Sam Mellins, New York Focus
Posted inThe Bronx
Acting Supreme Court Justice Ralph Fabrizio rattled onlookers with threat to cut off and remove a defense lawyer. “He started screaming,” recounts a witness.
Posted inAlbany, Courts, Kathy Hochul
Hector LaSalle’s Chief Judge Shot Ends With Historic Rejection by State Senate
This was a stinging rebuke to Governor Kathy Hochul, who pushed aggressively for LaSalle’s confirmation.
Posted inAlbany
State Senate Committee Rejects Hector LaSalle for NY Chief Judge
The judiciary committee voted Gov. Kathy Hochul’s nominee down 10 to 9. Senate Democrats say his candidacy is dead, but Hochul says the full Senate needs to vote.
Posted inEducation, Health, Labor
New York City Has 25 Days to Settle Retirees’ Switch to Privatized Insurance, Arbitrator Rules
The ruling puts pressure on the city to finalize a Medicare Advantage plan for a quarter million retirees — and may lead to the elimination of Senior Care.
Posted inEric Adams
Mayor Issues Ultimatum on Retiree Health Care, Seeking End to Standoff
City Council must enable budget-cutting new health insurance options for retirees, warns Eric Adams’ chief labor negotiator — or City Hall will eliminate existing insurance plans.
Posted inBrooklyn, City Council
City Council Moves Forward With Gowanus Rezoning After Slashing Affordable Housing
A proposal to build dozens of units on a block near the Gowanus industrial zone was cut in half after locals lobbied Councilmember Shahana Hanif.
Posted inCriminal Justice
Judge Frees Man From Rikers in Exceptional Decision Citing Bail and Jail Conditions
The ruling, which isn’t binding on other judges but will surely be noted by them, was based on the 2019 bail reform law’s requirement judges consider “ability to post bail without posing undue hardship.”
Posted inEric Adams, Labor
Adams and Unions Strike Deal on Shift to Cost-Cutting Medicare Plan
The mayor and major city unions plan to press the City Council to clear a path for a privatized Medicare plan for retired city workers.
Posted inLabor
Medicare Standoff Threatens Cuts to Current City Workers’ Benefits
The cancellation of a proposed cost-saving health plan after retired city workers sued could drain a special fund City Hall and unions use to pay employee benefits.
Posted inLabor
Health Insurers Kill Medicare Plan Change City-Job Retirees Railed Against
With a lawsuit slowing things down, insurers Elevance Health and Empire BlueCross BlueShield have pulled out of a controversial deal to change retired municipal employees’ Senior Care to a privately run plan “given the level of uncertainty at this time.”

