Death of Keeven Robinson in Custody is Ruled Homicide by Asphyxiation

by Tracy Connor

A young black man who died in the custody of four white Louisiana deputies had "significant traumatic injuries" to his neck consistent with asphyxiation, according to the coroner, who classified the case as a homicide.

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office put the four narcotics agents involved in the confrontation on desk duty and asked Louisiana State Police and the FBI civil rights task force to join his investigation of how drug suspect Keeven Robinson, 22, was killed Thursday.

Click here for the full article. 

Source: NBC News 

Former Ambassador on Violence in Gaza, New U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem

Dozens of Palestinian protesters were killed in clashes with Israeli soldiers at the Gaza border as the new U.S. embassy opened in Jerusalem. Former U.S. ambassador to Israel and Princeton University professor Daniel Kurtzer joins CBSN to discuss the latest.

President Trump Delivers Remarks at 37th Annual National Peace Officers' Memorial Service

Source: ABC News

A New Fissure Opened Up on Hawaii's Big Island After Dangerous Volcano Eruption

Caution Urged as Severe Weather Moves Through New York

Governor Andrew Cuomo is urging New Yorkers in the Capital and Mid-Hudson Valley regions to prepare for severe thunderstorms this afternoon. Current forecasts show the potential for damaging winds with gusts up to 65 mph, creating the possibility of downed trees and power lines. New Yorkers should take proper storm precautions and closely monitor local media outlets for weather updates as the storm passes through their communities.

"The spring storm season is officially upon us and as we have experienced far too many times, weather is becoming more severe and unpredictable with each passing day," Governor Cuomo said. "While New Yorkers should continue to stay prepared for power outages and wind damage, they should know that the state is closely monitoring this system and stands ready to immediately assist any communities in need."

Currently, the storm is moving from west to east with the greatest impact between noon and 7 p.m. in the Capital Region, mainly south of Interstate 90, and between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. in the lower Mid-Hudson Valley Region. Residents in the affected areas should stay tuned to local media outlets for the latest weather forecast. For a complete listing of weather watches and warnings, visit the National Weather Service website. To receive weather-based alerts and notifications in your area, subscribe to NY-Alert, New York State's free, subscription-based emergency notification system, here.

Click here for the full announcement.

Source: The Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo

Women Direct Newsletter: Emmy Recap, New Project, Awards and More!

Cady McClain's documentary "Seeing is Believing: Women Direct" won the Audience Award for Best Feature at the SOHO International Film Festival in New York City. The short version won a Jury Award in the Best Documentary category at the Newport Beach Film Festival.

The following statement was provided by the Emmy-winning actress. 

Hi friends!

Where has the time gone? It's already May and so much has happened since sending out the last #WomenDirect Newsletter.

First, yes, that is the amazing Kimberly Pierce, who directed the film "Boys Don't Cry" (among others). It was my honor and privilege to interview her for our doc Seeing is Believing: Women Direct.

Okay now on to the silly stuff.

We had an awesome time at the Daytime Emmy Awards celebrating my nomination for Outstanding Directing of a Digital Series! Woot! While we didn't take home the statue, we ran into some old friends, met some new friends - and best of all - had some great laughs!

Now that the Emmy's are over, I've headed to the East Coast to attend several film festivals, one being the Philadelphia Independent Film Festival. That's where our film “Butterflies” won Best Short Film AND Best Actress in a Short Film! WOW! We couldn't be more excited! Congrats to the talented Carlotta Summers who wrote, starred in, and produced "Butterflies" with me... and to all our amazing cast and crew!! See a photo from the event below in the "Upcoming Events" section. 

Click here to read the newsletter in its entirety.

Two District Attorneys May Stop Prosecuting Most Marijuana Offenses

 

By Benjamin Mueller

The district attorneys in Manhattan and Brooklyn are weighing plans to stop prosecuting the vast majority of people arrested on marijuana charges, potentially curbing the consequences of a law that in New York City is enforced most heavily against black and Hispanic people.

