY PERSONNEL, INCLUDING FIREFIGHTERS AND FIRST RESPONDERS, RECEIVED FREE ADMISSION TO THE FAIR.

TO START THINGS OFF, WE'LL HEAD OVER TO THE MORNING CEREMONY TO HONOR THE BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN WHO'VE WORKED HARD TO PROVIDE RESCUE SERVICES DURING EMERGENCIES.

DOZENS GATHERED OUTSIDE OF THE HORTICULTURAL BUILDING JUST BEFORE THE CEREMONY, WHILE SEVERAL AMERICAN FLAGS HUNG HIGH IN THE SKY AND SIGNS FOR AMERICA'S 250TH ANNIVERSARY LINED THE PERIMETER.

NEW YORK STATE COMTO TROLLER TOM DINAPOLI GAVE REMARKS PRAISING FIRST RESPONDERS.

AND AS THE CEREMONY FINISHED UP, WE MADE A QUICK DASH A FEW FEET AWAY TO THE EXPOSITION CENTER FOR THE CORGI RACE COMPETITION.

WE MADE IT JUST IN TIME TO SEE A GROUP OF CORGIS RACE AGAINST EACH OTHER.

>> THE RACING CORGIS, NEW TO THE STATE THIS YEAR, ARE THE FIRST TRAVELING CORGI RACE IN THE COUNTRY.

THEY HAVE BEEN TO A HANDFUL OF OTHER STATES SO FAR.

SERGIE CORONAS, OWNER OF THE NINE RACING CORGIS, SAYS HE AND HIS FAMILY HAVE BEEN A PART OF THE STATE FAIR FOR OVER 40 YEARS IN OTHER ENTERTAINMENT AREAS AT THE FAIR, SUCH AS THE HOLLYWOOD CIRCUS AND THE HOLLYWOOD RACING PIGS.

THIS YEAR, THEY WANTED TO BRING SOMETHING NEW, THEIR RACING CORGI PUPS.

CORONAS SAYS THE PUPS LOVE RACING AND WERE EAGER TO GET THEIR TIME TO SHINE, OFTEN RACING AT HOME, PRACTICING WITH THE HOLLYWOOD RACING PIGS.

>> MY FIRST DOG, WHEN WE'D BE OUT WITH THE PIGS, THEY'D BE OUT WITH US AND WERE PRACTICING WITH THE PIGS.

SHE'D JUMP AND RUN WITH THEM.

SO THEN LIKE I SAID, MY WIFE WAS FOLLOWING CORGI RACING SO THAT'S HOW WE CAME UP WITH THE IDEA ABOUT HAVING A NICE SHOW THAT'S HERE EVERY DAY AT THE FAIR, NOT JUST ONCE, AND THEN INCORPORATING A LITTLE SHOW, TOO.

>> THE CORGIS STOP AT THE STATE FAIR WAS MET WITH QUITE A LOT OF EXCITEMENT, CHEERING CROWDS AND ADORING FANS ALIKE >> THE DOGS WERE RUNNING EVERYWHERE, AND IT WAS SO THAT WE GOT TO PET THEM.

>> I THOUGHT IT WAS REALLY GOOD, AND I LOVE DOGS, AND I HAVE A DOG AT HOME.

I THOUGHT JENGA WAS ALSO MY FAVORITE, AND HE WAS ONE OF THE FASTEST RUNNERS AND I LIKE WHEN THEY COLLIDED WITH EACH OTHER.

>> WE ASKED LOOMI, THE WINNING PUP OF THE DAY AND AN 11-TIME CHAMPION OVER THE PAST TWO WEEKS AT THE FAIR, WHAT SHE HAD TO SAY ABOUT HER VICTORIES.

SHE WAS RATHER MODEST.

AND AFTER THE CORGI RACE FUN, WE DECIDED WE'D BE REMISS IF WE DID NOT CHECK OUT THE PUP'S RACING BUDDIES AND A FAIR FAN FAVORITE, THE HOLLYWOOD RACING PIGS!

THE CORONAS FAMILY HAS BEEN KNOWN FOR PUTTING TOGETHER THIS FUN-FILLED COMPETITION WHERE PIGS NAMED IN HONOR OF POP CULTURE CELEBRITY ICONS RACE THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

THIS DAY, FAMILIES CHEERED AS PIGS, ARI-HAMMA-GRANDE, KEVIN BACON, AND KIM KARDASHI-HAM, STOLE THE SHOW WITH SPEED, GRIT AND CHARM.

