Public school parents were exasperated when Mayor de Blasio revealed last week the seven-day-average citywide COVID-19 positivity rate had reached 3.00%, the exact threshold UFT leaders and City Hall agreed would trigger automatic shutdown of all in-person schooling, in every borough. Trying to reason with Hizzoner was futile: A deal was a deal, that was that, schools were closed. Advertisement The rotten cherry on the whole stressful sundae was the fact that de Blasio’s announcement came right after Gov. Cuomo declared that, by the state’s calculations, the city’s seven-day-average virus...…Public school parents were exasperated when Mayor de Blasio revealed last week the seven-day-average citywide COVID-19 positivity rate had reached 3.00%, the exact threshold UFT leaders and City Hall agreed would trigger automatic shutdown of all in-person schooling, in every borough. Trying to reason with Hizzoner was futile: A deal was a deal, that was that, schools were closed. Advertisement The rotten cherry on the whole stressful sundae was the fact that de Blasio’s announcement came right after Gov. Cuomo declared that, by the state’s calculations, the city’s seven-day-average virus...WW…

Joe Biden’s election as president has renewed focus on the desperate need for economic relief and recovery policies. For New York, it comes not a minute too soon. Our city and state were in crisis long before COVID-19 laid the fact bare and magnified it, and we will need bold action at every level of government to get beyond the ill state of affairs that existed before the virus struck. The stage has been set for it. Like the Great Depression and World War II, COVID has taught a generation that our economic and physical security depends on collective action. Advertisement Consider the...…Joe Biden’s election as president has renewed focus on the desperate need for economic relief and recovery policies. For New York, it comes not a minute too soon. Our city and state were in crisis long before COVID-19 laid the fact bare and magnified it, and we will need bold action at every level of government to get beyond the ill state of affairs that existed before the virus struck. The stage has been set for it. Like the Great Depression and World War II, COVID has taught a generation that our economic and physical security depends on collective action. Advertisement Consider the...WW…

While President Trump has refused to concede the election, despite the failure of legal challenges and results being certified by more and more states, Facebook and Twitter will ensure an orderly transition of accounts by handing over @POTUS and other official accounts to the Biden administration in January. Both companies on Saturday that the transfer of institutional handles would take place on Jan. 20, shortly after Joe Biden is inaugurated. Advertisement President Trump will retain control of, and presumably continue to use, his personal accounts on both platforms, including...…While President Trump has refused to concede the election, despite the failure of legal challenges and results being certified by more and more states, Facebook and Twitter will ensure an orderly transition of accounts by handing over @POTUS and other official accounts to the Biden administration in January. Both companies on Saturday that the transfer of institutional handles would take place on Jan. 20, shortly after Joe Biden is inaugurated. Advertisement President Trump will retain control of, and presumably continue to use, his personal accounts on both platforms, including...WW…

The big asks have commenced. Gov. Cuomo said Friday that he told President-elect Joe Biden that state governments will need $500 billion in federal stimulus money to avoid bankruptcies. Advertisement Cuomo, who heads the National Governors Association, spoke with Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on Thursday about the fate of the Empire State and state governments around the country. “The call went very well — a lot of talk about vaccine distribution, a lot of talk about states’ need for funding,” he said. “The NGA has officially asked for $500 billion for state and local...…The big asks have commenced. Gov. Cuomo said Friday that he told President-elect Joe Biden that state governments will need $500 billion in federal stimulus money to avoid bankruptcies. Advertisement Cuomo, who heads the National Governors Association, spoke with Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on Thursday about the fate of the Empire State and state governments around the country. “The call went very well — a lot of talk about vaccine distribution, a lot of talk about states’ need for funding,” he said. “The NGA has officially asked for $500 billion for state and local...WW…

