Crime and Justice
Judge Rules New York Attorney General Must Depose By Oct. 7
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“To be clear, no entity or individual is allowed to dictate how or when our investigation will proceed or set the parameters of a lawful investigation,”
Crime and Justice
Legal Observer Injured As Truck Drives Through Breonna Taylor Protest In Buffalo
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A pickup truck drove through the crowd and drove away, leaving an injured legal observer on with apparent broken bones.
Crime and Justice
Activists Call For More Transparency During State Hearing On COVID-19 In Jails
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“A disturbing number were locked up due to slowdowns and failures in the assigned counsel and the public defender system.”
Crime and Justice
Protesters Report Menstrual Changes After Tear Gas Exposure
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In fact, there is scant research on the potential effects of tear gas exposure and reproductive health in general.
Crime and Justice
Republicans Ask Top State Court To Suspend Its Vote-By-Mail Order
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“[The ruling] jeopardizes the security and integrity of our elections and will potentially put Pennsylvania in the middle of a disastrous national crisis.”
Crime and Justice
Where Pennsylvania’s US Senators Stand On Replacing Ruth Bader Ginsburg
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“It is disturbing and hypocritical that Republican Senators would attempt to fill this vacancy now while Americans across the country have already begun casting their ballots.”
back the blue
At A ‘Back The Blue” Rally, Ithaca Hears A Range Of Opinions On Law Enforcement
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“By showing up here today you have sent a message that is loud and clear and does not mince words. We will not be run by a mob of thugs and criminals.”
Crime and Justice
Rochester Police Confront Protesters At City Hall
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Sixteen people were arrested Wednesday after a standoff outside City Hall between Rochester police and the protesters calling for justice in the death of Daniel Prude.
App NEWS
Rochester Mayor Fire Police Chief, Suspends Two Department Heads
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“It was seemingly viewed by all concerned as an unfortunate set of circumstances, which we all know was not the case.”
Crime and Justice
Hundreds Gather Saturday Night In Rochester For Another Protest On Behalf Of Daniel Prude
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There was a standoff, with demonstrators facing off against police. RPD says they did use pepper balls after bottles and rocks were thrown at them.
App NEWS
“Close To Home”: Binghamton Protesters Stand With Rochester
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“When Rochester put out a call, a distress call, our neighboring cities came and we answered that call.”
A Second Delhi Official Faces Felony Charges For Theft
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The false claims amounted to 272 hours of sick and leave time, equivalent to over $6,000.
Crime and Justice
Hundreds Continue To Protest Tuesday Night In Rochester
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The group marched, as they have on previous nights, to the front of the Public Safety Building, which saw hundreds of people again chanting, talking, and taking part in a peaceful demonstration.
Crime and Justice
Naked Protesters In Spit Hoods Demonstrate In Rochester
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They were also wearing spit hoods, the kind of device that police put on Daniel Prude last March as they pinned him to the pavement.
Video Released Shows Clash Between Car And Ithaca Protesters
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Myrick said police “cannot be everywhere and our safety is ultimately in our hands.”
Crime and Justice
Cuomo Calls For Swift Conclusion To Attorney General’s Probe Into Death of Daniel Prude
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After video this week showed police in Rochester placing a bag over the head of a Black man during an arrest, and then pinning him down, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Thursday that he wanted the state Attorney General’s Office to expedite its investigation into the incident.
Crime and Justice
Police And Prison Guards Demand Compliance, Making Matters Worse For Pennsylvanians With Serious Mental Illness
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Use of force reports from Bucks County jail offer a glimpse into a criminal justice system unequipped to deal with people who may be having a crisis.
Anthony Brindisi
Brindisi Amendment Would Double Police Funding, Tenney Calls It A Stunt
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The amendment would be part of a federal spending bill.
Crime and Justice
Education Advocates Consider Court Action Against 20% Cut In State Aid
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“That constitutional right doesn’t go on hold because there are financial constraints, because the state is having financial difficulties. This is a constitutional right.”
App NEWS
New York Sues Postal Service Over Agency Cutbacks, Citing Voting Concerns
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New York state is suing President Donald Trump and the head of the U.S. Postal Service over recent policy changes that Attorney General Letitia James said Tuesday would unconstitutionally limit access to this year’s elections for those who plan to vote by mail.
Pennsylvania Governor Calls For State To Legalize Marijuana, Citing Pandemic
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Gov. Tom Wolf calls for some of the revenue from marijuana sales to go toward “repairing the harm done to crime victims and communities as a result of marijuana criminalization.”
App NEWS
Steuben Legislator Facing Charges For “Patronizing A Prostitute”
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Steve Maio is scheduled to appear in court Aug. 27.
App NEWS
New York’s GOP Leaders Defend Law Enforcement In Southern Tier
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“Having a conversation about inequities or injustices is not mutually exclusive from supporting the men and women of law enforcement.”