The Brooklyn district attorney’s office, which in 2014 decided to stop prosecuting many low-level marijuana cases, is considering expanding its policy so that more people currently subject to arrest on marijuana charges, including those who smoke outside without creating a public nuisance, would not be prosecuted, one official familiar with the discussions said.

Click here for the full article.

Source: The New York Times (via Empire Report New York) 

Zephyr Teachout Takes Step to Run for NY Attorney General; Rep. Maloney Drops Bid for Appointment

 

By The Daily Freeman News Staff

Democrat Zephyr Teachout, who ran for governor in 2014 and the Mid-Hudson Valley’s congressional seat in 2016, has formed an exploratory committee regarding a possible run for state attorney general, she said Monday.

Also Monday, Lower Hudson Valley Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney withdrew his application to be appointed to the job for the rest of 2018.

Teachout, a Dutchess County resident, said in a prepared statement: “The next attorney general of New York should be an independent fighter and a voice for the people, ready to take on corruption and lawlessness at the highest pinnacles of power.

Click here for the full article. 

Source: Empire Report New York 

New York City Poised to Join Airbnb Crackdown

By Sally Goldenberg 

NEW YORK | New York's City Council is plotting a crackdown on Airbnb, the largest home-sharing platform in the world, as the hotel industry and its unionized workers push lawmakers in some of the nation’s biggest cities to blunt the $30 billion company’s growth.

New York City's push resembles a legislative effort underway in Los Angeles, and comes months after San Francisco passed a measure mandating that hosts of short-term rental platforms register their homes with the city, leading to a decline in listings. The coastal cities are among Airbnb's largest markets in the United States.

Click here for the full article. 

Source: Politico (via Empire Report New York) 

What's All This Fuss About Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) Fines?

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
By Councilman Rev. Ruben Diaz
District 18 Bronx County, New York

You should know that on Monday, February 12th, 2018 I convened my first committee hearing for the newly created “For-Hire Vehicle Committee” (FHV). The topic of this first hearing was TLC enforcement and the manner in which the inspectors treat drivers. 

The Committee heard testimony for seven hours, and it became very clear that the laws enacted in 2011 and 2016 (later codified as Local Laws 35 and 52) have succeeded in creating excessive fines. These fines were both destroying the lives of drivers as well as violating the 8th Amendment to the US Constitution.  How did they manage to accomplish both?

It is important for you to know that what happened in the industry between 2011 and 2018 may best be demonstrated with two statistics. 

First, the number of average rides per day has decreased to the point that in January 2011 the average daily trips for the taxi/FHV industry were 482,811.  Seven years later, in January 2018, the figure was 282,565.  In other words, in just seven (7) years the daily ridership for all taxi and FHV was decreased by almost half.

Second, in January 2011 there were a total of 39,708 total For-Hire Vehicles, and seven (7) years later there were 102,536.  In seven (7) years the numbers of For-Hire Vehicles rose by more than double and the number of daily trips fell by half.

Then, in 2011, the New York City Mayor, the City Council, and its Speaker decided to greatly increase fines for taxi drivers and For-Hire Vehicles from $350 to $1,000. Not content, these were raised again in 2016 to $10,000. So while the number of For-Hire Vehicles were increasing to more than 150%, the Mayor, Council, and the Speaker added these huge fines. It is no wonder that a $1,000 fine wipes out a driver’s earnings for a month.

My dear reader, you should know that my legal counsel has informed me these fines are in violation of the US Constitution, specifically the 8th Amendment. Most persons are familiar with the prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment, but there's another part which forbids “excessive bail, shall not be required nor excessive fines imposed.” The Supreme Court waited until 1998 to let us know what “excessive” fines are. They are fines which are not proportional to the offense caused.

During the hearing, we learned TLC Inspectors set up drivers by posing as passengers, sometimes as a handicapped individual in need of a taxi. In other situations, the inspector just opens the door and enters the taxi without the driver’s authorization.

Could you imagine, my dear reader, in 2018 that a $1,000 fine is costing a driver his/her monthly take home? It’s even worse to know these fines many times are given when a driver has been set up by the TLC Inspector. Ridiculous!

