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Miami Herald
23-05-2025
- Miami Herald
‘Vicious' attack killed 9/11 first responder, official says. NY man convicted
A man convicted of stabbing and killing a woman who saved 'countless lives' as an emergency medical services employee in New York City could spend the rest of his life in prison, a district attorney said. New York City Fire Department Lt. Alison Russo was in uniform, working, when Peter Zisopoulos raced toward her from his apartment building and started stabbing her with a kitchen knife in September 2022, according to Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz's office. Despite efforts to save her life, Russo ultimately died at age 61 from the unprovoked and 'vicious' attack in Astoria, a neighborhood of Queens, the office said in a May 19 news release. She was a 24-year veteran of the FDNY EMS. Earlier in her career, Russo was a first responder during the 9/11 terror attacks at the World Trade Center, according to the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, a national trade union for public workers. Now, a jury has found Zisopoulus, 37, of Astoria, guilty of second-degree murder and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, according to the district attorney's office. One of his defense attorneys, Jonathan Latimer, had argued in court that Zisopoulus was not 'astute' and didn't have an awareness of the alleged crime or the murder charge against him, The New York Times reported. 'There's no rhyme or reason to what happened,' Latimer said, according to the newspaper. 'Just a wild, random, vicious situation for which there is no explanation.' Zisopoulus stabbed Russo in her stomach and chest, striking her liver, lungs and heart, after she had left her EMS stationhouse in Astoria, according to prosecutors. Russo, who also volunteered with an ambulance company on Long Island, 'cared deeply for the people of New York,' Katz said in a statement, in which she added that New York City is 'still in mourning' for her. 'I hope this conviction brings Alison's family, friends and coworkers solace as we continue to grieve her loss.' Zisopoulous is scheduled to be sentenced on June 30, according to Katz's office.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Corrections union opposes closure of Stillwater prison
Unions representing correction officers and staff at the Stillwater state prison are calling for a halt to the plan to closure the facility. 'The proposed stated budget agreement that includes the closure of Stillwater Correctional Facility is not only shortsighted, it's downright dangerous, disruptive and deeply disrespectful to the workers that keep the community safe and the inmates safe,' said Bart Andersen, executive director of the American Federation of State, County, & Municipal Employees Council 5, at a press conference at the state Capitol on Friday. State officials said the move to close the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Stillwater addresses safety concerns concerning its aging infrastructure and will save more than $40 million annually. But union leaders said Friday that the closure leaves staff members' futures uncertain and poses safety risks to inmates, staff and the public. The prison houses some of the state's most dangerous offenders, said Dan Gorman, AFSCME vice president and chief steward. Moving them could overcrowd other facilities. 'It makes it very dangerous for the inmate population and for the staff that work in those facilities,' Gorman said. Union leaders also said they were left in the dark about the decision to close the facility, located in Bayport, and continue to have questions about the plans. A state study intended to look at closing the prison and advise lawmakers on it will apparently be unnecessary, they said. 'This move comes before the very study that was meant to inform a thoughtful and orderly closure of this facility,' said Megan Dayton, president of Minnesota Association of Professional Employees. 'That study was supposed to guide legislative decision making … now it's going to be conducted after incarcerated individuals are already being moved. That is not planning, that is scrambling. We have seen no bill language. We have seen no protections for staff. We have no clarity at all about staffing during this transition. We have no commitment on fair compensation or placement for workers who might not be able to transfer.' While state officials say a full-modernization or replacement of the Stillwater site would cost an estimated $1.3 billion, union members say low-cost improvements they have requested over the years have been ignored. From what union leaders have been told, part of the closure plan is reliant on the Minnesota Rehabilitation and Reinvestment Act which allows inmates to earn earlier release, Dayton said. The MRRA, passed by the Legislature in 2023 as part of the public safety bill, allows qualified inmates to reduce their sentences. However, state officials have said inmates will not be released early as part of the closure. 'As part of this, we're not reducing population or releasing anyone to make this happen. This would be handled by … bed space and, again, phased over time,' Paul Schnell, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Corrections, said at a press conference Thursday. State officials have cited safety concerns for inmates and staff at the aging Stillwater facility when discussing its closure. Some union members questioned that assessment and what they described as a long-term underinvestment in the prison and in low-cost safety improvements. 'It appears to be a cost-savings measure right now. And in order to consolidate effectively, to deliver programming effectively, to correct behavior, you have to invest in it,' Dayton said. 'You have to spend money to rehabilitate people so that they can be functioning members of society again. And we have no guarantee that that's part of this plan.' The maximum security facility for adult male felons — built in 1914 — currently has 1,171 inmates. Its closure is expected by June 30, 2029, under the plan announced by state officials Thursday. Stillwater prison closure, immigrant care debate may imperil MN budget deal Stillwater prison to close as part of budget deal reached by state leaders Here's how a local nonprofit is connecting people with horses (for free) Stillwater Veterans Memorial to undergo $200K expansion St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour opens Friday at seven different studios
