Attorney General James Launches Investigations Into Social Media Companies for Role in Buffalo Attack

 

Investigations Will Focus on Platforms Shooter Used to Plan, Promote, and Stream the Attack

 New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced that her office is launching investigations into social media companies in connection with the terror attack in Buffalo that claimed 10 lives and wounded three individuals. The investigations will look into the social media companies and other online resources that the shooter used to discuss and amplify his intentions and acts to carry out this attack. Specifically, the investigations will focus on those ​platforms that may have been used to stream, promote, or plan the event, including but not limited to Twitch (owned by Amazon), 4chan, 8chan, and Discord.

“The terror attack in Buffalo has once again revealed the depths and danger of the online forums that spread and promote hate,” said Attorney General James. “The fact that an individual can post detailed plans to commit such an act of hate without consequence, and then stream it for the world to see is bone-chilling and unfathomable. As we continue to mourn and honor the lives that were stolen, we are taking serious action to investigate these companies for their roles in this attack. Time and time again, we have seen the real-world devastation that is borne of these dangerous and hateful platforms, and we are doing everything in our power to shine a spotlight on this alarming behavior and take action to ensure it never happens again.”

It has been reported that the shooter posted online for months about his hatred for specific groups, promoted white supremacist theories, and even discussed potential plans to terrorize an elementary school, church, and other locations he believed would have a considerable community of Black people to attack. Those postings included detailed information about plans to carry out an attack in a predominantly Black neighborhood in Buffalo and his visits to the site of the shooting in the weeks prior. The shooter also streamed the attack on another social media platform, which was accessible to the public, and posted a 180-page manifesto online about his bigoted views.

The Office of the Attorney General received a referral from Governor Hochul to conduct this investigation pursuant to New York Executive Law Section 63(8), which permits the attorney general to investigate matters concerning public peace, public safety, and public justice and to subpoena witnesses and compel the production of documents.

Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating COVID-19 - MAY 18, 2022

 

7-Day Average Case Rates in Central New York, Finger Lakes, Mohawk Valley — First Regions in New York State to See Spring Uptick — Continue Downward Decline

North Country, Southern Tier, and Western New York Case Rates Continue to Plateau

19 Statewide Deaths Reported Yesterday

 Governor Kathy Hochul today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress combating COVID-19.

"As we continue to monitor the numbers, I encourage New Yorkers to keep using the tools that protect against and treat COVID-19," Governor Hochul said. "The best way to prevent serious illness and hospitalization from COVID-19 is by getting fully vaccinated and staying up to date on your booster doses. I know first-hand how tests can help stop the spread to our vulnerable loved ones, so let's keep using this critical tool. If you test positive, talk to your doctor about treatments. Let's continue to look out for each as we work to move forward safely through this pandemic."

Today's data is summarized briefly below:   

• Cases Per 100k - 52.81
• 7-Day Average Cases Per 100k - 50.67
• Test Results Reported - 117,484
• Total Positive - 10,320
• Percent Positive - 8.27%**  
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 7.57%**
• Patient Hospitalization - 2,705 (+56)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 535
• Patients in ICU - 247 (+2)
• Patients in ICU with Intubation - 96 (+1)
• Total Discharges - 302,496 (+430)
• New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 19
• Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 55,835

** Due to the test reporting policy change by the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and several other factors, the most reliable metric to measure virus impact on a community is the case per 100,000 data -- not percent positivity.  

The Health Electronic Response Data System is a NYS DOH data source that collects confirmed daily death data as reported by hospitals, nursing homes and adult care facilities only.    

Important Note: Effective Monday, April 4, the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is no longer requiring testing facilities that use COVID-19 rapid antigen tests to report negative results. As a result, New York State's percent positive metric will be computed using only lab-reported PCR results. Positive antigen tests will still be reported to New York State and reporting of new daily cases and cases per 100k will continue to include both PCR and antigen tests. Due to this change and other factors, including changes in testing practices, the most reliable metric to measure virus impact on a community is the case per 100,000 data -- not percent positivity.    

• Total deaths reported to and compiled by the CDC - 71,292

This daily COVID-19 provisional death certificate data reported by NYS DOH and NYC to the CDC includes those who died in any location, including hospitals, nursing homes, adult care facilities, at home, in hospice and other settings.      

• Total vaccine doses administered - 38,711,416
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours - 22,201
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days - 147,922
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose - 92.6%  
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series - 83.9%  
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 95.0%  
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 87.2%  
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 12-17 with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 83.4%  
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 12-17 with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 73.3%  
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 82.1%  
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 74.3%  
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 90.4%  
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 77.2%  

Each New York City borough's 7-day average percentage of positive test results reported over the last three days is as follows **:       

Borough	Sunday, May 15, 2022	Monday, May 16, 2022	Tuesday, May 17, 2022
Bronx	3.76%	3.75%	3.73%
Kings	4.01%	5.00%	5.07%
New York	5.62%	5.94%	6.02%
Queens	5.16%	5.26%	5.15%
Richmond	6.02%	6.50%	6.71%

     

MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF NEW MEMBER TO PANEL FOR EDUCATIONAL POLICY

 

New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced his appointment of Kyle Kimball to the Panel for Educational Policy (PEP). The newly appointed member brings a diverse range of experience spanning the public sector, education policy, the private sector, and, most importantly, firsthand knowledge as a public school parent. 

