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Wind gusts and humidity are helping to fuel wildfires burning across the Northeast. A whopping 27 million people from New York to Massachusetts are under fire alerts Saturday afternoon. Cities under fire alerts include New York City and Boston, where wind gusts up to 35 mph and relative humidity of around 25% to 30% is expected. The active wildfires are increasing concerns around air quality, especially in the New York City area. Sunny and dry conditions are expected in the area Saturday, with wind gusts up to 20 mph.

Persons: Amanda E, Reading Mayor Eddie Morán, ” Morán, Kyle Mazza Organizations: New, New York City Fire Department, X, Firefighters, New York, FDNY, Stout Elementary, Reading Mayor, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation, Natural Resources, Forestry, New Jersey Forest Fire Service, National Weather Service, AP, California Department of Forestry, Fire Protection Locations: New York, Massachusetts, New York City, Boston, Prospect, Pennsylvania, Berks County, Reading, “, Passaic County , New Jersey, New Jersey, Bergen County, Northern New Jersey, Jersey City, N.J, West Coast, Ventura County , California, Southern California

A brush fire broke out Friday night in Prospect Park, in the Brooklyn borough of New York City, amid a drought that has been plaguing the northeastern U.S. for weeks. The New York City Fire Department posted about the fire on X at around 8 p.m. and said "operations are ongoing." On Thursday, "temperatures soared to well above normal readings," the National Weather Service office in New York said. The entire New York City region was under a red flag warning Friday, the weather service said, with wind gusts up to 30 mph possible. Prospect Park is located between the neighborhoods of Park Slope, Prospect Heights, Prospect Lefferts Gardens, Flatbush and Windsor Terrace in Brooklyn and boasts a zoo and an ice rink in its 526 acres.

Persons: Eric Adams, Adams, ” Adams Organizations: New, New York City Fire Department, NBC, New York City, FDNY, Emergency Management, NYC Department of Parks and Recreation, National Weather Service, National Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration, Regional Climate Center, New York State Division of Homeland Security, Emergency Services Locations: Prospect Park, Brooklyn, New York City, U.S, York, New York, New Jersey , Connecticut, Massachusetts, Cities, Philadelphia, Newark , New Jersey, Wilmington , Delaware, Norfolk , Virginia, New, Park Slope, Prospect Heights, Prospect Lefferts Gardens, Flatbush, Windsor Terrace

☆ 'Death trap' Queens haunted house sued after injuries from alleged safety hazards
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-22 | by ( Nbc New York | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

A haunted house in Queens proved to be too horrific for some who have filed lawsuits claiming they were injured inside the frightful attraction. A Haunting in Hollis was shut down Oct. 5th after the FDNY called it a “death trap,” citing various safety hazards inside the two-family house that had been illegally converted into a commercial haunted house. But Solainne Mancero-Tannis of Jamaica, Queens, could not stay silent after learning the haunted house was allowed to reopen and operate. The Haunting In Hollis house in Queens, N.Y. via WNBCIt was on Friday the 13th during Oct. 2023 that Mancero-Tannis and her family visited the haunted house. She is now suing the operators of the haunted house.

Persons: Hollis, Solainne, ”, “, didn’t, Mike Goldberg, Lawrence Carra, Tannis, you’re, It’s Organizations: FDNY, New York City Department of Buildings, WNBC, NBC New Locations: Queens, Jamaica, Queens , N.Y, NBC New York

Celebrated New York City rapper and former firefighter Ka, whose real name was Kaseem Ryan, has died, according to his social media accounts. A cause of death was not available, and a spokesperson for the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner did not immediately respond to a request for information. Ryan served the FDNY and the people of the city of New York with distinction for 20 years, working assignments in both the Bronx and Brooklyn," New York City Fire Department spokesperson Jim Long said by email. In a 2016 profile headline, music publication The Fader called Ka "New York Rap's Greatest Living Treasure." The announcement on Ka's Instagram page said he produced 11 albums under his name.