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Corrections union opposes closure of Stillwater prison
Unions representing correction officers and staff at the Stillwater state prison are calling for a halt to the plan to closure the facility. 'The proposed stated budget agreement that includes the closure of Stillwater Correctional Facility is not only shortsighted, it's downright dangerous, disruptive and deeply disrespectful to the workers that keep the community safe and the inmates safe,' said Bart Andersen, executive director of the American Federation of State, County, & Municipal Employees Council 5, at a press conference at the state Capitol on Friday. State officials said the move to close the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Stillwater addresses safety concerns concerning its aging infrastructure and will save more than $40 million annually. But union leaders said Friday that the closure leaves staff members' futures uncertain and poses safety risks to inmates, staff and the public. The prison houses some of the state's most dangerous offenders, said Dan Gorman, AFSCME vice president and chief steward. Moving them could overcrowd other facilities. 'It makes it very dangerous for the inmate population and for the staff that work in those facilities,' Gorman said. Union leaders also said they were left in the dark about the decision to close the facility, located in Bayport, and continue to have questions about the plans. A state study intended to look at closing the prison and advise lawmakers on it will apparently be unnecessary, they said. 'This move comes before the very study that was meant to inform a thoughtful and orderly closure of this facility,' said Megan Dayton, president of Minnesota Association of Professional Employees. 'That study was supposed to guide legislative decision making … now it's going to be conducted after incarcerated individuals are already being moved. That is not planning, that is scrambling. We have seen no bill language. We have seen no protections for staff. We have no clarity at all about staffing during this transition. We have no commitment on fair compensation or placement for workers who might not be able to transfer.' While state officials say a full-modernization or replacement of the Stillwater site would cost an estimated $1.3 billion, union members say low-cost improvements they have requested over the years have been ignored. From what union leaders have been told, part of the closure plan is reliant on the Minnesota Rehabilitation and Reinvestment Act which allows inmates to earn earlier release, Dayton said. The MRRA, passed by the Legislature in 2023 as part of the public safety bill, allows qualified inmates to reduce their sentences. However, state officials have said inmates will not be released early as part of the closure. 'As part of this, we're not reducing population or releasing anyone to make this happen. This would be handled by … bed space and, again, phased over time,' Paul Schnell, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Corrections, said at a press conference Thursday. State officials have cited safety concerns for inmates and staff at the aging Stillwater facility when discussing its closure. Some union members questioned that assessment and what they described as a long-term underinvestment in the prison and in low-cost safety improvements. 'It appears to be a cost-savings measure right now. And in order to consolidate effectively, to deliver programming effectively, to correct behavior, you have to invest in it,' Dayton said. 'You have to spend money to rehabilitate people so that they can be functioning members of society again. And we have no guarantee that that's part of this plan.' The maximum security facility for adult male felons — built in 1914 — currently has 1,171 inmates. Its closure is expected by June 30, 2029, under the plan announced by state officials Thursday. Stillwater prison closure, immigrant care debate may imperil MN budget deal Stillwater prison to close as part of budget deal reached by state leaders Here's how a local nonprofit is connecting people with horses (for free) Stillwater Veterans Memorial to undergo $200K expansion St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour opens Friday at seven different studios
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Salt Lake City librarians officially unionize, but likely referendum to determine next steps
