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Area Dad Who Left Twins In Hot Car Won't Testify If Case Goes To Grand Jury, Lawyer Says Area Dad Who Left Twins In Hot Car Won't Testify If Case Goes To Grand Jury, Lawyer Says
Area Dad Who Left Twins In Hot Car Won't Testify If Case Goes To Grand Jury, Lawyer Says The attorney for a Hudson Valley dad who left his 1-year-old twins in a hot car in July, causing both of their deaths, said his client will not testify if the matter is sent to a grand jury. Attorney Joey Jackson made the comment following a brief hearing on Thursday, Oct. 24, where prosecutors told Rockland resident Juan Rodriguez, of New City, that the matter had not been presented to a grand jury and the case was once again adjourned until Dec. 5. Following the hearing, Jackson said Rodriguez, 39, has worked closely with law enforcement and had answered all of their questions honestly. …

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by Kathy Reakes
Politics
'Emergency Executive Action' To Ban Flavored E-Cigarettes In NY Announced By Cuomo 'Emergency Executive Action' To Ban Flavored E-Cigarettes In NY Announced By Cuomo
'Emergency Executive Action' To Ban Flavored E-Cigarettes In NY Announced By Cuomo An "emergency executive action" has been put in place to ban the sale of flavored e-cigarettes in New York. The order will advance legislation aiming to eliminate "deceptive marketing practices of e-cigarettes to underage users and raises the purchasing age of e-cigarettes from 18 to 21 years old," Cuomo's office said in a statement announcing the move on Sunday, Sept. 15. The action comes after a sixth vaping-related death was announced on Tuesday, Sept. 10, in Kansas. Cuomo directed State Police and the Department of Health to immediately partner to ramp up enforcement efforts again…

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by Joe Lombardi
Politics
State Bill Would Teach Students About Hateful Symbols State Bill Would Teach Students About Hateful Symbols
State Bill Would Teach Students About Hateful Symbols Middle and high school students in New York may soon be taught the meaning of hateful symbols such as the swastika and noose as part of new legislation that has been introduced by state lawmakers. With reports of hate crimes on the rise statewide, including dozens on Long Island and the Hudson Valley, lawmakers are seeking to improve student education on racist and anti-Semitic symbolism. In Nassau County, there have already been 44 reported incidents, more than double at this point last year. Last week, seven swastikas were found drawn on a pavilion at an Oyster Bay park, and nooses have …

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by Zak Failla
Lifestyle
Me-Ouch! New York Becomes First State In Nation To Ban Declawing Cats Me-Ouch! New York Becomes First State In Nation To Ban Declawing Cats
Me-Ouch! New York Becomes First State In Nation To Ban Declawing Cats New York has officially become the first state in the nation to ban the declawing of cats. Earlier this year, the New York Senate and Assembly voted to approve legislation that would eliminate the declawing of cats, following similar laws in Denver and various towns in California. On Monday, July 22, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed that bill into law, making the Empire State the first to ban the “cruel and painful procedure” that many an owner has forced on their felines. “Declawing is a cruel and painful procedure that can create physical and behavioral problems for helpless animals, an…

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by Zak Failla
News
New York Officially Raises Age To Buy Tobacco, E-Cigarettes From 18 to 21 New York Officially Raises Age To Buy Tobacco, E-Cigarettes From 18 to 21
New York Officially Raises Age To Buy Tobacco, E-Cigarettes From 18 to 21 Teenagers in New York will no longer be able to purchase tobacco or e-cigarette products. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the legislation into law on Tuesday, July 16 that raises the minimum sales age for tobacco and e-cigarette products from 18 to 21. "New York is taking aggressive action to stamp out smoking among teens and children, but tobacco and e-cigarette use still persists thanks to irresponsible corporate marketing campaigns targeting young people," Cuomo said.  "By raising the smoking age from 18 to 21, we can stop cigarettes and e-cigarettes from getting into the h…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Cuomo Signs Bill Allowing US Congress To Access Trump's NY Tax Returns Cuomo Signs Bill Allowing US Congress To Access Trump's NY Tax Returns
Cuomo Signs Bill Allowing US Congress To Access Trump's NY Tax Returns Legislation that would give the United States Congress access to President Donald Trump's New York state tax returns was signed into law by Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Monday, July 8. "This bill gives Congress the ability to fulfill its Constitutional responsibilities, strengthen our democratic system and ensure that no one is above the law," Cuomo said. "Tax secrecy is paramount — the exception being for bona fide investigative and law enforcement purposes." The bill requires New York officials to release tax returns of public officials that have been requested by congressional tax-related commit…