Persons: Ka, Kaseem Ryan, “, —, Capt, Ryan, Jim Long, Ferraris, Wu, Tang Clan, Roc Marciano, Jeff Weiss, hadn't, he's, Gary Grice, GZA, Mimi Valdes, ” Organizations: New York City, NBC News, New, Office, FDNY, Bronx and, York City Fire Department, Ka's, York, Pitchfork, Brooklyn Locations: Brownsville, New York, Bronx and Brooklyn, York City, Tang, GZA

CNN —The death toll from Helene has risen to at least 225 across six states, according to CNN’s tally, after seven more deaths were announced Saturday in North Carolina. Emergency responders from across the US respond to hurricane-ravaged North Carolina county: Hard-hit Buncombe County, North Carolina, is getting help from several hundred emergency responders from agencies nationwide who were on the ground there by Saturday, including from the New York Fire Department. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has more than 3,000 federal responders on the ground in North Carolina, said MaryAnn Tierney, FEMA’s National Incident Management Assistance team lead. About 562,007 customers in South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Florida and Virginia were waiting for power to be restored as of Saturday afternoon. More than 74,000 people were without power in Buncombe County Saturday, according to county manager Avril Pinder.

Persons: Helene, Mike Litterst, Litterst, “, Lillian Govus, MaryAnn Tierney, Avril Pinder, “ Crews, Nathan West, “ It’s, ” West, ” Organizations: CNN, National Park Service, Pictures, New York Fire Department, FDNY, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Incident Management, Biltmore, Black Mountain Presbyterian Church Locations: North Carolina, United States, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, Virginia, Gooch, Buncombe County , North Carolina, ”, FEMA’s, North Carolina , Georgia, Buncombe County, Carolina, Asheville’s, Asheville, “, Black Mountain , North Carolina

☆ What the Eric Adams indictment means for New York City's leadership and future
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-27 | by ( Dan Defrancesco | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . In today's big story, the walls are closing in on New York City Mayor Eric Adams after a federal indictment . New York City Mayor Eric Adams was indicted on five criminal counts in a corruption probe accusing him of bribery and receiving illegal campaign contributions from foreign nationals. In one case, according to the indictment, that meant a Turkish Airlines manager offering to charge Adams $50 for two business-class seats worth $15,000 . AdvertisementMessages obtained by prosecutors also show Adams promising his staffer he "always" deleted texts following a discussion of alleged Turkish bribes.

Persons: —, Eric Adams, Eric Adams Seth Wenig, Alyssa Powell, Adams, Damian Williams, Gary Hershorn, He's, Alex Spiro, Elon Musk's, Kathy Hochul, Jumaane Williams, Ali Jarekji, it's, David Tepper, Sam Altman's, Getty, Olivier Verriest, Andrei Akushevich, Tyler Le, Dan DeFrancesco, Jordan Parker Erb, Jack Sommers, Nathan Rennolds, Amanda Yen, Milan Sehmbi Organizations: Business, Service, New York City, New, Democrat, Brooklyn Borough, Southern, of, Turkish Airlines, FDNY, Reuters, Financial Times, YouTube, Snapchat, Publishers, York Film Locations: New, States, New York, Manhattan, of New York, Turkish, Ali, Saudi Arabia, China, London

☆ NYC Mayor Eric Adams charged with bribery and wire fraud in scheme spanning nearly 10 years
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-26 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Jonathan_Dienst_Byline.Jpg | Jonathan Dienst | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +6 min

New York City Mayor Eric Adams has been hit with five federal charges – including wire fraud, bribery and solicitation of a contribution by a foreign national – according to a sprawling 57-page federal indictment unsealed Thursday. Although the Bentley Suite for two nights would have cost approximately $7,000, Adams paid less than $600, the indictment says. And so, the building opened as requested by a Turkish official who had plied Adams with travel benefits and other gifts, the indictment says. In addition to the free travel and hotel rooms, Adams received illegal campaign contributions from foreign donors, including the Turkish government official, the indictment says. Adams has repeatedly said that his administration is cooperating in the investigations and he's focused on his work as mayor.