In two terrifying seconds, a Manhattan subway rider’s worst nightmare became a mass transit miracle. A deranged homeless man with a running start shoved an unsuspecting woman in front of an oncoming subway train Thursday in the Union Square station, with the helpless victim improbably landing in the roadbed between the tracks and emerging intact after two of the 70,000-pound cars passed over her. Advertisement Video of the attack shows an unhinged Aditya Vemulapati, 24, pacing up and down the platform, sizing up the victim and then violently pushing the woman from behind with both hands in...…In two terrifying seconds, a Manhattan subway rider’s worst nightmare became a mass transit miracle. A deranged homeless man with a running start shoved an unsuspecting woman in front of an oncoming subway train Thursday in the Union Square station, with the helpless victim improbably landing in the roadbed between the tracks and emerging intact after two of the 70,000-pound cars passed over her. Advertisement Video of the attack shows an unhinged Aditya Vemulapati, 24, pacing up and down the platform, sizing up the victim and then violently pushing the woman from behind with both hands in...WW…

Just as Dick Nixon had his 1952 Checkers speech and his famous last press conference 10 years later, Rudy Giuliani, erstwhile hero of New York’s recovery from the Sept. 11 terror attacks, could well be remembered for his disgraceful Four Seasons Total Landscaping warehouse press conference and his Grecian Formula meltdown in a hot room at Republican National Committee headquarters shilling for loser Donald Trump. Oh, Rudy, we won’t forget how you masterfully broke crooked Rep. Bert Podell on the stand in 1974 and in 1986 up in New Haven finally brought down wily Stanley Friedman, Roy Cohn’s...…Just as Dick Nixon had his 1952 Checkers speech and his famous last press conference 10 years later, Rudy Giuliani, erstwhile hero of New York’s recovery from the Sept. 11 terror attacks, could well be remembered for his disgraceful Four Seasons Total Landscaping warehouse press conference and his Grecian Formula meltdown in a hot room at Republican National Committee headquarters shilling for loser Donald Trump. Oh, Rudy, we won’t forget how you masterfully broke crooked Rep. Bert Podell on the stand in 1974 and in 1986 up in New Haven finally brought down wily Stanley Friedman, Roy Cohn’s...WW…

Thursday night at 7 p.m., we will gather virtually with over 1,000 leaders from 42 congregations, unions, schools and non-profits virtually to launch a new citizens organization: Queens Power. Our mission is to organize Queens residents to build the leverage needed to fight for and win justice for themselves and the communities they live in. If Queens were a separate city, its 2,278,906 residents would make it the fifth-largest in the nation, right behind Houston, and the second-largest borough, just behind the 2.6 million people who live right next door in Brooklyn. Advertisement And over...…Thursday night at 7 p.m., we will gather virtually with over 1,000 leaders from 42 congregations, unions, schools and non-profits virtually to launch a new citizens organization: Queens Power. Our mission is to organize Queens residents to build the leverage needed to fight for and win justice for themselves and the communities they live in. If Queens were a separate city, its 2,278,906 residents would make it the fifth-largest in the nation, right behind Houston, and the second-largest borough, just behind the 2.6 million people who live right next door in Brooklyn. Advertisement And over...WW…

Another day, another dark chapter in the life of Rudy Giuliani. The head of the president’s team to dig-up evidence supporting President Trump’s seemingly baseless claims of election fraud was reportedly laughed at by his own people during a Thursday press conference, when streams of dark fluid ran down the sweaty 76-year-old former prosecutor’s cheeks. Advertisement According to the , audio from a Zoom chat found its way onto the live stream of the former New York City mayor trying to explain various theories on why the 2020 election, which Joe Biden won by more than 5 million votes,...…Another day, another dark chapter in the life of Rudy Giuliani. The head of the president’s team to dig-up evidence supporting President Trump’s seemingly baseless claims of election fraud was reportedly laughed at by his own people during a Thursday press conference, when streams of dark fluid ran down the sweaty 76-year-old former prosecutor’s cheeks. Advertisement According to the , audio from a Zoom chat found its way onto the live stream of the former New York City mayor trying to explain various theories on why the 2020 election, which Joe Biden won by more than 5 million votes,...WW…