ACLU
Lawyer For Trans Woman Hopeful Settlement Will Impact Jail Policies
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“This is a policy that addresses housing placement, safety, access to medical care, name and pronoun use, search procedures.”
Mockingbirds Catch A Break As New York Judge Strikes Down Trump Bird Opinion
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In 2017, the Trump administration scaled back protections of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. A federal judge has now struck down the rule change — and cited To Kill a Mockingbird in so doing.
Crime and Justice
Can One Support Black Lives Matter And Still Prosecute Marijuana Cases? This PA Prosecutor Says Yes.
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Months of protests urged prosecutors and police to support criminal justice reform. But court records show a different path.
Business Group Names Governor, Legislature and Attorney General In Lawsuit
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“The constitutions of the State of New York and the United States of America are not abandoned or thrown to the side during times of emergency. But that’s exactly what our government has done.”
After Fraud Investigation, New York Attorney General Moves To Dissolve The NRA
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New York’s attorney general announced civil action to dissolve the National Rifle Association after an investigation found millions of dollars in alleged fraud by CEO Wayne LaPierre and others.
Crime and Justice
Report: SEC To Look At Government Loan To Kodak
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U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren, (D-Massachusetts) said she sent a letter to the SEC Chairman asking that agency to look at the potential for insider trading.
Crime and Justice
Protesters Demand Police Accountability, Attract Counter Demonstration
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“You’re locking my friends in cages when they need to be in hospital rooms.”
New York Police Draw Anger After Plainclothes Officers Throw Woman Into Unmarked Van
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Online video shows men grabbing a woman during a demonstration and hauling her away in an unmarked van. Police said they arrested the woman on suspicion of damaging police cameras.
Why New York State Is Releasing So Few Inmates During The Pandemic
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“There are men just like me in there. They should have been walking out with me. But instead they’ll probably die in prison.”
Binghamton Police
Southern Tier Activists Form Coalition For ‘People’s Protection’
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The coalition comes after a push by NY law enforcement to add protections for police.
Ex-NY Assembly speaker sentenced to 6 1/2 years for corruption
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“I destroyed that legacy that I built over 35 years,” he said, blaming his downfall on “improper, selfish and ethically indefensible” behavior that grew from a sense of entitlement.
Activists Say Police Reforms Shouldn’t Wait Until 2021. One Sheriff Agrees.
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“It’s not like we don’t know what needs to be done. He could make a list of things that needed to be done and start putting them in place.”
broome county sheriff
Southern Tier Sheriffs Outline Proposals To Protect Officers
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Among the initiatives were measures that would make resisting arrest or following an officer Class E felonies.
App NEWS
Frederick Douglass Statue Pulled Down In Rochester
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Police say that the statue was torn off its base, and left about 50 feet from its pedestal. The statue had been placed over the fence to Genesee River gorge and was leaning against the fence.
Bail Reform Rollback In Effect
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They made several crimes once again eligible for bail, including second-degree burglary, promoting child pornography and vehicular manslaughter.
Federal Prosecutors Discussed ‘Burying’ Evidence In Troubled New York Case
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The government acknowledged problems with sharing evidence with the defense, but prosecutors argue the missteps were inadvertent, not malicious. A judge is assessing the matter.
New York Announces $19M Settlement In Harvey Weinstein Lawsuit
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“Harvey Weinstein and The Weinstein Company failed their female employees. After all the harassment, threats and discrimination, these survivors are finally receiving some justice.”
App NEWS
Siena Poll: White And Black New Yorkers Divided Over Policing
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54% of Black respondents supported defunding police departments, compared to 24% of white respondents.
Protester Knocked Down By Buffalo Police Leaves The Hospital Nearly One Month Later
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Martin Gugino suffered a fractured skull after being shoved backward by officers at a protest against police violence on June 4. The 75-year-old will continue his recovery at an undisclosed location.
Proposed “Cariol’s Law” Would Require Police To Intervene When Witnessing Excessive Force
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Cariol Horne was fired in 2007 after stepping in to stop a White officer who held a Black suspect in a chokehold.
Crime and Justice
Republican Lawmakers Defend Shale Gas Industry; Grand Jury Says PA Failed To Protect Public From Fracking
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Secretary of Environmental Resources and Energy panel said he was offended by AG’s characterization of natural gas industry
NYPD Officer Accused Of Using Chokehold Charged With Strangulation
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The officer, 39-year-old David Afanador, was suspended the same day the cellphone video appeared to show him choking a Black man on a Queens boardwalk.
Crime and Justice
PA Grand Jury Report On Fracking: State Failed To Protect Public Health
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Grand jury makes proposals on regulation, oversight of fracking industry
Believe It Or Not, Most Fireworks Are Illegal In New York State
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“Fireworks are explosives that have the potential to set fire to nearby homes and other properties. The sound of fireworks can cause distress for individuals with PTSD or other medical conditions, pets and wildlife.”
