Gov. Cuomo Has Never Visited a Mosque in His 7 Years in Office, Muslim New Yorkers Complain

By Melissa Russo

A day after his challenger, Cynthia Nixon, visited a mosque, Gov. Andrew Cuomo refused to answer a question from News 4's Melissa Russo about whether he'd ever visited a mosque.

This report was published on June 13. 

Click here for video. 

Source: News 4 New York 

NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo Gets Hero’s Embrace at Magen David Yeshivah

By Michael Eric Rosenthal 

It’s not often that kids find politics interesting, but the students at Magen David Yeshivah elementary school in Brooklyn gave Gov. Andrew Cuomo the rock-star treatment from the time he walked onto the stage to when he left.

New York State awarded $5.8 million in grants for Brooklyn nonprofit schools, day care centers and cultural museums that will be used to enhance security measures, the governor announced on Wednesday. The governor’s vision of an equal and just society includes the need for making sure non-public childcare and education entities have the funding to meet the security standards he wants for public institutions. The grant money is part of the statewide $25 million Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes Grant Program.

Click here for the full article. 

Source: The Jewish Voice

Mayor de Blasio Delivers Remarks to Celebrate Fair Fares Funding

Mayor de Blasio, Council Speaker Johnson, other elected officials and subway riders will attend a rally to celebrate Fair Fares funding in the Budget.

This video was published on YouTube on June 12. 

Source: NYC Mayor's Office

Mayor de Blasio and Speaker Johnson Reach Early Handshake Agreement for FY 2019 Budget

This video was published on YouTube on June 11. 

Source: NYC Mayor's Office

Happening in Harlem: Street Corner Resources to Host 2nd Annual Health and Wellness Fair

 Click on the flier to increase its size. 

Click here for additional information. 

Source: Street Corner Resources

Remembering the Life and Legacy of Tim Russert

The Morning Joe panel pays tribute to the longtime 'Meet the Press' moderator, Tim Russert, who died on June 13, 2008. 

You are sorely missed, Mr. Russert. You really are. NBC News just hasn't been the same since you passed away. I should know. I've followed the organization for over 30 years. Rest in paradise, sir. 

"G-Man"

Religious Leaders Shackled, Held in Jail Overnight, After Praying in Protest Outside Supreme Court

Source: Democracy Now!

'Relic of Jim Crow Era': Ari Berman on Supreme Court’s Decision to Uphold Ohio’s Voter Purge

Source: Democracy Now!

'Red Flag' Gun Protection Bill Passes in the Assembly

Statement from Governor Andrew Cuomo 

"I applaud Speaker Carl Heastie, Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon and their Assembly colleagues for standing with students, parents and teachers in this state and taking action to keep our schools safe. The red flag gun protection bill, also commonly referred to as the extreme risk protection order bill, is a common-sense but urgent measure to protect our communities from the threat of senseless gun violence.

"The scourge of gun violence has shaken this nation to its core, and yet the federal government in Washington, beholden to its NRA masters, has failed to take action. If the federal government won't act, then New York will lead. We passed the nation's strongest gun safety laws in the wake of the tragedy at Sandy Hook, and today we are taking another step forward to keep New Yorkers safe.

"I call on the State Senate to pass this bill without delay. Republican members of the Assembly put children above the NRA—all we need is one to show that kind of backbone in the Senate. It's time for the Republicans in Albany to put politics aside and listen to their constituents who are saying 'enough is enough.' The cost of inaction is simply too high."

Source: Press Office, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo 

NRA Pushes Back Against Andrew Cuomo's 'Red Flag' Gun Bill, Governor Responds

By Jon Campbell

ALBANY — Gov. Andrew Cuomo's push to pass a "red flag" gun bill has picked up a powerful opponent: The National Rifle Association.

The NRA came out this week against Cuomo's bill, urging members to contact lawmakers in the closely divided Senate and push for its defeat.

Cuomo's legislation would allow school officials and family members to seek a court order blocking someone from purchasing or possessing firearms in New York if they pose an "extreme risk" to themselves or others.

The Democrat-led state Assembly passed the bill Wednesday in an 87-29 vote.

Click here for the full article. 

Source: Democrat & Chronicle 

UPDATE: 3:28 PM (EST)

Governor Cuomo issued the following statement regarding the NRA's effort to defeat the bill. 

"The NRA is once again showing its true colors by coming out against a common-sense measure to prevent school shootings and save lives. The NRA has opposed every single gun safety measure we have put forward in New York because the only thing they care about is selling more guns. 

"When the NRA is coming after you, you know you're doing something right. I have never backed down to the NRA at any point in my life, and I don't plan to start now. 

"Now it's time that the Republican legislators in Albany put the lives of their constituents before the NRA and take real action against the scourge of deadly gun violence." 

Source: Press Office, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo 

The Power of the Vote: Federal Primary Election in New York City

The Federal Primary Election will take place on June 26, 2018.
 