STERLING EVANS, WHO WAS VISITING THE FAIR WITH HIS FAMILY, WAS SELECTED FROM THE CROWD TO CHEER ON HIS FAVORITE PIG, TAYLOR SWINE, IN THE RACE.

STERLING TOLD US THAT HE WAS EXCITED AND NERVOUS WHEN THE HOST CHOSE HIM BECAUSE HE WANTED HIS PIG TO WIN SO BADLY.

>> SO ONCE I GOT PICKED, I HAD A LITTLE BIT OF MOMENTUM, AND THEN I JUST KEPT TRYING TO DO THINGS LIKE IN MY HEAD, I JUST KEPT SAYING, MY PIG IS GOING TO WIN, MY PIG IS GOING TO WIN IN MY HEAD, AND I JUST KEPT CHEERING ON MY PIG.

>> WHILE STERLING'S FAVORITE PIG WAS NOT VICTORIOUS IN THE END, HE SAID HE LOVED EVERY SECOND OF THE SHOW.

IT WAS HIS FIRST TIME VISITING THE STATE FAIR AND BEING SELECTED TO CHEER ON THE PIG MADE HIS DAY.

AFTER THE HOLLYWOOD RACING PIGS, WE MADE OUR WAY TO THE BEEF CATTLE BARN TO WATCH THE HAY THROWING COMPETITION.

THAT'S WHERE WE MET BEEF SUPERINTENDENT PAUL GLENISTER, WHO'S BEEN WORKING AT THE FAIR AND HELPING TO LEAD BEEF DAY FOR THE LAST 20 YEARS.

GLENISTER RAVED ABOUT THE HAY-THROWING COMPETITION.

>> A LOT OF THE KIDS GET EXCITED BECAUSE THEY ENTER EACH OTHER IN IT FOR A GAME.

THEY ENTER THEIR PARENTS SURPRISINGLY SOMETIMES, AND THE FAMILIES COME TOGETHER AND THEY COMPETE AGAINST EACH OTHER.

IT'S REALLY A FUN TIME FOR THE PUBLIC AND FOR EXHIBITORS, OUR EXHIBITORS.

HEY, ALL SUMMER, THEY AREN'T AS ENTHUSED AS THE PUBLIC THAT HAS NEVER DONE IT.

SO IT KIND OF BRINGS THE PUBLIC AND FARMERS TOGETHER ON ONE COMPETITION AND WORKS OUT GOOD FOR THEM.

>> THE COMPETITION WAS BROKEN OUT INTO TWO HEATS FOR ADULTS AND CHILDREN TO SEE WHO WOULD BE ABLE TO LAUNCH THEIR HAY THE FURTHEST.

DOZENS OF FAIRGOERS CAME EARLY FOR THE SHOW, JUST TO SNAG A GOOD SPOT IN THE AUDIENCE.

THEN ONE BY ONE, EACH PERSON IS CALLED TO THROW HAY, WHICH IS THEN MEASURED WITH YELLOW MEASURING TAPE.

JUST BEFORE THE START OF THE COMPETITION, WE SAW THOMAS MILLER USING THE TIME TO PRACTICE WITH HIS GRANDSON, CONNER MILLER.

THOMAS, WHO'S A RETIRED BEEF FARMER, TOLD US HE'S BEEN COMING TO THE FAIR FOR 30 YEARS.

THOMAS SAYS HE ENJOYS THE COMPETITION AND HIS RIBBON WINS DON'T MATTER.

>> IT DOESN'T MATTER.

IT'S FRIENDLY COMPETITION AND WE'RE ALL HERE TO ENJOY OURSELVES AND HAVE THE PUBLIC INVOLVED IN OUR BEEF PRODUCERS' EVENTS.

AND THOMAS WATCHED PROUDLY AS HIS GRANDSON USED THE TECHNIQUES THEY'D PRACTICED MINUTES BEFORE THE COMPETITION TO LAUNCH THE HAY SEVERAL FEET ACROSS THE BORN.

YOU JUST THREW IT REALLY FAR.

YOU FEEL GOOD ABOUT THAT?

>> GOOD JOB.

THUMB'S UP.

>> IT WAS REALLY HEAVY.