Despite potential headwinds from a new state law barring public collective bargaining agreements, which is now likely headed for the ballot, Salt Lake City librarians made Utah history this week by voting to unionize. A whopping 92% of Salt Lake City Public Library employees voted to unionize during a formal vote that wrapped up on Thursday, union officials said on Friday. They now join the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Local 1004, which represents many other Salt Lake City employees, setting up negotiations for what could be the first-of-its-kind collective bargaining agreement in the state — should HB267 be overturned. 'We, as workers, are looking forward to negotiating our first contract. We've always been here for our community, and we finally have the tools to advocate for ourselves and for each other,' said Christina Ordonez, a Salt Lake City associate librarian, in a statement after the votes were tallied. The city library system 'respects and affirms' the election results, Noah Baskett, CEO of The Salt Lake City Public Library, said after the results were announced. 'This moment reflects a renewed and shared commitment — by our employees and our leadership — to continue to be a workplace rooted in dignity, fairness and respect. I deeply appreciate the thoughtfulness and care with which our staff have engaged in this process,' he added in a statement. This week's vote marked the end of a long process that first went public over two years ago. Over 60% of the city's workforce is represented by various unions, but city librarians were the largest department not unionized at the time staff revealed their intent to form one in April 2023. Employees said at the time they wanted to resolve 'long-standing issues' related to the job, including safety concerns, below-average wages, inaccessible or expensive health care, and exclusion from decisions made by library system leaders. Their request sparked lengthy negotiation efforts, which ended with the Salt Lake City Public Library board of directors voting in December 2024 to allow employees to unionize, and the Salt Lake City Council voting in February of this year to create a collective bargaining structure process should employees unionize. They're now the first public library union in the state, following the recent vote. 'This is a historic moment not just for Salt Lake City, but for the entire state of Utah,' said Jerry Philpot, president of the local union chapter. 'Library workers have always served their community with dedication, and now they will finally have a voice at the table to ensure their workplace is fair, safe and sustainable.' However, it's unclear how those negotiations will play out because of HB267, which bans collective bargaining in the public sector, among other things related to public unions. It was slated to go into effect in July, but groups opposed to it collected enough signatures on a referendum to put it up for a public vote. Once finalized by the state, the legislation will be held before going on the 2026 ballot. Unionization may not factor into the library's upcoming budget, but the system plans to pay employees 'equitably and competitively' based on the results of a compensation study carried out by a third-party company, Baskett told Salt Lake City leaders last month. He added at the time that library staff had been 'in close conversation' with union lawyers over the next steps. Next year's likely referendum will ultimately play a role in the future steps. 'We are moving forward in the hopes that Utahns will vote in the best interests of their public workers,' Philpot said. 'This isn't just about union rights. It's about protecting the people who serve our communities every single day.'
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
As measles outbreaks grow, Trump cuts hinder vaccination efforts
A child attends a vaccination clinic in Minneapolis' Corcoran Park in August 2023. Minneapolis is among the cities forced to cancel vaccinations after cutoffs in federal funding. (Courtesy of City of Minneapolis) The number of measles cases is approaching 1,000 across 29 states, according to newly released federal statistics. Even as the outbreaks grow, more local governments are complaining that their efforts to combat measles with vaccination clinics have been shut down by abrupt federal funding cuts. As of May 1, a total of 935 confirmed cases had been reported, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They were in Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia and Washington. There have been three confirmed deaths, two children in Texas and one adult in New Mexico, all unvaccinated. Some measles response plans crash to a halt after Trump cuts Metro Nashville, the combined county and city government in Tennessee, and three other local governments sued on April 24 over reductions in federal public health funding, saying the abrupt $11 billion in cuts nationwide forced Nashville to cancel vaccination clinics needed to combat this year's measles outbreak. Colorado and a group of other states sued earlier in April, mentioning the impact of cuts on their ability to control measles, flu and other vaccine-preventable illnesses. Others joining the April 24 lawsuit: Harris County, Texas, where Houston is located; Columbus, Ohio; Kansas City, Missouri; and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union. They called the cuts 'a massive blow… at a time where state and local public health departments need to address burgeoning infectious diseases and chronic illnesses, like the measles, bird flu, and mpox.' The funding cuts also forced Minneapolis to shut down clinics in March that had been scheduled to run through June, said Luisa Pessoa-Brandão, director of health initiatives for the city's health department. Last year the city's clinics served 501 patients with 1,475 vaccination shots, including against measles, she said. About 30% of children in the city are not fully vaccinated, much too high to ensure unvaccinated children won't fall victim to measles outbreaks like the current one, she added. 'There's fear and hesitancy about the vaccine, based on some of the misinformation out there,' Pessoa-Brandão said. 'There are other factors — access [to medical care] and the COVID pandemic, which delayed people getting vaccinations. We're playing catch-up the last few years.' Stateline reporter Tim Henderson can be reached at thenderson@ SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
