Latest news with #Upper
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Uber's super PAC could face fines over mailer for NYC Councilwoman Julie Menin
Uber's super PAC — which is spending heavily on local legislative elections this year — could face fines ranging in the thousands of dollars for failing to disclose it sent out mailers to hundreds of Manhattanites urging them to support City Councilwoman Julie Menin's reelection bid. The pamphlet, a photo of which was provided to the Daily News by a source who received it in the mail, displays a picture of Menin next to text bubbles reading, 'Listen to parents, to teachers, to students — Julie Menin knows that's how we create great schools. Vote by June 24.' The back of the mailer says, 'Paid for by Uber NY PAC.' But records show the PAC hadn't as of this week reported the expenditure to the city Campaign Finance Board. Uber spokesman Josh Gold confirmed Tuesday his ride-sharing company's eponymous PAC didn't report the mailer to the Campaign Finance Board within a week of disseminating it as required by law. Gold blamed the lapse on an 'inadvertent administrative error' and noted records confirm the PAC did disclose the mailer expenditure to the state Board of Elections, a step also required by law. Gold said Uber is working with the Campaign Finance Board to rectify the issue on that end. 'There's no intent to conceal,' Gold said. This year, Uber is spending on candidates it hopes will oppose a Council bill that would prohibit the company from locking drivers out of its app for more than 72 hours straight without a just cause. The issue of Uber drivers being locked out of the app has emerged since the city established a minimum wage for them that the company says puts it in a financially precarious situation as it has to pay them even when there's low rider demand. Due to the disclosure mishap related to the Menin mailer, Uber could face a relatively hefty fine. Under city laws, PACs can face fines amounting to 31% of the total spent on any given expenditure if six days pass after the reporting deadline and they still haven't disclose it to the Campaign Finance Board. As of Tuesday, Uber had passed the six-day threshold for reporting the Menin mailer. Meantime, the state Board of Elections records show Uber spent $25,561 on sending out the Menin mailer to hundreds of residents in her Upper East Side-based district. That means Uber could face a fine as large as $7,924, on top of any additional penalties the board could impose if Uber has been alerted to the reporting problems and not responded within one day. The source who provided a copy of the undisclosed Menin mailer filed a complaint with the Campaign Finance Board over the issue. An email obtained by The News confirms the board in response started 'evaluating' the complaint last Friday. A board spokesman declined to comment. Menin, who's a potential candidate for City Council speaker next year, didn't immediately return a request for comment. In total, Uber has spent $71,122 on Menin mailers to date. Most of that spending has been reported to the Campaign Finance Board, records show. The Uber PAC, which plans to shell out as much as $2.5 million on June 24 Council primaries, by law can't coordinate with Menin or other political candidates it's boosting with mailers, ads and other independent spending activities.
New York Post
28-04-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
MTA claims subways are safer while pointing finger at Trump admin for bad rep — straphangers still ‘scared s–tless'
A recent rash of violent Big Apple subway attacks has straphangers riding in fear again — even as MTA brass blames the Trump administration for fanning the flames. 'Personally, I'm just getting tired of hearing all this from [US Transportation] Secretary [Sean] Duffy about how unsafe our system is and yet the testimony here is we're bending over backwards to make our system as safe as possible,' MTA board member Gerard Bringmann said during an agency public safety meeting on. 'Apparently they're not getting the message,' But while transit agency bosses maintain the subways are among the safest urban systems in the US, everyday New Yorkers told The Post it's the MTA that's not getting the message. 4 Felony assaults in the Big Apple subway system are up 9% so far this year over last year, The Post revealed Saturday. Michael Nagle Debbie Fuchs, 68, from the Upper West Side has been catching the subway for 30 years, and said crime is worse than ever. 'I'm scared s—tless catching the subway,' Upper West Sider Debbie Fuchs, 68, said Monday. 'I'm always looking around for the crazies. You're never relaxed on the train. I'm afraid of being shoved on the track. 'I don't stand near the edge of the platform. I'll stand by a pole and I'll hang on to it. I don't trust anybody on the subway,' she added. 'Crime on the subway has been getting worse for the past two years.' Another Manhattanite who asked not to be identified said thanks, but no thanks. 