An absentee ballot may be delivered to the county board -- for a voter whom because of illness, travel, etc. is unable to vote at the polls -- no later than 9 p.m. on June 26, 2018.

Click here for additional information. 

Source: http://www1.nyc.gov

The Intra-Democratic War Over Personnel Zeroes In on Chuck Schumer

By David Dayen and Ryan Grim

Liberal groups have grown concerned that Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer will squander his power to recommend Democratic nominees for financial regulatory commissions by sending up milquetoast, industry-friendly functionaries, instead of stalwarts opposed to loosening rules on big banks.

At issue are two Democratic seats open on the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and one on the Securities and Exchange Commission. Last month, over 30 labor, progressive, and consumer groups urged Schumer to select nominees with a “demonstrated willingness to stand up to Wall Street.”

But Schumer, D-N.Y., has been slow to act on the SEC vacancy. For the FDIC, he’s close to re-appointing former Chair Martin Gruenberg, fresh off his role in shepherding through a major weakening of the so-called Volcker rule, a Dodd-Frank provision barring deposit-taking institutions from risky trading with customer funds. Gruenberg was the only Democratic bank regulator to vote for the deregulation proposal, and Schumer subsequently rewarding him with a re-appointment would be taken as disappointing signal.

Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., said that Schumer is taking the pressure from progressive groups seriously when it comes to naming commissioners. “They make critical decisions that affect communities like the one I live in, in the central ward in Newark, and it’s something that I’m really concerned with on a whole raft of issues, from access to capital to fair-lending practices,” he said. “You’re seeing a whole bunch of things really affecting the average working American, and I think Schumer’s conscious of those things, and that’s why he’s spent so much time talking to progressive groups.”

Click here for the full article. 

Source: The Intercept_

House Democratic Leaders Hold News Conference on Pre-existing Conditions

Click here for video.

Trump's Personal Attorney Splits with His Own Legal Team

President Donald Trump's personal attorney, Michael Cohen, has split with the legal team that has shepherded him through a criminal investigation that included a high-profile FBI raid, a source familiar with the change said.

Trailblazers in Black History: Yvonne Thornton

Dr. Thornton is a double-Board Certified specialist in obstetrics, gynecology and maternal-fetal medicine. She has risen to the academic rank of Professor of Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology. She is a member of the Association of Women Surgeons, a life member of The New York Academy of Medicine, and is a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American College of Surgeons.

Her biography is presently in Who's Who in America and Who's Who in the World. She has been listed in The Best Doctors -- New York Metro Area. She was also listed in New York Magazine as one of the Top Ten Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialists in New York City.

Dr. Thornton was the first Black woman in the United States to be Board-certified in High-Risk obstetrics and to be accepted into The New York Obstetrical Society.

Click here for additional information. 

Source: www.doctorthornton.com and WNYC Radio

Black Harvard University Graduates Targeted in Bomb Threat, Man Charged

 

By Tom Barnes

A man who allegedly threatened to bomb a Harvard University event honouring the achievements of black students has been arrested. 

Nicholas Zuckerman is accused of publishing a string of sinister posts on the prestigious institution’s official Instagram account in May 2017.

Click here for the full article.

Source: The Independent

Black Actor Claims Racial Profiling After Arrest

by Dennis Romero 

LOS ANGELES — An African-American actor says he was racially profiled and wrongfully arrested last week as a suspect in a burglary ring whose members led sheriff's deputies on a freeway pursuit that was broadcast on television.

Darris Love, 38, along with his girlfriend, Ayesha Dumas, 39, who is also black, said they plan to file a claim with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department within a week as a likely prelude to a civil lawsuit. Love's lawyer said his client was held for hours despite evidence that he had been many miles from the crime scene.

Click here for the full article. 

Source: NBC News 

Republican Sen. Bob Corker Calls GOP 'Cultish' and 'Fearful' Under Trump

Corker's comments on Wednesday come the day after he lashed out at his Republican colleagues for blocking legislation that would have put checks on the president's ability to levy tariffs.

by Dartunorro Clark and Garrett Haake

Sen. Bob Corker, the Republican chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, on Wednesday chided his GOP colleagues for being "cultish" and "fearful" under President Donald Trump, and said some are concerned about their prospects in the midterm elections.

The Tennessee lawmaker said there are a number of reticent Republicans who are afraid to push back at Trump because they do not want to agitate the president.

Click here for the full article. 

Source: NBC News 

AT&T-Time Warner Merger Will Change Media Landscape

Source: CBS News

Speaker Paul Ryan Says House to Vote on Immigration Bills Next Week

Source: CBS News

Controversy as Seattle Repeals Tax on Big Businesses

Source: CBS News

World Reacts to Historic North Korea, US Summit

White House Video Shows Its Vision of a Prosperous North Korea

Israeli Officials Call for Snipers to Target Gaza's Kite Flyers

'I'm Concerned': South Koreans React to Trump-Kim Summit

Access Asia: India Struggles to Fight Against Child Marriage

Source: FRANCE 24 English

Italy Demands French Apology in Migrant Boat Row

Source: FRANCE 24 English

Brussels Photo Exhibition Presses for Free Media

Source: euronews.

