Regional Briefs – October 14th, 2018

NYC Teacher Contract Has Bonus for Hard-to-Staff Areas

NEW YORK – The NYC public school teachers union reached a tentative contract that includes bonuses of $5,000 to $8,000 for positions that are hard to staff such as in the Bronx. It grants workers raises of 2 percent in 2019, 2.5 percent in 2020 and 3 percent in 2021. It does not include reforms for pay to be tied to performance.

Ex-Union Head Charged With Stealing $90,000 in Dues

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. – A former teachers’ union president was charged on Friday with stealing $90,651 in dues, Newsday reported. After Annette Greer, 54, stepped down in June 2017 her successor found discrepancies in the union’s finances.

39 Kids in NY Have Had Virus Linked to Polio-Like Illness

BUFFALO – New York state health officials say 39 children have been found to have a virus that in rare cases, causes a polio-like condition, The Associated Press reported. A 3-year-old boy is suspected of a case of acute flaccid myelitis, or AFM, when he suddenly lost strength in his legs.

Cuomo Warns of Voter Registration Scam

ALBANY – Gov. Andrew Cuomo warned New Yorkers about a voting scam reported in Chemung and Steuben counties. Residents have received calls and texts from someone with a 607 area code offering to register them by phone if they provide personal information.

Police Kill 2 Pit Bulls After Playground Attack

CAMDEN, N.J. – Police officers shot and killed two pit bulls that attacked and bit a man and a child Friday night at a playground, The Associated Press reported. Officers first tried to “snare” the dogs, and when that didn’t work they tried to use a stun gun on the animals, but that also failed.

NJ Minimum Wage Going Up 25 Cents in 2019 to $8.85

TRENTON – New Jersey’s minimum wage is going up by a quarter to $8.85 an hour Jan. 1, Gov. Phil Murphy said Friday. The state readjusts the rate each fall by reviewing consumer price index data. Murphy is pushing for a $15-an-hour minimum wage.