Three girls have gone missing from a Bronx group home for emotionally traumatized children, police said Wednesday. Antoinette Hamilton, 12, Marcayla Gardner, 12, and Annaya Fryer, 11, left the Henry Ittleson Center in Riverdale around 8 p.m. on Tuesday and haven’t been seen since, cops said. Advertisement Authorities believe the pre-teens left the Iselin Ave. facility near Grosvenor Ave. together. The Henry Ittleson Center is a residential treatment facility for emotionally traumatized children, according to the group home’s website. Advertisement All three girls are Black. Antoinette is...…Three girls have gone missing from a Bronx group home for emotionally traumatized children, police said Wednesday. Antoinette Hamilton, 12, Marcayla Gardner, 12, and Annaya Fryer, 11, left the Henry Ittleson Center in Riverdale around 8 p.m. on Tuesday and haven’t been seen since, cops said. Advertisement Authorities believe the pre-teens left the Iselin Ave. facility near Grosvenor Ave. together. The Henry Ittleson Center is a residential treatment facility for emotionally traumatized children, according to the group home’s website. Advertisement All three girls are Black. Antoinette is...WW…

A 40% cut in weekday subway service and layoffs of more than 9,000 transit workers are on the table as MTA honchos battle a COVID-19 financial catastrophe, the Daily News has learned. “This would absolutely be an end to the New York way of life,” said Andrew Albert, the non-voting rider advocate on the MTA board. Advertisement “People expect to leave their home or office and get a train or bus within a very reasonable wait of time,” Albert said. “Cuts of this magnitude mean virtually no social distancing. It’s just a nonstarter to me.” The transit austerity plan — parts of which were...…A 40% cut in weekday subway service and layoffs of more than 9,000 transit workers are on the table as MTA honchos battle a COVID-19 financial catastrophe, the Daily News has learned. “This would absolutely be an end to the New York way of life,” said Andrew Albert, the non-voting rider advocate on the MTA board. Advertisement “People expect to leave their home or office and get a train or bus within a very reasonable wait of time,” Albert said. “Cuts of this magnitude mean virtually no social distancing. It’s just a nonstarter to me.” The transit austerity plan — parts of which were...WW…

Singer Bette Midler’s never been known to hold her tongue — or her tweets. The Divine Miss M had harsh words for White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany after the Harvard-educated flack boasted that the Wayne County, Mich., board of canvassers had breathed life into the Trump administration’s last-gasp efforts to stay in power after President-Elect Joe Biden was declared the winner of the 2020 presidential race. Advertisement While McEnany is correct that two Republican canvassers initially refused to certify votes in Wayne County despite any evidence of fraud, that pair to certify the...…Singer Bette Midler’s never been known to hold her tongue — or her tweets. The Divine Miss M had harsh words for White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany after the Harvard-educated flack boasted that the Wayne County, Mich., board of canvassers had breathed life into the Trump administration’s last-gasp efforts to stay in power after President-Elect Joe Biden was declared the winner of the 2020 presidential race. Advertisement While McEnany is correct that two Republican canvassers initially refused to certify votes in Wayne County despite any evidence of fraud, that pair to certify the...WW…

President-elect Joe Biden said Wednesday that President Trump’s refusal to accept defeat could delay distribution of coronavirus vaccines by “weeks or months.” As Trump digs in his heels, Biden said his incoming team is hamstrung by the administration’s refusal to coordinate with those who will be in charge of fighting the pandemic and planning to roll out millions of doses of vaccines. Advertisement “We’re going to be behind by weeks or months,” Biden said. “That’s the only slowdown we have.” Biden spoke from his transition headquarters in Delaware where he held a virtual roundtable with...…President-elect Joe Biden said Wednesday that President Trump’s refusal to accept defeat could delay distribution of coronavirus vaccines by “weeks or months.” As Trump digs in his heels, Biden said his incoming team is hamstrung by the administration’s refusal to coordinate with those who will be in charge of fighting the pandemic and planning to roll out millions of doses of vaccines. Advertisement “We’re going to be behind by weeks or months,” Biden said. “That’s the only slowdown we have.” Biden spoke from his transition headquarters in Delaware where he held a virtual roundtable with...WW…