App NEWS
Local Police Commonly Disbanded In PA, But It Creates Larger Problems For State Police
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“These ideas increase funds, but don’t increase public safety.”
Recovering Buffalo Activist Will Remain In Hospital This Week
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Two Buffalo Police officers have been suspended from the department and are charged with second degree assault.
NYPD Suspends Officer Over Using Apparent Chokehold During Arrest
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Video shows an officer using an apparent chokehold on a man who had been shouting invective at passersby and police. Chokeholds have been banned in New York City since 1993.
App NEWS
Ithaca Plans Yearlong Review Of Its Police Policies And Spending
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The mayor called the process a reinvention of public safety that will include town hall meetings, canvassing, and outreach to a variety of organizations.
Crime and Justice
Incarceration Can Change Views on Freedom
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“It’s right back to hiding and ducking and worrying about everything, especially right now.”
Crime and Justice
What Does The Supreme Court’s Ruling On Sexual Orientation And Gender Identity Discrimination Mean In PA?
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“This ruling may well shape the way that the federal courts interpret other federal statutes that outlaw discrimination based on sex.”
Crime and Justice
PA House Committee Advances Two Police Reform Bills
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Action comes one week after Black Caucus members led protest on House floor
Three More Police Reforms Signed Into Law By Cuomo
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“It’s about people wanting to change. Well, New York will be the place that actually makes the change and we pass laws that have done just that.”
New York Governor: Now Is The Time For ‘Fundamental Redefinition’ Of Policing
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For years, the governor says, Democrats in the state didn’t have the political or popular support to enact reforms. Now, lawmakers have passed sweeping police accountability and transparency measures.
New York Prosecutors Move To Drop Their Own Case After Evidence Issue. The Judge Wants Answers
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Ali Sadr Hashemi Nejad is accused of violating American sanctions laws against Iran, but prosecutors in the Southern District of New York are backing away nearly three months after convicting him.
binghamton
State Leaders Favor Restructuring, Not Defunding New York’s Police
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“A legitimate conversation about whether or not the police are the best people to send for a situation is, I believe, a valid conversation.”
Crime and Justice
State Sen. Fred Akshar Addresses New York Police Reform Concerns
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The Republican discusses the bills during an appearance on New York Now
App NEWS
Lawmakers Repeal New York Law Used To Suppress Police Disciplinary Reports
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Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, the first African-American to hold that title, has long supported the repeal of the provision, but it has long languished in the legislature.
Crime and Justice
GOP Congressman Says The Time For Protests Is Over, Leaders Must Debate Change
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“Now is the time when true leaders will emerge to roll up their sleeves, stay in the room and have the passionate debate.”
Trump Tweets Conspiracy Theory About Injured Buffalo Protester
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One theory floated after the incident accused Gugino of rigging fake blood under his mask to flow upon his fall.
Crime and Justice
New York Lawmakers Resume Work On A Police Accountability Package
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“I’m hopeful that this is our moment, that George Floyd and all those that came before him did not die in vain.”
Featured in Category
Democratic Legislators Take Over PA House Floor, Demand Action On Police Reform Legislation
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Speaker Turzai says he supports calling a special session
App NEWS
Five Bills New York Lawmakers May Pass This Week After Death of George Floyd
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Lawmakers will reconvene in Albany Monday to consider that legislation, which includes a handful of bills that have been in the works for years, but failed to gain support until now.
advocacy center of tompkins county
Hotline Reports More Violent Domestic Assaults, Rape During COVID Shutdown
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“We also saw a significant increase, for us, in calls from adults who were sexually assaulted or rape,” Campbell said.
Uncategorized
De Blasio Promises Cuts To NYPD, Ends NYC Curfew
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The call to end the curfew comes a day earlier than previously planned. De Blasio noted that most protesters had been peaceful, and admitted that the NYPD had sometimes overstepped its duty.
App NEWS
New York Lawmakers Push Police Reform Bills Following George Floyd Killing
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“We want police accountability, we want police reform. We want to make sure that if someone makes a 911 call and a false claim, this is potentially a hate crime.”
App NEWS
VIDEO: Two Buffalo Officers Suspended After Violently Shoving Elderly Man
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Gov. Andrew Cuomo, in a tweet, called the incident “wholly unjustified and utterly disgraceful.”
App NEWS
Binghamton Protesters: Reduce Arrest Rates, Increase Social Services
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“It takes resources away from the things that we actually need in our community, that make our community thrive.”
Crime and Justice
Cuomo Tells DAs to Hold Looters On Bail, DAs Say No
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“If the police were arresting looters, and they were then being arrested and returned to the street the next day again, that would be nonsensical.”
3 Police Injured During Brooklyn Stabbing Incident
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The late-night incident occurred in the Flatbush neighborhood, when police say a man approached an officer assigned to an anti-looting patrol and stabbed him in the neck.
black lives matter
Black Protesters Tell Ithaca It Has Problems With Racism
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“Understand Ithaca, you’re not innocent. You are guilty, too.”
