Elections 2023: Democratic CM Marjorie Velázquez Concedes District 13 Race to Republican Kristy Marmorato

Democratic District 13 City Council Member Marjorie Velázquez conceded the general election in her district held Nov. 7 to her Republican opponent, Kirsty Marmorato, on Thursday, Nov. 9. As reported, Marmorato had a narrow lead on Velázquez on Election Night at poll closure with 49.97 percent of the vote to Velázquez’s 49.25 percent, but a few hours later, with 98.33 percent of voting scanners returned, Marmorato’s lead had stretched to 52.46 percent (6,571 votes) to Velázquez’s 46.81 percent (5,863 votes), based on Election Day and early votes. The Republican candidate who ran a campaign based on quality of life and public safety concerns, declared victory in the race later that night.

UPDATE “Kill Jews” Antisemitic (Darker) Graffiti Seen Once Again in Norwood

A white van spray painted in red with the words “Kill Jews” was seen on Jerome Avenue in Norwood on Tuesday, Nov. 7 [Election Day]. It is the second such display of antisemitic vandalism seen in the neighborhood in the space of about a week, and a month after the Hamas terrorist group attacked Southern Israel on Oct. 7, causing an immediate shelling and ground invasion of the Gaza Strip by Israeli defense forces.

Congestion Pricing Tolls One Step Closer to Reality

Bronx drivers should brace for impact as officials at NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) are a big step closer to hitting drivers entering Midtown Manhattan from The Bronx with the new ‘congestion pricing’ toll. DOT work crews have already begun working on the installation of cameras.  

UPDATE Hochul, MTA Announce Restoration of Metro North Rail Service after Mudslide in Westchester County

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and the MTA announced on Sunday, Oct. 22, that the MTA Metro-North Railroad will operate on a near-normal weekday schedule on Monday, Oct. 23, following a mudslide that occurred in Scarborough on Saturday, as reported, which prevented trains from operating between Tarrytown and Croton-Harmon. To reduce the potential for congestion-related delays, the governor said the railroad is adjusting schedules and canceling four of the 158 trains the railroad operates on the line daily, and during peak hours, trains that operate in the reverse-peak direction will operate express between Tarrytown and Croton-Harmon.