Regional Briefs – November 20, 2019

New York Earmarks $60M For Census 2020 Efforts

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York officials plan to spend up to $60 million to make sure state residents are fully counted in the 2020 Census.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said up to $40 million from existing resources will be used to help encourage residents to complete the Census questionnaire. Another $20 million will support targeted efforts in hard-to-reach communities.

Census counts affect the flow of federal funding and determine how many seats each state has in the House of Representatives.

Amtrak Train Hits Car Left On Track, Driver Escapes Injury

WEST WINDSOR, N.J. (AP) — A police dashcam video shows an Amtrak train smashing into a car on tracks in New Jersey.

Police in West Windsor Township say the collision occurred late Tuesday night.

The 2012 Toyota Camry was disabled on the tracks and relatives of the driver were off to the side when an Amtrak train heading south hit the car, destroying it and sending it into a police car.

No injuries were reported.

NYC Man’s Murder Conviction Tossed After 23 Years In Prison

NEW YORK (AP) — A Brooklyn man who spent more than 23 years in prison has been freed on bail after a judge threw out his murder conviction, pointing partly to the role of a detective whose tactics have come under scrutiny.

Brooklyn prosecutors say they don’t believe DeLeon established his innocence. But they haven’t said yet whether they plan to retry him, appeal or drop the case.

NY To Probe Claims Of Biased Behavior By Real Estate Agents

NEW YORK (AP) — New York Attorney General Letitia James is investigating allegations of racially discriminatory tactics by Long Island real estate agents as described in a sweeping Newsday report.

James launched the probe Tuesday, saying Newsday’s “intrepid reporting raises significant concerns.”

Federal law prohibits discrimination in the housing market based on race, among other criteria.