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New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg delivers his ninth State of the City address today in Astoria, Queens.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg delivered the annual State of the City speech Wednesday, laying out priorities for his third term.

Read Bloomberg's full speech as prepared for delivery:

“Thank you all so much.

“And thank you, Tony Benedetto of Astoria , for those kind words. I hope he meant them – and isn’t just trying to be a guest on my new late night show on NBC. Tony and his wife Susan really are amazingly loyal and generous New Yorkers. They’ve done so much for this school and this City. I don’t care what Tony said about leaving his heart in San Francisco , he’s always saved his greatest love for his hometown. And we couldn’t be more proud or more grateful.

“Speaker Quinn, Public Advocate de Blasio, Comptroller Liu, borough presidents –  especially our host Helen Marshall – our District Attorneys, and distinguished guests: It’s great to be here today – at the new home of the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts. Led by a dynamic principal, Donna Finn, this building really is filled with the kind of bright, talented students who can make it here, or make it anywhere.

“Among those joining us on the stage today are some people from the local neighborhood who are as responsible for the progress in this community as anyone. And really, the progress that we see here in Astoria and northwest Queens exemplifies how far our entire City has come over the past eight years. Not only is there a beautiful new school here with a graduation rate of 97 percent, crime in the local precinct is down 41 percent thanks to the dedication of officers like Chief Diana Pizzuti of Queens North. There are new jobs at new shops and businesses in the neighborhood, from Kristie’s Fashions, owned by Kristie Foster to Water Lillies Food, a manufacturing firm owned by Taiwanese immigrants and represented here today by Tina Lee.

As relief efforts continue in Haiti, New Yorkers are finding creative ways to provided aid. Below is a list of a upcoming events to raise funds for various relief organizations.

If you'd rather give a direct cash donation, WNYC has a list of organizations here.

WNYC is not in ...

A memorial service will be held tonight at Manhattan's Hiro Ballroom for Gilbert Stafford, a well-known doorman at some of New York City's most popular nightclubs. He died of cancer on New Years Day.

Stafford was known by many as the "Pope of the Rope" -- the ultimate judge of ...

(Photo by Rob Loud/Getty Images)

Facing a $7.4 billion budget deficit, Gov. David Paterson today proposed a budget that would slash spending on hospitals, nursing homes, and schools, and boost taxes and fees. The governor's budget cuts about $1 ...

The Garden State yesterday became the fourteenth state--and the first one in the region--to allow the use of medical marijuana.

Chris Christie will be sworn in as New Jersey's 55th governor on Tuesday. The day will start with an Inaugural Mass in Newark's Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart at 8 a.m.

After the formal swearing in ceremony in Trenton, the focus will shift back to Newark, at an Inaugural Ball at the Prudential Arena. The proceeds from the $500 a ticket gala will go to non-profits like New Jersey's Community Foodbank.

Gov. Christie’s full inaugural address as prepared for delivery is below.

Lieutenant Governor Guadagno, Senate President Sweeney, Speaker Oliver, members of the 214th legislature, Chief Justice Rabner and the members of the supreme court, to all the former Governors, to my former U.S. Attorney colleagues, to my dear family and friends, and most of all to the hard working men and women of New Jersey, I stand here today as your Governor. I understand the task before me and I am well aware of your expectations for me and this government. You voted loudly and clearly for change and you have entrusted us with what may be our last, best hope for a stronger New Jersey—the New Jersey of our youth, full of hope and opportunity. New Jersey, you voted for change and today change has arrived—right here, right now.

Members of a New York City search-and-rescue team have saved two people trapped in a collapsed grocery store in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

Gov. David Paterson and legislative leaders say they've agreed to expand the number of charter schools.

A long-awaited report by a special New York State Senate committee recommends expelling or censuring Queens Senator Hiram Monserrate for his misdemanor conviction for assaulting his girlfriend.

The earthquake in Haiti has affected an estimated 3 million people, according to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Thousands are feared dead. United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon says Haiti is facing a "major humanitarian emergency."

If you want to help, below is a list ...

The chandeliers and Tiffany deigned stained glass from Tavern on the Green are up for sale today.

Jeffrey Deitch (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Nike)

Jeffrey Deitch, the New York gallery owner responsible for creating some of the biggest buzz in the city’s arts scene in ...

New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo wants the nation's eight largest banks to tell him how they structured what are expected to be near-record bonus payouts for 2009.

An appeals judge has ruled that the 85-year-old son of late philanthropist Brooke Astor can stay out of prison while he appeals his conviction on charges of looting his mother's nearly $200 million fortune.

Former Governor Eliot Spitzer is criticizing his successor's appointee to the U.S. Senate.

New York City health officials are working on reducing the salt that New Yorkers ingest.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg yesterday announced the winner of the 2009-2010 "NYC Next Idea" competition. It's a contest that invites entrepreneurs from around the globe to propose business ideas that will improve the city.

This year's winner was a team of students from the Indian Institute of ...

(Photo by Getty Images)

A three-day banjo festival gets underway at Brooklyn's Jalopy Theater tonight.

WNYC's Janaya Williams has this preview:

The festival will showcase various styles of banjo ...