WNYC News

New York, NY —

Woody Allen directing an opera? In Los Angeles? It's set to happen in September 2008, according to Placido Domingo who's general director of the Los Angeles Opera.

REPORTER: The New York filmmaker is scheduled to direct "Gianni Schicchi," part of a trio of one act operas ...

New Jersey —

New Jersey's Legislature has approved a $33.4 billion state budget. For the first time since 2001, there are no new taxes or fee increases.

REPORTER: Nearly half of the budget is devoted to property tax relief, including a program to send rebate checks averaging $1,051 to most ...

New Jersey —

The trooper who was driving Governor Corzine's SUV when it crashed will be disciplined. New Jersey's State Police superintendent, Rick Fuentes has recommended a 5 day suspension for Trooper Robert Rasinski.

REPORTER: Corzine was critically injured in the April crash. Investigators say Rasinski wasn't paying enough attention ...

New York, NY —

If there's a blackout this summer, residents and businesses who lose food and medicine will be eligible for assistance from Con Ed. Households can apply for up to $450 and businesses can apply for up to $9,000. The current limit is $350 and $7,000.

REPORTER: Queens ...

Brooklyn, NY —

Fire officials say they believe a cigarette caused a Brooklyn blaze that led to the death of a firefighter who fell off the roof.

REPORTER: 23-year-old firefighter Daniel Pujdak climbed up a ladder with heavy equipment. He was preparing to cut a hole in the four-story building's ...

New York, NY —

Ten of the city's small manufacturing industries will be honored this morning by the Industrial Retention Network. The organization recognizes small, environmentally-friendly manufacturing companies that create jobs for New Yorkers.

REPORTER: One honoree, Ken Bollella says there's no better place to do business. Bollella owns Bronx-based ...

New York, NY —

New York's two declared candidates for president are making light of Mayor Bloomberg's decision to drop out of the Republican party. Senator Hillary Clinton said she understands his choice.

CLINTON: Well I am not surprised by anyone leaving the Republican party these days, and I'll just ...

New York, NY —

Readers will have to dig a little deeper to buy The New York Times next month. The paper's price at the newsstand will rise to $1.25 on July 16th.

REPORTER: A spokeswoman for the paper says that home-delivery rates for the Times will jump about 3% ...

New York, NY —

The search continues for four people reported missing after a flash flood in the southern edge of the Catskills. The search was called off at dark yesterday for the safety of the searchers.

REPORTER: Up to eight inches of rain fell in two hours late Tuesday, ...

New York, NY —

The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative or IAVI has signed a 15 year lease for space at the Brooklyn Army Terminal. The announcement bolsters city and state efforts to strengthen the New York's biotech industry.

REPORTER: Jonathan Bowles, of the nonpartisan Center for an Urban Future, says ...

New York, NY —

Mayor Bloomberg spoke publicly for the first time yesterday about his decision to drop out of the Republican party and go unaffiliated. He blamed partisan politics for placing party dedication over the needs of voters.

REPORTER: In case you thought he was being shy, he says ...

New Jersey —

The New Jersey Senate's Judiciary Committee will consider Governor Corzine's nominations for Supreme Court chief justice and attorney general today.

REPORTER: He wants current Attorney General Stuart Rabner to be chief justice and for Anne Milgram to succeed Rabner as attorney general.

REPORTER: The hearings had been delayed ...

New York, NY —

The Queens neighborhood of Forest Hills Gardens has been named the top cottage community in the country. A decorating magazine called "Cottage Living," which features the likes of "Inviting Porch Makeovers" on its Web site chose the private community in Queens as a "model cottage ...

New Jersey —

Nine days before the constitutional deadline, New Jersey lawmakers are set to approve a $33.5 billion budget. The spending plan up for a vote today calls for no tax increases while boosting property tax relief. It also provides 3% more state aid for public schools - ...

New York, NY —

US Senator Charles Schumer says he wants to close a loophole that allows pharmacies to sell customers’ prescriptions and Social Security numbers to other drugstores.

REPORTER: New Yorker Randee Lonegan says when a pharmacy at a Stop-and-Shop closed, she discovered that her information had been transferred ...

New York, NY —

A Vietnamese delegation is trying to sue American companies for health problems they claim are related to Agent Orange.

REPORTER: A federal Appeals court in New York heard arguments from the group yesterday. Two years ago, a federal judge rejected the case outright, but the plaintiffs ...

New York, NY —

Mayor Bloomberg once again answered questions about whether he intends to run for president. Or at least, sort of.

REPORTER: During an appearance at Google's California headquarters, Bloomberg repeatedly told reporters he plans to serve out his current term. But, when asked directly to rule out ...

New York, NY —

A new version of Mayor Bloomberg's congestion pricing plan could mean compromise in Albany. The Republican-led Senate introduced an amended version of the bill, which would create a board to oversee the program.

REPORTER: The board would consist of 4 members appointed by the mayor, the ...

New York, NY —

New York City police officers involved in shootings may soon face mandatory sobriety tests. Under new policies set take effect in September, the NYPD would administer Breathalyzer tests on any on or off duty officer who kills or wounds someone.

REPORTER: The NYPD would use the ...

New York, NY —

The New Jersey Supreme Court rules that a defendant will avoid the death penalty if just one juror believes the suspect has shown he or she is mentally retarded.

REPORTER: The decision by New Jersey's highest court clarified an October decision, in which it decided that ...