James Blake's new book on activism
James Blake is a New York native who went on to become one of the biggest stars in tennis. Blake was born in Yonkers and climbed the ladder to eventually become the fourth-ranked player in the world. Now he is out with a new book called "Waves of Grace: Stories of Activism, Adversity and How Sports Can Bring Us Together."
James Blake is a New York native who went on to become one of the biggest stars in tennis. Blake was born in Yonkers and climbed the ladder to eventually become the fourth-ranked player in the world. Now he is out with a new book called "Waves of Grace: Stories of Activism, Adversity and How Sports Can Bring Us Together."
MTA state of emergency
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Thursday declared a state of emergency for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to expedite subway repairs and replacements in the wake of rising delays and accidents. Cuomo made the announcement at a planned news conference for the MTA Transit Challenge, a competition that will award three $1 million so-called genius awards for the best ideas to fix the mass transit system. Cuomo said the MTA needs new ideas to solve the problems.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Thursday declared a state of emergency for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to expedite subway repairs and replacements in the wake of rising delays and accidents. Cuomo made the announcement at a planned news conference for the MTA Transit Challenge, a competition that will award three $1 million so-called genius awards for the best ideas to fix the mass transit system. Cuomo said the MTA needs new ideas to solve the problems.
Uber Now Available Throughout NY State
The ride sharing service along with competitor Lyft are now available throughout NY under legislation approved by state lawmakers and signed into law by Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo this month.
The ride sharing service along with competitor Lyft are now available throughout NY under legislation approved by state lawmakers and signed into law by Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo this month.
Subway derailment in Manhattan
Two subway cars of a Brooklyn-bound A train derailed near the 125th Street subway station near St. Nicholas Avenue in Harlem Tuesday morning, injuring at least 34 people. Their injuries are not considered life-threatening, officials said. Passengers described the train vibrating wildly and bucking as it went off the rails. All of the customers evacuated the train through darkened subway tunnels.
Two subway cars of a Brooklyn-bound A train derailed near the 125th Street subway station near St. Nicholas Avenue in Harlem Tuesday morning, injuring at least 34 people. Their injuries are not considered life-threatening, officials said. Passengers described the train vibrating wildly and bucking as it went off the rails. All of the customers evacuated the train through darkened subway tunnels.
Westchester County ride-sharing compromise
This spring, New York passed regulations allowing Uber, Lyft and other ride-sharing companies to operate throughout the state starting Thursday. Many Westchester County leaders expressed concern the law failed to require sufficient screening of drivers, leading to a compromise. County Executive Rob Astorino stood with representatives of Uber and Lyft Tuesday afternoon and announced an optional fingerprinting program for Westchester's ride-sharing drivers.
This spring, New York passed regulations allowing Uber, Lyft and other ride-sharing companies to operate throughout the state starting Thursday. Many Westchester County leaders expressed concern the law failed to require sufficient screening of drivers, leading to a compromise. County Executive Rob Astorino stood with representatives of Uber and Lyft Tuesday afternoon and announced an optional fingerprinting program for Westchester's ride-sharing drivers.
Subway Rider Calls on MTA to Review Safety Procedures
Michael Sciaraffo called a press conference and the press showed up. Sciaraffo, an analyst for the city of New York, was stuck on a subway with no air conditioning for nearly an hour. He is calling on the MTA to introduce new safety procedures for stuck passengers.
Michael Sciaraffo called a press conference and the press showed up. Sciaraffo, an analyst for the city of New York, was stuck on a subway with no air conditioning for nearly an hour. He is calling on the MTA to introduce new safety procedures for stuck passengers.
Rider demands more subway safety info
June 5 is a day Brooklyn resident Michael Sciaraffo wishes he could forget. On that day, straphangers shared videos and pictures from a pitch-black F subway train that got stuck in the tunnel right after pulling out of the West 4th Street station. Michael was one of those riders. He has written nine letters and sent them to the NTSB, Gov. Andrew Cuomo, MTA Chairman Joe Lhota, and other city, state, and federal officials. The letters demand that charts, diagrams or some type of evacuation plan get posted inside subway stations and trains.
June 5 is a day Brooklyn resident Michael Sciaraffo wishes he could forget. On that day, straphangers shared videos and pictures from a pitch-black F subway train that got stuck in the tunnel right after pulling out of the West 4th Street station. Michael was one of those riders. He has written nine letters and sent them to the NTSB, Gov. Andrew Cuomo, MTA Chairman Joe Lhota, and other city, state, and federal officials. The letters demand that charts, diagrams or some type of evacuation plan get posted inside subway stations and trains.
