'Melanie's Law' Aims To Close 'Dangerous' Loophole That Led To Hudson Valley Mom's Killing 'Melanie's Law' Aims To Close 'Dangerous' Loophole That Led To Hudson Valley Mom's Killing
'Melanie's Law' Aims To Close 'Dangerous' Loophole That Led To Hudson Valley Mom's Killing One year after a young mother from New York was stabbed to death by her own mother’s ex-boyfriend, a state lawmaker is pushing to close what he calls the “dangerous” loophole that led to her killing. Dutchess County resident Melanie Chianese, age 29, of the town of Wappinger, was found suffering from multiple stab wounds on May 29, 2022. Deputies from the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office found her while responding to a home on Scott Drive in Wappinger for a report of a woman being injured. Earlier Report: Man Sentenced For Murdering Ex-Girlfriend's Daughter In Poughkeepsie She was rushed …
‘Stop The Bloodshed’: Louisville Shooting Could’ve Been Prevented By Red Flag Law, Hochul Says ‘Stop The Bloodshed’: Louisville Shooting Could’ve Been Prevented By Red Flag Law, Hochul Says
‘Stop The Bloodshed’: Louisville Shooting Could’ve Been Prevented By Red Flag Law, Hochul Says Recent mass shootings that killed six people at an elementary school in Tennessee and five more at a bank in Kentucky might not have occurred had those states implemented so-called “red flag” laws like New York, according to Gov. Kathy Hochul. In an op-ed written for USA Today Network and shared on the governor's website, Hochul touted the measures, which allow a court to issue an extreme risk protection order (ERPO) that temporarily prohibits someone from buying or possessing a gun should they be deemed a danger to themselves or others. Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the state’s ERPO in…
These Westchester Agencies Broke Law, Warned For Not Submitting Financial Reports These Westchester Agencies Broke Law, Warned For Not Submitting Financial Reports
These Westchester Agencies Broke Law, Warned For Not Submitting Financial Reports Several public authorities in Westchester have been issued an official warning by a New York state agency for breaking the law and failing to submit financial reports before the required deadlines.  The list of public agencies that failed to submit financial reports was released by the New York State Authorities Budget Office in March 2023, and constitutes an official warning for every organization that appears on it, officials said in the report.  According to law, the state and local authorities that appear on the list must file an annual report and audit report within 90 d…
Plastic Utensils, Condiments For Takeout Orders Banned In Westchester: Unless You Ask Plastic Utensils, Condiments For Takeout Orders Banned In Westchester: Unless You Ask
Plastic Utensils, Condiments For Takeout Orders Banned In Westchester: Unless You Ask Anyone ordering takeout in Westchester will be forced to go without plastic utensils or single-use condiment packets unless they remember to ask for them, thanks to a new law.  The new legislation, signed into law by County Executive George Latimer on Monday, March 6 after being passed unanimously by the Board of Legislators, is aimed to reduce the amount of plastic that enters the county's waste stream, according to county officials.  The law stipulates the following:  No restaurant can provide single-use utensils or condiment packets to takeout or dine-in customers unless…
It's The Tappan Zee: Hudson Valley Democrat Leading New Charge To Change Bridge's Official Name It's The Tappan Zee: Hudson Valley Democrat Leading New Charge To Change Bridge's Official Name
It's The Tappan Zee: Hudson Valley Democrat Leading New Charge To Change Bridge's Official Name A Hudson Valley Democrat has jumped on board with Republicans by sponsoring a bill to change the official name of the nearly 70-year-old bridge linking Westchester and Rockland counties to the Tappan Zee Bridge. The bridge's official name was changed to the Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge during the governorship of his son, Andrew Cuomo, though it still universally remains known as the Tappan Zee Bridge. State Sen. James Skoufis, whose 42nd District represents much of northern Orange County, is sponsoring the three-year-old bill that was once championed by former Republican State Sen. Mike …
'Disgrace': Reactions Heated For New Mass Bill To Allow Inmates To Donate Organ To Cut Sentence 'Disgrace': Reactions Heated For New Mass Bill To Allow Inmates To Donate Organ To Cut Sentence
'Disgrace': Reactions Heated For New Mass Bill To Allow Inmates To Donate Organ To Cut Sentence Two Massachusetts state representatives last month proposed legislation that would allow prisoners to shorten their sentences if they donate bone marrow or organs.  Reps. Judith Garcia (Suffolk) and Carlos González (Springfield) presented the bill as a way to bolster the number of organs and bone marrow available to those in need and "restore bodily autonomy" for people behind bars. Each inmate who gives could see between 60 days to a year cut from their sentence. The bill would create a committee to decide who is eligible for the program and how much each donation is worth.  Related: Pri…
