US Women's Hockey Team Wins Gold as NY Governor Pulls Robotaxi Expansion Proposal

In a day marked by both triumph and reversal, the US women's ice hockey team celebrated a thrilling overtime victory against Canada to claim the gold medal, while in New York, Governor Kathy Hochul pulled a proposal to expand robotaxi services in smaller cities outside the Big Apple.

The US women's ice hockey team, led by captain Hilary Knight, staged a dramatic comeback to defeat Canada 2-1 in overtime, securing the gold medal in the process. The win marked a thrilling conclusion to a closely contested match, with the Canadians leading 1-0 in regulation before a late US goal forced the game into overtime. Megan Keller clinched the title with the winning goal, sending the US team into raptures.

Meanwhile, in New York, Governor Kathy Hochul announced that she was pulling her proposal to allow commercial robotaxi services in smaller cities outside New York City. The proposal, which had been met with skepticism by some lawmakers and stakeholders, aimed to expand the availability of robotaxi services beyond the five boroughs of New York City, where companies like Waymo are already operating.

According to a spokesperson for the governor, the decision to pull the proposal was made after conversations with stakeholders, including lawmakers, made it clear that there was not enough support to advance the proposal. "Based on conversations with stakeholders, including in the legislature, it was clear that the support was not there to advance this proposal," the spokesperson said.

The decision is a setback for proponents of robotaxi services, who argue that they can provide a safe and convenient transportation option for residents of smaller cities. However, critics have raised concerns about the potential safety risks and regulatory challenges associated with the technology.

Despite the setback, Waymo, one of the leading companies in the robotaxi industry, has announced that it will continue to move ahead with its plans to operate in New York City. The company has been testing its self-driving cars in the city for several years and has obtained the necessary permits to operate a commercial service.

In contrast to the reversal in New York, the US women's ice hockey team is basking in the glory of their gold medal win. The team's victory marked a triumphant conclusion to a hard-fought campaign, and captain Hilary Knight was effusive in her praise for her teammates. "This is an incredible feeling," she said. "We worked so hard for this, and to have it pay off is just amazing."

The win also marked a milestone for Knight, who is retiring from international competition after the Olympics. "I'm so proud of this team," she said. "We've come a long way, and to end my career on a high note like this is just the best feeling in the world."

As the US team celebrates its gold medal win, the decision to pull the robotaxi expansion proposal in New York serves as a reminder that not all proposals are successful, and that sometimes, it's necessary to reassess and regroup. However, for the US women's ice hockey team, there's no need to reassess - they're already on top of the world.