The solution to end this abuse is to repeal the 2011 and 2016 Local Laws 35 and 52. I am not urging lawlessness. I believe anyone who breaks the law should be fined, but fines should be proportional to the harm caused. That’s why I have asked for such legislation. 

I am Councilman Rev. Rubén Díaz, and this is what you should know.

Up to $1.4 Million Available to Increase Problem Gambling Awareness

The New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) today announced the availability of up to $1.4 million in annual funding to increase New Yorkers’ awareness and education of problem gambling and the prevention, treatment and recovery services available to them. To expand the network of care in New York State, the funding will also provide training for addiction field professionals as well as state-licensed practitioners working outside of the addiction treatment field on how to assess and treat gambling-related problems.

“Gambling addiction is a serious problem affecting New Yorkers and their families,” said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. “With this annual commitment in state funding, we are working to ensure a balance between new gaming options and an increase in education about addiction. We don’t only want to treat individuals struggling with addiction, but prevent people from becoming addicted and educate New Yorkers about the issue across the State.”

"Problem gambling is an addiction that can have a devastating impact on people and families,” OASAS Commissioner Arlene González-Sánchez said. “With this funding, we can bring the dangers of problem gambling to light and help New Yorkers who are struggling with this addiction find the help they need to live healthier lives.”

Senator George Amedore, Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, said, “A gambling addiction has the ability to create financial devastation for an individual. This funding will help advance important initiatives to increase education and prevention efforts, and help people get the treatment and services they need.”

Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal, Chair of the New York State Assembly Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse said, “"Gambling is a serious addiction that has ruined lives. This critical funding will help New Yorkers struggling with gambling addiction more easily connect with supportive services that will help them end their dangerous relationship with gambling. The funding will also ensure that professionals statewide are well prepared to identify people who are at-risk and in need of services."
 
The provider selected to administer the funds will collaborate with Problem Gambling Resource Centers and State gambling facilities to ensure that problem gambling is addressed at each site and referral information is available. In addition, the funding will be used for initiatives such as public forums, exhibits and awareness materials to deliver statewide and community-wide education and awareness about problem gambling.

The funding also provides several training opportunities and tools for healthcare professionals to learn about and assess problem gambling related issues. This includes free evidence-based clinical treatment training for New York State Licensed practitioners who see patients outside of addiction treatment programs and want to learn how to provide problem gambling treatment. The funding will also be used to develop curricula for a 30-hour prevention training, 60-hour core treatment training, and advanced prevention and clinical trainings.

The up to $1.4 million in annual funding will be available through a five-year contract with OASAS. A provider to deliver the statewide services will be selected through a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) process. The RFP can be viewed here. Responses to the RFP are due June 29, 2018.

New Yorkers struggling with an addiction, or whose loved ones are struggling, can find help and hope by calling the state’s toll-free, 24-hour, 7-day-a-week HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or by texting HOPENY (Short Code 467369). 

Available addiction treatment including crisis/detox, inpatient, community residence, or outpatient care can be found using the NYS OASAS Treatment Availability Dashboard at FindAddictionTreatment.ny.gov or through the NYS OASAS website. 

Visit CombatAddiction.ny.gov to learn more about the warning signs of addiction, review information on how to get help, and access resources on how to facilitate conversations with loved ones and communities about addiction. For tools to use in talking to a young person about preventing alcohol or drug use, visit the State’s Talk2Prevent website.

Source: OASAS

First Lady Melania Trump Treated for Kidney Ailment

Statement from the Communications Director

This morning, First Lady Melania Trump underwent an embolization procedure to treat a benign kidney condition.  The procedure was successful and there were no complications.  Mrs. Trump is at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and will likely remain there for the duration of the week.  The First Lady looks forward to a full recovery so she can continue her work on behalf of children everywhere.

Source: The White House, Office of the First Lady 

Additional information is available here.

"From The G-Man" wishes the First Lady a speedy recovery.