>> BY THIS POINT IN THE DAY, BOUNCING FROM SHOW TO SHOW, WE DECIDED TO GO FOR A STROLL.

THERE WAS SO MUCH ENERGY AT THE FAIR FROM PEOPLE ENJOYING RIDES AND GAMES AND THE VAST FOOD SELECTION.

THERE WAS EVERYTHING FROM CORN DOGS, TACOS, TURKEY LEGS AND BARBECUE TO DELICIOUS PASTRIES INCLUDING FRIED OREOS, ICE CREAM AND FROZEN LEMONADE.

IT WAS ALSO TASTY TUESDAY.

SO MANY VENDORS WERE OFFERING POPULAR FAIR FOOD FOR THREE TO FIVE DOLLARS AFTER SPENDING ALL MORNING AT THE FAIR, WE SURELY WORKED UP AN APPETITE.

WE WANTED TO GO WITH A HARDY OPTION HERE.

I GOT A COWBOY BURGER.

>> AND I GOT A REGULAR TRADITIONAL CHEESEBURGER, AND WE'RE STARVING SO LET'S DIVE IN.

>> CHEERS!

IT'S YUMMY.

THAT'S SO GOOD.

>> ONCE WE REPLENISHED OUR ENERGY WITH FAIR MUNCHIES, WE WANTED TO EXPLORE THE RIDES.

THERE ARE A LOT OF OPTIONS FOR THRILL-SEEKERS AND RIDE ENTHUSIASTS.

THE SUPERMAN RIDE WAS A PARTICULARLY POPULAR ATTRACTION, FAIRGOERS' SCREAMS ECHOED THROUGHOUT THE FAIRGROUNDS.

FRIENDS, MADISON COLOSANTI AND ROYCE WALTER, CAME TO THE FAIR JUST TO EXPERIENCE THE RIDES.

COLOSANTI AND WALTER SAY THE THE ZIPPER WAS THEIR FAVORITE RI >> IT'S JUST SCARY AT FIRST, BUT IT GETS REALLY FUN AND IT'S SOMETHING YOU'LL WANT TO TRY OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

IT'S NOT SOMETHING YOU'LL JUST DO ONCE.

YOU'LL WANT TO DO IT AGAIN.

>> WALTER AND COLOSANTI WERE DEFINITELY BRAVER THAN US.

WE DECIDED TO DO A GAME INSTEAD, ULTIMATELY.

>> NOW IT'S TIME TO HAVE SOME FUN.

WE'RE BOTH TOO SCARED TO TRY ANY OF THE RIDES, BUT WE'RE GOING TO SHOOT SOME HOOPS RIGHT NOW.

>> AND I AM A BIG KNICKS FAN, SO I'M GOING TO TRY TO MAKE JALEN BRUNSON PROUD AND KICK HER BUTT.

>> WE'LL SEE.

LET'S GO.

WHOA!

NO!

>> LAST TWO.

>> OKAY.

I'M EMBARRASSING MYSELF.

>> GO.

>> I'M NOT EVEN MAKING THE BASKET.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THE SCORE WAS 0-0 SO IT WAS SAFE TO SAY A BASKETBALL CAREER ISN'T IN OUR FUTURE, BUT WE DID HAVE FUN AND WE DIDN'T WANT TO BE THE ONLY ONES.

WE CONVINCED OUR PRODUCTION TEAM TO TRY SOME HOOPS AS WELL.

AFTER CHECKING OFF GAMES FROM OUR FAIR CLASSIC LIST, WE HEADED TO THE DAIRY BUILDING FOR ONE OF THE STATE FAIRS MOST POPULAR ATTRACTS, THE BUTTER SCULPTURE.

THE BUTTER SCULPTURE HAS BEEN PART OF THE STATE FAIR FOR 58 YEARS.

THIS YEAR THE 800-POUND SCRIPTURE WAS A CREATION CENTERED AROUND THE STATE FAIR INCLUDING FIREWORKS, FERRIS WHEEL, AND OF COURSE, A DAIRY COW.

FOR MANY FAIRGOERS, THE BUTTER SCULPTURE IS A MUST-SEE ATTRACTION.

CINDY FIORILLI COMES TO THE STATE FAIR MOST YEARS WITH HER FRIENDS AND FAMILY, AND THE BUTTER SCULPTURE IS ONE OF HER FAVORITES.