Google will stop reading your email
Most of us know by now that pretty much anything we do online is being watched. But when Google recently announced to its Gmail users that it would stop looking at their emails in an effort to target ads, many customers said, "Wait, you were looking through our emails, too?" Most of us know by now that pretty much anything we do online is being watched. But when Google recently announced to its Gmail users that it would stop looking at their emails in an effort to target ads, many customers said, "Wait, you were looking through our emails, too?"
Most of us know by now that pretty much anything we do online is being watched. But when Google recently announced to its Gmail users that it would stop looking at their emails in an effort to target ads, many customers said, "Wait, you were looking through our emails, too?" Most of us know by now that pretty much anything we do online is being watched. But when Google recently announced to its Gmail users that it would stop looking at their emails in an effort to target ads, many customers said, "Wait, you were looking through our emails, too?"
Rally for shuttered firehouse in Queens
Residents of Long Island City, Queens, say it is time to reopen a firehouse that closed over a decade ago because they fear the neighborhood has grown too quickly for current firehouses to keep up. Firefighters and City Council members rallied Friday to reopen Engine Company 261. The engine company controversially closed in 2003. It was one of five throughout the city that fell victim to budget cuts under Mayor Michael Bloomberg. But that was 14 years ago and a lot has changed since then in Long Island City.
Residents of Long Island City, Queens, say it is time to reopen a firehouse that closed over a decade ago because they fear the neighborhood has grown too quickly for current firehouses to keep up. Firefighters and City Council members rallied Friday to reopen Engine Company 261. The engine company controversially closed in 2003. It was one of five throughout the city that fell victim to budget cuts under Mayor Michael Bloomberg. But that was 14 years ago and a lot has changed since then in Long Island City.
Facebook announces new products and mission
If you're Facebook and you've got 2 billion users, you'd think things are looking up, right? So why switch things up and mess with success? Here is a hint: People told us they are using Facebook less. With more and more people growing inseparable from their phones, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg announced Facebook is changing its mission of connecting people to a new mission: creating communities and bringing the world closer together.
If you're Facebook and you've got 2 billion users, you'd think things are looking up, right? So why switch things up and mess with success? Here is a hint: People told us they are using Facebook less. With more and more people growing inseparable from their phones, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg announced Facebook is changing its mission of connecting people to a new mission: creating communities and bringing the world closer together.
Joe Lhota returns to helm the MTA
Gov. Andrew Cuomo nominated Joe Lhota to lead the MTA once again. Lhota served as the MTA's chairman and CEO from October 2011 to December 2012. He resigned to run for New York City mayor but lost to Bill de Blasio. This time around, Lhota will serve as chairman and delegate the day-to-day CEO duties to a permanent executive director. Lhota was a top aide to Mayor Rudy Giuliani.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo nominated Joe Lhota to lead the MTA once again. Lhota served as the MTA's chairman and CEO from October 2011 to December 2012. He resigned to run for New York City mayor but lost to Bill de Blasio. This time around, Lhota will serve as chairman and delegate the day-to-day CEO duties to a permanent executive director. Lhota was a top aide to Mayor Rudy Giuliani.
Construction Site Collapse Rescuers Speak Out
The firefighters and EMTs who responded to a massive construction site collapse in Astoria, Queens describe what they did and how they saved lives.
The firefighters and EMTs who responded to a massive construction site collapse in Astoria, Queens describe what they did and how they saved lives.
MTA, Amtrak at odds over money
Things just got a lot more complicated at Penn Station. As commuters brace for a tough two months ahead with delays and service changes as the station undergoes long-needed repairs, the MTA and Amtrak are locking heads over the Long Island Rail Road. At issue is who will pay for LIRR's contingency plan. Amtrak owns the station and the tracks and will perform the repairs. The MTA, which owns the LIRR, refuses to pay for the costs of implementing the schedule changes and alternate service for LIRR commuters. MTA Interim Executive Director Veronique Hakim said that the agency is looking to recover the expenses from Amtrak.
Things just got a lot more complicated at Penn Station. As commuters brace for a tough two months ahead with delays and service changes as the station undergoes long-needed repairs, the MTA and Amtrak are locking heads over the Long Island Rail Road. At issue is who will pay for LIRR's contingency plan. Amtrak owns the station and the tracks and will perform the repairs. The MTA, which owns the LIRR, refuses to pay for the costs of implementing the schedule changes and alternate service for LIRR commuters. MTA Interim Executive Director Veronique Hakim said that the agency is looking to recover the expenses from Amtrak.