Turkey Day is going to be different this year for the Trumps. The First Family will spend Thanksgiving at the White House as President Trump hunkers down for what he wants the public to think is an epic fight for his political life. Advertisement Even as Trump stays out of sight and avoids questions about his election loss to President-elect Joe Biden, he apparently wants his #MAGA supporters to continue to see him as the legitimate occupant of the White House. Trump has in past years spent the holiday at his Mar-a-Lago club along with other members of his family. Advertisement The decision...…Turkey Day is going to be different this year for the Trumps. The First Family will spend Thanksgiving at the White House as President Trump hunkers down for what he wants the public to think is an epic fight for his political life. Advertisement Even as Trump stays out of sight and avoids questions about his election loss to President-elect Joe Biden, he apparently wants his #MAGA supporters to continue to see him as the legitimate occupant of the White House. Trump has in past years spent the holiday at his Mar-a-Lago club along with other members of his family. Advertisement The decision...WW…

New York City’s system of “screening” applicants to elite public high schools based on their grades, test scores, attendance records and other criteria violates federal law by disproportionately keeping Black and Latino students out of the coveted schools, a new federal alleges. Student advocacy group Teens Take Charge argues in a complaint set to be filed Monday to the U.S. Education Department that the lower admissions rates for Black and Latino students to the selective high schools show the selection rules have a discriminatory effect — even if the rules appear neutral on the surface....…New York City’s system of “screening” applicants to elite public high schools based on their grades, test scores, attendance records and other criteria violates federal law by disproportionately keeping Black and Latino students out of the coveted schools, a new federal alleges. Student advocacy group Teens Take Charge argues in a complaint set to be filed Monday to the U.S. Education Department that the lower admissions rates for Black and Latino students to the selective high schools show the selection rules have a discriminatory effect — even if the rules appear neutral on the surface....WW…

ALBANY ― For the second day in a row, New York Democrats celebrated a major win as absentee ballots boosted their chances of a potential super-majority in the state Legislature. Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D-Yonkers) congratulated fellow Dem Elijah Reichlin-Melnick as he outpaced his Republican opponent in a race to represent parts of Rockland and Westchester Counties. Advertisement “Senator-Elect Reichlin-Melnick is part of an exciting new generation of leaders in the Senate Democratic Majority who will help move New York forward," Stewart-Cousins said in a statement....…ALBANY ― For the second day in a row, New York Democrats celebrated a major win as absentee ballots boosted their chances of a potential super-majority in the state Legislature. Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D-Yonkers) congratulated fellow Dem Elijah Reichlin-Melnick as he outpaced his Republican opponent in a race to represent parts of Rockland and Westchester Counties. Advertisement “Senator-Elect Reichlin-Melnick is part of an exciting new generation of leaders in the Senate Democratic Majority who will help move New York forward," Stewart-Cousins said in a statement....WW…

Here’s the skinny from reputed Philadelphia mob boss Joey Merlino: He’s not cooperating with anybody, including Joe Biden. A lawyer linked to President Trump retweeted a bizarre allegation that the Mafia veteran was set to flip and inform authorities about a supposed $3 million scheme to forge ballots in Philadelphia for President-elect Biden — prompting an adamant repudiation Tuesday from the famously close-mouthed wiseguy. Advertisement “My client categorically denies all the allegations and Joey would rather die than ever be a snitch,” said attorney John Meringolo about the report...…Here’s the skinny from reputed Philadelphia mob boss Joey Merlino: He’s not cooperating with anybody, including Joe Biden. A lawyer linked to President Trump retweeted a bizarre allegation that the Mafia veteran was set to flip and inform authorities about a supposed $3 million scheme to forge ballots in Philadelphia for President-elect Biden — prompting an adamant repudiation Tuesday from the famously close-mouthed wiseguy. Advertisement “My client categorically denies all the allegations and Joey would rather die than ever be a snitch,” said attorney John Meringolo about the report...WW…

That ruh-roh you heard was the sound of Georgia Republicans sounding the alarm about President Trump dragging them down with him. Embattled Sen. David Perdue (R-Ga.) reportedly all but conceded Trump lost the election to President-elect Joe Biden in a closed-door meetingwith GOP guru Karl Rove, the . Advertisement While Election Day is over and done, the race between Perdue and Democratic challenger Jon Ossoff is one of two runoffs in Georgia that could determine control of the U.S. Senate. Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler, who took office in January after being appointed by Georgia’s...…That ruh-roh you heard was the sound of Georgia Republicans sounding the alarm about President Trump dragging them down with him. Embattled Sen. David Perdue (R-Ga.) reportedly all but conceded Trump lost the election to President-elect Joe Biden in a closed-door meetingwith GOP guru Karl Rove, the . Advertisement While Election Day is over and done, the race between Perdue and Democratic challenger Jon Ossoff is one of two runoffs in Georgia that could determine control of the U.S. Senate. Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler, who took office in January after being appointed by Georgia’s...WW…

