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E. L. Doctorow talks with Leonard Lopate about his latest novel, Homer & Langley, a sweeping narrative about the Collyer Brothers.

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Governor Paterson says observers are misinterpreting the body language and facial expressions that were on display at his meeting yesterday with President Obama.

"Someone says he turned his back on the press because he didn't want them to see him hug me. But I was facing the press. ...

President Barack Obama (L) greets New York Gov. David Paterson before speaking at Hudson Valley Community College on September 21, 2009 in Troy, New York (Getty).

Former state leaders are criticizing President Obama for interfering in New York's gubernatorial politics. Over the weekend, Governor Paterson had to respond to published reports that President Obama had 'lost confidence' in Paterson's ability to win the next election. Former Governor George Pataki says the president is overstepping his bounds.

'To weaken and undermine the governor beyond the weakness that already exists at a time when he will be the governor for the next 15 months, to me just doesn't serve the interest of the state, doesn't serve the interest of the country.'

And former State Comptroller Carl McCall agrees. He says especially during the fiscal crisis Paterson needs everyone's support.

'We've all got to get behind David Paterson because of the job that he has to do. At some point when we get these big issues behind us, we should come together and decide who is the best person to lead the Democratic party.'

The governor and the president were upstate together at an event in Troy, New York today. Obama referred to Paterson as a 'wonderful man' in his speech.

Host Jesse Thorn and his guests performed live to a sold-out crowd in The Jerome L. Greene Space Friday night. Guests included rock star Andrew WK, Scott Adsit from 30 Rock, singer Nellie McKay, comedian Kumail Nanjani and director Rik Cordero.

Jesse Thorn introduces stand up Comedian Kumali Nanjiani:

...

Governor Paterson says he is staying in the 2010 governor's race, despite reports of rising pressure from Democrats for him to drop out. Paterson is reportedly facing pressure from Washington and within New York to forego a run, out ...

On September 20, 1973, Billy Jean King beat Bobby Riggs 6–4, 6–3, 6–3 in a match dubbed, "The Battle of the Sexes."

(L-R) Mayor Bloomberg, Governor Paterson, actress Uma Thurman, singer Cyndi ...

That's the sound of 271 poncho clad and shower capped pie throwers. Standing outside the studios of Regis and Kelly they hurled 1500 cream pies hoping to make it into the Guinness Book of World Records. Stuart Klaxton officiated and says mass participation records are a challenge, so ...

Ellerbe Becket and SHoP Archtiect\'s new design for the Barclays Center

The state economic development agency gave final approval today to a revised plan for Atlantic Yards in Brooklyn.

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New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg in his Queens Campaign office on March 28, 2009.

The race for mayor is in full swing, a ...

Queens Councilman John Liu and Brooklyn Councilman David Yassky will face each other in a runoff election for city comptroller September 29. Liu came out on top in the primary last night with 38 percent of the vote to Yassky's ...

Yen Choe (R)

Bob Hennelly on the Council races: Three Asian-American candidates won in last night's Democratic Primary.

Filling John Liu's seat in Flushing, Queens, is Yen Chou where she pulled ahead in a crowded field winning with ...

High school student volunteers for John Liu on primary night

City Councilman John Liu has a slight lead over Councilman David Yassky in the tight Democratic race for New York City comptroller, ...

Bill de Blasio

City Councilman Bill de Blasio and former public advocate, Mark Green, are headed for a runoff in the close Democratic race for New York City Public Advocate.

With 99 percent of precincts reporting, de Blasio had ...

Cy Vance

Defense lawyer and political scion Cy Vance has won the Democratic primary for the Manhattan district attorney's job, one of the nation's most coveted prosecutor's spots.

The primary is expected to decide the race to replace retiring ...

Bill Thompson at a Bronx Fair with Bill de Blasio (L)

New York City Comptroller William Thompson Jr. has cruised to victory in the Democratic mayoral primary and will ...

With voter turnout expected to be near record lows in today's primary, those who are showing up say they feel a special responsibility to vote. Om Agrawal, a mathematics professor, was born in India. He says he has voted in ...

by Marianne McCune
They say all politics are local. But in the northern tip of Manhattan, that may be more so. The 10th Council District includes much of Washington Heights, Inwood, and the Marble Hill section of the Bronx. There are eight City Council candidates vying to replace former Councilmember Miguel Martinez, whose seat is open because pleaded guilty to misusing taxpayer dollars and resigned. Now, as WNYC’s Marianne McCune reports, voters are looking for a candidate they know and trust.

This is the Dominican district.

MC for Dominican band: (IN SPANISH) You guys want Dominican music?!

Its perimeter was purposefully shaped to elect the first Dominican City Council member in 1991. Yes, there are others here - Puerto Ricans, African Americans and a handful of white people who aren’t Hispanic. But if there’s a street fair on Dyckman Street – you can be sure the band will play Merengue.

So when Dominican-born City Councilmember Miguel Martinez pleaded guilty to stealing more than $100,000 of public money and resigned, leaving his seat empty -- many here took it personally. As if Martinez was a nephew and what he did reflected badly on the whole family.

Polanco: No me enojo …

It’s sad, says Martin Polanco, but I’m not angry because we all make mistakes. A woman on another corner invokes the Bible, saying we’re all just fishermen and that hopefully Martinez will repent. Others worry all Dominicans will drop in the world’s esteem. And over an animated game of dominoes, Ramon Echevarria shakes his head disapprovingly, saying the Dominican community has to make sure it’s not seen as a jungle.

Echevarria watching dominoes and talking politics.

Ramon Echevarria: … una jungla. Somos una communidad de avances.

And so, among the candidates for City Council, many here are looking for someone they can trust. And in the seemingly small town that is this neighborhood, someone they can trust often means someone they know – personally.

At a picnic celebrating the candidacy of community board chairman and teacher Manny Velasquez, Ana Julia Coronado says she’s voting for him because, as Dean at her son’s school, Manny helped turn her son around.

Chickens and bunnies on asphalt.

Map of the district

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Four Democratic Council Members vying to be elected New York City Comptroller met for a final debate last night at WNYC's Jerome L. Greene Performance Space ahead of Tuesday's primary ...