Fernando Mateo: 'Technology Has Slowly Taken Over the Taxi Industry in New York City'

The following statement was submitted today by New York State Federation of Taxi Drivers founder Fernando Mateo. The comments are in response to a recent New York Daily News report entitled "City Sets Aside Sale of Taxi Medallions as Their Value Plummets". 

"Yellow Cabs were once the symbol of NYC, you could see them in TV shows, movies like Taxi Driver with Robert Dinero today you only read about their extinction and the extinction of their drivers. Technology has slowly taken over the taxi industry in NYC and as more and more luxury cars are available to the riding public the less people will not ride yellow cabs. The only salvation for the yellow taxi industry will be lowering the prices of a ride and bringing back the old school cars that people loved so much similar to those vintage black taxis of London. Yellow cab drivers must compete in order to survive and thrive during these tough time. Lets wish for the best, yellow cabs should remain a symbol in this city we can't allow for them to disappear".

New York State to Join Lawsuit Against Federal Government for Failing to Enforce the Fair Housing Act

Source: NYGovCuomo

Over 100 Organizations Urge Gov. Cuomo to Support a Ban on Plastic Bags with a Fee on Alternative Bags

 

Ossining, N.Y. — Today, more than 100 organizations from across New York State sent a letter to Governor Cuomo urging him to support a ban on single-use plastic bags and a fee on alternative bags. The groups highlight that this “hybrid” legislation is the most effective policy to reduce single-use plastic bag pollution.

The groups were heartened to see the Governor assert his commitment to take a leadership role over this issue by introducing bag ban legislation. However, the Governor’s legislation cannot be supported by the groups as it is written. Given their experience with Bring Your Own Bag policies, a plastic bag ban only will have unintended adverse consequences and therefore, needs to be accompanied by a fee on other disposable bags. The organizations also urge that any new law retain effective local laws.

Considering lessons learned from residents, businesses, and municipalities around the state and country who have enacted Bring Your Own Bag policies, the groups wrote to urge the Governor to advance a policy that bans single-use plastic bags and places a fee on all other bags (both paper and reusable bags). An effective state policy should be modeled after municipalities that have successfully addressed this issue. A ban/fee hybrid is the most successful model of BYOBag policy in the United States.

Click here for the full announcement. 

Source: Environmental Advocates of New York

'What Happened to America?': An Ireland Native Poses the Question

By John Joe Baxter

Wow! Did I have it good.... or did I have it good? I wasn’t alone.

I came to America in 1954 on the final voyage of the M.V. Georgic II. I will never forget the sea sickness I experienced, but that’s a story for another day. My main focus is to point out how I adjusted from being raised on a farm in Ireland and how well I remember the good times in early America. You see, while living as a 17-year-old in Ireland, there was no electricity and no running water or bathrooms in our thatched cabin. When I arrived in the United States, it was a country that seemed to have everything. When I disembarked, I saw people of many different hues. I immediately thought something was medically or physically wrong with them, and fear began to take hold of my body and senses. Having to search for my Aunt Lilly (McCabe) in the crowd was terrifying, to say the least. After locating her, we headed to her apartment on 103rd Street and Columbus Avenue. My only experience with this type of structure was when I had to travel to Dublin to get my passport and was introduced to electricity for the very first time. I thought it was some sort of gift from heaven.

Once I set foot on American soil, I was expecting a farm with cows, pigs, horses, sheep, chickens, roosters, donkeys, cats and dogs. I couldn’t wait to see all the beautiful animals similar to the ones I left behind. I was so lonely and longing to be with the animals that I started to cry. I did so silently, which was part of an effort to conceal my sorrow from Aunt Lilly. Eventually, she took me to a building that was located downtown. A man came out and spoke with her for several minutes. She introduced me and told him I just arrived in the country and was looking for a job. He told me to be there at 8 a.m. the following day. I thought, "That's kind of late to start milking cows." I also thought it must have been a very small farm because at that time of the morning I would have finished milking the cows in Ireland.

