Latest news with #NYHEATAct
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Readers sound off on Juan Soto's performance, immigration law and Biden's mental state
Elizabethtown, Ky.: Some have seen Juan Soto's slow start to the 2025 season, looked back to the record-setting contract that was signed and posed the question of whether or not he's worth it. Through the first 20 games of the 2025 season, Soto has a slash line of .225/.368/.408, for a .776 on-base plus slugging (OPS). Somehow, it seems they expected more. Boasting a career .949 OPS, Soto brings so much to the Mets. In his first seven years, he posted a .900-plus OPS six times, and the other season his OPS was .853. With a background like that, it's understandable that many people would think he should be consistently performing at a high level. It's that anticipation, at least in part, that is so significant for this team. Take a look around. The Mets are 13-7 and have a better record than any team outside of the National League West Division. That's good for the third-best record in the major leagues! And if those people feel Soto is underperforming, what will the Mets look like when he comes around? Because he will. In 2023, his slash line through game 20 was .194/.372/.418 for an OPS of .790, and he ended the season with 35 home runs, 109 runs batted in and a .930 OPS. Is Soto worth the monumental contract? It doesn't matter. He's here. He's a Met. Will he live up to the expectations in the long run? I'm betting on his track record, which says, 'Yes!' Timothy Streeter Manhattan: It's scary. While climate breakdown blows the roofs off our homes, floods our cities and incinerates our neighborhoods, the Trump administration and its Republican congressional toadies strive to strip the Environmental Protection Agency and other federal agencies of key climate protections developed over decades by bipartisan lawmakers. Our state lawmakers dominate headlines by dawdling their budget over non-life/death matters (when have you last heard Gov. Hochul pushing to pass the NY HEAT Act?). And our city leaders and mayoral hopefuls repeatedly cite crime and costs, but seldom climate breakdown, as our chief adversaries. Really scary. Lisa Meyer Manhattan: In a recent editorial, you bemoaned the fact that President Trump's EPA has pivoted from protecting the planet to promoting pollution ('Lee Zeldin's Earth Day letdown,' April 23). What's a New Yorker to do? Trump is using federal overreach to harm states like ours that have progressive climate laws. He has pulled the plug on New York's only large-scale offshore wind project in development and is threatening our Climate Change Superfund Act, which charges oil and gas companies a modest sum to help taxpayers in building the climate resilience we are so going to need in the coming decades. Hochul has stood up to the bully for congestion pricing (so far) and she's doing so for offshore wind, or trying to. Good for you, governor! Stand your ground. The people have your back. David Wolfson Howard Beach: One of the primary obligations of the commander in chief is the safety of the men and women who serve in our military. Trump has failed miserably in this obligation by refusing to fire Pete Hegseth, who made a second Signal chat call where secret military plans were given. On this call were his wife, brother and lawyer. There is no doubt that Hegseth is unfit to be secretary of defense. Trump's protection of him comes at the expense of our military. Barbara Berg Slidell, La.: Voicer Tom Saracco defended his 2024 vote for Trump by spouting all the MAGA talking points repeatedly heard on Fox News, OAN, Newsmax and other right-wing media outlets denouncing Democrats and their policies as anti-white. As a white man of nearly 70, I have heard this garbage almost all my adult life. The facts don't support this point of view. Systemic racism in America is a fact, and it's not against white people. Households headed by whites who are high school dropouts have more wealth than households headed by Blacks with a college degree. Was Lloyd Austin — with 40 years' experience in the Army, reaching the rank of four-star general with commands that included U.S. Central Command and U.S. forces in Iraq — a DEI appointment as secretary of defense as compared to Hegseth, who reached the rank of major and was a weekend morning show host on Fox? Gerard Kay Brooklyn: So, Trump is funding two (large) 100-foot poles on White House grounds. I wonder what he is trying to compensate for. Peter Magnotta Manhattan: Voicer Peter McCarthy offers a brain-teaser in his comments regarding Kilmar Abrego Garcia's erroneous deportation. The conundrum: the Supreme Court's jurisdiction is over the U.S., but