'I used to catch the subway every day. Crime got a lot worse and I stopped catching it entirely,' she said. 'There's enough crime above ground without exposing yourself below ground. I would go back on the subway if I had a great, big bodyguard.' 4 US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy toured the subways with Mayor Eric Adams earlier this month. Paul Martinka 4 Big Apple straphangers said they still worry about safety on the subways, despite assurances from MTA officials. Robert Miller Duffy has been another critic, and quipped last week that Gov. Kathy Hochul's congestion pricing plan, which aims to push more New Yorkers onto a risky subway system, was 'liberal insanity.' 'She doesn't ride the subway, she's got a detail that drives her around,' Duffy snapped. 'So she may not care about the experience of MTA riders, but she should.' In a report over the weekend, The Post revealed that felony assaults in the transit system are up 9% so far this year, and a staggering 55% over the same period in 2019, according to NYPD data. In one of the latest incidents, a 29-year-old man was shoved into the side of a No. 2 train at a station at West 96th Street and Broadway, sending him to Bellevue Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The suspect fled the station and hasn't been to court, law enforcement sources said. But on Monday MTA Chairman Janno Lieber said crime is under control in the New York City system, which he said is much safer than many other major cities. 4 MTA Chairman Janno Lieber said the New York City transit system remains one of the safest urban systems in the US. Robert Miller He said the agency sent Duffy a 20-page report detailing safety and security improvements. 'Contrary to some of the stuff that's thrown around, the MTA on a per capita basis is among the very safest transit systems in the United States,' he said. 'You're nine times more likely to be the victim of a felony crime in the Houston of Minneapolis or Dallas system. I think it's eight times more in the Chicago system. We're not in competition. 'We're not putting anyone down but you have to look at the stats,' he added. 'And by those standards New York is very safe. We have made that point time and time again.' MTA Police Chief Thomas Taffe said overall crime in the city subways is down 2.2% since March and down 18% so far during this quarter. Taffe said there are now more than 135,000 surveillance cameras across the transit system, including trains, subways, bridges and tunnels — 17,000 more than in February 2024.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Yahoo
NYC's new ‘monstrous' 5G cell towers get nasty reception in ritzy neighborhood: ‘It would look good in Dubai'
This cell tower's reception hasn't been great. Upper West Siders bashed a massive, futuristic-looking 5G cell tower casting a shadow over Columbus Avenue — with some locals calling it an out-of-place eyesore while others are hatching government conspiracy theories. 'It looks monstrous,' Pam Gould, 58, said of the three-story tall tower that was recently built as part of a citywide connectivity expansion. 'It's definitely ugly. It looks like they threw it there without any thought. I don't like it. 'It overshadows everything around it, like the trees,' said Gould, who has lived in the quiet neighborhood for 20 years. 'Don't make it so obvious. Put it behind the trees. It doesn't fit in with this neighborhood.' The tower — which stands 32-feet high on the avenue sidewalk between West 94th and 95th Streets — was installed as part of the ongoing Link5G project to build out the city's high-speed internet infrastructure. About 200 towers have been installed so far, with plans for about 2,000 to go in across the five boroughs in the coming years. In addition to supporting the 5G infrastructure, the towers allow passersby to charge devices with USB outlets or connect to locally broadcast wi-fi. 'Link5G provides the necessary infrastructure to increase capacity, future-proof New York City's telecommunications grid, and prepare it for new technology for decades ahead,' a LinkNYC spokesperson said. 'The entire network needs to be built out in a way so neighborhoods that don't have access to connectivity can have access, and that requires selecting locations like the one at Columbus Avenue between West 94th and 95th streets.' But many Upper West Siders are not impressed. 'When I saw it a month ago, I was thinking, 'What the heck is that?' It was a total shock to me,' said Tara Fray, another neighbor of 20 years. 'It would look good in Dubai. Everything there is artificial — man made and metal.' 'Almost everyone around here has a phone. I wonder why they thought we needed it here,' she said, adding that she'd only seen homeless people hooked up to it so far. Marjan N., 65, a 27-year resident, said it was an 'excessive expense.' 