New York City

New York Mayoral Primary: Mamdani Leads Poll, Challenging Cuomo

New York City’s primary election on Tuesday is poised to determine the city’s next mayor, with significant implications for the Democratic party. The race features a clash between Zohran Mamdani, a progressive candidate, and Andrew Cuomo, the former governor. Though Cuomo initially led, Mamdani has gained momentum, potentially benefiting from ranked-choice voting, and is particularly popular among younger voters. The primary winner is expected to become the next mayor due to the city’s Democratic dominance, while the incumbent is running as an independent after charges of corruption.

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Mamdani Wins NY Democratic Primary, Cuomo Concedes in Upset Victory

Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani is poised to win the Democratic nomination for mayor after former Governor Andrew Cuomo conceded following the first round of ranked-choice primary votes. With 44% of the vote, Mamdani led Cuomo’s 36%, a victory celebrated by supporters. Key to Mamdani’s success was his ability to mobilize new and young voters, outmatching a well-funded campaign by Cuomo. While official results are pending, Mamdani’s win signals a shift in the city’s political landscape.

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Trump Administration Blocks NYC Congestion Pricing

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) is revoking its approval of New York City’s congestion pricing program, citing its primary focus on MTA revenue generation rather than congestion reduction, exceeding the scope of its authorized pilot program. MTA Chair Janno Lieber plans to challenge this decision in federal court, emphasizing the program’s success in reducing congestion and improving commute times. Governor Hochul also intends to fight the USDOT’s decision, highlighting the positive impacts on traffic and businesses. The future of congestion pricing remains uncertain pending legal action.

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NYC Comptroller Accuses Musk of $80M Theft

New York City Comptroller Brad Lander alleges that $80 million in federal aid, allocated for migrant housing, was illegally withdrawn from the city’s bank account by the Trump administration. This action, characterized as “highway robbery” by Lander, reportedly involved the rescinding of funds already paid to the city by FEMA. The Trump administration claims the money was misspent on luxury hotels and used by “deep state activists.” The city is exploring legal options to recover the funds, and the situation raises concerns about the legality of such funding freezes.

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NYC Shuts Down Bird Markets Amid Avian Flu Outbreak

Following the detection of avian flu in several New York City boroughs, all live poultry markets in the city and surrounding suburbs are temporarily closed for one week as a precaution. The H5N1 strain, impacting over 156 million birds nationwide, has led to the culling of millions and significantly increased egg prices. While the CDC reports a low risk to the general public, affected markets must dispose of their poultry and undergo thorough cleaning and disinfection before reopening. The closures aim to prevent further spread of the highly contagious virus.

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NYC Launches US’s First Congestion Charge: A Controversial Fix for Traffic?

New York City launched its congestion pricing program, the first of its kind in the US, to alleviate traffic and fund public transit improvements. The daily charge, varying from $2.25 to $21.60 depending on vehicle type and time of day, applies to a zone encompassing Midtown and Lower Manhattan. Despite opposition from figures like Donald Trump and some local groups, a court challenge failed, and the program is now in effect. The initiative aims to address New York’s notoriously congested streets, ranked the world’s most congested in 2022.

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Eric Adams Is Indicted Following Federal Corruption Investigation

As a long-time resident of New York City, the news of Eric Adams being indicted following a federal corruption investigation was not entirely surprising to me. From his shady past as a cop to the questionable actions during his mayoral tenure, there were always red flags that pointed towards his true intentions. Seeing him illegally install cronies and now facing potential criminal charges further solidifies my belief that he was not fit to lead this city.

The fact that he will be the first mayor to be criminally charged while in office is a significant moment in New York City’s history.… Continue reading

Eric Adams Is Indicted Following Federal Corruption Investigation – no paywall

As a resident of New York City, the news that Eric Adams has been indicted following a federal corruption investigation comes as no surprise. From the moment he took office, it seemed like one scandal after another was plaguing his administration. The promises of returning “swagger” to the city and focusing on crime reduction quickly turned into a web of shady dealings and questionable decisions.

It’s disheartening to see someone who was elected to serve the people of this great city fall so far from grace. With allegations of nepotism, cronyism, and overall incompetence, it was only a matter of time before the truth caught up with Eric Adams.… Continue reading

Bystander shot in head as New York police tackle fare-evader

As I read about the tragic incident where a bystander was shot in the head as New York police tackled a fare-evader, my heart sank. The thought of someone being caught in the crossfire of a situation that escalated over something as trivial as fare evasion is deeply troubling. It is incomprehensible to me how a situation involving a $3 subway fare could result in such a violent and life-threatening outcome.

The fact that two bystanders and one of the officers were also shot in the incident is a stark reminder of the dangers of trigger-happy policing. The idea that law enforcement officers, who are supposed to protect and serve the community, could shoot into a crowded space without regard for the safety of innocent bystanders is appalling.… Continue reading

89-year-old stand-up comedian sucker-punched in West Village: “I thought I’d lost my eye”

As an 89-year-old stand-up comedian, I never thought I would become a victim of violence in such a brutal manner. Being sucker-punched in West Village was a terrifying experience that made me fear for my safety and well-being. The thought of losing my eye due to such a senseless act of aggression is not something I ever imagined I would have to face at this stage in my life.

It is disheartening to see the rise in felony assaults on people over the age of 65, as reported by the NYPD. What drives individuals to target the elderly for such heinous acts of violence is beyond my comprehension.… Continue reading