Kate O'Connell, WXXI

The impact and severity of weather events like the tornado that hit Oklahoma City earlier this week are increasing due to a changing global climate, according to research from the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC).

“We get more extremes everywhere, so really it’s climate disruption, the term global warming is not really the best term to use because what we’re seeing, and what we’re expecting to see from all the models, is a lot of extreme events. Not per se the number, but the extremity of them,” says Laurie Johnson, chief economist for the NRDC’s climate and clean air program.

And, she says, more of the related economic fallout from these disasters is being carried by taxpayers.

There's the possibility that iconic clothing brand Hickey Freeman could change hands again. Former CEO of the company, Doug Williams, currently runs operations in upstate New York and licenses the Hickey Freeman brand from Authentic Brands, who bought the clothing company late last year.

Williams has confirmed that he is in talks with a Canadian company, Samuelsohn, which is interested in taking over his role in operations of the Rochester clothing factory.

New York is the second biggest apple producing state in the country. But, last year production dropped dramatically due to a warmer winter, early blooms, and harsh spring frosts. The total production from the state plummeted from 1.2 million pounds in 2011, to just 710,000 pounds in 2012.

But, weather isn’t the only challenge growers are contending with.

Abdominal aortic aneurysms are one of the top ten causes of death in men over the age of 55, and upstate New York has higher rates of this condition than the rest of the country.

Researchers are now working on patient-specific diagnosis and treatment for the condition.

Late last week, Governor Andrew Cuomo outlined plans to expand organized gaming in the state, arguing the addition of three casinos in upstate New York would bring substantial economic benefits to the region.

“We have gaming. The question really is, should we recognize the reality of our situation, and fully participate in casinos and gaming, and actually regulate it intelligently and tie it into our overall tourism efforts.”