App NEWS
Governor ‘Disappointed, Outraged’ Over Continued Looting In New York City
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Cuomo stopped short of saying that he would deploy the state’s National Guard to any city without a request by its political leaders.
App NEWS
Binghamton Protesters Promise Repeated Marches Against Racism
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Hundreds of people marched in Binghamton on Tuesday night, as part of nationwide protests over the killing of George Floyd while in the custody of Minneapolis police.
App NEWS
Tompkins County Legislators, Sheriff Condemn Killing of George Floyd
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“It is time for community, for colleagues, who are white, who have the ability and the privilege to be heard — to take action.”
Peaceful Daytime Protest Turns Violent At Night, 2 Police Officers Injured In Buffalo
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Both officers, one a Buffalo Police officer and the other a New York State trooper, are currently in stable condition.
App NEWS
Binghamton Officials React To Fire At Recreation Park
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“I don’t want that to be what people remember out of yesterday’s demonstration.”
App NEWS
Protesters March Through Binghamton In Memory Of George Floyd
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“I’m a mother of two black sons and this is enough. So, we came to make some noise.”
Crime and Justice
Lawsuit Says PA’s Failing Special Needs Kids During Coronavirus School Closures
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“The families claim “online learning is wholly inadequate to meet the needs of nonverbal and partially verbal children with autism who rely upon…in-person instruction.”
App NEWS
‘They Put Me In Solitary For Having Oranges’ — Muslim Inmates Struggle During Ramadan
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Pennsylvania lawsuit highlights challenges faced by Muslim inmates during Islam’s holy month
Crime and Justice
New York Offers Text, Chat Assistance For Domestic Violence Victims
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“That can help them find safe shelter, talk about their safety options, and really connect them to the services they need, during this time and even after this time.”
AAU
New York Attorney General Wins Lawsuit Against Endicott AAU Team
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“Justice has been served for these students who were hoping for a shot at their dreams.”
Cornell Leads Statewide Effort To Provide Protective Face Masks For Inmates
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“The folks that are incarcerated in the prisons in our region are potentially a huge source of contagion.”
Tompkins County DA Candidates Debate Online
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The candidates were asked a range of questions including what lessons they learned from a case last year which gained public attention and drew protests against the prosecution of two young people of color after an incident with police on the Ithaca Commons.
Overdoses Increase In Broome County
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Broome health officials said non-fatal overdoses have increased, advocates said fatal overdoses did, too.
Partial Supreme Court Win For New York Gun Regulation Could Be Short-Lived
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The justices threw out as moot a challenge to New York City’s strict gun regulations, but gun-safety advocates worry that gains in the states may be taken away by a conservative court majority.
App NEWS
Lawsuit Seeks To Extend Mailed Ballot Return In PA By One Week
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Voters who request absentee and mail-in ballots before the May 26 deadline might receive them at different times due to “factors outside their control.”
Amazon Warehouse Safety ‘Inadequate,’ Says New York Attorney General
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Amazon may have violated federal health and safety standards as well as New York’s whistleblower law, the New York attorney general’s office wrote to Amazon in a letter obtained by NPR.
App NEWS
Judge Denies Release Of Two Broome County Jail Inmates
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Judge Jeffrey Tait ruled the inmates did not establish their vulnerability to COVID-19 inside the jail
Decision On Broome Jail COVID-19 Lawsuit Could Come Soon
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It argues for the release of two inmates who claim they are highly vulnerable to the novel coronavirus.
App NEWS
Broome County Works To Release Some Jail Inmates At Higher-Risk Of COVID-19
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The people that have been released are those who are at low-risk for repeat offenses, such as petty larceny or technical parole violations.
App NEWS
Prison Design Creates Ideal Environment For Coronavirus
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Connected vents and small cells help accelerate the virus’s spread, and puts inmates on edge
Crime and Justice
Frontline Health Care Workers Seek Immunity From Malpractice During COVID-19
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“We [should] not have to worry about malpractice suits while trying to save people’s lives.”
Inmate Freed As Coronavirus Spreads At New York’s Rikers Island
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Some officials are releasing inmates as the coronavirus gains a foothold inside correctional facilities across the country.
App NEWS
Can You Be Cited Just For Going On A Drive?
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Pennsylvania DA says he’s withdrawing citation against woman who allegedly violated stay-at-home order
Crime and Justice
New York Budget Includes Bail Reform Roll Back
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“The bail reform that we did last year I’m very proud of, and I think we made the right change now.”
New York Attorney General Seeks Investigation Over Fired Amazon Worker
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The worker helped organize a walkout to demand closure of the facility following several COVID-19 cases. Amazon fired him the same day, saying he violated quarantine and safety measures.
New York State Prisons: 105 employees, 14 Inmates Positive For COVID-19
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“Tell them I am doing well, taking it day by day. Spending most of the days sleeping. Symptoms seem to come and go in waves.”
