Gov. Andrew Cuomo said workers in New York City’s airports and public transit system will have to get coronavirus vaccinations or face weekly testing, but he stopped short Monday of mandating either masks or inoculations for the general public, saying he lacks the legal authority to do so. The Democrat urged New York’s bars and restaurants to adopt a policy of only serving vaccinated people and said that more hospitals should require workers to get vaccines. He said that imposing mandates, though, would require an act of the Legislature to restore emergency powers that have expired. “The Legislature would have to come back, they’d have to pass a law to do that. So I don’t have any legal authority to mandate,” Cuomo said of a mask mandate.

According to NYPD data, at least 30 people were shot around NYC this past weekend. Ten shooting victims were reportedly shot in 8 different incidents, including one which left an NYPD Lieutenant shot as he struggled with an armed suspect in the Bronx. 18 people were shot on Saturday, including one incident which left 10 people shot in Queens. The rest were shot on on Sunday. As of Sunday night, there have been at least 903 shootings and over 1,061 victims in the city, compared to 777 shootings and 944 victims during the same time period last year, according to NYPD data. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Excitement is building in Brooklyn, as a major ballgame will be held on Monday night. As YWN has reported in the past, Flatbush Hatzolah has been playing weekly summer baseball games against various NYC agencies – such as NYPD and FDNY to foster a spirit of camaraderie and friendship. These ball games have successfully enhanced the unique relationship between the various agencies and Hatzoloh, and gives all a chance to “get out of the work uniform” and further enhance the important partnerships and understanding that the community can really count on. While always competitive, the games have been enjoyed by all.

The NYPD reported that 18 people were shot around NYC in the span of 24 hours on Saturday in six shooting incidents. One of those incident involved a coordinated attack which left 10 people shot. The NYPD says that two men strode up to a crowd outside a barbershop in the New York City borough of Queens and opened fire, wounding 10 people before fleeing on mopeds, police said Sunday morning. The shooting in the borough’s Corona neighborhood took place just before 11 p.m. Saturday. The eight men and two women, who range in age from 19 to 72, were all hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, according to police. The most seriously injured victim suffered a gunshot wound to the stomach, NYPD Chief of Detectives James Essig said.

Interim NYC Transit president Sarah Feinberg is stepping down from her position after leading the agency that runs New York City’s subways and buses through the crisis brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, she told the New York Post. But Feinberg said but she would consider serving as chair of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority if the job of MTA chair and CEO, which has been held by Patrick Foye, is split in two. Feinberg said the NYC Transit job, which she has held on a temporary basis since February 2020, has cut severely into her time with her family.

Recently, YWN has unfortunately had to fill these pages with tragedy and sorry. YWN is glad when readers share stories with us to publish that are filled with happiness, and thanks to Hashem. In fact the following story is being shared with the encouragement of these families for that exact fact. They want to do so for kavod shamayim and to express their boundless hakaras hatov to Hashem. This attached photo was taken this past Thursday, when an SUV filled with Yeshiva Bochrim returning from a camp slipped off the road and overturned. The vehicle rolled over into the woods, and the vehicle was destroyed. The passengers could have easily been ejected from the vehicle – but Bichasdei Hashem, none of that happened.

Eight years after a judge ruled New York City police violated the constitution by stopping, questioning and frisking mostly Black and Hispanic people on the street en masse, people in communities most affected by such tactics say they’ve been shut out of the legal process to end them. Lawyers for plaintiffs in two landmark stop-and-frisk lawsuits said in court papers Thursday that community stakeholders have had “very little contact” in the last three years with the court-appointed monitor overseeing reforms and that reports he’s issued don’t reflect their experiences.

In a show of support, multiple prominent leaders gathered to honor New York and New Jersey law enforcement officials for going beyond the call of duty to save countless lives while keeping the community safe during the pandemic. Community leaders and law enforcement chaplains were among those who expressed their deepest appreciation to members of law enforcement for their dedication. “Throughout the most difficult circumstances, law enforcement professionals stayed the course and risked their own lives to save others, and for that we are grateful,” said law enforcement Chaplain Rabbi Abe Friedman.

As the country reopens following more than a year of COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions, people are ready to hit the road… for a good cause. On Thursday, July 29, a record 600 cyclists will ride close to 60,000 miles to support children with serious illnesses as part of Bike4Chai. Now in its 12th year, the annual cycling event raises funds for Chai Lifeline, the international children’s health support network which provides social, practical, and financial assistance to children with life-threatening and lifelong illnesses and their families. This year’s one-day ride will feature two scenic but challenging route options of 80 or 108 miles.

Thanks to volunteers from Williamsburg Shomrim, a man with a gun was arrested and the gun taken off the street. Sources tell YWN that Williamsburg Shomrim witnessed a male and female stealing packages from homes on Wednesday afternoon. Shomrim immediately contacted the NYPD, and when police attempted to stop the suspects, they threw a gun they had in their pants into the street and fled on foot. Police apprehended both suspects and took them both into custody. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)