Regional Briefs – June 21, 2016

Historic Train Terminal at Liberty State Park to Reopen

JERSEY CITY – The historic Central Railroad terminal from where 8 million immigrants took a ferry from Ellis Island to take a train to their destination is reopening Wednesday after an $18 million redo, The Associated Press reported. The building, built 127 years ago, was severely damaged by Sandy.

NY Pension Fund Reports Slight Return for 2016

ALBANY – The state pension fund for government workers reported a slight investment return of less than 0.2 percent for the 2016 fiscal year that ended March 31. Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, the $178.1 billion fund’s sole trustee, says it mirrors broader market results.

NJ Hospitals Get Court Approval to Finalize Merger

HACKENSACK, N.J. – Meridian Health and Hackensack Health Network received court approval Tuesday to merge, The Associated Press reported. Hackensack Meridian Health will begin operating July 1 with 13 hospitals around New Jersey. The network has 6,000 doctors and more than 4,000 beds.

NY Sets $43 Million Round Of ‘Smart School’ Funding

ALBANY – New York on Monday released the first round of funding for the $2 billion Smart Schools Bond Act approved by voters in 2014. Thirty-six schools will get $43 million for classroom technology, internet connectivity, high-tech security, and pre-K.

Small Plane Makes Hard Landing at Long Island Airport

FARMINGDALE, N.Y. – A twin-engine charter plane with two people on board made a hard landing at Republic Airport, sliding 2,000 feet on its belly with its gear up, Newsday reported. Ponderosa Air president Jan Nerud said no one was hurt but his plane was “totaled.”

Upstate NY Radio Business Inks $1.7B Military Contract

ROCHESTER – An upstate radio manufacturer was awarded a $1.7 billion contract to produce tactical radios for the Afghan battlefield, The Associated Press reported. Harris Corp. was selected last year to produce Rifleman radios, the 21st century walkie-talkie that links ground troops to the command.

This article appeared in print on page 36 of the June 22nd, 2016 edition of Hamodia.