our president has apparently experienced a palingenesis of Jacksonian defiance, refusing to facilitate the deportee's return. McCarthy refers to Abrego Garcia as an 'illegal immigrant,' but he was in the country with the right to work after an immigration judge issued an order withholding his removal, a proceeding that would appear to establish a more credible fear of being sent to his country of origin than an application for asylum. This likely affords Abrego Garcia rights under the Geneva Convention and protocols, international treaties to which the U.S. and El Salvador are signatories. Since treaties constitute the supreme law of the land, the Supreme Court could probably prohibit payments to El Salvador. If Nayib Bukele remained defiant, the Voicer seems correct in assessing the inefficacy of the court's order. Michele P. Brown Scarsdale, N.Y.: Mayor Adams said he won't have tequila drinks with a gang member ('Eric echoes Don talking points on immigrant's deport to El Salvador,' April 23). I wonder if that means no cocktails with all those friends of his who have been indicted, pled guilty or been convicted of crimes. John Kern Manhattan: All religious leaders, including Pope Francis, have said that we should give compassion and understanding to the less fortunate, but without compassion, our leader labels all undocumented immigrants as unwanted in our country. Many are helping or could help rebuild our crumbling infrastructure. He then directs hatred and fear-mongering against them. He and his buddies laugh and gloat as they fire federal workers. If he fired them all, it would save only 4.3% of our budget. Not one ounce of compassion or understanding was given to these workers. Trump censors certain books and what can be taught to keep federal funding. The courts are disobeyed unless the Supreme Court rules. All of this reminds us of past and present despots in other countries. The only hope is the ballot box in future elections. Leonard Smoke Walden, N.Y.: I just read the article about CBS newsman Bill Owens quitting rather than bowing to the dictator wannabe (' '60 Minutes' legend Owens quits rather than cave to Trump,' April 23). This is yet another blow to free speech by the clowns trying their best to kill democracy. If his successor doesn't stand up to Trump, he or she should be fired. Americans need all the real news they can get. Jake Milite Houston: Joe Biden is no longer president, folks! Talk of his mental acuity or ability to run the country is about scoring political points with an imagined cover-up. Nobody knows when Joe began having cognitive issues, whether he had a diagnosed cognitive issue or its severity, whether his alleged cognitive issues 'ebbed and flowed' (which is what most of his staff talked about), or whether he was on medication that cured him, helped him or was ineffective at points when he was making decisions for the country. It can't be about the economy because the Biden economy was empirically the best in 50 years. It can't be about the southern border because it was Congress that killed the bipartisan border bill. It can't be about his handling of world crises because he basically continued what Trump was doing in his first term, and (except for supporting Ukraine) Trump is now continuing what Biden did. Dana LeJune Charlotte, N.C.: To Voicers Thomas and Constance Dowd: I loved the final sentences in your letter — forget the animosity. It's time to work together for the good of the country or step aside! Where was that sentiment when Biden was president? Barbara Haynes
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Yahoo
Readers sound off on NYPD horse care, federal library cuts and an attempted assassin
Tuckahoe, N.Y.: The NYPD is reviewing its $734,000 contract with the veterinarian who oversees its mounted horses because they 'just discovered his history of violating racehorse care rules.' Among this veterinarian's many infractions and violations, which included several drugging offenses, he was found to have committed an improper and fraudulent act at Aqueduct Race Track by submitting health certificates for horses he didn't evaluate. He refused to list medications he gave, failed to follow licensing requirements, and was fined in 2020 for professional misconduct for failing to provide information to support his treatment of a horse in Queens. He even declared collapsed carriage horse Aysha to be in 'good condition' with 'no injuries consistent with abuse or mishandling,' despite online videos clearly showing carriage drivers pushing and dragging this poor horse directly following his collapse. Not surprisingly, the New York State Gaming Commission refuses to comment on this issue; their only interest is keeping