Anyone who has ever made a request for information under New York’s Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) knows the frustrations of having agencies delay responding timely to the request. Even in the best of times, city and state agencies typically take their time responding to a request for information. But the law requires expeditiousness. Agencies must make some response within five days of receiving a request. At that point, they can either make the record available or give a date when it will be produced, ideally within 20 days, according to the regulation. Advertisement I run a law firm...…Anyone who has ever made a request for information under New York’s Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) knows the frustrations of having agencies delay responding timely to the request. Even in the best of times, city and state agencies typically take their time responding to a request for information. But the law requires expeditiousness. Agencies must make some response within five days of receiving a request. At that point, they can either make the record available or give a date when it will be produced, ideally within 20 days, according to the regulation. Advertisement I run a law firm...WW…

Claudia Conway is hoping to go from social media icon to “American Idol.” The 16-year-old, known for her critiques of mom and former White House counselor Kellyanne Conway as well as President Trump, took to TikTok Sunday to share she’s auditioning for the singing competition staple. Advertisement “Hey guys, I’m here at ‘American Idol’ confessional,” a dressed up Conway said before pivoting the camera to a cheering video crew. @americanidol shoutout to anhie “I met Ryan Seacrest today and I have my audition soon. So, stay tuned for that. Very, very nervous, but very excited,” she said...…Claudia Conway is hoping to go from social media icon to “American Idol.” The 16-year-old, known for her critiques of mom and former White House counselor Kellyanne Conway as well as President Trump, took to TikTok Sunday to share she’s auditioning for the singing competition staple. Advertisement “Hey guys, I’m here at ‘American Idol’ confessional,” a dressed up Conway said before pivoting the camera to a cheering video crew. @americanidol shoutout to anhie “I met Ryan Seacrest today and I have my audition soon. So, stay tuned for that. Very, very nervous, but very excited,” she said...WW…

Even when a president loses in an electoral landside, he remains president for another 80 days. What limits are there on a lame duck’s power? Explicitly, none. The old refrain binds: We have one president at a time. But in moments of crisis, constitutional guidance and other norms support courts and decision-makers halting a lame-duck president’s most radical actions. With President Trump looking increasingly strident and irrational as he refuses to acknowledge Joe Biden’s victory, all Americans should be aware of these constraints. Advertisement Since 2016, Trump has claimed , threatened...…Even when a president loses in an electoral landside, he remains president for another 80 days. What limits are there on a lame duck’s power? Explicitly, none. The old refrain binds: We have one president at a time. But in moments of crisis, constitutional guidance and other norms support courts and decision-makers halting a lame-duck president’s most radical actions. With President Trump looking increasingly strident and irrational as he refuses to acknowledge Joe Biden’s victory, all Americans should be aware of these constraints. Advertisement Since 2016, Trump has claimed , threatened...WW…

Rudy Giuliani remained in the twilight zone on Sunday, claiming the presidential election would be “overturned” and airing dark conspiracy theories. “We have proof that I can’t disclose yet,” he said on “Sunday Morning Futures” on Fox News. “This has to be examined ... beyond this election, that I believe will be overturned.” Advertisement Giuliani, the Trump attorney once hailed as “America’s Mayor,” repeated disproven claims that GOP observers weren’t allowed at vote-counting efforts and baselessly said Democratic strongholds including Detroit and Philadelphia were rife with election...…Rudy Giuliani remained in the twilight zone on Sunday, claiming the presidential election would be “overturned” and airing dark conspiracy theories. “We have proof that I can’t disclose yet,” he said on “Sunday Morning Futures” on Fox News. “This has to be examined ... beyond this election, that I believe will be overturned.” Advertisement Giuliani, the Trump attorney once hailed as “America’s Mayor,” repeated disproven claims that GOP observers weren’t allowed at vote-counting efforts and baselessly said Democratic strongholds including Detroit and Philadelphia were rife with election...WW…