I reported for work and the man escorted me to an assembly line. A conveyor belt with women's handbags encircled the area. Four Spanish women were standing at different locations rolling newspapers into a ball and placing them into the handbags. The women looked like some of the ones I saw when I exited the ship. I was totally disappointed and shocked because I expected to see the animals. I soon realized that was never going to happen. One of the bosses showed me how he wanted the newspaper rolled and placed in the bags, and I was forced to accept the fact that life as a farmhand was over.

Later, I discovered the girls were doing different things with the bags and I was the only one stuffing them. One girl was checking certain things on the bags and pulling the zippers closed. Another girl was putting straps on the bags. A third girl was putting a buckle on the bags. I don't recall what the fourth girl was doing.

I wasn’t long there when Aunt Lilly’s brother, Joe McCabe, offered me a job as a carpenter apprentice. Joe was a delegate in Local 1162 United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America. At this point, I was getting used to the American way of life and didn’t know what to do with my money. It seemed like it was coming out of the walls since Aunt Lilly was only charging me ten dollars a week for room and board. In those days, the mid-1950s, there were huge dance halls where hundreds of people would meet dance and enjoy the bands. Places like City Center, The Jager House, The Caravan and Ireland's 32, to name a few, were often filled to capacity. People loved to dance, and I was no exception. The jitterbug was the most popular because it was fast and lively. Then, there was the Fox Trot and the old-fashioned Waltz. It was the big band era, and I spent many nights dancing with some of the most beautiful and spirited Irish women in New York.

The months passed, and I began to realize how much I liked America. However, I still longed for my homeland and the animals. I missed them so much. I was at a dance in Brooklyn when I met my wife, Theresa Cole. She was working as a telephone operator. Basically, she would scour the phone book if someone called in looking for a telephone number. We decided to pool our money and purchase our first house, which was located at 1415 Troy Avenue in Brooklyn. We never lived in an apartment.

I’m writing this to simply point out how good times were in those days. A week’s wages was a month’s rent. The minimum wage salary of one family member was enough to support the entire family and people lived accordingly.

What happened to America? Where did we go wrong? Here’s what I think happened. The fifties, sixties, and the seventies were good. Then, Ronald Reagan was elected president and working class families/salaries became a thing of the past. The situation has only gotten worse, and there's no end in sight. What's the solution? What I would like to see happen will most likely never happen. I would like the tax rates to be reinstated to what they were before Reaganomics. I also believe the wealthy wouldn’t mind that in the least. After all, even Warren Buffet believes his secretary shouldn’t be paying more than he is in taxes. 

John Joe Baxter is the author of the critically acclaimed book "From the Mountains of Munlough".

If Gina Haspel Is Confirmed at CIA, the U.S. Would Be Giving Other Nations Green Light to Torture

This report was broadcast on May 11. 

Former Vice President Dick Cheney said Thursday that the U.S. should restart torture interrogation tactics. Cheney’s comment comes a day after President Trump’s nominee to head the CIA, Gina Haspel, repeatedly refused Wednesday to call the CIA’s post-9/11 treatment of prisoners “torture,” and declined to state whether she believes torture is immoral. Haspel’s prospects for confirmation remain in doubt, after Republican senators Rand Paul of Kentucky and John McCain of Arizona issued statements opposing her nomination. Democracy Now! discussed the issue with Laleh Khalili, professor at SOAS University of London and author of “Time in the Shadows: Confinement in Counterinsurgencies.”

Source: Democracy Now! 

Meet Our Fellows: Introducing The American Express Leadership Academy at CBMA!

The Campaign for Black Male Achievement (CBMA), in partnership with American Express has announced the selection of 24 emerging leaders from across the country for the American Express Leadership Academy at CBMA! 

Each recipient was chosen based on their demonstrated track record and continued commitment to improving life outcomes for Black men and boys in their respective cities. 

Click here for additional information and to review the list of fellows. 

Source: CBMA

Trailblazers in Black History: Marie Van Brittan Brown

Marie Van Brittan Brown and her husband, Albert, created an early closed-circuit television system to be used for home monitoring. That security system was the forerunner of all advanced home security technology in use today.

Click here for additional information. 

