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Today in History: Terry Anderson

Monday, March 16, 2009

On March 16, 1985, Terry Anderson, an Associated Press bureau chief, was taken hostage in Beirut, Lebanon.

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MTA Alert: Delays in 1,2,3,4 and 5 Trains

Monday, March 16, 2009

A water main break in lower Manhattan is causing subway and traffic disruptions. The break occurred on Varick Street about 12:20 p.m. and is causing delays on the Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 5 subway lines. The Department of Environmental Protection says it has shut off water in the area. Two lanes have been closed to traffic while crews work on the problem.

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Today in History: Tammany Tiger

Friday, March 13, 2009

On March 13, 1955, Tammany leader Carmine De Sapio spars with New York State Attorney General Jacob Javits on ethics in politics.

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What 'Shovel Ready' Really Means

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Despite the hype over shovel-ready projects, and a list 787 transit projects that are "ready-to-go within 90 days", it's going to take well over a year before the $8.4 billion that the federal stimulus bill allocates for mass transit is actually spent.

Last week, the Federal Transit Administration put out its regulations on spending that money (PDF). They stipulate that half of the money allocated to a particular state or transit agency must be "obligated" within the next six months, and the rest of it in the following six months.

But "obligate" means simply this: that the FTA agrees that the local transit agency is planning to spend the money in an appropriate way. It does not mean that the agency has to have put the project out to bid by that point, much less that it be put under contract.

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Madoff Victims: A Bittersweet Day

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Investors Dewitt Baker (R) and Judith Welling, who had invested with financier Bernard Madoff, outside Manahttan federal courthouse. (Getty)

Investors Dewitt Baker (R) and Judith Welling, who had invested with financier Bernard Madoff, outside Manahttan federal courthouse. (Getty)

Bernard Madoff was led ...

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Nuisance Taxes Begone

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

No tax on gym memberships either.

No tax on gym memberships either.


Governor Paterson says he’s rescinding 137 so-called 'nuisance taxes' in the state budget. They ranged from taxes on haircuts to iPods. Karen DeWitt has more from ...

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Rep. Weiner: Decide on Mayoral Race in June

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

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Democratic congressman Anthony Weiner says he'll decide in June whether he will run for mayor. Weiner, who represents parts of Queens an
Brooklyn, said in a letter to supporters that the nation's economic crisis 'is a time for problem solving' in Washington. He said he'll decide during the Congressional summer break, quote, 'the best political course.' A potential Democratic rival -- City Comptroller Bill Thompson -- already has hired a campaign manager. Mayor Bloomberg also has hired staff for his re-election bid.

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Today in History: A Raisin in the Sun

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

March 11, 1959 - The drama “A Raisin in the Sun” opens at New York's Ethel Barrymore Theater. 

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Rooting for Bank Robbers

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

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From heist movies in the Great Depression to 1967's 'Bonnie and Clyde' to a new film about John Dillinger, Hollywood has had a longstanding love affair with bank robbers. Leonard Lopate looks at populist ideas in a few of these movies and why, even though they're criminals, many of us end up rooting for the robbers. Film critics David Thomson and Mark Harris join Leonard to talk about 'Dog Day Afternoon' (1975), 'Bonnie and Clyde' (1967) and “The Bank Dick” (1940).

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Harlem, Boroughs Win

Monday, March 09, 2009

Anyone who has been commuting from the Bedford Avenue L stop for the past 10 years must have noticed something funny happening. Not only has the platform, once pretty civilized, has become become painfully crowded, but when the train comes, there's no room to squeeze on. The nonpartisan think tank ...

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Republicans Release Alternative Budget Plans

Thursday, March 05, 2009

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Senate Republicans were the first at the state capitol to release their alternative to Governor Paterson’s state budget, WNYC's Karen Dewitt reports from Albany.

The Senate Republicans, who are in the minority in that house by just one seat, rejected both Governor Paterson's dozens of new taxes and fees to raise revenues and a plan circulating in the legislature to raise taxes on wealthy. 'You can't tax your way out of this situation,' says Senate Republican leader Dean Skelos.

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Today in History: Winston Churchill

Thursday, March 05, 2009

The 'iron curtain' speech.

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Today in History: FDR's Inaugural

Wednesday, March 04, 2009

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March 4, 1933

This great nation will endure as it has endured, will revive and will prosper.

So first of all let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.

In every dark hour of our national life a leadership of frankness and vigor has met with that understanding and support of the people themselves which is essential to victory. I am convinced that you will again give that support to leadership in these critical days.

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Smith Demands Transparency on MTA Budget

Monday, March 02, 2009

(Getty)

(Getty)

The Brooklyn Bridge may not be for sale, but it's one of the East River crossings that has inspired haggling worthy of a Persian marketplace. And the latest back-and-forth between the Metropolitan Transit Authority and New York State legislature has taken us one step closer to tolls on all East River crossings that are currently free.

First, the transit authority said that a $5 per vehicle toll was the minimum it would have to charge to raise revenue and close its budget gap. Then political leaders like Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Mayor Bloomberg floated the idea of $2 tolls. And like a novice bargainer, the MTA agreed too soon.

Senate Leader Smith got suspicious.

This morning, he said the authority needed to agree to a full audit. 'You know they kept two books at a time,' he said.

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Why Not Let the Banks Fail?

Monday, March 02, 2009

Brian Lehrer ask's Planet Money’s Alex Blumberg and Adam Davidson "why not just let the banks fail?"
Listen to the whole interview

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Klein: Rare NYC Schools Closure, New Schools Opening

Monday, March 02, 2009

The last NYC school snow day was in January 2004. (brianpjcronin)

The last NYC school snow day was in January 2004. (brianpjcronin)

Schools Chancellor Joel Klein says he and other city officials waited until 5:40 this morning to call a snow day because they were waiting for the latest updates on wind and road conditions. It's the first time city schools have been shut down in five years. Klein told WNYC's Brian Lehrer that New York City doesn't call snow days as often as suburban districts partly because the city has mass transit.

'A lot of suburbs have almost everybody riding buses to and from schools or parents in cars, we have a lot of people walking to schools,' says Klein. 'So, in general, where it's sensible and prudent we try to keep them open.'

Klein also acknowledged many city students come from families where both parents are working, so he prefers to keep schools open whenever possible.

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Today in History: 1993 WTC Bombing

Thursday, February 26, 2009

WNYC's Don Mathisen and Madalit del Barco report on the World Trade Center bombing on February 26, 1993:

WTC 1993

The victims of the 1993 World Trade Center bombing are being remembered today. A Mass was held at St. Peter's Church ...

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Corzine on NJ Stimulus, Jobs and Marijuana

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine (D-NJ) participates in a House Appropriations Committee hearing on Capitol Hill, December 11, 2008. (Getty)

New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine (D-NJ) participates in a House Appropriations Committee hearing on Capitol Hill, December 11, 2008. (Getty)

New Jersey ...

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Today in History: Muhammad Ali

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

On February 25, 1964, Cassius Clay, 22, is crowned heavyweight boxing world champion after a shock win over Sonny Liston.

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