Furious Over Brexit, Scottish Lawmakers Walk Out of UK Parliament

Scottish National Party MPs walked out en masse from the UK parliament after their leader was ordered to leave the House of Commons in a row over Brexit.

Source: euronews.

Aid Agencies Sound Warning as Arab Alliance Begins Assault on Hodeida

Source: euronews.

Almost a Thousand Migrants Land in Sicily

Source: euronews.

South Korea Seeks Clarity from US After Trump-Kim Summit

Source euronews.

$2.1 Million Awarded to Protect Non-Profit Schools, Other Long Island Facilites Against Hate Crimes

Earlier today, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced over $2.1 million has been awarded through the state's $25 million Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes Grant Program to help strengthen security measures at nonprofit schools, day care centers and cultural museums on Long Island. These efforts will help prevent hate crimes or attacks against these facilities because of their ideology, beliefs or mission. This first round of funding provides $2,161,410 million for 45 projects at facilities on Long Island. 

More information is available here. 

Source: Press Office, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo

New York Has Fined and Suspended Dozens of Real Estate Agents....

By Kevin Sun

Like many New Yorkers who have had bad experiences with real estate agents, Tanya Mejia took to Yelp in September 2014 to give brokerage Chrome Residential a one-star review. “Not only are these guys unprofessional, but they are crooks,” she wrote. “Do yourself a favor and stay clear of this company.”

To retrieve a $2,000 security deposit from her broker, she then went to Small Claims Court and obtained a judgment against Chrome, which the broker refused to pay unless she removed her Yelp review, according to a New York Department of State investigation. Mejia then filed a consumer complaint with the DOS, and finally, more than two years after the initial incident, an administrative law judge revoked the real estate broker’s license in September 2016.

But as far as the state’s public database of licensing decisions is concerned, this never happened. A search for the agent’s name (“Jacob Benchlouch”) only turns up two duplicate files for an earlier dismissed complaint, omitting any record that he was sanctioned for “engaging in deceptive acts and practices.” (Benchlouch could not be reached for comment and Chrome Residential is no longer in operation.)

Click here for the full article. 

Source: The Real Deal, New York (via Empire Report New York) 

John Travolta Honored in Brooklyn

Click here for details on the event.

Source: Eyewitness News ABC 7NY

Errol Louis Interviews Mayor de Blasio on NYCHA Crisis

In Part 1 of his weekly "Mondays with the Mayor" interview on NY1, Mayor de Blasio joined Errol Louis to discuss the settlement with federal prosecutors over conditions in the city's public housing developments.

Click here for video.

Source: Empire Report News York

New York Blood Center Declares an ‘Emergency’ with Only Half of Target Supply

 

By Alison Fox

The New York Blood Center, which supplies blood to city hospitals, has declared a blood emergency, reporting just more than half of its ideal blood supply.

The NYBC currently has a four-day supply of blood, said Andrea Cefarelli, the group’s senior executive director for donor recruitment — far below the target seven-to-nine-day supply. Cefarelli said O Negative is the first to go, considering it is a universal blood type that everyone can use but is only found in about six percent of people.

Click here for summary. 

Source: amNewYork (via Empire Report New York) 

New York Lawmakers Vote to Eliminate Cash Bail

Source: WNYT News Channel 13 (via Empire Report New York)

State Gives $44 Million to Providers for Cancer Prevention, Screening

 

By Jonathan LaMantia

The state has issued $43.8 million in five-year grants to hospitals, health centers and county health departments statewide to help prevent cancer and provide free screenings to uninsured and low-income New Yorkers.

The $39.4 million Cancer Services Program aims to address the disparities in breast, cervical and colorectal cancer rates among different socioeconomic groups.

Click here for summary. 

Source: CRAIN'S New York Business (via Empire Report New York) 

Critics Denounce Sessions' Move to Restrict Asylum for Domestic and Gang Violence Victims

“The attorney general today erased an important legal development that was universally agreed to be correct,” a group of judges wrote.

By  Daniella Silva

Advocates for immigrants and former immigration judges denounced Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ ruling this week restricting asylum for people fleeing domestic or gang violence, saying the decision could cost lives and endanger tens of thousands of people.

One lawyer working with immigrants, Kathryn Shepherd, called the decision "essentially a death sentence to potentially thousands of people fleeing harm.”

On Monday, Sessions reversed an immigration court’s ruling that granted asylum to a woman from El Salvador who said her husband had repeatedly abused her physically, sexually and emotionally. Sessions wrote that “generally” claims on domestic and gang violence will no longer qualify for asylum.

Click here for the full article. 

Source: NBC News