Merry Christmas: NY Lawmakers To Become Highest Paid In US After Approving Raise Merry Christmas: NY Lawmakers To Become Highest Paid In US After Approving Raise
Merry Christmas: NY Lawmakers To Become Highest Paid In US After Approving Raise New York State lawmakers have voted to give themselves a significant pay raise days before Christmas, a move that would make them the highest paid in the country. Meeting for a special session in Albany on Thursday, Dec. 22, the legislature approved a bill that raises member pay by $32,000, bringing their total annual compensation to $142,000, beginning in 2023. The final vote in the Senate was 33 to 23 in favor, and 81 to 52 in the Assembly, WRGB reports. Every Republican in the Assembly voted against the pay hike. If the bill becomes law, it would also cap how much legislators can make…
'Jews Not Welcome' Graffiti Apparently Found At Bethesda High School 'Jews Not Welcome' Graffiti Apparently Found At Bethesda High School
'Jews Not Welcome' Graffiti Apparently Found At Bethesda High School A disturbing antisemitic message was found spray painted at a Bethesda high school, according to Maryland government officials. “Jews not welcome” was found graffitied the morning of Saturday, Dec. 17 at Whitman High School, stated State Delegate-elect Joe Vogel. "The only people not welcome in our community are those who perpetrate these recurring anti-semitic hate crimes that have caused fear and pain", continued Vogel. “Jews not welcome” was found graffitied this morning at Whitman High School in Bethesda, Maryland.The only people not welcome in our community are those who perpetrat…
Votes Cast At Wrong Polling Place, But In Right County To Still Be Accepted Under New NY Law Votes Cast At Wrong Polling Place, But In Right County To Still Be Accepted Under New NY Law
Votes Cast At Wrong Polling Place, But In Right County To Still Be Accepted Under New NY Law A new state law in New York means no more worrying about whether you’re at the correct polling location. The legislation, signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul Tuesday, Dec. 6, requires that affidavit ballots cast by eligible voters who appear at the wrong polling place must still be counted, as long as they are voting in the correct county or assembly district. Hochul’s office said the move will strengthen protections for New Yorkers’ right to vote and have their ballots counted in races they are entitled to vote in while also encouraging voter participation. "Access to the ballot box shouldn't b…
Massachusetts Inches Closer Toward Legalizing Sports Betting: Report Massachusetts Inches Closer Toward Legalizing Sports Betting: Report
Massachusetts Inches Closer Toward Legalizing Sports Betting: Report Massachusetts is one signature away from becoming the 31st state to legalize sports gambling thanks to an overtime compromise between state leaders, reports said. Coincidentally, it could be here before the NFL season starts next month.  Legislators in Boston approved the betting bill early Monday morning, Aug. 1, hours after the midnight deadline. Speaker of the state House Ron Mariano tweeted that his team and Senate leadership had struck a deal after nearly a year of arguments.  I am proud to announce that the Sports Betting Conference Committee has reached an agreement on legislatio…
Yankees, Other Pro Sports Teams Urge Fans To Take Action On Gun Law Reform After Mass Shootings Yankees, Other Pro Sports Teams Urge Fans To Take Action On Gun Law Reform After Mass Shootings
Yankees, Other Pro Sports Teams Urge Fans To Take Action On Gun Law Reform After Mass Shootings The game of baseball took a backseat for a pair of rival teams who took the opportunity to encourage gun control and legislative action after the recent mass shootings in Buffalo, Texas, and elsewhere in the US. Social media departments from the New York Yankees and AL East rival Tampa Bay Rays teamed up during their matchup on Thursday, May 26 to forego tweeting and messaging about their game, and instead used it to promote gun law reform. “In lieu of game coverage and in collaboration with the Tampa Bay Rays, we will be using our channels to offer facts about the impacts of gun violence,…
Bill Honoring Baltimore Officer Keona Holley Moves Through Maryland State Senate Bill Honoring Baltimore Officer Keona Holley Moves Through Maryland State Senate
Bill Honoring Baltimore Officer Keona Holley Moves Through Maryland State Senate A bill honoring a Baltimore Police Officer Keona Holley,  who was unjustly killed in her cruiser at work, is working its way through the Maryland State Senate. Senate Bill 652 would make people ineligible for parole if they are convicted of conspiring, attempting or committing the murder of a police officer. Members of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee heard testimony about the bill on Tuesday, Mar. 15, WTOP reports.  Holley, 39, was sitting in her patrol car in the 4400 block of Pennington Avenue when she was shot multiple times by  Elliot Knox and Travon Shaw around 1:30 a.m. on…