Persons: Eric Adams, Adams, ingratiate, Damian Williams, Gracie, Alexandria Ocasio, Brad Lander, Sen, John Liu, New York – Sen, Chuck Schumer, Hakeem Jeffries, Kathy Hochul –, Hochul, Edward Caban, James Caban, he's, ” Adams, “ Organizations: York City, Prosecutors, Southern, of New, Brooklyn Borough President, Regis, Bentley, York City’s, New, New York City Fire Department, FDNY, Turkish, Washington , D.C, Gracie Mansion, Wednesday, Gov, FBI, Adams . Police, Authorities, Queens Locations: York, Brooklyn, Regis Istanbul, Turkey, New York City, Turkish, Washington ,, Alexandria, Cortez, New York, Adams, Manhattan

Two former high-ranking New York City Fire Department chiefs were indicted by federal prosecutors Monday on charges of pocketing bribes to expedite fire safety reviews. The charges come as Mayor Eric Adams' administration has been under scrutiny from prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney's office in Manhattan. "New Yorkers deserve better," U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said at a press conference where he announced the charges against the former chiefs, Anthony Saccavino and Brian Cordasco. Jocelyn Strauber, head of the New York City Department of Investigation, told reporters all the sites have since been re-inspected. Both are no longer with the FDNY — Saccavino retired in March and Cordasco retired in June.

Persons: Eric Adams, Edward Caban, Damian Williams, Anthony Saccavino, Brian Cordasco, Cordasco, Williams, Jocelyn Strauber, Saccavino, Robert Tucker, Adams, Caban’s, Sheena Wright, Public Safety Philip Banks III, “, ” Williams Organizations: New York, New York City Fire Department, Police, U.S, FDNY, department's, of Fire Prevention, New York City Department of Investigation, Department, FBI, Public Safety Locations: New York City, Manhattan

No one can keep former President Donald Trump away from Laura Loomer. A senior official from Trump’s 2020 campaign team said that helps explain why Loomer is no longer being kept at arm’s length. “Senator Graham is working tirelessly day and night to help re-elect President Trump,” Graham communications director Taylor Reidy responded in a statement to NBC News. Loomer is “not a member of our staff,” said a Trump campaign aide, who asked to remain anonymous. I don’t work for President Trump.”Last year, she said she would "gladly" serve as press secretary in a Trump White House.

Persons: Donald Trump, Laura Loomer, Loomer, Kamala Harris, Loomer’s, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Sen, Lindsey Graham, Graham, Corey Lewandowski, —, Trump, Harris, Greene, President Trump, ” Graham, Taylor Reidy, ” “, Joe Biden’s, ”, Hakeem Jeffries, “ Donald Trump, Joe Biden, “ Everybody’s, “ Organizations: stoke, Trump, NBC News, Republican, Congress, Indian, House, ”, Trump White House, Democrats, NYPD, FDNY, “ Locations: Loomer, Congress, Springfield , Ohio, Indian American, Greene, D

☆ Bonded by loss: Women who lost dads in 9/11 and Oct. 7 terror attacks form sisterhood
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-11 | by ( Adam Kuperstein | Adam Kuperstein Is An Emmy Award-Winning Journalist Who Anchors Nbc New York S Pm | Pm Weekend Newscasts. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

Kristin Marino and Maya Peretz are two young women, bonded by a profound loss. At least once a year, she goes to the World Trade Center reflecting pools to pay tribute to her father. Peretz told Marino in the documentary that she “was sure he was coming back home,” referring to her father. But Marino didn’t expect there to be such an instant bond between them. “Honestly I didn’t really know.

