Kathy Hochul to become New York's first female governor

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced his resignation on Tuesday. Cuomo will hand over the reins of the nation's fourth-most populous state to Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, a fellow Democrat who will become New York's first-ever female governor. "I think that given the circumstances, the best way I can help now is if I step aside and let government get back to government," Cuomo said in a live televised address. "My resignation will be effective in 14 days," said Cuomo. 

Cuomo is facing possible impeachment over sexual harassment claims from 11 women and mounting pressure from fellow Democrats. Evev president Joe Biden also asked him to resign. Biden commented briefly Tuesday, saying only "I respect the governor's decision." Cuomo has repeatedly denied the claims of sexual harassment outlined in an explosiv report released last week by the office of state Attorney General Letitia James. His announcement came just days after the resignation of a top aide, Melissa DeRosa, and the filing of a criminal complaint against him by a former executive assistant, Brittany Commisso.