New York Inquisitor

Jets finally pull out win in 4th quarter, beat Jaguars 32-25

amNewYork — Sun, 15 Dec 2024 21:33:09 +0000

Dec 15, 2024; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson (5), quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8), and tight end Jeremy Ruckert (89) celebrate a touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first quarter at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images

The New York Jets are capable of winning a football game in the fourth quarter, after all.

A monstrous nine-reception, 198-yard, two-touchdown game from wide receiver Davante Adams sparked the Jets to a 32-25 victory over the Jaguars in Jacksonville to improve to 4-10 on their lost season.

Coming off a 109-yard game in Week 14, Adams and quarterback Aaron Rodgers have been turning back the clock to the days when they were one of the most dynamic duos in all of football with the Green Bay Packers.

“Yeah [it felt like old times],” Rodgers said. “Tae is a fantastic player.”

Gang Green had to overcome what has become the familiar sight of coaching malpractice to hold on to the win. With the game tied at 25, a 41-yard completion to Adams gave the Jets the ball at the Jaguars’ 1-yard line with 1:22 left in regulation.

Rather than run the clock out and force the Jaguars to burn their remaining timeouts, interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich called a run play up the gut for Breece Hall, who scored with little resistance with 1:05 remaining.

Luckily for New York, Sauce Gardner picked off Jacksonville quarterback Mac Jones inside the final minute to clinch a rare victory and to pick up his first interception since 2022.

“A lot of people hate on me, that’s not a secret,” Gardner said. “That’s just what people do because of the things that I’ve accomplished and the things that I’ve done. It was great to just be able to make that play.”

In each of the Jets’ previous three games, they carried a lead into the fourth quarter but found comically new ways to lose. It appeared as though that might be the case again on Sunday when Jones hit…

Read the full article here

New York allows toxic air pollution to go unchecked at some businesses

Buffalo News — Sun, 15 Dec 2024 11:45:00 +0000

New York’s failure to review permits for the state’s worst air polluters in a timely manner has meant some businesses have gone years without conducting tests to determine how much pollution they are spewing into the air, according to documents obtained by The Buffalo News.

It’s a lapse in oversight by the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation that has left communities − including the Town of Tonawanda and Buffalo − burdened with unchecked levels of toxins in the air.

“DEC often says there’s nothing illegal about them doing this, and that may be the case, but it doesn’t mean that it’s protective of public health and the environment,” said Judith Enck, a former U.S. Environmental Protection Agency administrator and president of Beyond Plastics.

Locally, the DuPont Yerkes Plant in the Town of Tonawanda has not conducted stack testing in eight years, according to the DEC and documents obtained by The News. Dupont’s Title V permit expired four years ago.

Because many major air polluters in New York operate on Title V permits that have surpassed their expiration dates, emissions testing that was required “once during the term of the permit” may have not happened since the permits expired, the DEC told The News.

Title V permits are administered by the DEC and issued for a period of five years in accordance with the federal Clean Air Act.

When the DEC includes language in a business’ Title V permit requiring emissions testing, the testing frequency is set at a minimum of once per permit term, the agency told The News. But a facility’s permit term may extend years beyond the five years it was originally issued for when the DEC fails to renew permits in a timely manner and allows companies extensions on their Title V permits.

Emissions, or stack, testing is essentially a checkup for a facility that pollutes toxins into the air: A company hires someone to look at its equipment and ensure…

Read the full article here

Syracuse edged by Georgetown in 100th all-time meeting (full coverage)

Finger Lakes 1 — Sat, 14 Dec 2024 22:11:50 +0000

Eddie Lampkin Jr. scored a team-high 18 points, but Syracuse (5-5, 0-1 ACC) came up short in a 75-71 loss to Georgetown (8-2) in their 100th all-time meeting on Saturday afternoon at the JMA Wireless Dome.