Persons: Kristin Marino, Maya Peretz, Marino, — Kenneth Joseph Marino, —, “, ”, influencer, Peretz, wasn’t, they’ve, ” Marino, ” Peretz, Dan Luxemberg, Kristin, it’s Organizations: FDNY, Rescue Company, World Trade, NBC New, Nova Locations: NBC New York, Israel, ” Luxembourg

Artemi Panarin scored 10 seconds into overtime and the Rangers beat the crosstown-rival Islanders 6-5 in a Stadium Series game at MetLife Stadium on Sunday. Rangers coach Peter Laviolette was behind the bench for his fifth outdoor game, tying Joel Quenneville for the most in NHL history, and got his first win in the open air. The Islanders pulled four points behind Detroit for the second wild card in the Eastern Conference. After the Rangers pulled within one in the second period, Romanov pushed the Islanders’ lead back up to 5-3 at 1:53 of the third. The Rangers then had a 4-on-3 power play with just under six minutes to go, and Laviolette pulled Shesterkin for a two-man advantage.

Persons: Artemi Panarin, “, Jacob Trouba, ” Panarin, Noah Dobson, Ilya Sorokin, Dobson, Panarin, Vincent Trocheck, Erik Gustafsson, Chris Kreider, Mika Zibanejad, Alexis Lafreniere, Adam Fox, Igor Shesterkin, Zibanejad, Peter Laviolette, Joel Quenneville, I’ve, ” Laviolette, ” Brock Nelson, Bo Horvat, Mathew Barzal, Anders Lee, Alexander Romanov, Sorokin, Patrick Roy, Lane Lambert, Jan, Romanov, Ryan Lindgren, Romanov’s, Lindgren, Laviolette, Kreider, Panarin’s, ” Lee, Pierre Engvall’s, Lee, Trocheck, Gustafsson, Matt Rempe, Matt Martin, ___ Organizations: New York Rangers, Rangers, Islanders, MetLife, ” Rangers, Detroit, Eastern Conference, NFL’s Jets, Giants, NHL, Devils, Flyers, NYPD, FDNY, The Rangers, UP NEXT Rangers, Dallas, Pittsburgh Locations: RUTHERFORD, N.J, New Jersey

☆ Fairleigh Dickinson: College basketball game delayed after team gets stuck in elevator
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —College basketball players from Farleigh Dickinson University found themselves in a tight spot ahead of Thursday’s away game against Long Island University – quite literally. The start of the Division I Northeast Conference game was delayed after several FDU players became stuck in a cramped elevator at the Steinberg Wellness Center in Brooklyn and had to be extricated with help from the New York City Fire Department. “The lights went off and we were just like, ‘Oh, no,’” FDU player Ansley Almonor told ESPN. We were sweating in there.”Footage on social media showed the players eventually climbing out of the elevator one at a time before the game got underway 17 minutes after the scheduled start time. “Going UP!” the team posted on X after the win.

Persons: ”, Ansley Almonor, “ We’re, pip, LIU, Heru Bligen, Terrence Brown, Almonor –, “ Organizations: CNN — College, Farleigh Dickinson University, Long Island University, Conference, Steinberg Wellness, New, New York City Fire Department, ESPN, Knights, LIU Sharks, FDU Locations: Thursday’s, Brooklyn, New York City

☆ FDNY first responder deaths from 9/11-related diseases now equal FDNY deaths from attacks
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-24 | by ( Maria Sole Campinoti | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Two more members of the FDNY died this September from 9/11-related illnesses, shortly after the 22nd anniversary of the World Trade Center attacks, according to a statement on social media from the fire department. Hilda Vannata, an emergency medical technician for the fire department, died on September 20 from cancer, says the department. Hilda Vannata, an emergency medical technician for the fire department, died on September 20 from cancer, the department said. According to the fire department, 11,000 firefighters suffer from World Trade Center-related diseases, including 3,500 who have cancer. Retired firefighter Robert Fulco, who responded to the September 11 terror attacks, died Saturday morning from pulmonary fibrosis.