Summary source: America Comes Alive! 

DL Hughley Defends John McCain in Blistering Commentary

Actor/Comedian Rips Trump and His Administration 

This broadcast was published on YouTube on May 11. 

Source: DL Hughley

Black Police Chiefs Grapple with Officers' Treatment of Young Black Men

After high-profile incidents sparked protests from Sacramento to Philadelphia, black police leaders speak about ingrained issues of bias, force and trust.

by Ron Allen and Jon Schuppe

When Daniel Hahn became Sacramento’s police chief last August — the first African-American to hold the job — his top priority was to restore faith in a department that had come under fire for police shootings and use of excessive force against black men.

The mayor welcomed Hahn — who grew up in a mostly black Sacramento neighborhood, and spent his career working to improve the black community’s trust in the police — as “a new beginning” for Sacramento.

Less than eight months later, the city erupted, adding even more urgency to the challenges Hahn faced.

Click here for the full article. 

Source: NBC News 

Family of Fallen Soldier in Niger Speaks Out on the Pentagon Report

An NBC News Exclusive

The family of US Army Staff Sgt. Bryan C. Black addresses the Pentagon report on the deadly ambush in Niger, which caused the deaths of four U.S. soldiers last October.

Hawaii Braces for Volcano's Explosive Steam Eruption

Trump Prepares for North Korea Summit

US Embassy in Jerusalem: Israel's PM Benjamin Netanyahu's Address

US Senior Advisor Jared Kushner Addresses the Crowd

Source: FRANCE 24 English

Catalan Parliament Elects Separatist Quim Torra as the Spanish Region's New Leader

Source: euronews.

Around 40 Palestinians Have Been Killed by Israeli Troops

Source: euronews.

Bonus Report
US Embassy in Jerusalem: A Rift Within the European Union?

Russian and Iranian Foreign Ministers Discuss Future of Iran Nuclear Deal

Source: euronews.

UK's MI5 Chief Wants Greater European Cooperation

Source: euronews.

Moqtada al-Sadr Set for Surprise Comeback in Iraqi Elections

Source: euronews.

Erdogan Begins Three-Day Visit to Britain

Source: euronews.

Theresa May Bows to Public Pressure Over Grenfell

Source: euronews.

City Scoop: NYPD Reports on Crime, NYC Ferry, Workplace Sexual Harassment

This video was published on YouTube on May 11. 

Source: NYC Mayor's Office

Surest Way to Face Marijuana Charges in New York: Be Black or Hispanic

 

By Benjamin Mueller, Robert Gebeloff and Sahil Chinoy

They sit in courtroom pews, almost all of them young black men, waiting their turn before a New York City judge to face a charge that no longer exists in some states: possessing marijuana. They tell of smoking in a housing project hallway, or of being in a car with a friend who was smoking, or of lighting up a Black & Mild cigar the police mistake for a blunt.

There are many ways to be arrested on marijuana charges, but one pattern has remained true through years of piecemeal policy changes in New York: The primary targets are black and Hispanic people.

Across the city, black people were arrested on low-level marijuana charges at eight times the rate of white, non-Hispanic people over the past three years, The New York Times found. Hispanic people were arrested at five times the rate of white people. In Manhattan, the gap is even starker: Black people there were arrested at 15 times the rate of white people.

Click here for the full article. 

Source: The New York Times (via Empire Report New York) 

Bitcoin Conferences Flood New York, Bringing Millions in Ticket Sales

 

By Evelyn Cheng | Kate Rooney

Cryptocurrency conferences are still a massive business, even if bitcoin's price has plunged this year.

When it kicks off this week, one ticket to CoinDesk's Consensus three-day conference in New York City can cost roughly $2,000. Well over 4,000 are expected to attend, up from 2,700 attendees last year. So at a minimum, the conference is likely bringing in $8 million.

Click here for the full article.

Source: CNBC (via Empire Report New York) 

African-American Reverends Slam Cynthia Nixon’s ‘Reparations’ Comment

A New York Daily News Exclusive

By Erin Durkin

A group of African-American clergy wrote to gubernatorial candidate Cynthia Nixon, ripping her comment that legalized pot licenses could serve as reparations for the drug war and demanding a formal apology.

