UN Visa Fight: The UN voted to let Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas address the General Assembly via video after the U.S. denied his visa again, while the U.S. approved visas for Iran’s core delegation to attend in person—keeping New York’s UN week tightly bound to U.S.-Middle East tensions. PFAS Water Limits: New York lawmakers moved to tighten state “forever chemical” drinking-water standards as federal PFAS rules shift, aiming to lower limits for PFOA/PFOS and add caps for other PFAS chemicals. Energy Costs & Relief: With utility bills driving election pressure, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand urged federal LIHEAP funding to avoid delays for New Yorkers facing colder-weather price spikes. Election Logistics: Oswego County election officials reminded voters that mail ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 3 and received within seven days, urging early mailing to protect validity. Public Health Watch: A new report says about 42% of NY schools had drinking-water samples exceeding lead levels considered safe, renewing calls for faster lead-out efforts. NYC Governance: Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s $4M pilot rolls out 17 automated public restrooms across the city, with a 10-minute use limit. AI Policy Debate: Amazon weighed in on AI pace, saying models should be released only when “ready and safe,” after calls for industry slowdown. Judicial Appointments: NY1 reports Mamdani is reshaping how the city selects judges for Criminal and Family Court, using the mayor’s unilateral appointment power. Transportation/Utilities: New York agencies urged the Second Circuit to block the Trump administration’s push to end congestion pricing.