The fate of a COVID-19 relief bill to deliver aid for millions of Americans left desperate by the pandemic rests in the hands of Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell, New York Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand said Sunday. As daily cases of the virus in the U.S. hit record highs over the last week, the pair of Democratic lawmakers said it’s vital for both parties to come together on legislation that keeps the economy afloat and enables workers to stay home to contain the spread of the outbreak. Advertisement President Trump on Saturday tweeted support for a new relief package —...…The fate of a COVID-19 relief bill to deliver aid for millions of Americans left desperate by the pandemic rests in the hands of Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell, New York Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand said Sunday. As daily cases of the virus in the U.S. hit record highs over the last week, the pair of Democratic lawmakers said it’s vital for both parties to come together on legislation that keeps the economy afloat and enables workers to stay home to contain the spread of the outbreak. Advertisement President Trump on Saturday tweeted support for a new relief package —...WW…

President Trump tweeted Sunday that Joe Biden “won” the election, though he stated about an hour later that he was not conceding the race as he repeated baseless allegations that the election was “rigged.” “He won because the Election was Rigged,” Trump first stated, apparently referring to Biden. “NO VOTE WATCHERS OR OBSERVERS allowed, vote tabulated by a Radical Left privately owned company, Dominion, with a bad reputation & bum equipment that couldn’t even qualify for Texas (which I won by a lot!), the Fake & Silent Media, & more!” Advertisement Later in the morning, Trump wrote: “He...…President Trump tweeted Sunday that Joe Biden “won” the election, though he stated about an hour later that he was not conceding the race as he repeated baseless allegations that the election was “rigged.” “He won because the Election was Rigged,” Trump first stated, apparently referring to Biden. “NO VOTE WATCHERS OR OBSERVERS allowed, vote tabulated by a Radical Left privately owned company, Dominion, with a bad reputation & bum equipment that couldn’t even qualify for Texas (which I won by a lot!), the Fake & Silent Media, & more!” Advertisement Later in the morning, Trump wrote: “He...WW…

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum on Friday issued a statewide mask mandate, a reversal for a Republican who has resisted the measure but whose state remains in the crucible of one of the country’s deadliest coronavirus outbreaks. The order, which took effect on Saturday, requires North Dakotans to cover their faces in stores and in outdoor spaces where distancing is impossible, Burgum said. Advertisement No state in the U.S. has logged a higher rate of COVID-19 deaths per capita than North Dakota over the past week, to The Washington Post. And hospitals in the lightly populated northern state...…North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum on Friday issued a statewide mask mandate, a reversal for a Republican who has resisted the measure but whose state remains in the crucible of one of the country’s deadliest coronavirus outbreaks. The order, which took effect on Saturday, requires North Dakotans to cover their faces in stores and in outdoor spaces where distancing is impossible, Burgum said. Advertisement No state in the U.S. has logged a higher rate of COVID-19 deaths per capita than North Dakota over the past week, to The Washington Post. And hospitals in the lightly populated northern state...WW…

Fox News correspondent Geraldo Rivera says he had a heart-to-heart chat with the president, who said he’s going to do the right thing. That presumably means accepting the results of last week’s election, which he lost. “Just had heartfelt phone call w friend who said he’s a ‘realist’ who’ll do the ’right thing' But he wants to see ‘what states do in terms of certifiction (etc)’ He sounded committed to fighting for every vote & if he loses, talking more about all he’s accomplished." Advertisement The tweet from Rivera, whose misspelling of the term “certification” as “certifiction” appears...…Fox News correspondent Geraldo Rivera says he had a heart-to-heart chat with the president, who said he’s going to do the right thing. That presumably means accepting the results of last week’s election, which he lost. “Just had heartfelt phone call w friend who said he’s a ‘realist’ who’ll do the ’right thing' But he wants to see ‘what states do in terms of certifiction (etc)’ He sounded committed to fighting for every vote & if he loses, talking more about all he’s accomplished." Advertisement The tweet from Rivera, whose misspelling of the term “certification” as “certifiction” appears...WW…