Latest news with #TonyAiello
CBS News
29-04-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
What it was like covering the death of Pope Francis, a "full circle" moment for Tony Aiello
Editor's note: The following is a first-hand account from CBS News New York's Tony Aiello, who has been covering Pope Francis since he was elected 12 years ago. Covering the funeral of Pope Francis last week was a deeply meaningful "full circle" moment for me. I was in St Peter's Square in March 2013 when Francis was elected and first appeared on the balcony to greet the world. His first words - "Brothers and sisters, good evening!" - were so simple and charming, and his request for the crowd to pray for him marked Francis as a pope of humility and connection, who truly recognized the church is not about the grandeur of the Vatican or the power of the hierarchy, it's about the people of faith who try to walk with Jesus. Newly elected Pope Francis I appears on the central balcony of St Peter's Basilica on March 13, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican. Peter Macdiarmid / Getty Images Over his 12-year papacy, Francis indeed proved to be "the Pope among the people," and that was reflected on the faces and in the voices of the people I spoke with last week in Rome. Diana Grasso, of Ridgewood, New Jersey, told me she felt a profound sense of loss. "I just couldn't believe it was happening while we were here. I'm getting a little emotional, it was just an experience I'll never forget," she said. Grasso was part of the crowd I joined on the Via del Plebiscito, as the motorcade carrying the papal coffin drove to his final resting place at the Basilica of St. Mary Major. Pallbearers carry the coffin into St Peters Square during the funeral of Pope Francis on April 26, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican. Dan Kitwood / Getty Images That's where I met Monique Clua, a woman from Mexico visiting with her family. She had tears in her eyes. "Yes, I'm crying," she told me. "This triggers a lot of emotions. We're also here as a family, because my dad passed away one year ago, and his first anniversary mass was together with the pope. So it's just a big coincidence and blessing to be here in Rome." "I'm thankful for Francis," she added. "He was a big blessing for the world." I reached in my pocket, pulled out a commemorative card featuring a picture of Francis, gave it to Monique as a souvenir, and got a big hug from her in return. The crowds lining the streets of Rome for the motorcade were somber. Some made the sign of the cross as the coffin drove by. Others applauded politely. A few cried out "grande!" - Italian for "great" - to show their esteem for the late pontiff. CBS News New York's Tony Aiello meets Pope Francis during a mass at St. Peter's Square in September 2024 in Vatican City, the Vatican. Tony Aiello / CBS News New York I am truly thankful CBS News New York gave me repeated opportunities over the years to cover Pope Francis. It is a privilege to bring home the New York angles on stories like this. And I'm grateful to have had the amazing opportunity to shake Francis' hand last September after a General Audience in Rome. I will always remember his gentle smile and the kindness in the eyes of "the people's Pope."
CBS News
17-04-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Manhattan Beer says delivery worker strike is over in NYC
Manhattan Beer says this week's delivery worker strike has come to an end in New York City and the nearby suburbs. The distributor announced an agreement Thursday morning. "We're pleased to announce we've reached an agreement and the strike is over," a spokesperson for Manhattan Beer and Beverage Distributors said in a statement. Some 600 union drivers, who service more than 15,000 bars, stores and restaurants in the city and 10 suburban counties, walked off the job Tuesday . The workers had alleged MBBD contacted them directly to build support for switching from a pension fund to a 401(k) plan. The National Labor Relations Board said it is investigating the allegation. The workers also called for additional drivers on trucks and said deliveries, especially in difficult weather, can be back breaking. MBBD is the exclusive distributor of Corona, Modelo and Heineken, and the company holds the distribution rights for some 300 brands. With the holiday weekend and then Cinco de Mayo coming up, some businesses said they were already feeling the impacts of missed deliveries . At this point, we are working to learn more about the details of the new agreement. Check back soon for the latest updates on this developing story. Tony Aiello contributed to this report.
CBS News
20-02-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
As NY prison guard strike continues, visitation is canceled in all facilities
As New York state prison guards continue their unauthorized strike, all visitations are canceled at facilities statewide, the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision announced Thursday. DOCCS did not provide a reason for the cancellation. The cancellation impacts both personal and legal visits for people who are incarcerated at the state's 42 prisons, according to a statement from the Center for Community Alternatives. "We demand the immediate restoration of personal and legal visits for all people currently incarcerated in New York State prisons and urgent action by the Governor and DOCCS Commissioner to ensure people inside have access to medical and mental health care, food, medicine, heat, electricity, showers, and other basic necessities. The cancellation of visits and the current humanitarian crisis is an unacceptable violation of basic human rights," the CCA wrote. NY State Police called to restore order at Riverview DOCCS reported an incident overnight at Riverview Correctional Facility in St. Lawrence County, where the dorms were left unsupervised. New York State Police, along with several other agencies, were called in to restore order. "Their efforts were instrumental in regaining control of the facility and preventing further escalation," DOCCS said in a statement. "The safety and security of our staff, incarcerated individuals, and the broader community remain our top priority," The corrections officers' strike entered its fourth day Thursday at 36 prison statewide. The strike is not authorized by the union, and it is illegal under the state's Taylor Law. Striking guards could be fined or face other sanctions. On Wednesday, Gov. Kathy Hochul deployed 3,500 members of the New York National Guard to "help maintain general order and wellness." She also secured a court order to end the walkout and appointed a mediator to work toward a resolution. "I am directing everyone involved in these unlawful strikes to stop these actions immediately. Legal action has already commenced to ensure compliance," the governor said in a video. Why are NY prison guards on strike? Union officials say corrections officers are protesting for better pay, heightened searches of visitors and reversing recent reforms that limit solitary confinement. As CBS News New York's Tony Aiello reported, the timing of the strike is interesting. Just a year ago, 73% of the union membership voted to approve a new collective bargaining agreement with New York state. But the striking guards say the contract failed to adequately address concerns. Staffing is at 70% of pre-pandemic levels. "Staffing crisis! These guys are being mandated to work 16- and 24-hour shifts, almost on a daily basis. It's a security issue. How can you do that work when you're that tired? This is a highly demanding job," spokesman Israel Sanchez said Wednesday on the picket lines outside Sing Sing Correctional Facility in Westchester County. There's also anger at the so-called "Halt Act," which greatly reduced solitary confinement for incarcerated people who are prone to violence. "Now these guys are all in population, they commit a major offense, they remain in population where they can hurt others and hurt us," Sanchez said. Hochul says her office has worked to improve salaries, benefits and working conditions for corrections officers, as well as increase protections with body scanners and reducing contraband. She also says her office is working to improve recruitment and hire more officers.