With 2:30 left, Syracuse trailed by one after a Georgetown layup. The Hoyas extended their lead to 72-69 at the 1:54 mark with two free throws. The Orange had a chance to tie with under a minute remaining, but Donnie Freeman’s three-point attempt missed. Georgetown capitalized with a layup to go up 74-69 with 21.4 seconds left, sealing the win despite two late free throws from Jaquan Carlos.

The first half was a back-and-forth battle with 10 ties and 12 lead changes. Neither team could establish control, with the largest margin being five points. At halftime, the score was deadlocked at 37.

Carlos and Elijah Moore also finished in double figures for the Orange, adding 18 and 15 points respectively.

Box Score

GAME HIGHLIGHTS

GAME RECAP LINKS

ADRIAN AUTRY’S POSTGAME PRESS CONFERENCE

Syracuse is now 0-5 against top 100 NET teams. Ouch.

— Orange Fizz (@OrangeFizz) December 14, 2024

Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].

Read the full article here

Stomach bug on the rise, health officials say

Mid Hudson News — Sat, 14 Dec 2024 11:20:03 +0000

CARMEL – Feeling lousy with an upset stomach, nausea and diarrhea?

You may be one of the latest victims of a gastrointestinal illness that has made dozens of people sick in the past 10 days.

The Putnam County Health Department’s Outbreak Team is investigating reports of gastrointestinal illness related to multiple events throughout the county and according to Shanna Siegel, Putnam Health Department’s Public Health Educator, “We are working with event organizers to identify potential cases. If any further information is needed, the team may reach out to impacted individuals directly.”

Siegel noted the incidence of gastrointestinal illnesses is being experienced throughout the Hudson Valley and New York State. “Residents are reminded to stay home when sick, and practice frequent and proper hand washing to help prevent illness. This type of illness can be very contagious. If you are experiencing nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, do not prepare or handle food for at least 48 hours after your last symptoms. Clean impacted areas right away, then disinfect with a bleach solution or an EPA-registered disinfectant effective against norovirus, which is a common source of gastrointestinal illness. If you are experiencing extreme symptoms, contact your healthcare provider. More information can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/norovirus/prevention/index.html”

The seriousness of the health crisis prompted Robert Cuomo, Putnam County’s director of Emergency Medical Services, to issue an advisory Friday to all emergency providers. “EMS personnel are advised to be especially diligent during this time in the use of standard precautions and appropriate PPE. We would all like to be well for the holidays, so please be careful!”

Read the full article here

Syracuse judge who refused to marry same-sex couple will stop hearing criminal cases for now, officials say

Syracuse News — Fri, 13 Dec 2024 21:37:56 +0000

Syracuse, N.Y. – A Syracuse judge facing backlash for refusing to marry a same-sex couple will recuse herself from criminal cases while there is a pending grand jury investigation against her, court officials said Friday.

Judge Felicia Pitts Davis is “temporarily” recusing herself from all cases involving the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office, Deborah Karalunas, the Administrative Judge for the Fifth Judicial District, said in a statement.

Pitts Davis recused herself to “avoid the appearance of impropriety,” Karalunas said in a statement released by a state court spokesperson. She will be assigned to civil cases while the matter is pending, Karalunas said.

A grand jury is hearing evidence presented by the district attorney’s office to determine whether Pitts Davis should be charged with a crime.

Shawntay Davis, 33, and Niccora Davis, 29, told syracuse.com | The Post-Standard that they were asked to testify before a grand jury about the incident Wednesday.

District Attorney William Fitzpatrick has declined to comment on whether there is a grand jury looking into Pitts Davis. Grand juries are secret in New York state.

The Syracuse City Court judge’s decision to step back from criminal cases comes a week after Fitzpatrick told syracuse.com | The Post Standard that he planned to ask her to recuse herself.

“You shouldn’t have to walk into the court and wonder, ‘Am I getting a fair shake?’” Fitzpatrick said.

Pitts Davis refused to marry the couple on Nov. 16 after performing a marriage for a heterosexual couple in the same courtroom moments before, two sources told syracuse.com.

The couple said that Pitts Davis was emotional during the wedding she conducted and then left without acknowledging them.

