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Today's Lead: Fatal Metro-North Derailment


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Investigators are trying to determine the cause of a horrifying Metro-North commuter train derailment in the Bronx that killed four people and injured over 60 others, 11 critically. Sunday's accident was the first with passenger fatalities in the 30-year history of the commuter rail line, the second-largest in the nation. A team with the National Transportation Safety Board was sent to the crash site to help determine the cause.

Reports indicate that the train derailed after turning a whiplash bend near the under pass to the Henry Hudson Bridge. Reports also indicate that the operator of the train applied the brakes just before the crash. Mayor Michael Bloomberg was being criticized for not appearing at the site of the crash, but his aides deflected by saying that it was a state matter because it involved a state agency.

NEW IN THE GOTHAM GAZETTE — Why The Legislature Is Fighting The Governor’s Anti-Corruption Commission: Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the leaders of the state Legislature are headed for a legal showdown over subpoenas issued by an anti-corruption commission that is seeking information about lawmakers’ outside income and clients. By David Howard King. READ MORE


Other Stories We're Following

2 May Battle Rangel For His Seat (Daily News)

De Blasio To Meet With State Democrats (Daily News)

Which Courts Collect The Most Fines? [Interactive] (the Post Standard)

Common Core Is Unifying Cause For Opponents (Buffalo News)

Moreland Commission Poised To Issue Recommendations (Newsday)

De Blasio's A-List Inauguration Committee (Daily News)

Business Community Wary Of De Blasio (Wall Street Journal)

Process Servers Struggle After Council Changes Push Up Costs (Crain's)

Today's Lead: Court Strikes Down New Homeless Policy


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The state's highest court struck down Mayor Bloomberg's policy requiring single adults to prove they have nowhere else to go before being accepted into a city shelter. The decision was based on procedural grounds, not its merits. The state Court of Appeals affirmed two lower court rulings that the administration had not notified the public or provided hearings about the policy. It would have required applicants to provide documentation of finances, mental and physical health, and housing history. The City Council and the Legal Aid Society brought the suit. The shelter population has surged 69 percent under Bloomberg's tenure to more than 50,000.

City Council Approves Campaign Donations Via Text Message: The City Council passed a bill (Intro 764-A) on Tuesday that would allow the campaigns of candidates running for local office to collect donations up to $99 via text messaging. By Chester Soria. READ MORE

Other Stories We're Following

NYPD Whistleblower Schoolcraft Can't Be Hit By Countersuit (Daily News)

Councilwoman Mark-Viverito May Have Violated Ethics Rules (Daily News)

State, City Differ On Focus Of Sandy Aid (Wall Street Journal)

Advocates Want Larger Portion To Fight Hunger (Albany Times Union)

De Blasio's Ideas Had Success In Other Cities (Wall Street Journal)

Cuomo Predicts State Budget Surplus (Crain's)

Council Looks At Lower Speed Limits (NY Times)

Councilman Levin Racks Up Unpaid Parking Tickets (NY Post)

Cuomo’s Tax Focus Threatens de Blasio Plan (NY Post)

Make Or Break Deadline For Willets Point Businesses (WNYC)

Outer Borough Taxis Cluster In Small Number Of Neighborhoods (NY World)

Report: Airports Account For $63 Billion In Economic Activity (Crain's)

 

Today's Lead: Debate Over Styrofoam


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The City Council yesterday held a hearing on what to do with Styrofoam packaging, which isn't biodegradable. One measure, backed by Mayor Bloomberg, would ban it from city restaurants, the other would recycle it. A major Styrofoam manufacturer even offered to pay for recycling, although the company that handles recycling for the city isn't crazy about the idea. After lobbying by the Styrofoam company, the ban was softened. Councilman Lew Fidler, the bill's sponsor, inserted language that would postpone a ban for a year in order to give recycling a try, even though he thinks it's just a fantasy. Places like San Francisco have already successfully initiated a ban.

Other Stories We're Following

Race Can Be Factor In Street Stops, But Not Only One (NY Times)

In Campaign, Cash Flowed Circuitously (NY Times)

Bill Would Stop NYPD From Charging NYCHA $74 Million For Patrols (DNAinfo)

Legislature Sues To Void Corruption-Probe Subpoenas (Crain's)

NYPIRG Issues Report On Reform (Albany Times Union)

Congestion Traffic Pricing Back On Table (Daily News)

NYPD Program Reduces Killings Among Young People: Officials (Wall Street Journal)

Two Months Later, Health Insurance Seekers Find Frustration (WNYC)

Progressive Caucus Quietly Vets Speaker Hopefuls (Politicker)

Democratic Speaker Candidates Strain To Appease Republican Trio (Politicker)

Food Pantries Restock Shelves With $4.5 Million From State (Albany Times Union)

Heating Systems Fail NYCHA Tenants In The Bronx (Daily News)

De Blasio Calls For Education Reforms (Associated Press)

Dinkins Questions de Blasio’s Tax Plan (NY Post)

Budget Won't Complicate Labor Talks, de Blasio Says (Crain's)



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