the races going. And why won't the NYC Department of Health comment? What is it hiding? The abuses and cover-ups of the racehorse and carriage-horse industries have been documented for decades, both rife with big-money greed and corruption, with unions and public apathy keeping them going — aided, of course, by the fact that the animals can't complain. They are the perfect silent victims. NYPD, would you send your family to a doctor with such a horrible record? These beautiful animals can't speak for themselves. Please be their caring voice. They are put into treacherous situations with an unruly public. You depend on them — and they depend on you. They deserve better. Kiley Blackman Jamaica Hills: The world is going to hell in a handbasket! Have no fear, NYC residents, we can save the world by sorting through our garbage (or face fines). Who are these City Council members and how many of them actually live in NYC? Robert Gibbs Brooklyn: Voicer Gregory W. Chupa has apparently been gaslit on the NY HEAT Act. It would save New Yorkers money in a very simple way: reduce gas service charges by preventing gas companies from building unnecessary new pipelines. We pay for those, and the more people who voluntarily go electric, the smaller the pool of gas consumers left to foot the bill. NY HEAT in no way requires homeowners to electrify, buy new heating equipment or spend extra money. For low- to middle-income families, gas bills would be capped at 6% of earnings. That's what NY HEAT is really about, and why it's so important to our wallets and well-being, and why Gov. Hochul must include it in her final budget. Samantha Gore Staten Island: Re 'Poll: AOC would beat Schumer' (April 5): That says it all about the Democrats. Dumb and dumber. Thomas Fraumeni Jr. Manhattan: I've been a proud library card holder since I was 6 and intent on reading the entire children's section of the Bayside branch of the Queensborough Public Library. Less noticed among President Trump's giant cuts to health care, veterans' services, medical research and Social Security is the disappearance of the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services. Staff is on administrative leave — paid but not allowed to work — and grant funding for 125,000 libraries nationwide is frozen. These grants are critical life support for services Americans need, like the 30 million people who rely on public libraries for internet access. Job seekers, veterans, rural residents and local schools need public libraries. Library cuts are cruelty imposed on Americans. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is fighting back. Everyone should be equally outraged at the harm being done to New Yorkers and Americans. Laurie Aron Centereach, L.I.: Don't believe or repeat Voicer Tom Asher's letter regarding Bill Clinton and Barack Obama laying off more government workers than President Trump without noting major key differences. Tom pulled that info from social media and/or Fox News — not always factual sources. In fairness, Clinton and Obama did cut hundreds of thousands of government workers, but through legitimate buyouts. They did these cuts with bipartisan congressional approval. Republicans and Democrats reviewed and approved these actions with intelligent thought and consideration. Trump set loose Elon Musk, who was designated a 'special government employee,' and he wantonly swung his 'chainsaw' without regard for his actions and without congressional oversight. Musk fired and rehired critical government employees, with difficulty, hundreds of times. This is not the way democracy works. Trump keeps mum while bringing Musk's Tesla automobiles to the White House driveway. You say hypocrisy, Tom? Richard Dragani Richmond Hill: To Voicer JoAnn Lee Frank: Regarding you desiring Trump for a third term, therefore you agree to disregard the Constitution? You are comfortable living under a dictatorship, agree with disrupting Social Security, the IRS, Medicaid, Medicare and the U.S. Postal Service, and his promotion of assault weapons? How about stripping memorials and all history of courageous Black and female heroes from government websites and history books? You must also approve of cuts to USAID, the National Institutes of Health and health departments. And because of his tariffs, all of us will pay more for every single item we purchase. Lastly, you must be comfortable with Musk sharing the presidency. All of our worldwide allies have deserted the U.S. and we now stand alone. I don't think most Americans will accept this for four more years. Ene Kelly Staten Island: It is said that Nero fiddled while Rome burned. Fast-forward two millennia and he has returned. This time he has a golf club in his hand rather than a fiddle. Ralph D'Esposito Ridgewood, N.J.: Trump's tariffs can be expected to increase U.S. unemployment and inflation. This double hit will not be easy to correct. Expect a Democratic congressional landslide in 2026. Ed Houlihan Jefferson City, Mo.: I am worried about the recent Trump administration decision to stop all USAID world food programs when millions of people in Sudan, Yemen and other areas are in danger of dying of starvation. U.S. aid provides at least five major benefits: 1) Saves millions from death of starvation and malnutrition-related infection. 