Delays continue to plague New York City subways
Another day and another set of delays for the New York City subways. The MTA has been having a rough time being on time. The problem on Wednesday was a rail defect at the Hoyt-Schermerhorn Station in Brooklyn. That caused delays on the Queens-bound A train and cancellations on the C line. As MTA crews worked to fix the issue, MTA Interim Executive Director Veronique Hakim apologized to straphangers at a board meeting for the number of recent delays including during rush hour.
Another day and another set of delays for the New York City subways. The MTA has been having a rough time being on time. The problem on Wednesday was a rail defect at the Hoyt-Schermerhorn Station in Brooklyn. That caused delays on the Queens-bound A train and cancellations on the C line. As MTA crews worked to fix the issue, MTA Interim Executive Director Veronique Hakim apologized to straphangers at a board meeting for the number of recent delays including during rush hour.
Amazon Prime Wardrobe
Amazon is increasingly claiming territory once held exclusively by department stores and it's doing so again, essentially placing a dressing room in your house. Amazon is testing a new service for Prime members that allows them to try on the latest styles before they buy at no upfront charge. Customers have seven days to decide what they like and only pay for what they keep. Shipments arrive in a re-sealable box with a pre-paid label for returns.
Amazon is increasingly claiming territory once held exclusively by department stores and it's doing so again, essentially placing a dressing room in your house. Amazon is testing a new service for Prime members that allows them to try on the latest styles before they buy at no upfront charge. Customers have seven days to decide what they like and only pay for what they keep. Shipments arrive in a re-sealable box with a pre-paid label for returns.
New Uber fees
Uber is giving its drivers what they've been asking for: tips. You will soon be allowed to give your driver a tip through the app. And that is not the only way that drivers will be able to make more money. f you're an Uber user and you're prompt, then you have nothing to worry about. But if you're someone who's usually late, get ready to pay more money.
Uber is giving its drivers what they've been asking for: tips. You will soon be allowed to give your driver a tip through the app. And that is not the only way that drivers will be able to make more money. f you're an Uber user and you're prompt, then you have nothing to worry about. But if you're someone who's usually late, get ready to pay more money.
Partial building collapse
Construction materials crashed through the roof of a building under renovation in Queens Tuesday afternoon. Three workers were hurt. One of them was trapped for almost two hours. The incident happened at 31-25 28th Road in Astoria around 4 p.m. A crane placed the materials on the roof, which then gave way. The materials fell all the way down to the basement level, the FDNY said.
Construction materials crashed through the roof of a building under renovation in Queens Tuesday afternoon. Three workers were hurt. One of them was trapped for almost two hours. The incident happened at 31-25 28th Road in Astoria around 4 p.m. A crane placed the materials on the roof, which then gave way. The materials fell all the way down to the basement level, the FDNY said.
NYPD Mounted Unit
The NYPD has 55 horses. Like their neighbors on Broadway, they come to New York as adults and audition. The NYPD only keeps horses that are calm and friendly, given their level of interaction with the public. The horses end up playing such a crucial role in policing and community relations that their dedicated partners don't mind it when their buddy wants to eat all day.
The NYPD has 55 horses. Like their neighbors on Broadway, they come to New York as adults and audition. The NYPD only keeps horses that are calm and friendly, given their level of interaction with the public. The horses end up playing such a crucial role in policing and community relations that their dedicated partners don't mind it when their buddy wants to eat all day.
New concourse at Penn
Many train commuters are accustomed to old tracks, old cars, and an old Penn Station. But now commuters have a new way to get to the Long Island Rail Road tracks without having to navigate through chaos. Think of it as the West Wing. Not of the White House, but of the train terminal many commuters would prefer to avoid if only they could. A new ramp is now open that allows access directly to the LIRR tracks through entrances on 8th Avenue, steps from the A/C/E subway station.
Many train commuters are accustomed to old tracks, old cars, and an old Penn Station. But now commuters have a new way to get to the Long Island Rail Road tracks without having to navigate through chaos. Think of it as the West Wing. Not of the White House, but of the train terminal many commuters would prefer to avoid if only they could. A new ramp is now open that allows access directly to the LIRR tracks through entrances on 8th Avenue, steps from the A/C/E subway station.
LaVerne Cox
The star of Orange is the New Black talks about the hit NetFlix series.
The star of Orange is the New Black talks about the hit NetFlix series.