>> IT'S ONE OF OUR BIG STOPS, YUP, BUTTER SCULPTURE.

I REALLY LIKE THE COLORS THEY'VE ADDED THIS YEAR.

IT MAKES IT A LOT MORE, IT STANDS OUT MORE.

>> ZACH MURPHY HAS COME TO THE STATE FAIR EVERY YEAR SINCE AS FAR BACK AS HE CAN REMEMBER.

MURPHY SAYS THE BUTTER SCULPTURE IS ONE OF HIS GO-TO THINGS AT THE FAIR.

>> IT'S USUALLY SOMETHING THAT I TRAY TO SEE EVERY YEAR.

>> AFTER THE AMAZING BUTTER EXHIBIT, WE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A GREAT IDEA TO CLOSE OUT THE DAY WITH A PERFORMANCE THAT WE'D HEARD SO MUCH BUZZ ABOUT SINCE ARRIVING AT THE FAIR.

THAT WAS THE CIRCUS HOLLYWOOD PERFORMANCE.

THE CORONA FAMILY'S PERFORMANCE MIXED DARING, AND OFTENTIMES SCARY, STUNTS WITH COMEDY TO ENTERTAIN A LARGE AUDIENCE OF FAIRGOERS IN THE EXPOSITION CENTER.

WE ACTUALLY CAUGHT UP WITH TWO OF THE MAIN PERFORMERS, VIOLET AND VINCENT VALLA, AHEAD OF THE PERFORMANCE TO LEARN ABOUT THEIR PROCESS OF PREPARATION.

>> IN THE MORNING, IT TAKES ME ABOUT AN HOUR TO DO MY MAKEUP AND BEFORE THE SHOW, ME AND VINCENT WARM UP FOR THE UNICYCLE ACT, ESPECIALLY AND FOR ARIEL ESPECIALLY, HAVE TO WARM UP MY SHOULDERS AND ALL MY BODY.

>> VALLA SAID THAT SHE WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO THE LARGE AUDIENCE TO KEEP THE ENERGY UP IN THE ARENA.

>> IT'S ME AND MY BROTHER'S FIRST YEAR HERE AT THE SHOW, SO WE'RE REALLY EXCITE TO SEE THE CROWDS.

I MEAN, IT GETS CRAZY.

>> VINCENT VALLA TOLD US THAT TODAY'S PERFORMANCES WERE SPECIAL BECAUSE OF THE TRIBUTE TO AMERICA FOR THE 250TH ANNIVERSARY.

>> SO WE GOT THREE PERFORMANCES TODAY.

HONESTLY, MY FAVORITE I LIKE THE OPENING WITH THE IS A BIG LIKE AMERICAN FLAG DISPLAY.

IT'S A LOT OF-- IT'S VERY POWERFUL.

IT'S FUN TO BE A PART OF.

>> THE SHOW SEEMED TO BE EXTREMELY WELL RECEIVED BY THE AUDIENCE.

AS WE LEFT THE EXPOSITION CENTER AND FINISHED OUT THE DAY, WE KEPT REMINISCING ABOUT OUR FAVORITE FAIR HIGHLIGHTS.

>> WE CERTAINLY SAW A LOT TODAY.

I HAD A LOT OF FUN.

I THINK THE CORGI RACES WERE PROBABLY MY FAVORITE, BUT CIRCUS HOLLYWOOD WAS ALSO REALLY COOL.

>> I ALSO LOVED CIRCUS HOLLYWOOD, AND I LOVE THE HOLLYWOOD RACING PIGS.

THERE'S STILL SO MUCH TIME TO CHECK OUT THE FAIR.

THE FAIR WILL BE OPEN UNTIL THE END OF THE WEEK.

I'M SHANTEL DESTRA.

>> AND I'M ELISE KLINE.

>> TOGETHER: "NEW YORK NOW."

[ THEME MUSIC ] >> AND FOR MORE ON THE TOPICS WE DISCUSSED IN THIS WEEK'S SHOW, YOU CAN VISIT OUR WEBSITE.

AGAIN, THAT'S AT NYNOW.ORG.

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WELL, THAT DOES IT FOR THIS EDITION OF "NEW YORK NOW."

THANK YOU FOR TUNING IN AND SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

[ THEME MUSIC ] >>ANNOUNCER: FUNDING FOR "NEW YORK NOW" IS PROVIDED BY WNET.