Persons: Hilda Vannata, Vannata, Robert Fulco, ”, Laura Kavanagh, Kavanagh Organizations: CNN, New, New York City Fire Department, FDNY, World Trade, Lincoln Hospital, World Trade Center Health Registry, World Trade Center Locations: New York City, Puerto Rico

“There’s a lot of climate exaggeration,” said Gates, who founded Microsoft and is now a philanthropist. Some financial institutions could supplement emissions reduction measures with the voluntary purchase of carbon credits, according to a handout. She said the goal is to affirm “the importance of credible net-zero commitments and to encourage financial institutions that make them to take consistent approaches to implementation." Yellen also announced that a group of philanthropic organizations – including Bezos Earth Fund, Bloomberg Philanthropies and others – would pledge $340 million to help financial institutions “develop and execute robust, voluntary net-zero commitments,” she said. Afterward, Prince William headed toward ground zero, where he visited with firefighters at FDNY Ten House, the station that was the first on the scene at the World Trade Center after the 9/11 attacks.

Persons: Britain’s Prince William, Bill Gates, Michael Bloomberg, “ We’ve, ” William, he'd, John F, ”, Gates, Janet Yellen, ” Yellen, Yellen, Bloomberg Philanthropies, David Arkush, “, Prince William, Prince, chatted, Hussein, Bobby Caina Calvan, Seth Borenstein, Fatima Hussein Organizations: Microsoft, Treasury, Investment, ”, Fund, Bloomberg, FDNY Ten House, World Trade Center, AP Locations: London, U.S, Washington, New York

CNN —The number of first responders who have died from 9/11-related illnesses now almost equals the number of firefighters who died during the terror attacks themselves. A total of 341 New York City Fire Department firefighters, paramedics and civilian support staff who died from post-911 illnesses are now memorialized at the FDNY World Trade Center Memorial Wall, according to the Uniformed Firefighters Association. The memorial commemorates both first responders who died during the attacks and those who died from related illnesses in the years since. That count almost equals the 343 New York firefighters who died during the 2001 attacks. More than 71,000 people are currently enrolled in the World Trade Center Health Registry, a long-term study seeking to understand the physical and mental health effects of the terror attacks.

Persons: ”, Laura Kavanagh, Joseph Brosi, Jim Brosi, “, ” Joseph Brosi, Joe, Brosi Organizations: CNN, New York, New York City Fire Department, FDNY, Trade Center, Uniformed Firefighters Association, World Trade, World Trade Center Health, World Trade Center, Zero Locations: New York City

REUTERS/Lucas Jackson/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSept 7 (Reuters) - The private equity owners of EagleView Technologies are exploring a sale of the provider of aerial imagery and data analytics services that could value it at about $2 billion, including debt, according to people familiar with the matter. EagleView generates about $300 million in revenue and 12-month earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) of $165 million, the sources said. In 2018, Clearlake bought a significant stake from Vista, becoming an equal owner in EagleView. Bellevue, Washington-based EagleView Technologies is a provider of software that can be used to measure rooftops with satellite images from the sky, mainly used by insurance companies to make more accurate decisions. The company is utilizing a vast library of images and its patented 3-D measurement software to provide software tools to customers in industries such as insurance, construction, government and public utilities.

Persons: Lucas Jackson, William Blair, Rothschild, EagleView, Vista, Clearlake, Milana Vinn, Marguerita Choy Organizations: New York Fire Department, FDNY, FDNY's, Center, REUTERS, EagleView Technologies, Vista Equity Partners, Clearlake, Co, Vista, Technologies, Thomson Locations: New York, EagleView, Vista, EagleView . Bellevue , Washington

☆ Top of New York City crane crashes into street, injuring six
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

NEW YORK, July 26 (Reuters) - Six people were injured in New York on Wednesday when the top portion of a construction crane caught fire and crashed into a Manhattan street during the morning rush hour, authorities said. [1/7]Members of the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) and others gather after a construction crane caught fire on a high-rise building in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., July 26, 2023. "As you see from the debris on the street, this could have been much worse," New York City Mayor Eric Adams said during a press conference at the scene. In recent years, New York City has adopted more stringent safety measures for the towering cranes used to erect the massive buildings that define the skyline of the country's most populous city. More recently, a crane collapsed in lower Manhattan's Tribeca neighborhood in 2016, killing a pedestrian, injuring three others and crushing cars parked on the street.