PA Diocese Suspends Abuse Victims’ Compensation Program, Citing ‘Economic Turmoil’
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The Erie Diocese, identified by the Pennsylvania attorney general as a place where clergy sex abuse was widespread, is said to have spent nearly $12 million on its victim compensation program.
App NEWS
Activists Show Concern Over Broome Jail Inmates Amid COVID-19
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Officials said the Broome jail is prepared.
Crime and Justice
PA Police Can Now Shut Down ‘Non-Life-Sustaining’ Businesses, But They’d Rather Not
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“Nobody is looking to get anybody unnecessarily involved in the legal system.”
App NEWS
Concern Grows For Inmates In New York Prison System
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The states of California, Ohio and Texas are already releasing some prisoners to prevent a major outbreak in their prisons.
App NEWS
Advocates Fear More Time At Home Could Lead To An Increase In Domestic Violence
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“Now people are trapped in their homes, sometimes unsafe, non respectful loving homes.”
Crime and Justice
Officials Warn Of COVID-19 Scams
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There are reports of scams in Otsego and Steuben Counties.
App NEWS
Bomb Threat Empties Hotel In Downtown Ithaca
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A statement from the Ithaca Police said no suspicious items were found.
Prisoners Make Hand Sanitizer For New York State; Inmate Advocates Compare It To Slavery
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“It is wrong for New York State to have prisoners do those types of labor, because they’re getting paid slave wages.”
Schumer, Reed Want Review Of Federal Funding To Cayuga Nation
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The response was due to the recent destruction buildings and subsequent brawl that occurred days later.
Cayuga Indian Nation Dispute Leads To Brawl
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The cause of Saturday’s conflict goes back over a decade and involves the site of several buildings.
App NEWS
In Binghamton, NY GOP Chair Rails Against Criminal Justice Reforms
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New criminal justice reforms went into effect in the state in January.
Ronan Farrow Lauds #MeToo After Verdict: ‘There Are Harvey Weinsteins Everywhere’
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The New Yorker journalist, who led the reporting on the movie producer’s decades of alleged sexual assault, hailed the bravery of the women who spoke up. Still, he said, “there’s a long way to go.”
App NEWS
PA State Senator Admits Guilt In Child Porn Possession Case
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An account traced to him had uploaded an image showing a sexual act between a female minor and adult male. The office said police found two other images on Folmer’s cell phone.
App NEWS
Momentum Grows For Revisions To New York’s Bail Reform Laws
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The Leader of the New York State Senate says it’s likely that changes will soon be made to the state’s new bail reform laws, which end most forms of cash bail for non violent offenses.
Crime and Justice
Tompkins DA Announces Re-Election Campaign
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Matt Van Houten is running for a second term.
App NEWS
ICE Chief Slams New York’s Green Light Law
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“As a 25-year law enforcement professional, it is unfathomable that information which could be used to prevent crime or a potential terrorist attack, is purposely being withheld.”
Crime and Justice
How To Lower Prison Costs? PA Secretary Advises Medical Parole
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Pennsylvania sentences a lot of people to life without the possibility of parole. Research has shown their odds of reoffending are low after years of incarceration.
Crime and Justice
ACLU Sues Over Northeast Pennsylvania Traffic Stop
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Attorneys say they believe the stop was racially motivated. The ACLU’s client was detained, then placed in ICE custody.
App NEWS
New York Man Accused Of Making Death Threats Against Senator Schumer and Congressman Schiff
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“The rights secured in our Constitution carry with them certain responsibilities. When it comes to the First Amendment, that responsibility includes the obligation not to threaten to kill others.”
Crime and Justice
Harrisburg Becomes 1st PA Roman Catholic Diocese To Declare Bankruptcy
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The diocese has been under financial strain from legal fees and payouts to people its clergy and other affiliates abused over many decades.
App NEWS
Attorneys For Sex Abuse Victims Not Deterred By Boy Scout Bankruptcy
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“On some level, this is the Boy Scouts accepting responsibility for what happened.”
App NEWS
Now Exonerated, Yusef Salaam Changes Minds At Cornell About Incarceration, Justice
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“It did change how I look at people because they’re not, like, all criminals. There are more of, like, people who maybe, like, just had bad luck.”
Crime and Justice
Disgraced Former Minority Leader Won’t Seek Reelection To New York Assembly
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Brian Kolb stepped down from his leadership post after being arrested for drunk driving on New Year’s Eve.
Crime and Justice
New York Senate Proposal To Rollback Bail Reform Sparks Anger
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“Sometimes you’ve got to be profane to be profound.”
Crime and Justice
New York Assembly Speaker Not Ready To Roll Back Bail Reforms
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“You need real data, real information, not cherry – picked stories and sensationalized events to try to paint a picture as to whether the law is working or not.”
Crime and Justice
Attorneys Expand Lawsuit Seeking Abuse Information From PA Dioceses
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They’re adding new plaintiffs from the Philadelphia, Altoona-Johnstown, Greensburg and Harrisburg dioceses.
