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Thursday, nov 21
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Legislation
Politics
Northern Westchester HS Grad AOC Issues Warning After Presidential Election
US Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez took to social media following Tuesday's presidential election to reflect on the Democratic Party's poor showing. In a live stream on Instagram on Wednesday, Nov. 6, Ocasio-Cortez, a Democrat who represents New York's 14th congressional district consisting of parts of the Bronx and Queens, addressed followers to discuss the election results including the re-election of former President Donald Trump. "We are about to enter a political period that will have consequences for the rest of our lives,” Ocasio-Cortez, also known as AOC, said during the li…
News
Euthanasia Of NY's 'Peanut The Squirrel' Sparks Viral Outrage; Lawmaker Demands Investigation
Outrage is swirling after New York wildlife officials seized and later euthanized beloved social media sensation “Peanut” the squirrel. Chemung County resident Mark Longo, of Elmira, took to Instagram Wednesday, Oct 30, telling his 581,000 followers that Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) officers had seized the animal, which he rescued in 2017 after its mother was struck by a car. “Well internet, you WON. You took one of the most amazing animals away from me because of your selfishness,” he wrote. “To the people who called (DEC), there’s a special place in hell for you.” In a…
News
Westchester Tightens Road Repaving Standards To Stop 'Patch Jobs'
To address incomplete road repairs left behind by private companies, Westchester County will be enforcing new legislation that raises repaving standards. In an announcement on Wednesday, Oct. 30, Westchester County Executive George Latimer revealed that he signed into law a new amendment to Chapter 813 of the Westchester County Laws involving repaving on county roads by private contractors. The new legislation will require companies performing work on county roads to perform curb-to-curb replacement instead of spot repaving, making sure that construction ends with streets in safe…
News
Red Light Camera Programs To Be Extended In These Westchester Locales
To protect motorists on New York roads, Gov. Kathy Hochul has announced the creation of a new red light camera program in the Hudson Valley and the expansion of other initiatives across the state. In an announcement on Wednesday, Oct. 23, Hochul revealed that she signed legislation to extend several existing red light camera programs in Westchester, Albany, and Nassau counties. The legislation also includes the "largest expansion" of the red light camera program in New York City's history, Hochul's office said. "The safety of all New Yorkers is my top priority and we know that …
Business
Food Hall Gets Liquor License In Northern Westchester Thanks To Amended Legislation
Thanks to the efforts of lawmakers, a Northern Westchester eatery that had been unable to get a liquor license for years because of its proximity to a church can finally serve drinks. Since opening in February 2016, Mount Kisco's Exit 4 Food Hall, located at 153 East Main St., had been trying to secure a state liquor license. However, co-owner Isi Albanese was unable to do so for years because the eatery was located within 200 feet of a local church. This posed a problem, as New York state law prohibited issuing liquor licenses to establishments within 200 feet of a house o…
Politics
Competitive Long Island, Hudson Valley Races Seen As Key To What Party Controls House
As Election Day draws closer, political pundits are closely watching three New York congressional races that could determine which party controls the House next year. Freshmen Republican Reps. Mike Lawler, Marc Molinaro, and Anthony D’Esposito – supporters of former President Donald Trump in districts won by President Joe Biden in 2020 – are all hoping for repeat wins in November. Here’s a closer look at their races. Mondaire Jones (left) and Rep. Mike Lawler. Campaign Facebook Pages 17th District: Lawler vs. Jones Lawler, whose 17th District represents all of Rockland and Pu…
Politics
TikTok 'Cultivates Addiction' For Kids, Harming Their Mental Health, NY AG’s Lawsuit Alleges
TikTok knowingly harms young users’ mental health all in an effort to turn a profit, a new multistate lawsuit alleges. New York Attorney General Letitia James was among a bipartisan coalition of 14 attorneys general who filed a lawsuit against the social media platform on Tuesday, Oct. 8, alleging fraudulent and deceptive business practices, among other offenses. According to the complaint, TikTok falsely claims its platform is safe for young people despite “addictive features” that worsen their mental health and body image issues. Those features include around-the-clock notifications lea…
Schools
New Poll Reveals NYers' Views On Banning Cell Phone Use In Schools
With the new school year comes renewed debate over the use of cell phones in the classroom. Among New York parents of school-age children, 77-percent support barring cell phone use in schools during the day, a Mount Sinai South Nassau “Truth in Medicine” poll found. Most parents, 72-percent, said they still want their child to have their phone on them in case of an emergency, the poll found. Earlier Report: Hochul Signs Bill Restricting 'Addictive' Social Media Feeds Targeting Children The poll was conducted by 600 parents with at least one child under the age of 18 in New York Cit…
