New York News

Police Accidentally Killed Hofstra University Student

Eyder Peralta — Sun, 19 May 2013 14:32:00 +0000

After analyzing forensic evidence, Nassau County Police in New York said on Saturday that it was a shot fired by an officer that killed 21-year-old Andrea Rebello.

Rebello, a junior at Hofstra University, was being held hostage by a masked gunman who broke into a house she shared with her sister. Police came looking for the man, when he turned a gun on them.

CBC News reports that's when an police officer shot eight rounds.

Alan Chartock - The Vito Lopez Sex Scandal

Brian Shields — Fri, 17 May 2013 19:30:00 +0000

Faced with the possibility of being expelled from the state legislature as soon as next week, State Assemblyman Vito Lopez, a Democrat from Brooklyn, today said he would resign on June 20th at the end of the legislative session and run for a seat on the New York City Council.

NYC Assemblyman Lopez will resign amid sex scandal

Associated Press — Fri, 17 May 2013 16:06:55 +0000

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Democratic New York City Assemblyman Vito Lopez says he will resign amid a sexual harassment scandal and run for New York City council.

Lopez says he'll step down June 20.

Lopez has been under growing pressure after it was revealed the state secretly paid women $103,000 to settle sexual harassment claims against the one-time Brooklyn power broker.

NY Assembly Speaker To Propose Lopez Removal

Jaired Crofut — Fri, 17 May 2013 11:08:25 +0000

New York Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver is proposing that state lawmakers expel Assemblyman Vito Lopez, who is accused of sexual harassment.

Silver is also asking the Assembly to consider the full investigative report, which was critical of Silver's handling of the Lopez case. He says he'll introduce legislation today, which would be acted on Monday.

NY AG Breaks Cigarette Trafficking Ring, Hints Terror Ties

Dave Lucas — Thu, 16 May 2013 20:33:46 +0000

New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman today announced the indictment of 16 members of a criminal ring that flooded New York City, Albany County and Schenectady County with more than a million cartons of untaxed cigarettes illegally imported from Virginia.

A 12-month investigation entailed wiretaps, aerial and electronic surveillance... In announcing the arrests of 16 individuals, Attorney General Schnedierman proclaims that "today the streets of New York are safer..." The investigation, which has so far uncovered $55 million in illegal cigarette sales, is continuing.

Farm Bill Moves Out of Committee, Regional Interests Want Floor Vote

Pat Bradley — Thu, 16 May 2013 16:30:00 +0000

The U.S. House Agriculture Committee late Wednesday night approved the Farm Bill, moving it to the full House for consideration.

Regional Reaction to IRS-Tea Party Targeting

Pat Bradley — Wed, 15 May 2013 22:30:00 +0000

The internal treasury investigation that found the Internal Revenue Service improperly selected conservative groups seeking tax-exempt status for further appraisal has outraged Congress and groups across the country. Some organizations across the Northeast are concerned, and others have felt the influence of the IRS targeting. North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley has reaction from some of local patriot groups.

Vito Lopez Report Details Disturbing Allegations of Sexual Harassment

Karen Dewitt — Wed, 15 May 2013 22:00:00 +0000

The Legislative Ethics Commission released its report on the sexual harassment allegations against Assemblyman Vito Lopez. It’s conclusions have New York’s National Organization for Women calling for a vote of no confidence against the still serving Assemblyman, and the Republicans calling for Silver to resign.

Owners Must File Form Or NY Gun Permit Info Public

Jaired Crofut — Wed, 15 May 2013 11:17:54 +0000

Gun owners in New York who don't want their registration information available to the public are facing a deadline to file an exemption form with local licensing authorities.

Starting today, the records of anyone who has asked to be exempt from the state Freedom of Information Law will be kept secret.

But the information will be available for gun owners who haven't acted.

Gov. Cuomo Details Local Gov't Bail Out Plan

Karen Dewitt — Tue, 14 May 2013 22:00:00 +0000

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo outlined his proposal for a new local government restructuring board to help financially distressed communities deal with long term budget problems.