Wall Street Financier Seeks Early Release Because He Has ‘Less Than 18 Months’ To Live
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A lawyer says Madoff, who is serving a 150-year sentence, suffers from terminal kidney failure. The Federal Bureau of Prisons denied a similar request for release last year.
Here’s What We’ve Learned So Far At New York Trial Of Harvey Weinstein
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New York prosecutors have said their piece; now it’s time for Weinstein’s legal team to take the stage. But before his rape trial moves on, here’s a glimpse of the four biggest courtroom moments so far.
Crime and Justice
Bail Reform Debate Sparks Accusations Of Racism On Social Media
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“They don’t give a damn about our community. What they want is to continue to put black and brown folk and poor white folk (in jail).”
Crime and Justice
GOP Lawmakers Intensify Pushback Against New York’s Bail Reform Laws
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“This is the number one issue, it’s not even close. This is what people are talking about.”
App NEWS
Survivors Of Childhood Sexual Abuse Want More Time To File Lawsuits
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“A lot of people need more time. Some people are just starting to come to grips with the abuse that happened to them, and they’re not ready.”
Diocese of Buffalo Bankruptcy “Imminent”
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“The abuse scandal has had consequences on the financial condition of the diocese beyond the cost of settling claims. Diocesan parish offertory has declined since August 2018.”
Prosecutor Says Proposed Elder Parole Bill “Ain’t Flying” For New York’s Violent Offenders
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The county prosecutor is willing to consider the idea for offenders who committed crimes at a young age and have proven their rehabilitation while behind bars.
2AWNY
Upstate Counties Consider Creating “2nd Amendment Sanctuaries”
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“They can’t have their cake and eat it too”
Reed: Trump Justified To Freeze Ukrainian Aid
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The Republican believes the President had the right to violate the law by freezing the funds
The New York Trial Of Harvey Weinstein: A Brief Timeline Of How We Got Here
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For years, dark rumors swirled around the movie producer. So how did those whispered allegations result in a full-fledged criminal trial? Here’s an abridged history.
App NEWS
PA State House May Make It Easier To Terminate Rapists’ Parental Rights
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A bill that would change the process made it through a House committee unanimously, and now goes to the full chamber for a vote.
Crime and Justice
Lawmakers, Educators, And Prosecutors Will Study PA’s Juvenile Justice Issues
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Governor Tom Wolf says the goal is to ensure more young offenders leave the criminal system and stay out.
App NEWS
Parents Reflect On How Their Children Should Learn About Martin Luther King, Jr.
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“It’s a hard topic and it’s a simple topic all at the same time.”
App NEWS
Attorney Says Ithaca Police Investigator Asked For, Never Got Help With Cases
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He said Barksdale asked for help to complete investigations of cases she was assigned but the City and police department didn’t provide the support she needed. Barksdale is accused by the City of mishandling dozens of cases, including sex offenses.
App NEWS
As Criticism Grows In New York, Supporters Of Bail Reform Describe Fight As A Civil Rights Struggle
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Bail reform has become a major flashpoint, with Republicans and some Democrats saying the law has meant some repeat offenders and potentially violent suspects being released too quickly.
Crime and Justice
Advocates Call On Lawmakers To Outlaw ICE Arrests At New York Courthouses
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Immigration advocates gathered in Albany on Tuesday calling for state lawmakers to pass a bill that would prohibit ICE arrests at courthouses.
Crime and Justice
Lt. Governor On Bail Reforms: ‘There Is A Lot Of Fear-Mongering Going On’
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“There is a lot of people exaggerating the situation. The vast majority of people, they are non-violent crimes, that’s the premise, they are misdemeanors.”
App NEWS
Senate Dems Face GOP Pressure To Revise New York’s Bail Reform Laws
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“They are tone-deaf. They are not listening to people back in their districts.”
Southern Tier Congressman Requests Leniency For Disgraced Republican Colleague
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Southern Tier Congressman Tom Reed is one of over a dozen current and former members of Congress who wrote letters.
At Supreme Court, Another Potential Loss For Prosecutors Fighting Public Corruption
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The “Bridgegate” scandal infuriated New York motorists and endangered public safety, but if the past is prologue, the high court could treat it as much ado about nothing.
Crime and Justice
One Year In, Crisis Center To Stop School Violence In PA Has Fielded Over 40,000 Tips
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The partnership between Sandy Hook Promise and the state Attorney General’s office aims to prevent mass shootings and help children dealing with problems.
Crime and Justice
PA House Moves To Keep People Convicted Of Gun Crimes In Jail Longer
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The chamber narrowly passed a measure that would require judges to issue consecutive sentences for multiple crimes involving guns.
New York Citizen Dies In Egyptian Prison, State Department Says
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Moustafa Kassem, who sold auto parts in New York, was arrested amid a massive crackdown in Egypt in 2013. He had been on hunger strike for more than a year at the time of his death.