Pitts Davis cited her religious beliefs as the reason she refused to marry the two women, sources said. Syracuse City Court Judge Mary Anne Doherty, who is gay, performed the marriage ceremony instead.

Same-sex marriage has been legal in New York…

Read the full article here

David Lang's "poor hymnal" at Alice Tully Hall

WNYC — Fri, 13 Dec 2024 21:04:32 +0000

David Lang’s poor hymnal at Alice Tully HallThe Crossing, Donald Nally conductorDec. 21. 7:30PM. Pay What You Choose

Pulitzer Prize-winning composer David Lang has been collecting old hymnals for years. What he likes about them, he says, is that each one represents a community, singing about what matters to them. So for his own choral work, called Poor Hymnal, Lang pieced together texts from the Bible, Tolstoy, Barack Obama, and other sources that talk about what’s ultimately at the heart of any community, namely taking care of each other. He wrote the piece for the Grammy-winning choir The Crossing, led by Donald Nally. They give the Lang piece its New York premiere on Dec. 21 at Alice Tully Hall.

Read the full article here

Drones reported over second N.J. military base, Navy says

Silive.com — Fri, 13 Dec 2024 18:42:00 +0000

At least two drones were spotted above another military base in New Jersey during the recent surge in unexplained sightings across the state, Navy officials said.

Naval Weapons Station Earle, a military base in Colts Neck in Monmouth County, has had two reports of drones in its airspace, facility spokesman William Addison said Thursday.

“While no direct threats to the installation have been identified, we can confirm at least two instances of an unidentified drone entering the airspace above Naval Weapons Station Earle,” he said. “The base remains prepared to respond to any potential risks, leveraging robust security measures and advanced detection capabilities.”

He encouraged members of the community to report any suspicious activity near the base to local law enforcement officials.

Naval Weapons Station Earle is at least the second New Jersey military base to report drone sightings after Picatinny Arsenal in Morris County said it had at least 11 confirmed drone sightings in recent weeks.

A spokesperson for the federal Department of Defense’s U.S. Northern Command confirmed drones were spotted above the New Jersey military facilities.

“We are aware and monitoring the reports of unauthorized drone flights in the vicinity of military installations in New Jersey to include Picatinny Arsenal and Naval Weapons Station Earle, and we refer you to those installations for information on any efforts they are may be conducting to ensure the safety and security of their personnel and operations,” the spokesperson said.

“Local law enforcement and the FBI are currently investigating,” the spokesperson said. “U.S. Northern Command conducted a deliberate analysis of the events, in consultation with other military organizations and interagency partners, and at this time we have not been requested to assist with these events.”

Drones have been reported hovering across New York and New Jersey’s night skies over the past few weeks.

The sightings, which began last…

Read the full article here

Construction worker dies after worksite accident in Midtown

amNewYork — Fri, 13 Dec 2024 18:40:02 +0000

Getty Images

A construction worker died of his injuries while on the job in Midtown on Friday.

Police say that at around 9:15 a.m. on Dec. 13, two men, aged 45 and 35, were working in a cherry picker at 34 East 35th St., where, according to Gothamist, they were working to demolish a former church, when the cherry picker struck a beam.

The 45-year-old man hit his head and lost consciousness. Paramedics rushed to the site and declared the victim, whose identity has not been released pending family notification, dead at the scene.

The 35-year-old worker was taken to Bellevue Hospital in stable condition.

An investigation into the situation remains ongoing.

Read the full article here

Mayor Adams’ meeting with Trump border czar brokered by Dr. Phil

Gothamist — Fri, 13 Dec 2024 18:23:37 +0000

Mayor Eric Adams’ high-stakes meeting with President-elect Donald Trump’s border czar was brokered by a surprising celebrity: Dr. Phil.

Adams’ sit-down at Gracie Mansion with incoming immigration official Tom Homan on Thursday came as New Yorkers prepare for what Trump has vowed will be “the largest deportation operation in the history of our country.” The mayor has signaled a willingness to work with the incoming administration, while at the same pledging to “be true” to the city’s immigrant roots.