2) Allows millions of children to grow into a healthy and productive adulthood. 3) Reduces the risk of war in impoverished areas. 4) Creates worldwide goodwill for the U.S. 5) Creates income for U.S. farmers and food processors. In the past 70 years, U.S. food programs have fed 3 billion people in 150 nations and have long enjoyed strong bipartisan support. To fight world hunger, I urge the government to reinstate funding for USAID food programs and urge the public to donate generously to charities that fight hunger abroad and in the U.S.A. Luke Curtis Jefferson City, Tenn.: I'm 66. I've been pro-Israel my entire life. However, being pro the country doesn't mean I support the actions of its government in Gaza, just as I am pro-U.S. but disagree with nearly everything my government has done since Jan. 20. Have the Israelis forgotten what the Nazis did to the Jews in the 1930s and '40s? Have they no sympathy for a minority people? I'm sure there are terrorists in Gaza — Hamas and others. But you don't annihilate an entire people to get at a few bad ones in their midst. Cutting off electricity and water is inhumane, as is bombing hospitals, schools and other places of refuge. Do you remember your fight for a homeland? Do you remember the Haganah and what they did to the British to gain a homeland? What makes you think the Palestinians won't do the same? Sean M. Talty Brooklyn: To all of you who write in all the time and seem to be very aware of things going on in this country, I have a question: Remember a few months back when the Secret Service arrested a man with a rifle on the golf course where Trump was playing? Does anyone know what happened to Ryan Routh? After that happened, we never heard a word. Norma Joseph
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Readers sound off on lowering energy bills, lung cancer and big political donors
Brooklyn: Energy bills are making New York unaffordable. The NY HEAT Act can help. In the coming days, Gov. Hochul and the state Assembly will decide whether to make New York a leader in energy affordability by passing the act, which would drive down the cost of living in a state where the cost is already pushing residents out. The populations of New York, New Jersey, California, Minnesota and other blue states are decreasing, with people searching for more affordable living in Texas, Florida and other states that tend to lean red. If this trend continues, then the total Electoral College votes of the solidly blue states will decrease and Democrats will need to win more swing states. Among the seven swing states in 2024, Kamala Harris only needed to win Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan, but after 2030, Democrats will need to reach into redder territory to win presidential elections and House of Representatives majorities. The NY HEAT Act is a first step to remedy this problem, as it will drive down the cost of living by reducing energy bills. The New York State Senate has passed it twice, so it is up to Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and concerned Democrats to put pressure on Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Hochul to stand up for their constituents and pass the bill. It is not just about lowering energy bills — it's essential for keeping New York economically and politically strong. Josef Lazar Manhattan: I read with interest 'Citi Field casino: Bad bet for Queens' (op-ed, March 30). My family moved to Flushing (Pomonok Houses in 1950, south of the LIE). A bus ride to downtown Flushing circa 1956 was to go to the library, Gertz department store and RKO Keith's Theater. Flushing was low-story buildings then, a tad sleepy. Long-time residents were soon chased out by landlords raising rents. By the way, if the authors are so opposed to the casino, where were they when the Golden Mall, a seven-story food court more than 32,000 square feet, was built? Does that draw traffic? The group wants more park land? Is Flushing Meadows Corona Park a park? What about Kissena Park? Missing is the issue of affordable housing units to be included in the casino plan. The real scramble will be to snap up as many