New York Gov. Kathy Hochul holds a commanding lead in this year's gubernatorial race, outpacing Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman by more than 25 points among registered voters, according to a Siena Research Institute poll released Tuesday.

The poll found Hochul leading Blakeman 54% to 28%, a margin little changed from December, while she also maintains strong support among Democrats and improved favorability ratings statewide.

The Siena poll, conducted Jan. 26-28 among 802 registered voters, has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.3 percentage points.

"Ten months from election day, Blakeman – largely unknown to three in five New York voters – has his work cut out for him. Hochul’s 79-8% lead among Democrats is significantly better than Blakeman’s 69-15% lead with Republicans, and she leads 41-34% with independents, as well as in every region of the state," said Siena pollster Steven Greenberg.

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Hochul is seeking re-election to a second full term and faces a primary challenge from Democratic Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado.

Blakeman is running on the Republican side with President Donald Trump’s endorsement, which he received after Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., withdrew from the race in December.

The primary election is scheduled for June 23.

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The Siena poll found Hochul’s job approval above 50% and showed her holding a wide lead over Delgado, with at least 60% support among Democrats in every region of the state, including 68% of self-described liberals and 65% of moderates.

Greenberg noted that while Hochul’s 49% favorability rating is modest, it represents a seven-point increase since December and marks the first time in four and a half years as governor that she has reached that level in a Siena poll.

Blakeman took aim at Hochul on Friday for introducing legislation that would prohibit local law enforcement from partnering with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on federal civil immigration enforcement.

"Kathy Hochul is the most pro-criminal governor in the United States who has a callous disregard for the safety of our communities and victims of crime," Blakeman said. "By banning local law enforcement partnerships with ICE, Hochul is allowing dangerous criminals to return to our neighborhoods. That ends when I’m Governor."

A mysterious cherub face has popped up in the Basilica of San Lorenzo in Lucina, Italy — prompting officials to launch an investigation.

The cherub closely resembles Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in a restored fresco that honors Italy’s King Umberto II depicting Angels, The Associated Press (AP) reported.

The Meloni-like cherub is shown in a deferential pose toward the king. 

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Some people are interpreting this as a pointed allusion to Italians’ post–World War II rejection of the monarchy after its support for fascist dictator Benito Mussolini.

The diocese of Rome addressed the controversy in press releases, noting that the fresco was being restored in a project.

They "had been aware since 2023 of a restoration project, without modifying or adding anything, on the fresco in question, recently made [in] 2000. Therefore, the modification of the cherub's face was an initiative of the decorator not communicated to the competent bodies," said one of the statements. 

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"The diocese of Rome’s commitment to the preservation of its artistic and spiritual heritage, it is firmly reiterated that images of sacred art and Christian tradition cannot be misused or exploited, as they are intended exclusively to support liturgical life and personal and communal prayer," the releases also conveyed. 

Local craftsman and restoration volunteer Bruno Valentinetti told the local press he sees no resemblance between the painting and Meloni.

Meloni poked fun at the painting, sharing a photo on Facebook with the caption, "No, I definitely don’t look like an angel" — along with a laughing emoji.

Rev. Daniele Micheletti told AP that many artists have depicted real people in their paintings.

"The priest is not responsible for the decorations in the sense that the owner is someone else," Micheletti said. "So, what do they want from me? I did not do the painting."

The basilica is one of the oldest churches in Rome, consecrated in the 5th century by Pope Sixtus III — and is located near the Spanish Steps.

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The structure was destroyed during World War II and numerous frescoes were lost in raids, according to Jubilee 2025.

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The Associated Press contributed reporting.