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Tuesday, apr 16
Politics
Democratic Primary In Hudson Valley Draws National Attention
As the New York Democratic primary election draws closer, the race for the state's 16th District seat between Westchester County Executive George Latimer and incumbent Jamaal Bowman is attracting nationwide attention and exposing divisions within the party. The race between Latimer, age 70, and Bowman, age 48, is exposing tensions within the Democratic Party that will likely come to a head as residents within the 16th District cast their votes in the primary election on Tuesday, June 25, primarily centered on the ongoing conflict between Gaza and Israel. Earlier …
Politics
Parents Of Stillborn Babies Would Qualify For Paid Family Leave Under NY Bill
New York lawmakers are considering legislation aimed at easing the immense burden on parents whose babies are stillborn. A bill introduced by Democratic State Sen. Timothy Kennedy – whose 63rd District represents most of Buffalo – would add birth of a stillborn child as a qualifying condition for receiving Paid Family Leave benefits. An earlier version of the bill passed the senate in March 2023, but it was not voted on in the assembly. Speaking on the senate floor before its passage in the chamber, Kennedy told his colleagues that the legislation is personal to him and his wife, whose bab…
Politics
Longtime Senator, Former VP Candidate Joe Lieberman Dies At Age 82
Joe Lieberman, who represented Connecticut in the US Senate for more than two decades and ran alongside Al Gore during his historically unsuccessful bid for the White House in 2000, has died at the age of 82. The Democrat-turned-Independent died Wednesday, March 27, in New York after suffering complications from a fall, according to NBC News. "Senator Lieberman’s love of God, his family, and America endured throughout his life of service in the public interest," the outlet quoted his family as saying. News of his death sparked a flood of tributes from across the political spectrum. A…
Politics
NY Bill Targets Squatters Amid Troubling Incidents Involving Homeowners
New York lawmakers are considering legislation targeting illegal squatters amid recent disturbing incidents involving homeowners that garnered national attention. The bill from Republican Assemblyman Jake Blumencranz, whose 15th District represents parts of Nassau County, adds squatters to the definition of criminal trespass. It also extends the time period for tenancy rights from 30 days to 45 days of possession. Under current New York State law, squatters are classified as tenants and receive temporary rights after living in a property for 30 days. If a squatter claims to be a tenant, the…
Politics
George Santos Leaving ‘Embarrassing’ GOP, Will Run For NY House Seat As Independent
Disgraced former New York Congressman George Santos is declaring his independence. The ex-lawmaker from Long Island – who was ousted from his 3rd District seat representing parts of Nassau County and Queens – announced that he is leaving the Republican Party on Friday, March 22, following what he described as an “embarrassing showing” in the House hours earlier. He was no doubt referring to the House’s passage of a $1.2 trillion package of spending bills to avert a government shutdown. The budget bill passed with more Democratic than Republican support and prompted Georgia Rep. Marjorie Tay…
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
'
George
Rule' Revoking House Access For Ousted Members Proposed After
Sotu
Surprise: Report
If you were baffled by former New York Congressman George Santos’ surprise appearance at the State of the Union address, you certainly weren’t alone. According to Google data, searches for the term “House floor privileges” spiked dramatically during President Biden’s national address Thursday night, March 7. The reason, no doubt, was Santos himself, who was all smiles seated in the House chamber while donning a rhinestone necklace and flashy silver shoes. His attendance understandably left many confused, given the 35-year-old Republican’s historic ouster from his 3rd District seat re…
Politics
'Indefensible': DA Blasts Hochul Over Criticism Of Severed Remains Case Of Hudson Valley Duo
Local leaders are outraged over comments Gov. Kathy Hochul made criticizing the investigation into two Westchester County residents whose mutilated corpses were strewn across Long Island. The public back-and-forth began Wednesday, March 6, when Suffolk County District Raymond Tierney blasted reforms to the state’s bail laws that saw four suspects in the case released from custody with GPS monitoring. “Unfortunately, due to ‘bail reform’ passed by the New York State Legislature in 2019, charges relating to the mutilation and disposal of murdered corpses are no longer bail-eligible, meaning m…
Politics
George Santos Announces Comeback Bid For NY Congressional Seat: 'Off To The Races'
