Agudath Israel of America has filed a lawsuit against the New York State Education Department in Albany Supreme Court. The lawsuit challenges a recently adopted state regulation which Agudath Israel argues is both illegal and devastatingly harmful to thousands of children with special needs. Under New York State law, all children have the right to receive special education services when a need is demonstrated. The needs of children attending nonpublic schools are outlined in their Individualized Education Services Plan. These services are typically provided by the local school district.

On Monday afternoon, NYPD Commissioner Tom Donlon and FDNY Commissioner Robert Tucker visited Williamsburg Hatzolah Headquarters to meet with Hatzolah leaders and learn more about how they operate. They were joined by Hatzolah CEO Rabbi Yechiel Kalish, Community Affairs Commanding Officer Chief Richie Taylor, 90th Precinct Commanding Officer Captain Joe Wernersbach, Community Affairs Detective Kenny Melendez, Detective Jean-Bart, Community Affairs Officer Nick Skomina, NYPD Clergy Liaison Rabbi Abe Friedman, Hatzolah Coordinators Shaya Bernath, Moshe Nusen Braver, Yomte Malik & Simcha Bernath – who was dispatching while the visit took place. Both commissioners toured Hatzolah’s state-of-the art facility and heard directly from Hatzolah leaders.

Attorneys for New York City Mayor Eric Adams urged a federal judge Monday to dismiss the bribery charge brought last week, accusing “zealous prosecutors” of leveling an “extraordinarily vague allegation” that does not rise to the level of a federal crime. Adams, a Democrat, pleaded not guilty Friday to charges that he accepted lavish travel benefits and illegal campaign contributions from a Turkish official and other foreign nationals in exchange for political favors that included pushing through the opening of a Turkish consulate building.

A stretch of aqueduct that supplies about half of New York City’s water is being shut down through the winter as part of a $2 billion project to address massive leaks beneath the Hudson River. The temporary shutdown of the Delaware Aqueduct in upstate New York has been in the works for years, with officials steadily boosting capacity from other parts of the city’s sprawling 19-reservoir system. Water will flow uninterrupted from city faucets after the shutdown begins this week, officials said, though its famously crisp taste might be affected as other sources are tapped into more heavily. “The water will always be there,” Paul Rush, deputy commissioner for the city’s Department of Environmental Protection.

YWN regrets to inform you of the petira of HaRav Avrohom Zucker zt”l, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Gedola Ohr Yisroel in Marine Park, Flatbush, who was niftar after suffering a severe head injury in late August. He was 59. Despite multiple surgeries aimed at aiding his recovery and the incredible countless tefillos from his talmidim and and many others, the rosh yeshiva was sadly niftar, leaving a profound void in the lives of those who knew, loved and admired him. As rosh yeshiva, Rav Avrohom was known as an irreplaceably warm and fatherly figure, serving as an unwavering beacon of  support for the bochurim under his care. He had a remarkable ability to connect with bochurim, allowing him to talk to them at their level and guide them into growing into true ovdei hashem.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams pleaded not guilty Friday to federal bribery charges and other counts that have roiled the nation’s biggest city after months of investigations, searches and subpoenas. Adams, a Democrat, entered the plea before a packed courtroom gallery in Manhattan a day after prosecutors revealed charges alleging that he accepted overseas travel and illegal campaign donations from people looking to buy his influence in city government. The mayor is accused of exploiting a yearslong relationship with people tied to Turkey, who funded his travel and fueled his run for mayor with donations that helped him qualify for more than $10 million in public campaign funds. People who aren’t U.S. citizens are banned by law from donating to U.S. political candidates.

Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is reportedly preparing to launch a mayoral bid for New York City, according to Axios sources. This development comes as incumbent Mayor Eric Adams faces federal charges related to bribery and illegal campaign contributions. Cuomo, who served as governor from 2011 to 2021, resigned amid numerous allegations of misconduct. Despite denying all allegations, Cuomo faced an independent investigation that concluded he harassed multiple women. A criminal charge against him in Albany County was later dismissed. The former governor has maintained a significant campaign war chest, with approximately $8 million remaining. Cuomo’s potential mayoral run raises questions about his viability as a candidate, given his complicated past.

A federal judge on Wednesday directed New York City officials to begin developing a plan for a possible federal takeover of Rikers Island, following a hearing in Manhattan in a long-running case over abuse, mismanagement and other chronic problems at one of the nation’s largest and most notorious jails. U.S. District Judge Laura Taylor Swain stopped short of issuing a formal order handing the jail system over to federal authorities, but she said city officials should meet in the coming days with federal officials and inmate advocates to sketch out a potential path forward. She instructed them to develop by Nov.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams was indicted Thursday on charges that he took illegal campaign contributions and bribes from foreign nationals in exchange for favors that included helping Turkish officials get fire safety approvals for a new diplomatic building in the city. Adams, a former police officer, faces conspiracy, wire fraud and bribery charges in a five-count indictment that describes a decade-long trail of crimes. The U.S. attorney’s office in Manhattan alleges in the indictment that Adams “not only accepted, but sought illegal campaign contributions” to his mayoral campaign.

FBI agents entered the official residence of New York City Mayor Eric Adams and seized his phone early Thursday morning, hours before an indictment detailing criminal charges against the Democrat was expected to be made public. Adams was indicted by a grand jury on federal criminal charges that remain sealed, according to two people familiar with the matter who spoke with The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly. Federal law enforcement agents were seen entering the mayor’s Manhattan residence at dawn Wednesday, with several vehicles bearing federal law enforcement placards parked outside.