In Last Fall’s Primary, New Voting Machines Lost 1,500 Bronx Votes

By Jeanmarie Evelly Remember those fancy new voting machines the state rolled out last September? Instead of heading into a booth and pulling a lever, voters on Election Day last year filled out paper ballots by hand and feed them into an optical scanning machine (pictured above). The change was made to ensure an accurate vote count–states were required by federal law to update their voting machines, a response to the 2000 presidential election fiasco. But a report released this week found that flaws with the new method resulted in 50,000 to 60,000 votes across the state going uncounted because

After Supreme Court Ruling, Bronx Councilman Wants to Legislate School Access for Churches

Following a Supreme Court decision that would keep churches from worshiping inside school buildings, Bronx Councilman Fernando Cabrera, a deeply religious politician who doubles as pastor of a church on Morris Avenue, will attempt to legislate guaranteed access for churches at New York City public schools.

The Bronx Breakdown: Sitting Down with Sal, Bronx Corruption Updates, A Church Hopes for Supreme Court Help and More

The Bronx Breakdown is a re-imagined and re-invigorated version of what we once called “Friday News & Notes,” which was lacking in both an interesting title and consistency. We’ll be experimenting a little in this space, but for the most part, the weekly Breakdown, which will appear Friday afternoons, will consist of (1) a subjective breakdown of the week’s biggest and most intriguing news stories, (2) tidbits and newsbits we’ve come across and thought you should know about (3) a youtube clip, probably from Bronx Assemblyman and amateur Scorsese, Jose Rivera and (4) recommendations for things to do in the Bronx this weekend. So settle in, grab a cup of coffee or a Bronx Brewery Pale Ale and enjoy the Breakdown.

Kingsbridge Armory at Center of Citywide Living Wage Debate

Born out of an argument fought two years ago over a proposed shopping mall at the Kingsbridge Armory, a fierce battle over legislation setting wage requirements at some publicly subsidized developments has come to a head this month.

Tales from the Occupy Protests: Fordham Road

At the intersection of Grand Concourse and Fordham Road two weeks ago, about two dozen people showing their support and affiliation with the Occupy Wall Street movement were joined by Bronx State Senator Gustavo Rivera. “Six months ago, we were not having the conversations that we are having today about economic inequality,” said Rivera

Local News & Links

Happy Wednesday, readers! The latest print issue of the Norwood News is hitting the streets today, and it’s chock full of good stuff: an update on the living wage debate, a look at the end of Clinton’s football season, a farewell to Sal of Sal’s Pizza fame (he’s retiring this week) and more. Pick up a copy today, but until then, here are some other noteworthy news stories to keep you in-the-know. The latest twist in Bronx Councilman Larry Seabrook’s corruption trial: his former mistress, and the prosecution’s star witness, says she has early onset dementia. This is after she

Live From Council Living Wage Hearing

Norwood News reporter Jeanmarie Evelly is Tweeting live from the City Council’s contentious hearing on legislation that would require businesses to pay living wages ($10 an hour plus benefits) to workers if their development deal include significant government tax breaks and subsidies. We’ll capture all the action here.

Living Wage Supporters Rally; City Council Hearing Today

Backers of a controversial living wage bill that’s scheduled for a debate in the City Council this afternoon held a spirited rally last night at Harlem’s Riverside Church, where elected officials, union workers and leaders from faith institutions across the city demanded action on the legislation, which has been lingering in the Council for over a year. Supporters of the bill–which would require development projects that receive substantial taxpayer-funded subsidies to pay workers $10 an hour with benefits, or $11.50 without–packed the pews of the enormous church, the rally lasting over two hours. Speakers likened the living wage campaign to other movements

Living Wage Hearing Scheduled for Tomorrow

Parties on both sides of the contentious living wage debate are gearing up for another fight tomorrow, as the City Council is scheduled to hold its second hearing on the bill–this time to consider recent revisions made to the legislation to appease critics and make it more business-friendly.