of those units as possible. Robert J. Katz Brooklyn: It is so upsetting to read about the horrible deaths in Brooklyn of two children and their mother, victims of a reckless driver with a suspended license who caused a crash ('She 'shouldn't have been on the road,' ' March 31). There are way too many selfish, entitled and undeserving drivers causing havoc with their bad behavior behind the wheels of cars. Drivers must stop running red lights and speeding. I'll bet that too many people who read this will not own up to their dangerous ways, but I hope at least a few will start to drive more safely. Think of the children's lives that are ended way too young. Ellen Levitt Somerset, N.J.: This year, more than 226,000 Americans will die from lung cancer, the No. 1 cancer killer. I live with this knowledge every day because lung cancer touched my life. Recently, I was honored to join health care experts, people with lung cancer, caregivers and others impacted by the disease to educate Congress members about the urgent needs of the lung cancer community at GO2 for Lung Cancer's Voices Summit. New developments in lung cancer research and treatment hold promise for people like me. We requested immediate action to reverse policies that disrupt critical cancer studies and delay new treatments. Lung cancer is the least funded of the top five cancer killers, yet it's the leading cause of cancer death. Together, we can confront lung cancer. Karen Kaye Bloomfield, N.J.: Inspired by Women's History Month in March, I offer a shout-out to Therese Deutschlander, owner of Thin Ice gift shop, who is celebrating 19 years in business this year. The Buffalo-based store, also online, sells handcrafted items created by hundreds of regional artisans. She and Gibby, her shop cat who often sports a bowtie, will host an in-store anniversary party on Saturday, April 5. A portion of the day's proceeds will benefit the Ten Lives Club, a cat adoption non-profit and Gibby's former home. Deutschlander has thrived in tough times and led with kindness, an entrepreneur to admire. Wishing her and Gibby many more retail years. Christine Sparta Howard Beach: After seeing the photo of Randy Mastro in the Daily News ('Mastro will have two jobs,' March 28), I have one suggestion for him: Get a haircut and trim your beard. He obviously has enough money to take care of it. Lawrence Fiffer Manhattan: Those of us with money in the stock market (including 401(k)-holders) may be wondering why President Trump keeps waffling about the economy. The reason is his neurotic need to be the center of attention. People who used to spend lots of time trying to decipher Federal Reserve Chair Jay Powell now spend all this time on Trump. The president may think his waffling is canny dealmaking, but it's actually the tantrum of a spoiled child. John Stout Bronx: Apparently, not only is Trump issuing (yet another) executive order requiring documentary proof of citizenship for voters, he also wants Elon Musk to root out voter fraud ('Trump's fraudulent voting plan,' editorial, March 31) — that elusive mythical beast that only rises from the swamp when the results are not to the White House's liking. If the states acquiesce and let DOGE run rampant through their voter records, how in God's name will we ever trust election results again? I know they're super busy these days, but federal judges have to block this access. They've got to take every step to ensure the 22nd Amendment does not get canceled. Maria Bonsanti Palisades Park, N.J.: I just got a great idea: Why don't we take money from DOGE? That should get us some much-needed money. Gary DiMora Orange, Conn.: History provides us with a window of past dangers. Trump is providing us with a reflection of them. He is a reincarnation of the fascist movement. Fascist organizations are controlled by a dictator who suppresses all opposition and distorts the truth. Sound familiar? His congressional sycophants allow incompetent, unqualified toadies — today's 'ship of fools' — to fill cabinet positions to do his bidding without any restraints, further driving our country into oblivion. Recent security breaches bear this out. Trump has little regard for the democratic process. His encouragement in 2021 to promote a deadly, violent overthrow of our government's electoral process is right out of the fascist playbook. People died in the process. He is clearly following the leads of Putin, Hitler, Mussolini and every other dictator du jour, and it is time to push back and stop this nonsense before it gets out of hand. Wake up and smell the smoke! Fire follows. Fred Portoff Park Ridge, N.J.: Trump announced that he's thinking of running for a third term. When reminded that this is clearly not