Disgraced former New York Rep. George Santos is mounting a comeback campaign. The Republican ex-lawmaker from Long Island – who was ousted from his 3rd District seat representing parts of Nassau County and Queens – announced a primary challenge against Rep. Nick LaLota for his 1st District seat. In a statement on X shared during President Biden’s State of the Union address Thursday night, March 7, Santos said New York hasn’t had “a real conservative represent them” since he left office “thanks to RINO, empty suits like Nick LaLota.” Earlier Report: Exiled Congressman Turned Reality …
Politics
Exiled Congressman Turned Reality TV Star? 2 George Santos Productions In Works, He Claims
If disgraced former New York congressman and admitted liar George Santos is to be believed, you haven’t seen the last of him. The Republican ex-lawmaker told City & State New York he’s been busy working on both a documentary and a reality TV show since being ousted from his 3rd District House seat representing parts of Nassau County and Queens. “So there’s just so many things that I’m working on now that I prefer to engage in instead of going into a messy primary to take on (newly sworn-in Democratic Rep.) Tom Suozzi,” Santos told the outlet. Earlier Report: Not Laughi…
Politics
'Simply Unrealistic': NY Republicans Want To 'Pump The Brakes' On Electric School Bus Mandate
A plan to mandate electric school buses on New York roadways in the next decade is meeting strong opposition from Republican state lawmakers. Several GOP state senators and assembly members were on hand at Long Island's Levittown Bus Depot on Sunday, Feb. 25 for a “Pump the Brakes” rally and press conference that was also attended by some fire safety and school officials. Attendees voiced their opposition to a state budget mandate that requires all new buses sold in New York to be zero-emission by 2027 and all buses on the road to be zero-emission by 2035. Opponents argued the impending ma…
Politics
New Poll Reveals How NYers Think Gov. Hochul Is Handling Job
Fresh polling shows a dip in New Yorkers’ satisfaction with Gov. Kathy Hochul’s handling of the job. A Siena College poll of registered voters released on Tuesday, Feb. 20, shows that Hochul’s favorability rating sits at 41 to 46 percent, down from 45 to 42 percent in January 2024. Her job approval rating also took a hit, sitting at 48 to 47 percent, down from 52 to 42 percent last month, the poll found. Voters were closely divided on whether Hochul is an effective or strong leader, and a plurality said she’s out of touch with average New Yorkers, the poll showed. It wasn’t all bad news f…
Politics
Not Laughing: George Santos Sues Jimmy Kimmel For 'Deceiving' Him Into Making Cameo Videos
Disgraced former New York Rep. George Santos is taking his beef with late-night host Jimmy Kimmel to federal court. In a lawsuit filed in the Southern District of New York on Friday, Feb. 16, the ex-Republican lawmaker accused Kimmel of copyright infringement and fraud for a series of personalized videos the talk show host commissioned from him on the website Cameo. The 35-year-old Santos began selling video shout outs on the site following his historic ouster from Congress amid federal criminal charges. Earlier Report: US House Expels Nassau Rep. George Santos In Historic Vote K…
Politics
Poll Shows Tight Race In Special Election For George Santos Congressional Seat
Fresh polling continues to show a tight race ahead of New York’s special election to fill George Santos’ vacant congressional seat. A Newsday/Siena College poll of likely 3rd District voters released Thursday, Feb. 8, shows Democrat Tom Suozzi narrowly leading Republican Mazi Pilip 48 to 44 percent. Though both candidates have breakeven favorability ratings, voters feel that Suozzi would do a better job on protecting democracy, addressing the issue of abortion, and making Congress work more effectively, said Don Levy, Siena College Research Institute’s director. “Pilip is viewed as better …
Politics
‘Rape Is Rape’: Hochul Signs NY Law Broadening Sexual Assault Definition
State leaders in New York are working to ensure that perpetrators of sexual assault face the toughest prosecutions available. A new law signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul on Tuesday, Jan. 30, expands the definition of rape to include additional forms of nonconsensual, forced sexual conduct. Known as the “Rape is Rape” bill, the legislation removes the penetration requirement from the rape statutes and defines rape as vaginal, oral, and anal sexual contact. Under the previous law, oral and anal rape were excluded from being called rape. There was also a higher standard for what constituted vaginal…
Politics
Hudson Valley State Assemblyman Announces He Won't Seek Re-election
A longtime Hudson Valley assemblyman has announced his decision against seeking re-election. Rockland County Democrat Ken Zebrowski, who represents the 96th District, which includes the towns of Clarkstown and Haverstraw and a portion of Orangetown, announced his decision on Thursday, Jan. 25. “It has been a profound honor to serve as a member of the NYS Assembly for the past 17 years," Zebrowski said. "I want to thank the residents of Rockland County for the privilege of fighting for them and representing our neighborhoods during these nine terms." He said he was proud of his statew…