In an interview that aired after the meeting, Homan praised Adams – and revealed that their talk came together last week, while the immigration hardliner was on Dr. Phil’s private plane.

“I’ve called him out this past year many times about being more of a politician than police officer,” said Homan, who was a police officer in a small town in the North Country before joining the federal government’s border patrol. “I was wrong. He came through today as a police officer and a mayor that cares about the safety and security of his city.”

Homan added to Dr. Phil: “Thank you for making it possible.”

Dr. Phil’s eponymous talk show ran for more than two decades, and the daytime television personality launched his own Merit TV network in the spring, largely focusing on right-wing fixations. Speaking to Homan, he referred to the incoming border official’s concerns about sanctuary cities as “nonpartisan issues.”

Merit TV anchors credited the network’s founder with making essential progress on policy priorities.

“ You had a hand in getting Mayor Eric Adams and Donald Trump’s incoming border czar to not only get into the same room together and discuss policy, but to agree on policy,” one anchor said.

“ I had the privilege of introducing Tom Homan and Mayor Eric Adams on an airplane, on FaceTime,” Dr. Phil responded. “We were actually about to take off and I had to call the tower and pull over because Mayor Adams FaceTimed me…

Read the full article here

UnitedHealthcare CEO killed in New York tried to improve ‘patchwork’ system, exec says

Brooklyn Eagle — Fri, 13 Dec 2024 18:00:42 +0000

This undated photo provided by UnitedHealth Group shows UnitedHealthcare chief executive officer Brian Thompson. AP Photo/UnitedHealth Group via AP

The leader of UnitedHealth Group conceded that the patchwork U.S. health system “does not work as well as it should” but said Friday that the insurance executive gunned down on a Manhattan sidewalk cared about customers and was working to make it better.

UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, who was killed last week, was described as kind and brilliant by UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty in a guest essay published in The New York Times.

The killing has been viewed as a violent expression of widespread anger at the insurance industry. Witty said people in the company were struggling to make sense of the killing, as well as the vitriol and threats directed at colleagues.

Police have said that the man charged with killing Thompson, Luigi Mangione, was found with a three-page letter in which he lamented the high cost of health care in the U.S. and singled out UnitedHealthcare for its profits and size. The company, a division of UnitedHealth Group, is the largest U.S. health insurer. Mangione is currently being held in Pennsylvania and intends to plead not guilty to a murder charge in New York, his lawyer has said.

Witty said he understood people’s frustration but described Thompson as part of the solution.

Thompson never forgot growing up in his family’s farmhouse in Iowa and focused on improving the experiences of consumers.

“His dad spent more than 40 years unloading trucks at grain elevators. B.T., as we knew him, worked farm jobs as a kid and fished at a gravel pit with his brother. He never forgot where he came from, because it was the needs of people who live in places like Jewell, Iowa, that he considered first in finding ways to improve care,” Witty wrote.

Witty said his company shares some responsibility for lack of understanding of coverage decisions.

“We know the health system does not…

Read the full article here

New York Inquisitor

Jets finally pull out win in 4th quarter, beat Jaguars 32-25

New York allows toxic air pollution to go unchecked at some businesses

Syracuse edged by Georgetown in 100th all-time meeting (full coverage)

GAME HIGHLIGHTS

GAME RECAP LINKS

ADRIAN AUTRY’S POSTGAME PRESS CONFERENCE

FROM SOCIAL MEDIA

Stomach bug on the rise, health officials say

Syracuse judge who refused to marry same-sex couple will stop hearing criminal cases for now, officials say

David Lang's "poor hymnal" at Alice Tully Hall

Drones reported over second N.J. military base, Navy says

Construction worker dies after worksite accident in Midtown

Mayor Adams’ meeting with Trump border czar brokered by Dr. Phil

UnitedHealthcare CEO killed in New York tried to improve ‘patchwork’ system, exec says