"Your comments make clear that you have no idea of the history and meaning behind the reparations debate in this country. It was a clueless, uninformed remark that did a disservice to black people who have fought for centuries for equal justice and basic human rights," wrote the clergy members.

Click here for the full article.

Source: Empire Report New York

Public Advocate Letitia James Avoids Interim AG Spot After Eric Schneiderman Firing, Fearing Impact on Full Term

By Kenneth Lovett

ALBANY — While the Legislature this week will consider candidates to fill out the remaining term of disgraced former Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, the bigger fight promises to be over which candidates will appear on the ballot.

New York City Public Advocate Letitia James was believed to be the favorite of the Legislature for the interim appointment, but she ultimately didn't apply.

Sources say James decided the benefit of getting a few months head start on the job did not outweigh the cons of being seen as being installed in a backroom deal by lawmakers.

Click here for the full article. 

Source: The New York Daily News (via Empire Report New York) 

Which NY School Systems Spend Most, Least Per Student? Compare 600 Districts

Click here for the full article and to conduct a search in your area. 

Source: syracuse.com (via Empire Report New York)

New York’s Hospitals Are Sick: We Could Use An Injection of Competition

 

By Bill Hammond

New Yorkers who take for granted that their hospitals are top-notch — or good, or even just so-so — should think again. The data suggest otherwise.

On a broad range of benchmarks, the state's hospital system rates not just below average, but at or near the bottom. Beyond a few high-rated institutions, such as New York-Presbyterian and NYU Langone, the industry as a whole is hurting.

Click here for the full article.

Source: The New York Daily News (via Empire Report New York) 

New York City Council to Make Decision on Library Funding

Jason Reynolds, New York Times Best-Selling Author, Asks Public
to Join Letter Writing Campaign in Support of New York's Libraries

The following statement was submitted today by the renowned author. 

To the residents of New York City: 

When kids say they don't like to read, they’re not actually telling the truth. What they're really saying is that they don't like reading boring books. They haven't yet found the book that will make them fall in love with reading.
 
It's my mission as an author of books for young adults (including the National Book Award Finalist, Ghost) to write stories that kids actually want to read. Children—especially those that have been uninterested in reading—are often drawn to books that tell them something real about their lives, that reflect the world around them, that—crucially—reflect them, no matter their background or culture or color.
 
And where do kids find these favorite, truth-telling books?
 
That's where New York City's public libraries come in. Across all five boroughs, every day, kids are discovering the books they'll come to love, and much more, at their local branch. But our libraries can't live on good intentions and enthusiasm alone. We have to work together to help keep libraries a place of discovery and growth for all kids.
 
On May 18, City Council leaders will hold a hearing on whether to fund libraries. We are calling on them to invest in kids across New York City by investing in libraries.
 
I'm asking you to help NYC library staff bring 50,000 letters signed by New Yorkers to the hearing. Will you add your name now? 

New Yorkers, kids and adults alike, are more eager than ever to use our libraries. Last year alone there were nearly 37 million visits to the city's libraries. But the cost to maintain free programs and services—to say nothing of millions of free books—has risen dramatically. Support from the Mayor and City Council is vital so New York City libraries continue to provide the essential resources so many New Yorkers love and rely on.
 
From homework help to ESOL classes to science and technology programs, neighborhood branches provide important, necessary services that help kids and teens succeed, and fall in love with reading and learning.
 
Going into Friday's hearing, strong support from City leaders has never been more crucial. 

When I was writing Ghost—a story of a boy on the run from his past and on his way towards a brighter future—I knew I was writing a story that had to be told. What keeps me writing is my desire to tell new and necessary stories, stories that that will inspire kids to tell their own.

No one becomes a writer without first getting lost in great books. I know I wouldn’t be where I am today if I hadn’t had public libraries to support me. Let’s work together to ensure everyone has the same opportunity.

Thank you.

Source: NYPL