'Charging your phone is pampering people. Do it at home,' Marjan said. 'You spoil people on one hand and on the other, you let them live in poverty. That's bulls–t.' 'Does it have any value for this area? Absolutely not,' he said. 'How many people do they think are going to use it? It's unbelievable waste — unless they have other use like spying on people.' Since 5G first began rolling out in 2019 its been dogged by conspiracy theorists who have blamed the tech for everything from illnesses to secretive government surveillance. 'We know that they do that so it would not surprise me to know they are using it for that purpose,' said 64-year-old Michelle Watson, who's lived on the Upper West Side since 1974. 'George Orwell wrote '1984' years ago and those things are coming true. 'I'm going to keep an eye on it and I'm going to do more research on it, too,' she added. Numerous studies — including one from the World Health Organization — have ruled 5G signals to be completely safe. At least three other UWS towers have been proposed — at 1880 Broadway, 1886 Broadway and 1900 Broadway — but are still undergoing a review process that the Columbus tower passed, including numerous committees, community boards, council members and city agencies. Some elected officials have taken a stand against the towers, including City Council member Gale Brewer, whose district covers the Upper West Side. 'Our goal should always be to find a balance between the evolving needs of the city and the imperative of preserving the unique character of our neighborhoods,' Brewer wrote in a letter to the State Historic Preservation Office, obtained by the Spirit. And in 2022 when the towers were first being installed, Upper East Siders attempted to block the installation of numerous towers in their neighborhood. Still, some Upper West Siders think they're lucky to have the cutting edge in their neighborhood. 'It's great for any neighborhood, we are fortunate to have it,' said 71-year-old Allan Ripp, who's lived on the Upper West Side for 45 years. 'It looks like a sculpture, it's very modern,' he said. 'It looks like of kind of what you'd see in the modern city.'
National Geographic
21-04-2025
- National Geographic
Avoid crowds at the 10 least-visited U.S. national parks
Since its founding on August 25, 1916, the U.S. National Park Service has assembled 419 protected units, of which 62 hold the 'national park' designation. To visit all 63 of these treasures one would need to travel to 29 states and two U.S. territories. But with so many national parks to visit, there are trails, craters, and lakeshores that can be explored responsibly and without crowds. How remote and uncrowded are these parks? Katmai National Park's Aniakchak caldera is so remote that many park rangers have never visited its volcanic crater. In Alaska, Kobuk Valley National Park experiences a large caribou migration, with estimates of 250,000 caribou passing through twice a year; whereas only 17,233 people visited the park in 2024. (Travelers flooded these national parks with long lines and crowded trails.) Based on the National Park Service's annual recreational visitor, more than 331 million people visited a national park, monument, site, or unit last year. However, travelers who want to avoid the crowds—but not the natural wonders of a U.S. national park—should visit 10 of the nation's least-visited national parks. Basin National Park It's surprising that Great Basin National Park only saw 152,068 visitors in 2024. This U.S. national park is not only home to groves of bristlecone pines that can live for thousands of years, but it features the limestone caverns of Lehman Cave, dark skies for stargazing, a challenging climb to Wheeler Peak, the site of the last surviving Glacier in Nevada, Wheeler Peak Glacier. 9. Dry Tortugas National Park Seventy miles west of Key West, the 100-square mile Dry Tortugas National Park is mostly open water with seven small islands, including Garden Key, home to Fort Jefferson, one of the nation's largest 19th-century fort in the U.S. Only 84,873 people visited this park in 2024. This aerial photo captures a view of Fort Jefferson National Monument, the largest 19th-century fort in the U.S., part of Dry Tortugas National Park located 70 miles west of Key West, Fla. Photograph by Mike Theiss, Nat Geo Image Collection 8. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve Unfortunately, only 81,670 visited this park in 2024, despite its incredible natural landmarks. Most parkgoers might be shocked to know that Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve is the largest national park in the United States, boasting incredible mountain ranges, vast glaciers, and a wide array of wildlife. It has some of the highest concentrations of glaciers in North America, which includes the Nabesna Glacier, the longest valley glacier on the continent. The park is also home to four Indigenous tribes: Ahtna Athabascans, Upper Tanana Athabascans, Eyak, and Tlingit. 