Politics
Dealers Behind Fatal ODs Would Be Charged With Manslaughter Under NY Bill: 'This Is A Crisis'
Drug dealers in New York could soon face manslaughter charges for selling narcotics that result in fatal overdoses. State lawmakers are considering a bill that would make selling, delivering, or otherwise administering a controlled substance eligible for manslaughter charges if someone later dies from an overdose. Under current law, a person who provides an illicit drug that results in death can typically only be charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance, a non-violent felony. Related Report: 'Gone Forever': Yonkers Mom Recounts Teen's Overdose On 'Red Table Talk' The bi…
Politics
Poll Shows Tight Race In Special Election For George Santos Congressional Seat
New polling is showing a tight race ahead of New York’s special election to fill George Santos’ vacant House seat. An Emerson College/PIX11 poll of 3rd District voters released Thursday, Jan. 18, shows Democrat Tom Suozzi narrowly leading Republican Mazi Pilip 45 percent to 42 percent. Five percent of voters want someone else for the job while nine percent are still undecided, the poll found. Earlier Report: Election Date Set To Fill George Santos' Vacant House Seat The 3rd District seat – which represents parts of Nassau County and Queens – has sat vacant since Santos was ousted i…
Politics
Trump Eyeing NY Congresswoman As Veep Pick, Report Says
As campaign season heats up, rumors are swirling over former President Donald Trump’s pick to be his running mate should he clinch the Republican nomination. Among the names that Trump is strongly considering for his vice president is New York Rep. Elise Stefanik, NBC News reports. The 39-year-old House Republican Conference chair – whose 21st District represents several Capital Region counties, including Rensselaer – was brought up during a dinner at the former president’s Mar-a-Lago home in December 2023, according to the outlet. Trump nodded approvingly and referred to Stefanik as “a ki…
Politics
Never Mind: Admitted Vote Fraudster Withdraws Consideration For City Job In NY
Plans to appoint an admitted vote fraudster to a city job in Upstate New York have been scrapped following public outcry. In Rensselaer County, the Troy City Council’s Republican majority had chosen former Elections Commissioner Jason Schofield as their pick for Assistant City Clerk. The plan, first reported by Albany station CBS6, sparked criticism given that Schofield previously pleaded guilty to 12 federal counts of voter fraud in January 2023. Earlier Report: Voter Fraud: Rensselaer County Employees Cast Illegal Ballots During Election, Feds Say Democrat Sue Steele, the council…
Politics
Brand-New Hudson Valley County Executive Sworn In During Season's First Major Winter Storm
Despite the region’s first major storm of the winter season dropping more than a foot of snow in parts of the Hudson Valley, more than 350 guests attended the swearing-in of a new county executive. The swearing-in event for Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino was held on Sunday, Jan. 7 at Dutchess Community College’s Aviation Education Center at Hudson Valley Regional Airport in Wappinger. “I am so honored and humbled to be with you all as I take my ceremonial Oath of Office for this position," Serino said. "As I get to work for Dutchess County, I want to thank each and every on…
Politics
‘You Piece Of S***’: Ex-NY Rep. George Santos Blames NYC Mayor For Car Burglar In Video Rant
Disgraced former New York Rep. George Santos is back in the spotlight, this time feuding with the New York City mayor’s office over an alleged car break-in. In a video rant posted on X Tuesday, Dec. 26, the ex-Republican Congressman revealed the “Christmas gift” that he received this year: A smashed car window. “Oh Mayor Adams, you are so good at running this city,” Santos says in the clip. “I never thought I’d experience this in my life. But I guess we’re back to New York City in the ‘70s.” He then pans the camera, showing a “freshly broken” rear window. “Look at that, Mayor Adams. This …
Politics
'Historic Moment': Hochul Enacts Task Force Focusing On Missing Women, Girls Of Color
Leaders in New York are aiming to put greater focus on cases involving missing girls and women of color. A bill signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul on Thursday, Dec. 21, established a task force on missing women and girls who are Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC). The nine-member task force will include representatives from the Office of Family and Children's Services and New York State Police and will work to address discrepancies in how such cases are handled. They will be required to submit a report on their findings and recommendations within two years. “Public safety is my top p…