Politics
Social Media Sites Should Be Forced To Display Warning Labels, NY AG Argues
You’ve seen them on cigarettes and alcohol – now social media accounts could come with their own warnings if New York Attorney General Letitia James gets her way. James was among a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general who sent a letter to Congress on Tuesday, Sept. 10, urging lawmakers to approve US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy's request for warnings on sites like TikTok and Instagram about potential adverse mental health effects for minors. Murthy made the request in June, citing new research showing that adolescents who spend more than three hours per day on social media face an incr…
Politics
Internet Providers Would Be Forced To Issue Outage Credits Under NY Bill: 'Matter Of Fairness'
New York lawmakers are considering legislation that would force internet providers to compensate customers for service outages. Under the “Internet Service Outage Consumer Protection Act,” providers would be required to issue prorated bill credits to customers for any service outages lasting more than an hour. The bill was introduced by Democratic Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara, who represents the 111th Assembly District covering parts of Schenectady County. “In today’s digital age, reliable internet service is not just a convenience, but a necessity,” he said. “When service is disrupted,…
Politics
Hochul Signs Bill Restricting 'Addictive' Social Media Feeds Targeting Children
Big changes are on the horizon for those TikTok and Instagram feeds. Gov. Kathy Hochul signed new legislation Thursday, June 20, meant to combat what lawmakers called “addictive” social media algorithms aimed at minors, the first such law in the country. Under the Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation (SAFE) For Kids Act, social media companies will be required to display content chronologically for users under 18 unless they get parental consent allowing them to show content that is selected algorithmically instead. Content that is algorithmically curated relies on a user’s behavior and past …
Politics
‘Sad Day’: SCOTUS Bump Stock Ruling Sparks Bipartisan Condemnation From NY Politicians
New York politicians wasted no time reacting to the Supreme Court’s decision striking down a federal ban on bump stocks, which allow semiautomatic rifles to fire more quickly. In their 6-3 ruling Friday, June 14, with conservatives in the majority, the high court sided with a Texas gun store owner who surrendered his bump stocks after the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) reclassified the devices as machine guns in 2018. He later sued to get them back. The ATF’s regulation, issued under the Trump administration with his full support, came about after the 2017 Las Veg…
News
Bill Adding Fencing To Hudson Valley Bridges To Prevent People From Deadly Jumps Moves Forward
A bill aimed at stopping suicides by adding preventive fencing to five Hudson Valley bridges has passed the New York State Senate unanimously. Now, the bill introduced by State Sen. Pete Harckham (D, Mount Kisco), will move to the State Assembly, whose session ends on Friday, June 7, for consideration. The bill mandates that climb deterrent fencing be installed on all bridges under the New York State Bridge Authority (NYSBA) jurisdiction. The five Hudson Valley bridges are: Bear Mountain Bridge. Rip Van Winkle Bridge, Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge, Mid-Hudson Bridge, Newbu…
News
Red Light Cameras Approved For Busy Westchester Intersections After Fatal Hit-Run
Officials are one step closer to installing two red light cameras at busy Westchester intersections following a hit-run that left a beloved community leader dead. Following a request for two red light cameras to be put at two busy intersections in Greenburgh made by the Town Board, the New York State Legislature has approved legislation authorizing their installation, Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner announced on Wednesday, June 4. The cameras would be located at the intersection of Old Army Road and Ardsley Road as well as East Hartsdale Avenue and Roc…
News
Officials Consider Temporarily Halting Battery Storage Facility Plans In Hudson Valley
Following an uproar concerning a proposed battery storage facility in the Hudson Valley, town officials are considering a temporary moratorium that would allow more time for leaders to consider the plans and hear from the public. In response to a proposed lithium battery storage facility that would be located in the Putnam County hamlet of Mahopac at 24 Miller Rd., the Carmel Town Board is planning on holding a public hearing on a possible moratorium on energy storage systems in the town in June. Earlier Report - Somers Officials Speak Out Against Battery Storage…
Politics
'Melanie's Law' Closing Loophole That Led To Hudson Valley Mom's Killing Passes Assembly
