Arun Venugopal

New York, NY —

Queens state senator Hiram Monserrate's fate will be decided by a judge, not a jury. Monserrate's attorney, Joseph Tacopina, asked for a bench trial today. He says he's concerned a jury might be swayed by emotion, and not by the facts.

TACOPINA: We're that comfortable with ...

The 45th Council District covers Flatbush, East Flatbush and the Flatlands.

Map of the district

Kendall Stewart in the West Indies parade

It was only last June that Stewart found his office at the center of the City Council's so-called slush-fund scandal. Two aides pled guilty to stealing $145,000 that was supposed to go to non-profits. Stewart says he's innocent, but the issue has motivated some half dozen challengers to enter the race against him. Moderator Felicia Adams, the Editor of Carib World newspaper, raised it at a recent debate, co-sponsored by Whatz Up TV.

MODERATOR: Why should voters trust to send you back to City Hall for a 3rd term?

Stewart says it was his aides who were illegally diverting money from community-based organizations, or CBO's, without his knowledge.

STEWART: These members were not supposed to be involved with CBO's on the outside. And I know many people are involved with CBO's. You don't know what the executives are doing. You cannot really place that burden on the office.

Dexter McKenzie supporters in the West Indies parade

Stewart has led the field in fundraising. His re-election campaign has raised some $65,000. Another candidate, college instructor Sam Taitt, has raised $43,000, while Dexter McKenzie, a physician has raised $49,000.

But in the last few days, one challenger has pulled even with Stewart. As of yesterday, Jumaane Williams had raised just $33 less than Stewart.

Unlike Stewart, who is a property owner with support from the real estate industry, Williams is a community organizer who's worked on affordable housing issues. He's also secured most of the big endorsements: from DC-37, 1199 and other powerful unions.

On a recent afternoon, he went door to door with an aide from the Working Families Party, trolling for votes.

Jumaane Williams

Former Secretary of State Colin Powell endorsed the mayor for a 3rd term, despite that painfully pink sweater.

The West Indian Day parade brought hundreds of thousands of people to Eastern Parkway, in Brooklyn, including one very prominent person of West Indian descent... Colin Powell.

The former secretary of state showed up to formally endorse Mayor Bloomberg's campaign for a third term.

Listen to what endorsers say, listen to what Mayor Bloomberg says, but at the end of the day, what's best for you and what do you think is best for your city and vote that way. And if they do that I think they'll find that Mike is the guy who ought to be mayor for a third term.

The mayor's opponent, Comptroller Bill Thompson marched in the parade with Governor Paterson.

Some Thompson supporters, including a group of transit workers, shouted 'No More Years' a reference to the mayor's quest for a third term.

Members of TWU campaigning against Bloomy

Roland Rogers for mayor. It can happen

The parade highlighted some lesser-knowns as well.

New York, NY —

The West Indian Day parade brought hundreds of thousands of people to Eastern Parkway, in Brooklyn, including one very prominent person of West Indian descent... Colin Powell.

The former Secretary of State showed up to formally endorse Mayor Bloomberg's campaign for a third term.

POWELL: Listen to ...

New York, NY —

Bill de Blasio says he'd make a better public advocate than his more aggressive challengers, because he also knows how to work with the mayor. The Brooklyn council member was on The Brian Lehrer Show this morning, where he noted that he's advanced legislation by ...

. But as long as the office does exist, it's worth understanding why it does, and who the contestants are.

The office of public advocate has only existed, in current form, since the early 90s, and has seen just two occupants: Mark Green (who's running again this year) and Betsy Gotbaum, who has been the PA since 2001.

In essence, the public advocate performs the following functions:

• Advocates for tenants on a citywide basis
• Issues reports on various aspects of city governance
• Holds the mayor's feet to the fire
• Succeeds the mayor, if the mayor can no longer serve

Point # 3 – The public advocate’s ability to hold the mayor’s feet to the fire – is what most clearly defines the office in the eyes of the public. In the 90s, Mark Green frequently did combat with Mayor Giuliani, much to the delight of the media. On the other hand, Betsy Gotbaum does not view herself as an antagonist, and that has resulted in a less visible office. It hasn’t helped that the mayor and City Council recently slashed the budget of the office by 40 percent, and that Councilman Simcha Felder has proposed eliminating the office.

Listen to the debate:

The four major candidates for public advocate faced off in a debate that was broadcast Sunday morning. Early on, Councilman Bill DeBlasio took aim at the front-runner, Mark Green, who held the job during ...

New York, NY —

The four major candidates for public advocate faced off in a debate that was broadcast yesterday morning. Early on, Councilman Bill DeBlasio took aim at the front-runner, Mark Green, who held the job during the Giuliani administration.

DEBLASIO: I have to say with all due respect ...

Fashion Week is a couple weeks away but Pet Fashion Week has just concluded. The event, for purveyors of high-end pet clothes and accessories took place this weekend in Chelsea. WNYC's Arun Venugopal checked in with wholesalers and retailers there and found those who showed up for the ...

New York, NY —

The hot weather might mean cold drinks for some people, but for Muslims observing Ramadan, drinks -- and food -- aren't an option. The holy month began Saturday and that means fasting between dawn and sunset and frequent prayers in between.

Ibrahim Balde is a 16-year-old ...

New York, NY —

Some Council members say the city needs to crack down on illegal street vending, especially at high-tourism sites like the Met Museum, where carts have proliferated recently. But some of the vendors say the effort is misguided.

Howard Dalton operates outside the Met and is one ...

New York, NY —

A stretch of lower Manhattan along the East River is set to get a new, two-mile promenade. The project is meant to transform the waterfront into a more pedestrian and bike-friendly space.

City Planning Commissioner Amanda Burden says a newly constructed Pier 15 will have an ...

"There'll be gigantic chaises, where you can look south into the harbor. And then you go to the upper level, where you'll have giant lawns to sunbathe and one of the most spectacular views in the whole world."

According to Mayor Bloomberg, the esplanade will eventually connect to Battery ...

New York, NY —

Mayor Bloomberg and Governor Paterson are trumpeting what they call the nation's first affordable housing developments to be built with federal stimulus funds.

Three developments in Harlem, and a fourth in East New York, will use $60 million in federal funds to create more than 700 ...

New York, NY —

City transportation officials say they've completed work closing stretches of Broadway to vehicles, and they'll now gather data to assess how traffic's been affected.

The preparations started at the beginning of summer and officially ended yesterday, with the unveiling of lots of shiny new street furniture ...

The Bollywood and bhangra dancers were out in full force at the India Day parade on Madison Avenue in midtown Manhattan on Sunday. The India Day parade marks India's independence from Britain, in 1947.

New York, NY —

State legislators are accusing Mayor Bloomberg of obstructing efforts to reform the state's public authorities.

Assemblyman Richard Brodsky says a legislative package that has already passed both the Assembly and the Senate would provide greater transparency for the MTA, the Empire State Development Corporation and other ...

New York, NY —

Summer finally feels like it's arrived, with the high hitting 91 degrees today. Mayor Bloomberg urged New Yorkers to take it easy in the heat, and also on the air conditioning thermostat.

BLOOMBERG: But if you are not in the room or not at home, please ...

New York, NY —

The Bollywood and bhangra dancers were out in full force at the India Day parade yesterday, but so were protesters opposing the exclusion of gays and lesbians.

The South Asian Lesbian and Gay Association says parade organizers would not acknowledge their application to march alongside other ...