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by Jon Craig
Politics
Bill Granting Drivers Licenses To Undocumented Immigrants Approved By State Assembly Bill Granting Drivers Licenses To Undocumented Immigrants Approved By State Assembly
Bill Granting Drivers Licenses To Undocumented Immigrants Approved By State Assembly The State Assembly approved a bill to allow undocumented immigrants to obtain drivers licenses. Before it can become law, the bill must pass the state Senate, where it is expected to be met with resistance and skepticism, including from some moderate Democrats. During a floor debate before the vote on Wednesday, June 12, Republican assemblymen said the legislation might open a "back door" for criminals and even terrorists to obtain documents. “I understand the chances of a terrorist invading our security measures are slim, and we would desirably want them to be so to not have repeat of Sep…

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by Jon Craig
Politics
County Exec At Heart Of Measles Outbreak Hails Law Ending Religious Exemptions For Vaccines County Exec At Heart Of Measles Outbreak Hails Law Ending Religious Exemptions For Vaccines
County Exec At Heart Of Measles Outbreak Hails Law Ending Religious Exemptions For Vaccines Elected officials from across New York state, including Rockland County -- the epicenter of a measles outbreak -- hailed a new state law that bans non-medical exemptions from vaccinations.  "This is a great step forward in protecting the public health here in New York," said Rockland County Executive Ed Day. At least 924 of the nation's confirmed measles cases have been reported in New York state. More than 20,000 measles/mumps/rubella vaccinations have been given within Rockland County since the outbreak began in October 2018. Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a bill Thursday, June 13 ending…

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by Jon Craig
Politics
New NY Law Would Allow Nursing Mothers To Delay Jury Duty New NY Law Would Allow Nursing Mothers To Delay Jury Duty
New NY Law Would Allow Nursing Mothers To Delay Jury Duty Can't get out of jury duty? Have a baby.  That's not a joke.  Nursing mothers may avoid jury duty in New York, thanks to state legislation passed this week in Albany by the Assembly and Senate. Women could delay jury duty for up to two years if they are breastfeeding a baby. If signed into law by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, as expected, nursing mothers would need to provide a doctor's note to postpone jury duty. Assemblyman Marcos Crespo, a Bronx Democrat, sponsored the bill. 

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by Jon Craig
Politics
Play Ball? Legal Sports Betting In New York Could Be Approved As Soon As Next Week Play Ball? Legal Sports Betting In New York Could Be Approved As Soon As Next Week
Play Ball? Legal Sports Betting In New York Could Be Approved As Soon As Next Week Odds are improving for legalized sports betting at Empire City in Yonkers, Resorts World Catskills in Monticello as well as Yankee Stadium, Madison Square Garden and the Barclays Center. On Monday, June 10, the state Gaming Commission has scheduled a 1 p.m. vote in New York City on proposed rules governing the operation and licensing of limited sports betting statewide.  And everyone seems to want a piece of the action. In amendments filed this week, state Senator Joseph Addabbo, D-Queens, revised his mobile sports betting bill to include in-person wagering at professional sp…

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by Jon Craig
Politics
Bill To Protect Indian Point Jobs Passes Senate, Entergy Says It Could Delay Decommissioning Bill To Protect Indian Point Jobs Passes Senate, Entergy Says It Could Delay Decommissioning
Bill To Protect Indian Point Jobs Passes Senate, Entergy Says It Could Delay Decommissioning Legislation to protect the more than 1,100 jobs at the Indian Point nuclear power plants when they are permanently shut down is closer to law. State Sen. Pete Harckham announced on Thursday, June 6 that his bill to help protect Indian Point workers was passed by the state Senate.  But a spokesman for the Buchanan plants' owner, Entergy, said the legislation might delay the decommissioning process. Entergy spokesman Jerry Nappi said, “It is not clear to us that this legislation is necessary, and further there is a concern that the proposed law could delay the completion of decommission…

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by Jon Craig
Politics
Tenant Protest Leads To Dozens Of Arrests At State Capitol Tenant Protest Leads To Dozens Of Arrests At State Capitol
Tenant Protest Leads To Dozens Of Arrests At State Capitol More than 60 housing rights protesters were arrested at the state Capitol in Albany on Tuesday, June 4. They want to extend New York City’s rent regulations to Upstate and portions of the New York City suburbs that don't have rent control. Protesters blocked the entrances to the Senate and Assembly chambers as well as Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office. Among those arrested was New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, who demanded the 2019 session not end this month as scheduled unless rent laws are reformed.  In a press statement, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins of Yonke…

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by Jon Craig