7. Katmai National Park and Preserve More than 36,000 visitors entered Katmai National Park and Preserve in 2024 to see the U.S. national park known for its large population of brown bears, making it the ultimate destination for bear viewing. Katmai is also known for its salmon runs (which attract bears and other wildlife), and 14 active volcanoes (including Mount Katmai and Novarupta), and it's also ideal for backcountry hiking and camping because the majority of the park is a wilderness area. A brown bear looks for razor clams on the shore of Hallo Bay in Alaska's Katmai National Park. Photograph by Acacia Johnson, Nat Geo Image Collection 6. Isle Royale National Park More than 28,800 people visited this national park in 2024, numbers that include outdoor enthusiasts drawn to the park because of its 165 miles of hiking trails and 36 campgrounds. Located in Lake Superior off the coast of Michigan, Isle Royale National Park is only accessible by boat or seaplane. The relatively small number of visitors per year makes it also a significant site for researchers to study predator-prey interactions, specifically between its wolf and moose populations. In addition to its recognition as a UNESCO biosphere reserve, it features 10 shipwrecks and four historic lighthouses—all four are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 5. National Park of American Samoa This park isn't easily accessible like national parks located on the U.S. mainland. Only 22,567 people visited the National Park of American Samoa last year, where they could learn more about the rich Samoan culture, impressive coral reefs (975 species of fish and more than 250 coral species), 475 plant species, 50 animal species, including two native species of fruit bats that are vital to pollination. The park's rainforests are home to species originating from Southeast Asia. The National Park of American Samoa is spread across three islands: Tutuila (seen above), Ta\'u, and Ofu. Photograph by Alamy Stock Photo 4. Lake Clark National Park and Preserve In 2024, this Alaska park only saw 18,505 visitors, but it has a reputation as the 'true adventurer's paradise' and preserving the natural ecosystem and ancestral homelands of the Dena'ina people. Mount Redoubt and Mount Iliamna are also located within Lake Clark National Park and Preserve and are part of the Pacific Ring of Fire. Wildlife photographers are attracted to the park because it's a prime location to observe and capture brown bears (grizzlies) in their natural habitat. Fly fishing, backcountry camping/backpacking, and kayaking are just a few popular outdoor activities here. Visitors can also explore the famed cabin built by Richard Proenneke, the iconic wilderness author and filmmaker. 3. Kobuk Valley National Park This national park in Alaska—just 25 miles north of the Arctic Circle—is only accessible by air, receiving only 17,233 visitors in 2024. However, Kobuk Valley National Park is known for its Ice-Age-formed dunes, and Western Arctic caribou migration. It is also recognized as the rightful home of the Iñupiat people, specifically the KuvuNmiut, who have lived in this area for thousands of years. Grizzly bears, wolves, wolverines, foxes, porcupines, moose, and numerous migratory birds call the park home. 2. North Cascades National Park The North Cascades National Park only saw 16,485 visitors in 2024, but its dramatic landscapes earned its nickname 'American Alps.' Rugged mountains with glaciers, cascading waterfalls, deep forested valleys, and a diverse ecosystem are all reasons why you should visit. North Cascades features the largest network of glaciers (over 300) in the lower 48 states. It also has a vast network of hiking trails, which include portions of the Pacific Crest Trail. A woman points to a distant mountain while enjoying panoramic views in North Cascades National Park, Wash. Photograph by Michael Hanson, Nat Geo Image Collection 1. Gates of the Artic National Park and Preserve In 2024, Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve came in No. 1 as the least-visited national Park in the U.S. with 11,907 visitors in 2024. This national park protects the underdeveloped area within the Brooks Range, including the northernmost extension of the Rocky Mountains. Gates allows for traditional subsistence activities by local Koyukon and Inupiaq people, who rely on the land and its resources for their livelihoods. Hiking, backpacking, river rafting, and wildlife viewing are common activities among parkgoers here. Boreal Mountain (part of the Brooks Mountain Range), Frigid Crags, and the North Fork of the Koyukuk River are just a few natural landmarks found in the Gates of the Arctic National Park, Ala. Photograph by Design Pics Inc, Alamy Stock Photo (Related: These are the 10 most popular national parks.) For more info on these iconic parks, and other helpful travel trips, turn to the National Geographic book 100 Parks, 5,000 Ideas.