 

“New York City families deserve to be represented by a board reflective of the diversity that makes this city great,” said Mayor Adams. “Our PEP appointees reflect that diversity and our administration’s priority for enhancing parent and community engagement, as we reimagine our schools and improve education for every child from every background.”

 

“As a parent of a public school student, the husband of a teacher, and a deep history serving our city, Mr. Kimball brings critical insight to the Panel,” said New York City Department of Education Chancellor David C. Banks. “I look forward to working with him to uplift our schools in the coming years.”

 

The PEP replaced the former Board of Education in 2002 and is part of the governance structure responsible for the city’s public schools. Established under State Education Law, the PEP is responsible for approving standards, policies, and objectives directly related to educational achievement and instruction and the Chancellor’s Regulations, significant changes in school utilization, budgetary items, and department contracts.

 

Mayor Adams is responsible for nine appointments on the PEP. Kimball joins Dr. Vasthi Acosta, Tom Allon, Gregory Faulkner, Dr. Angela Green, Anthony Lopez, Alan Ong, Karina Taveras, and Gladys Ward as mayoral appointees to the PEP.

 

About Kyle Kimball

 

Kyle Kimball currently serves as the vice president of Government Relations for Consolidated Edison (Con Ed), joining the company in June 2015. In 2013, Kimball was appointed president of the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) by Mayor Michael Bloomberg and later reappointed by Mayor Bill de Blasio. In that position, he oversaw billions of dollars in capital infrastructure investments and implemented several of the city’s most ambitious commercial and housing real estate development projects. He also led efforts to strengthen the city’s economy by attracting new industries, growing local companies, and expanding entrepreneurship and educational opportunities. Before joining NYCEDC, Kimball worked at Goldman, Sachs & Co. as vice president in the Americas Financing Group, and at J.P. Morgan, as a vice president, in corporate capital markets.

 

Kimball is a 1995 graduate of Harvard. He also received a master’s degree in Public Policy from Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government in 1998.

 

Originally from Lawrence, Kansas, Kimball lives in Park Slope, Brooklyn with his husband Doug, a public school teacher, and their daughter, Isadora, a public school student.

 

Community Resources Fair by Jose Rivera

 

Friday, May 20th  (12pm - 5pm),

b/w E. 192nd Street & E. Kingsbridege Road Grand Concourse.

KRVC - Jazz at Amalgamated is Coming Up Next Week! Reserve your Spot NOW

 

Join Us for our first Jazz at Amalgamated since 2019! We are so excited to bring this event back after a two year pandemic hiatus!

Also Please Save the Date & Join Us for our First Outdoor Concert in Riverdale since 2019! 

We are excited to be back at Henry Hudson Park! 

Our large funders include: Empire State Development, NYC Department of Youth & Community Development, NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, NYS Department of Family and Children’s Services, NYC Department of Small Business Services, State Senator Alessandra Biaggi, Assemblyman Jeff Dinowitz, Council Member Eric Dinowitz, Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, TD Bank, Douglas Elliman Real Estate and Ridgewood Savings Bank.  The arts are thriving again in our community -- hope to see you. This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.

NYS OASAS Announces Award of $800,000 to Expand Opioid Addiction Treatment Services in New York State

 

Providers Will Receive $200,000 Each to Establish Additional Opioid Treatment Program Locations Outside of their Main Facilities

 The New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) today announced the award of $800,000 to four Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) providers to establish new locations outside of their existing facilities. These programs will help to bring OTP services to currently underserved locations and continue to address the ongoing need for treatment throughout New York State.

“The treatment offered by OTP providers has been proven to save lives and improve long-term health outcomes,” OASAS Commissioner Chinazo Cunningham said. “This is an important expansion that will bring these services to new areas and allow more New Yorkers to receive the critical addiction help that they need.”

These additional OTP services will be operated by existing providers, who can use this funding for building repairs and maintenance, including renovations, medical supplies and equipment, and furniture. Each of the providers below is receiving $200,000 in one-time funding, which is being provided to New York State through the Federal Substance Abuse Prevention & Treatment Block Grant Supplemental award and administered by NYS OASAS through a request for applications process.

OTP Additional Location Award Recipients:

• Community Action Organization of Western NY OTP Erie County/Additional Location - Genesee County
• Farnham, Inc. OTP Oswego County/Additional Location - Cayuga County
• Lexington Center for Recovery, Inc. OTP Rockland County/Additional Location - Ulster County
• Lexington Center for Recovery, Inc. OTP Dutchess County/Additional Location - Dutchess County

New Yorkers struggling with an addiction, or whose loved ones are struggling, can find help and hope by calling the state’s toll-free, 24-hour, 7-day-a-week HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or by texting HOPENY (Short Code 467369). 

Available addiction treatment including crisis/detox, inpatient, residential, or outpatient care can be found using the NYS OASAS Treatment Availability Dashboard at FindAddictionTreatment.ny.gov or through the NYS OASAS website. 

If you, or a loved one, have experienced insurance obstacles related to treatment or need help filing an appeal for a denied claim, contact the CHAMP helpline by phone at 888-614-5400 or email at ombuds@oasas.ny.gov.