Two years after a young mother from New York was stabbed to death by her mother’s ex-boyfriend, state lawmakers have passed legislation aimed at closing the dangerous loophole that led to her killing. On Tuesday, May 21, the New York Assembly passed “Melanie’s Law,” allowing judges to expand orders of protection for immediate family members or household members of named victims of domestic violence, regardless of their age. The legislation is named after Melanie Chianese, who was stabbed to death on May 29, 2022, inside the Dutchess County residence in Wappingers Falls that she shared with …
Politics
'Protected, Not Prosecuted': NY Bill Would Decriminalize Prostitution, Target Sex Traffickers
New York lawmakers are considering new legislation aimed at protecting sex trafficking survivors and closing a legal loophole often used by their abusers. The Sex Trade Survivors Justice and Equality Act (STSJEA), introduced by Democratic Assemblywoman Pamela Hunter, would decriminalize prostitution and automatically expunge all prior convictions for prostitution. If passed, the bill would also: Eliminate a loophole in New York State law that prevents sex abusers from being charged with promotion of prostitution when they traffic people to themselves Prevent people from being charged as a…
News
Severed Remains Case: 2 Charged With Murdering Westchester Couple As Gruesome Details Revealed
Months after the mutilated remains of a Hudson Valley couple were found strewn across Long Island, prosecutors have charged two suspects with their murders. Jeffrey Mackey, age 36, and Alexis Nieves, age 33, both of Amityville, were arraigned on additional charges of murder and related offenses in Suffolk County Court on Friday, April 26 in the killings of Malcolm Brown and Donna Conneely. Prosecutors said the couple was stabbed to death after entering Mackey and Nieves’ Amityville residence on Railroad Avenue on Tuesday, Feb. 27. Earlier Report: Dismembering Dead Body Would Be Fel…
News
Woman ID'd In Dismembered Remains Case Has Ties To Northern Westchester
One of two murder victims whose dismembered remains were found strewn across Long Island has numerous ties to the Hudson Valley. Suffolk County Police said the severed remains of Donna Conneely, age 59, were discovered Thursday, Feb. 29, at Babylon’s Southards Pond Park. Homicide detectives located additional remains on Tuesday, March 5, at Bethpage State Park and in a wooded residential area in West Babylon. Homicide detectives have located human remains at Bethpage State Park, Southards Pond Park in Babylon, and in a wooded area along Lakeway Drive in West Babylon. Googl…
News
Dismembered Remains Case: ID Released For 1 Of 2 Westchester County Victims
For the first time, police have publicly identified one of two murder victims from Westchester County whose mutilated remains were found strewn across Long Island, reigniting the debate over bail reform laws. In an update to the case Monday, March 11, Suffolk County Police identified the female victim as 59-year-old Donna Conneely, whose last known address was in Yonkers. The identity of the male victim is still pending confirmation from the Suffolk County Medical Examiner’s office. Earlier Report: Dismembering Dead Body Would Be Felony Under NY Bill Meant To Remedy 'Ill-Conceived D…
Politics
Dismembering Dead Body Would Be Felony Under NY Bill Meant To Remedy 'Ill-Conceived Disaster'
Public outrage over the release of four suspects accused of dismembering and hiding the bodies of two murder victims in New York has led to proposed changes to state law. A bill introduced by Long Island Republican State Sen. Anthony Palumbo on Thursday, March 7, would make it a felony to dismember or conceal a human corpse, thereby making the offense eligible for bail. Palumbo said the legislation is a direct response to the “horrific” case in Suffolk County, where the severed body parts of a Yonkers couple were found strewn at Bethpage State Park, Southards Pond Park in Babylon, and a woo…
Politics
Chick-fil-A Will Be Forced To Open Some NY Locations On Sundays Under Proposed Bill
Chick-fil-A could soon be forced to open some New York locations on Sundays, overturning a policy that dates back nearly eight decades. State lawmakers are considering a bill that would require the chicken chain – and any other food service businesses located at New York State Thruway rest stops – to remain open seven days a week. While the legislation would affect all Thruway food businesses, its sponsor, Democratic Assemblymember Tony Simone, made it clear that his bill targets Chick-fil-A specifically. “It makes no sense for restaurants at rest stops to be closed on one of the busiest t…
News
Suspect In 9-Year-Old's Kidnapping From NY Campground Pleads Not Guilty, Report Says
The man accused of kidnapping a 9-year-old girl from a New York campground has formally denied any wrongdoing, Albany station WTEN reports. Saratoga County resident Craig Nelson Ross Jr., age 46, of Milton, pleaded not guilty to nine criminal charges in Saratoga County Court on Friday, Nov. 17, the outlet said. Ross is charged with the following: First-degree kidnapping Four counts of sexual assault Two counts of sexual abuse Endangering the welfare of a child Assault Ross was arrested Monday, Oct. 2, 48 hours after allegedly kidnapping the girl from a campground at Moreau Lake Stat…
News
Westchester Rep. Bowman Charged With Misdemeanor After Pulling Fire Alarm: Report