Featured in Category
After Losing Election, Gelson Joins Staff Of New Broome District Attorney
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The Democrat finished third in November’s race.
Crime and Justice
Friends Want Leniency, But Chris Collins’ Ex-Constituents Want An Example Made
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The approximately 170 letters filed in U.S. District Court this week paint very different pictures of disgraced former Congressman Chis Collins.
E-Bikes Still Available In Ithaca Despite Veto By NY Governor
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Alderperson Seph Murtagh said the e-bikes fit in a gray area of the law.
Ithaca Police Failed to Investigate An Array Of Cases, Mayor Says
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“I am shocked and saddened by these revelations, which can easily erode public confidence in the IPD.”
Scams Target Southern Tier Banking Customers
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An FBI spokesperson said people should always report scams to local law enforcement.
Crime and Justice
Assemblyman Pleads Not Guilty At Court Appearance On DWI Charge
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Assemblyman Brian Kolb was in court in the town of Victor on Thursday where he pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor charge of DWI.
Video Outside New York Jail Cell During Jeffrey Epstein’s First Suicide Attempt ‘No Longer Exists’
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After first reporting that the video had been preserved, prosecutors now say that further investigation shows officials “inadvertently preserved video from the wrong tier” within the Manhattan prison.
Crime and Justice
Court Documents Released In New York Minority Leader’s DWI Arrest
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The court papers quote a tow truck driver as saying that when he drove up to the accident scene, Kolb stood up and put his hands up and said, “My wife was driving,” and then said, “You know how women drive.”
Featured in Category
PA Reforms Childhood Sex Abuse Laws In Response To Clergy Scandal
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After a grand jury implicated more than 300 priests in a statewide sex scandal, nearly every case was too old to be prosecuted. Legislators say that problem inspired these new laws.
Crime and Justice
Bill Would Make Anti-Semitic Attacks A Hate Crime In New York
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The bill was introduced last spring, after a wave of anti-Semitic attacks happened across the country, including a shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue that killed 11 people.
App NEWS
New York Democrats Show Cracks Over Support For Criminal Justice Reforms
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“There’s no doubt this is still a work in progress, and there are other changes that have to be made.”
Crime and Justice
New York Attorney General Looks For Some Changes To New Bail Reform Laws
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Some state officials are already asking for revisions to a law eliminating cash bail for people charged with misdemeanors and non-violent felonies.
Annoyance law
Broome County Executive Signs “Annoyance Law”
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Supporters say the law protects first responders while opponents worry about it will be abused.
Crime and Justice
Kolb Steps Down As Assembly Minority Leader
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Deputies say Kolb was taken into custody for driving while intoxicated. There were no injuries, and Sheriff Kevin Henderson said there was minor damage to the vehicle.
Crime and Justice
District Attorney Assigned As Special Prosecutor In Minority Leader’s DWI Case
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Kolb was charged on New Year’s Eve when his state-owned SUV got stuck in a ditch near his home in the town of Victor.
New Lawsuits Against Buffalo Diocese Include First-Time Accusation, Claims Of Cover-Up
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One identifies a local priest as an alleged abuser for the first time, while the other accuses a former auxiliary bishop of providing “hush money” in a 1980s case.
App NEWS
Minority Leader For New York General Assembly Arrested For DWI
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Deputies said Brian Kolb was taken into custody for driving while intoxicated. There were no injuries and Sheriff Kevin Henderson said there was minor damage to the vehicle.
Korchak Sworn In As Broome County District Attorney
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Korchak prevailed in November but not before Battisti challenged the results in court.
Tompkins County Swears In New County Judge
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It’s the first time the county has added a judge in 50 years.
Crime and Justice
New Laws In New York In 2020
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Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, who shepherded the criminal justice reforms through his chamber, said the new laws are meant to change a “racist and classist system.”
Crime and Justice
PA Judge Admonished For Abusing Power At Traffic Stop
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The letter from a statewide board could be used against Judge Dennis Reinaker in future misconduct cases.
Gov. Cuomo Calls New York Hanukkah Attack ‘Act Of Domestic Terrorism’
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A man stabbed people celebrating Hanukkah at the home of a rabbi in Rockland County, a New York City suburb, on Saturday night. The incident comes amid a surge of anti-Semitic violence in the region.
Crime and Justice
New York Ends Most Cash Bail In 2020
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New York will end cash bail for everyone accused of a nonviolent crime and adopt new rules in the pretrial discovery process.
Does New York City Need Gun Control?
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New York City has stricter gun laws than most other American cities — and lower rates of gun violence. But legal challenges could force the city to loosen its gun control. Will a rise in crime follow?
App NEWS
Man Killed After Attacking Ithaca Police Officer With Knife
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Police say the attack appears to have been random and that the specific officer was not targeted.
