In a move that sent political waves throughout the state and on Capitol Hill, Rep. Mike Lawler announced this week that he will not seek the New York governor's office and instead will try to defend his district in the Hudson Valley.

Lawler said his focus was on helping Republicans keep control of the U.S. House of Representatives next year.

"I know how important my seat is to being able to deliver results," Lawler said.

As the incumbent, Lawler is unlikely to face a primary next June. His opponent next November is still unclear. At least seven Democrats have announced their intentions to run for the seat.

For the governor's race, incumbent Gov. Kathy Hochul has to get through her No. 2, Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado, next June. Neither has announced their running mates.

Rep. Elise Stefanik is considered the frontrunner for the Republican nomination to go against the winner of the gubernatorial Democratic primary. Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman has also signaled interest in the seat though he is currently running for reelection later this year.

Lawler spoke with News 12 Senior Reporter Tara Rosenblum to discuss his decision, the role President Donald Trump played and what's next.

Aug. 1 is the deadline for all school districts in New York to submit their plans to the state on how they will restrict students' cellphone access in the classroom starting this fall.

Nearly 150 school districts across the state have already finalized and submitted their policies, according to Gov. Kathy Hochul's office.

The Distraction-Free Schools law signed by Hochul requires bell-to-bell smartphone restrictions in K-12 school districts statewide, starting this fall for the 2025-2026 school year.

Among those that submitted their plans was the White Plains City School District.

Superintendent of Schools Joseph Ricca weighed in on the upcoming changes.

"Now, it's time to figure out the best way to operationalize that in a manner that not only comports with the spirit and the letter [of the law] but that also makes sense to our students who are going to be the ones who are dealing with it on a day-to-day basis," he said.