New York Rep. Jamaal Bowman has been criminally charged with a misdemeanor after pulling a fire alarm at a congressional building in Washington, DC while rushing to make a vote, according to a report by NBC News. New, updated report - New Update: Westchester Rep. Bowman To Pay Fine After Pulling Fire Alarm, He Says Bowman (NY-16), a Democrat, now faces a charge of falsely pulling a firearm in connection to an incident that happened on Saturday, Sept. 30, NBC News reported. The 16th district is made up of the southern part of Westchester County, including the suburban citie…
Politics
Cameras Would Be Required At NY Parks Under New Bill Proposed After Kidnapping
Get ready to smile big on future visits to New York state parks. New legislation introduced by State Sen. Jim Tedisco would require all state parks, campgrounds, and recreational facilities in New York to have security cameras at all entrances and exits. Tedisco, a Republican whose 44th State Senate district represents portions of Saratoga and Schenectady counties, announced the proposal Thursday, Oct. 5 on X, formerly known as Twitter. “We don’t need the state to ‘study’ and ‘review’ the need for security cameras at our state parks and campgrounds, we need them installed as soon as possib…
Police & Fire
Clerks At 6 Stores Charged With Selling Alcohol To Minors In Hudson Valley: Police
Clerks at six liquor stores in the Hudson Valley face charges after they were caught selling alcohol to underage customers during a series of compliance checks, police said. The six clerks were caught during a series of alcohol compliance checks conducted over three weeks in May 2023 by the Putnam County Sheriff's Office, authorities announced on Tuesday, Aug. 1. The checks targeted stores in each town and village in Putnam at various times of day to make sure that they would not sell alcohol to people under the age of 21. To do this, an underage person under direct supervision by a l…
News
County In Hudson Valley Advances Legislation To Stop NYC From Sending Migrants
A county in the Hudson Valley is moving to advance legislation that would prevent other municipalities, including New York City, from sending migrants and asylum seekers to facilities within its borders. The legislation was presented by Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne during a meeting held by the Putnam County Legislature's Rules Committee, county officials announced on Tuesday, June 27. During the meeting, the committee unanimously voted to advance this legislation, which would prevent outside municipalities from housing members of its homeless population, migrants, and asyl…
Politics
'Melanie's Law' Aims To Close 'Dangerous' Loophole That Led To Hudson Valley Mom's Killing
One year after a young mother from New York was stabbed to death by her own mother’s ex-boyfriend, a state lawmaker is pushing to close what he calls the “dangerous” loophole that led to her killing. Dutchess County resident Melanie Chianese, age 29, of the town of Wappinger, was found suffering from multiple stab wounds on May 29, 2022. Deputies from the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office found her while responding to a home on Scott Drive in Wappinger for a report of a woman being injured. Earlier Report: Man Sentenced For Murdering Ex-Girlfriend's Daughter In Poughkeepsie She was rushed…
Politics
‘Stop The Bloodshed’: Louisville Shooting Could’ve Been Prevented By Red Flag Law, Hochul Says
Recent mass shootings that killed six people at an elementary school in Tennessee and five more at a bank in Kentucky might not have occurred had those states implemented so-called “red flag” laws like New York, according to Gov. Kathy Hochul. In an op-ed written for USA Today Network and shared on the governor's website, Hochul touted the measures, which allow a court to issue an extreme risk protection order (ERPO) that temporarily prohibits someone from buying or possessing a gun should they be deemed a danger to themselves or others. Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the state’s ERPO in…
News
These Westchester Agencies Broke Law, Warned For Not Submitting Financial Reports
Several public authorities in Westchester have been issued an official warning by a New York state agency for breaking the law and failing to submit financial reports before the required deadlines. The list of public agencies that failed to submit financial reports was released by the New York State Authorities Budget Office in March 2023, and constitutes an official warning for every organization that appears on it, officials said in the report. According to law, the state and local authorities that appear on the list must file an annual report and audit report within 90 d…
News
Plastic Utensils, Condiments For Takeout Orders Banned In Westchester: Unless You Ask
Anyone ordering takeout in Westchester will be forced to go without plastic utensils or single-use condiment packets unless they remember to ask for them, thanks to a new law. The new legislation, signed into law by County Executive George Latimer on Monday, March 6 after being passed unanimously by the Board of Legislators, is aimed to reduce the amount of plastic that enters the county's waste stream, according to county officials. The law stipulates the following: No restaurant can provide single-use utensils or condiment packets to takeout or dine-in customers unless…
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