Telegraph
14-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Watch: Rory McIlroy's home-town club erupts after Masters victory
Rory McIlroy's fans at his home-town golf club erupted as he clinched Masters glory – despite not being allowed to toast his success. McIlroy etched his name in history as he completed a career Grand Slam with a remarkable play-off win over Justin Rose, sparking jubilant scenes 3,000 miles away at Holywood Golf Club. The club's bar licence meant last orders were called at 10pm, with those ordering before needing to down their drinks by 10.30pm. McIlroy still has his own parking space in the car park, and fans faced hours of drama as he finally ended his 11-year wait for a fifth major. The Rory roar. Scenes of joy in Holywood Golf Club in Co Down as its most famous member sinks the putt that wins #themasters and makes #rorymcilroy a Grand Slam champion @rtenews — Vincent Kearney (@vincekearney) April 13, 2025 'I was absolutely sick with nerves,' Holywood Golf Club's lady captain Ruth Watt told the BBC. 'We thought he had thrown it away … but it was an unbelievable finish. I'm going home for a gin and tonic.' McIlroy grew up in Holywood and his school, Sullivan Upper, awards green blazers to pupils who excel at sport. Some sixth formers watched their idol wearing their own green blazers. The 35-year-old wept tears of joy after sinking the winning putt at Augusta, embracing his wife of eight years, Erica Stoll. He then knelt down to hug daughter Poppy in emotionally charged scenes on the course. Tiger Woods welcomed McIlroy to golf's most exclusive club after his dramatic victory. McIlroy joined Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Ben Hogan and Gene Sarazen in having won all four major titles. 'Welcome to the club @McIlroyRory,' Woods posted on social media. 'Completing the grand slam at Augusta is something special. Your determination during this round, and this entire journey has shown through, and now you're a part of history. Proud of you!' Welcome to the club @McIlroyRory. Completing the grand slam at Augusta is something special. Your determination during this round, and this entire journey has shown through, and now you're a part of history. Proud of you! — Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) April 14, 2025 McIlroy's close friend Shane Lowry joked that McIlroy could happily retire after completing the career grand slam. 'This means everything to him,' Lowry told Golf Channel. 'This is all he thinks about, all he talks about. He always said to me he'd retire a happy man if he won the green jacket, so I told Erica he can retire now. 'He's had a long 10, 11 years, he's had a lot of hurdles to get over and it's a credit to him.' Shane Lowry greeting his best friend. 💛 — Golf Digest (@GolfDigest) April 13, 2025 Tommy Fleetwood, who finished 21st after a closing 69, added: 'I've said it a bunch of times, I think Rory is the best player of our generation. I don't think he's had to prove that for a while. 'For him to have finally got this one, a career grand slam, is unbelievably special. I think this time was always going to come, it's just Rory makes you feel like it's not going to at some point. 'Whatever he did today, Rory's place in golf (history) was secure, but this has just added another layer on top of that. 'I do believe he's the best of our generation and now he's one of the greatest of all time.' The President of Ireland Michael D Higgins joined political leaders from across the island in celebrating McIlroy's victory, calling it a 'truly outstanding achievement'. Northern Ireland's First Minister Michelle O'Neill said the Holywood golfer's 'incredible' triumph placed him among the sport's greatest. 'This is a huge moment in sporting history, and one that has filled everyone back home with great pride and that will undoubtedly inspire future generations to chase their dreams,' she posted on X. 'Enjoy the well-deserved celebrations, Rory!' 🏆⛳️ Massive congratulations to Rory McIlroy on his incredible victory at The Masters—making history as the first ever from our island to win the prestigious Green Jacket! A phenomenal achievement that completes a career Grand Slam, placing him amongst the greatest ever golf… — Michelle O'Neill (@moneillsf) April 13, 2025 Irish premier Micheal Martin described the win as 'epic'. 'The Green Jacket is yours Rory McIlroy,' the Taoiseach posted on X. 'A finish for the ages at Augusta to win The Masters and complete a richly-deserved career Grand Slam. Epic achievement by one of golf's greatest talents