allowed, he said there are ways to do it. Here we go. People better pay attention. Steve Ostlund Hubertus, Wis.: I can't understand why the liberal media is screaming about Musk's $1 million giveaway in our Wisconsin Supreme Court election. Over the past few years, George Soros has been giving away almost $1 billion to far-left-wing socialist/communist candidates, and of course, several million dollars of unreported cash has found its way into the liberal Supreme Court candidate here. I guess that is why I gave up listening to national news media for Lent — and hopefully, for the rest of the year, too. Robert W. Lobenstein Mamaroneck, N.Y.: In Greenland, JD Vance seemed to accuse Denmark of not doing enough to prevent Greenland from being invaded, and then he added that it is because of this that his boss wants the U.S. to invade Greenland. Make America great again. Paul Matthews
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Yahoo
Jury deadlocked after four-day deliberation in Aissa trial
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) – Jurors say they're deadlocked in the trial of a Pennsylvania man accused of setting a fire that killed a teenager 14 years ago. Just before leaving yesterday, the jury notified Judge Carol Cocchiola that they could not come to an agreement on a unanimous verdict for 39-year-old Jeremiah Raub. Raub is charged with felony murder and two counts of arson in the death of 17-year-old Jeffrey Aissa who died in a massive house fire in the early morning hours of Saint Patrick's Day in 2011. 12 years later, investigators working on a lead in the cold case visited Raub at his home in New Milford, PA where he eventually broke down and confessed to the crime. Jurors saw nearly five hours of Raub's videotaped confession in which he admitted to setting fire to a recycling bin on the front porch of the Aissa home on Milford Street. Raub's defense attorney argued that it was an internalized false confession, resulting from his faulty memory of the evening and the suggestions of investigators. The prosecution counters that Raub provided details only the perpetrator would know. The case is based on that confession and another back in 2011 to a former girlfriend, Nicole Manderville, who never came forward to police, as well as some circumstantial evidence. Yesterday, members of the jury indicated that some opposed convicting Raub in the absence of physical evidence incriminating him. The prosecution says any physical evidence, such as fingerprints or DNA, would have been incinerated in the fire. Cocchiola sent the jury back to continue deliberating and asked them to start over with an open mind. Raub faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted. Ithaca man arrested on arson charge after months-long investigation NY HEAT Act reintroduced in the NYS Senate Jury deadlocked after four-day deliberation in Aissa trial National Wear Red Day raises awareness for heart health Broome County AOH hosting Irish historian Davy Holden Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Broome County AOH hosting Irish historian Davy Holden
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) – The Broome County Ancient Order of Hibernians is preparing for it biggest event of the year by teaching community members about Irish History. Leading up to Parade Day, the AOH will host a slew of activities dedicated to Irish culture and appreciation. Their next event, a history night, will be held on Saturday. The event features a special appearance from Irish historian, podcaster, and musician Davy Holden. Holden will share a presentation on Irish rebellions beginning in the 1700s. He will also share rebel music and discuss how the uprisings shaped Irish values. Division II Historian for the AOH Kathleen Nilsson is an avid follower of Holden. She says that when he agreed to come to Binghamton, she was shocked and overjoyed. 'I've always been fascinated with history and to see young people enamored with history, it really, it warms my heart. So, I like listening to him a lot for those reasons,' said Nilsson. The event will begin at 7 p.m. at the AOH Hall, located at 148 Main Street in Binghamton. It is free to attend. The AOH has several other events coming up including a performance from B.C. Celtic Pipes and Drums, dinner dance, soup supper, and more. Proceeds will help fund Parade Day which will be held on March 2. Ithaca man arrested on arson charge after months-long investigation NY HEAT Act reintroduced in the NYS Senate Jury deadlocked after four-day deliberation in Aissa trial National Wear Red Day raises awareness for heart health Broome County AOH hosting Irish historian Davy Holden Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