Persons: Amr Alfiky, Eric Adams, Frank McGurty, Brendan O'Brien, Nick Zieminski, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: YORK, Firefighters, New York City Police Department, Twitter, Reuters, Fire Department, City of New York, REUTERS, York City, Thomson Locations: New York, Manhattan, Lincoln, New Jersey, City of New, Manhattan , New York City, U.S, York, New York City, Manhattan's, Tribeca, Chicago

☆ Blaze aboard ship docked at New Jersey port kills two firefighters
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-06 | by ( Mike Segar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] A New York City Fire Department (FDNY) fire boat sprays water on a cargo ship where two New Jersey firefighters were killed after they became trapped while battling a blaze, at Port Newark, New Jersey, U.S., July 6, 2023. REUTERS/Mike SegarNEWARK, NEW JERSEY, July 6 (Reuters) - Two New Jersey firefighters were killed and five injured while battling an intense blaze overnight on a cargo ship packed with hundreds of vehicles docked at Port Newark, officials said on Thursday. The firefighters killed in the blaze were identified as Wayne Brooks Jr., 49, and Augusto Acabou, 45. "This is not a common fire for the city of Newark and the Newark firefighters," Jackson said. Port Newark, near New York City, is under jurisdiction of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

Persons: Mike Segar NEWARK, Rufus Jackson, Jackson, Wayne Brooks Jr, Augusto Acabou, they're, Grimaldi, Brendan O'Brien, Rami Ayyub, Hugh Lawson, Mark Porter, David Gregorio Our Organizations: York City Fire Department, FDNY, REUTERS, Newark Fire Department, Firefighters, Newark firefighters, Port Authority of New, Thomson Locations: York City, Jersey, Port Newark , New Jersey, U.S, NEW JERSEY, Port Newark, Newark, New York City, Port Authority of New York, New Jersey

☆ Nathan's hot dog eating contest crowns Joey Chestnut men's champion and Miki Sudo women's champion
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-04 | by ( Eric Levenson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

It’s the 4th of July, I got to eat some hot dogs and get a win.”“I feel great,” he added. People take shelter from the rain Tuesday at the Nathan's hot dog eating contest. A spectacle of gluttonyMayoi Ebihara and Miki Sudo compete in the Nathan's hot dog eating contest on Tuesday. Amr Alfiky/ReutersChestnut was the heavy favorite on the men’s side and has now won 16 of the last 17 Independence Day contests, including 63 hot dogs last year. Sudo won last year’s title with 40 hot dogs and holds the women’s world record for eating 48.5 hot dogs in 10 minutes.

Persons: Joey Chestnut, Miki Sudo, Chestnut, ” Chestnut, I’m, ”, “ I’ve, I’ll, ” Geoffrey Esper, Australia’s James Webb, Amr Alfiky, Ebihara, “, “ It’s, Mayoi Ebihara, Michelle Lesco, Sudo, Nathan’s Organizations: CNN, National Weather Service, FDNY, Lutheran Medical Center, Nathan’s, Professional League, WABC Locations: Coney Island , New York, Coney, Brooklyn, Coney Island, Sudo, Surf, New York City

☆ Smoke pours out of Tiffany & Co. flagship 5th Ave. New York store two months after reopening
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-29 | by ( Samantha Delouya | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —A fire near Tiffany & Co.’s newly renovated flagship store in New York City sent smoke pouring out of the building on Thursday. Firefighters responded to a transformer fire that began in an electrical vault next to the jewelry store’s 5th Avenue location in Manhattan. Videos on social media showed dark plumes of smoke coming out of the historic building and spilling into the street. The fire comes just over two months after Tiffany officially reopened the doors of its 10-floor limestone flagship shop. The 5th Avenue flagship accounted for 10% of the brand’s global sales before it closed for renovations.