Annoyance law
Broome County Passes “Annoyance Law”
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It allows police to arrest anyone who harasses emergency first responders. Violators could face up to a year in prison, a $5,000 fine or both.
Upstate Congress Members Vote With Their Parties On Impeachment
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“I went back this weekend, and laid out all the transcripts on my table, got the highlighter out, made lots of notes, reviewed several articles about impeachment, looked at some articles that were written by constitutional law experts and ultimately came to the conclusion that there was sufficient evidence to move forward.”
Annoyance law
Broome County To Consider “Annoyance Law” Thursday
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“Guess what? Protesting is about being annoying”
Crime and Justice
Pennsylvanians Gather On Capitol Steps For ‘Impeachment Eve’
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Harrisburg’s rally was one of many around the country in which people who oppose President Donald Trump turned out to celebrate his possible ouster.
App NEWS
Upstate Professor Collects Thousands Of Holiday Cards For Kids Impacted By Mass Shootings
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“I’m writing you to wish you a very happy holidays. Remember there will always be people who care about and support you. The world is a better place with you in it.”
Town Pays Over $40,000 For Discrimination Against Same-Sex Couple
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Laurel “Sherrie” Eriksen, refused to issue the license because she had religious objections to same-sex marriage.
Crime and Justice
Brindisi Will Vote For Impeachment, Katko Opposed
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Congressmen in two of New York’s swing districts will vote along party lines in this week’s impeachment vote in Washington.
Former Clerk Of The Village of Delhi Pleads Guilty To Theft
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Former clear admitted to writing checks worth $4, 788 to herself from village funds.
App NEWS
Former Congressman, Co-Defendants Settle With The Securities And Exchange Commission
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Former congressman Chris Collins, his son Cameron, and Stephen Zarsky pleaded guilty to criminal insider trading charges in October.
Crime and Justice
PA House Adds Mandatory Minimums To High-Profile Justice Reform Bills
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Many Democrats and some Republicans say mandatory minimum sentences are ineffective and biased against black people. The GOP committee chair says he ‘doesn’t see color.’
App NEWS
Despite Concerns From Counties, New York Lawmakers Won’t Revise Criminal Justice Reforms
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The leader of the New York state Senate said lawmakers will not revise criminal justice reforms that will result in an end to most forms of cash bail beginning in January.
Crime and Justice
His Life Sentence Commuted, PA Prisoner Now Faces Theft Charges Dating Back To 1992
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After 25 years in prison, David Sheppard received clemency for a second-degree murder charge. But he may have to go back to prison for allegedly stealing jeans in 1992.
Apostolic Administrator Tells Catholic Weekly Buffalo Bankruptcy A “Likelihood”
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“I think that has to be faced, and sooner rather than later. I would probably be the one to make that ultimate call, but I would want to make sure there wasn’t any other reasonable option.
App NEWS
Supporters Of New York’s Bail, Discovery Law Reforms Rebut Backlash
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Beginning in January, New York ends cash bail for all nonviolent crimes and prosecutors reveal all the evidence they have to suspects within 15 days.
App NEWS
Scholar: ‘Hard To Know’ If Buffalo Diocese Will Recover From Clergy Sex Abuse Crisis
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“You pull on one thread with this, and the next thing you know, you’re looking at all kinds of dots that are being connected across the country where the investigator is now being investigated. That’s quite shocking.”
Crime and Justice
PA State Representative Charged With Stealing Over $500,000 From Nonprofit
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Democrat Movita Johnson-Harrell says she plans to resign. She won her seat in a special election nine months ago, replacing a representative charged with bribery.
Buffalo Bishop Resigns Amid Controversy Over Clergy Abuse
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Richard Malone had faced scrutiny for allegedly mishandling sexual abuse claims against the priests in his diocese. He announced Wednesday that the pope had accepted his request to “retire early.”
All For Naught? Supreme Court Indicates New York Gun Case May Be Moot
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At issue was a New York City law that allowed residents to have a permit for a gun at home but barred them from transporting the gun elsewhere except to seven shooting ranges inside the city.
App NEWS
More Former Paperboys Say A Rochester Newspaper Supervisor Sexually Abused Them
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Five more paperboys have come forward to say they were sexually abused by a supervisor when they worked for the Democrat and Chronicle in the 1980s.
anthony bridisi
Reed, Brindisi Say NY Criminal Justice Reforms Ignore The Rights Of Crime Victims
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“Repeal this criminal justice reform effort in New York, go back to the drawing board and engage in real criminal justice reform where the rights of victims.”
App NEWS
PA Domestic Violence Groups Say Impact Of New Gun Law Is Hard To Measure
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Under the new Pennsylvania law, a judge is required to order a person to surrender firearms if they are the subject of a PFA order entered after a contested hearing.
albany
NY Public Finance Commission Plan Condemned By State’s Minor Political Parties
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The commission’s work is being challenged in court by the Working Families Party, the Conservative Party, and republicans in the senate and assembly.
