Regional Briefs – November 10, 2015

Big City Mayors Call for Crackdown on Gun Dealers

NEW YORK – The mayors of the nation’s three largest cities on Monday called on Attorney General Loretta Lynch to crack down on “bad apple” gun dealers, The Associated Press reported. NYC’s Bill de Blasio, LA’s Eric Garcetti and Chicago’s Rahm Emanuel said that 5 percent of dealers supply the guns used in nearly 90 percent of crimes.

Schumer: NY Transit Funding Threatened in Congress

ALBANY – Sen. Charles Schumer said Monday that the recently House-passed transportation bill cuts funding for a mass transit program critical to New York, The Associated Press reported. The “High Density States” program provides about $140 million a year for New York and New Jersey. He’d rather have the Senate version pass.

NY Officials Take Extra Steps for Health Republic Customers

ALBANY – New York state is taking steps to protect people covered by Health Republic Insurance as it shuts down, The Associated Press reported. The 100,000 members in the co-op can select a plan by Nov. 30. After that, they’ll be automatically enrolled in another insurance.

Bill in Honor of Slain Cop Makes it Harder to Avoid Jail

NEW YORK – A state senator introduced a bill in honor of a slain cop making it harder for career criminals to enter rehab instead of jail, the Daily News reported. Martin Golden’s Officer Randolph Holder’s Law would bar anyone with two felonies from diversion programs.

NYC, Milan Announce Tourism Partnership

NEW YORK – NYC and the Italian city of Milan on Monday started a two-year tourism partnership to encourage travel between the two destinations. About 700 posters promoting NYC in winter will appear in Milan and bus shelters promoting Milan will appear throughout NYC starting in mid-February.

Fire Rips Through 2-Story House Under Construction

QUEENS – A massive fire on Sunday night ripped through a two-story home under construction in Queens, quickly growing to three alarms, The Associated Press reported. No one was hurt.

This article appeared in print on page 5 of the November 10th, 2015 edition of Hamodia.