Persons: Firefighters, Tiffany, Bernard Arnault’s LVMH, Arnault, ” Tiffany’s, Jean, Michel Basquiat, Julian Schnabel, –, Zenebou Sylla Organizations: New, New York CNN, Tiffany, The New York Fire Department, FDNY, Wall Street Locations: New York, New York City, Manhattan, The

CNN —A group of New York Democrats announced support for federal legislation aimed at regulating lithium-ion battery safety standards after a spate of fires caused by the batteries malfunctioning or overheating. Lithium-ion batteries, found in many popular consumer products like e-scooters and smartphones, have been under scrutiny amid increasing reports of explosive fires triggered by the batteries, which use flammable materials. The incident followed a Manhattan apartment building fire in November that injured at least 38 people and was blamed on a lithium-ion battery connected to a micromobility device. The new lithium-ion battery safety bill was announced last month by Rep. Ritchie Torres, D-NY, who said the legislation would save lives and protect property. Torres said the latest fire is another reminder “of the escalating threat lithium-ion batteries poses to the public’s safety,” according to a news release.

CNN —A parking garage collapsed in lower Manhattan on Tuesday afternoon, killing one person and injuring five others, the New York Fire Department’s operations chief said. The parking garage was a four-story building that “pancaked…all the way to the cellar floor,” NYC Department of Buildings Acting Commissioner Kazimir Vilenchik said. After he left his dorm, Powers said, he saw two people laying on the ground across the street from where the collapse occurred. Video taken by Powers from his dorm, which is located on the 7th floor, shows the collapsed garage with multiple damaged vehicles. At least one worker in the building was trapped on one of the upper floors of the parking garage and while he was conscious and alert, he couldn’t evacuate to a lower floor.

☆ Uber is funding an e-bike trade-in program to curb battery fires
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-12 | by ( Samantha Kelly | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Uber is funding a new program that aims to get electric bikes with dangerous non-certified lithium-ion batteries off New York City streets. The news follows a string of fires caused by lithium-ion batteries, which have been known to overheat when charging and cause massive explosions. Earlier this week, the New York City police department said an e-bike’s lithium-ion battery was behind a fatal two-alarm fire in Queens. The FDNY’s Chief fire marshal John Hodgens said it was the 59th fire in the city this year caused by a lithium-ion battery. Part of the issue is that not all lithium-ion batteries are created equal.

☆ Why lithium-ion batteries found in many products keep exploding
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-09 | by ( Samantha Murphy Kelly | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Officials believe the incident stemmed from a lithium-ion battery of a scooter found on the roof of an apartment building. “In all of these fires, these lithium-ion fires, it is not a slow burn; there’s not a small amount of fire, it literally explodes,” FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh told reporters. For starters, lithium-ion batteries are now in numerous consumer tech products, powering laptops, cameras, smartphones and more. Despite the concerns, lithium-ion batteries continue to be prevalent in many of today’s most popular gadgets. For example, LFP (lithium iron phosphate) batteries don’t overheat as much as other types of lithium-ion batteries.

Police officers involved in the deaths have become an intense focus of investigation, protest, and media coverage. Despite being at the heart of some of the most defining incidents in modern policing, most of the officers involved continue to live their lives under the radar. Insider's review of 72 cops involved in two dozen of the most notorious police killings of the past 30 years shows the many different paths officers have taken. There's no nationwide view into what happens to officers involved in egregious incidents of violence. In rare cases, cops involved in these killings have tried to publicly rehabilitate their image rather than seek out anonymity.

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