Politics
'Can't Happen Again': Lying About Candidate Background Would Be Perjury Under NY Bill
New York lawmakers are hoping to prevent a repeat of disgraced former Congressman George Santos’ meteoric rise and fall after he lied about much of his background to get elected. A new bill announced Friday, Dec. 8 would require candidates to make sworn statements under penalty of perjury about parts of their background. Specifically, it would require candidates running for any elected office in New York State to sign a sworn statement affirming their military service, if any, as well their employment history and current residence. Earlier Report: Election Date Set To Fill George Sa…
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…
Politics
Matchup Set: GOP Picks Candidate In NY Special Election For Seat Held By Santos, Report Says
New York Republicans have nominated Nassau County Legislator Mazi Melesa Pilip as their candidate for the state’s special election to fill George Santos’ vacant House seat, NBC News reports. A spokesperson for the National Republican Congressional Committee told the outlet that party officials in Nassau County and Queens had picked Pilip for the 3rd District race. A formal announcement was expected on Friday, Dec. 15. Pilip immigrated from Ethiopia to Israel as a refugee when she was 12 years old. She later served as a paratrooper in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). She earned her maste…
Politics
District Attorney Retires After 40 Years On Job In Hudson Valley
After 40 years on the job, a Hudson Valley district attorney is retiring to spend time with his family and well, relax. Dutchess County District Attorney William "Bill" Grady was honored during a gathering on Monday, Dec. 11 at the Poughkeepsie Grandview. During the event, Grady said, "It had been an honor and privilege to serve the people of Dutchess County as their District Attorney." With a total of 50 years in law enforcement under his belt, Grady said his entire career has been dedicated to holding offenders accountable, ensuring that the needs of crime victims were met, and…
Politics
George Santos In Talks For Plea Deal In 23-Count Federal Case, Court Filing Shows
Disgraced former New York Rep. George Santos may avoid leaving his fate up to a trial in his federal fraud case. The Republican ex-congressman is currently in talks with federal prosecutors for a possible plea deal in his 23-count criminal case, according to a filing in Central Islip federal court on Monday, Dec. 11. In the joint filing, US Attorney Breon Peace and Santos asked the court to schedule the next status conference in approximately 30 days, saying “the parties are presently engaged in plea negotiations with the goal of resolving this matter without the need for a trial.” Earli…
Politics
Special Election: Democrats Pick Nominee For NY Congressional District Held By George Santos
Democrats have nominated former Rep. Tom Suozzi as their candidate for New York’s special election to fill George Santos’ vacant House seat. Party officials in Nassau County and Queens formally announced that Suozzi – who previously held the 3rd District seat – was their pick on Thursday, Dec. 7. In a statement on X following the announcement, Suozzi said the district’s constituents “deserve better.” Earlier Report: Election Date Set To Fill George Santos' Vacant House Seat “I will work day and night with both parties to deliver for the people, to make living here more affordable, …
Politics
Election Date Set To Fill George Santos' Vacant House Seat
Nearly three-quarters of a million New Yorkers will go unrepresented in Congress for months following former Rep. George Santos’ expulsion from office. A special election to fill the 3rd District seat – representing parts of Nassau County and Queens – won't be held until Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024, according to a proclamation from Gov. Kathy Hochul. “As Governor, I have the solemn responsibility to call a special election to ensure the voters of Long Island and Queens once again have representation in Congress,” Hochul said. Earlier Report: US House Expels Nassau Rep. George Santos In …
Politics
Santos Lashes Out At Former NY Republican Congressional Colleagues
Former New York Rep. George Santos appears to be out for revenge following his historic expulsion from Congress. Within hours of being voted out of the US House on Friday, Dec. 1, the disgraced Santos began unleashing a series of social media posts targeting his former Republican colleagues. Unsurprisingly, all of those in his sights were among the 105 Republicans who voted to kick him out of office amid mounting accusations of criminality. Earlier Report: And Just Like That: Lock Changed, Website Scrubbed Following George Santos’ Historic Ouster First on the hit list was Staten I…
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