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Travel Advisory For US Citizens Issued By State Department: Here's What To Know Travel Advisory For US Citizens Issued By State Department: Here's What To Know
Travel Advisory For US Citizens Issued By State Department: Here's What To Know The US State Department has just issued a worldwide travel advisory for Americans. The statement, issued Friday, May 17, warns of the “potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations, or violent actions against US citizens and interests.” The department said it is advising US citizens overseas to exercise increased caution.  "The Department of State is aware of the increased potential for foreign terrorist organization-inspired violence against LGBTQI+ persons and events," the statement noted. The department said US citizens should: Stay alert in locations frequented by tourists, in…

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by Joe Lombardi
Politics
'Protected, Not Prosecuted': NY Bill Would Decriminalize Prostitution, Target Sex Traffickers 'Protected, Not Prosecuted': NY Bill Would Decriminalize Prostitution, Target Sex Traffickers
'Protected, Not Prosecuted': NY Bill Would Decriminalize Prostitution, Target Sex Traffickers New York lawmakers are considering new legislation aimed at protecting sex trafficking survivors and closing a legal loophole often used by their abusers. The Sex Trade Survivors Justice and Equality Act (STSJEA), introduced by Democratic Assemblywoman Pamela Hunter, would decriminalize prostitution and automatically expunge all prior convictions for prostitution. If passed, the bill would also: Eliminate a loophole in New York State law that prevents sex abusers from being charged with promotion of prostitution when they traffic people to themselves Prevent people from being charged as a…

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by Michael Mashburn
Lifestyle
Casting Call: Music Video For Major Country Star Needs To Fill Roles For Men, Women, Kids Casting Call: Music Video For Major Country Star Needs To Fill Roles For Men, Women, Kids
Casting Call: Music Video For Major Country Star Needs To Fill Roles For Men, Women, Kids A music video being produced in the region is seeking men, women, and kids to fill roles for extras. The video, about a major country star, will be filmed in New York City on Saturday, May 25 and Sunday, May 26. A group of friends returns home for a friend's funeral. After the funeral, they have a fun night together around town. Lead roles are needed for men aged 18 to 23 and women ages 40 to 50 to play the mother of boys. Supporting roles are being cast for women aged 18 to 23 and boys ages 10 to 12 (to play the child versions of the lead male roles in a flashback scene). All ethni…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
Man, Woman, 6-Year-Old Killed After Amtrak Train Crashes Into Pickup Truck In NY Man, Woman, 6-Year-Old Killed After Amtrak Train Crashes Into Pickup Truck In NY
Man, Woman, 6-Year-Old Killed After Amtrak Train Crashes Into Pickup Truck In NY Three people, including a young child, were killed after their vehicle was struck by an Amtrak train in New York. The incident happened around 8 p.m. Friday, May 17 just north of Buffalo, in the Niagara County city of North Tonawanda. According to North Tonawanda Professional Firefighters Local 1333, the train was heading northbound at the time in the area of Felton Street and River Road. Emergency crews were able to extricate all three individuals from the heavily damaged vehicle, a Dodge pickup truck, and attempted resuscitation efforts. Still, all three were pronounced dead at the scene…

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by Joe Lombardi
Lifestyle
NY 11-Year-Old Back On Dance Floor Thanks To Kidney Donation From Doctor Brother NY 11-Year-Old Back On Dance Floor Thanks To Kidney Donation From Doctor Brother
NY 11-Year-Old Back On Dance Floor Thanks To Kidney Donation From Doctor Brother Not everyone gets to meet their hero; For Emily Alanko, her hero happens to be her big brother. The Long Island 11-year-old from Commack, who loves dancing and all things Barbie, was born with a rare genetic disorder known as Branchio-OtoRenal (BOR) Syndrome, which causes malformations of the ears and kidneys. In Emily’s case, she was born with just one kidney, meaning a pair of doctors at Cohen Children’s Medical Center has had to monitor her condition since birth. Alarm bells began to ring earlier this year when her longtime care team, Cohen doctors Christine Sethna and Pamela Singer, we…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
18-Year-Old Admits Accidentally Shooting GF During Family Fight In Hudson Valley 18-Year-Old Admits Accidentally Shooting GF During Family Fight In Hudson Valley
18-Year-Old Admits Accidentally Shooting GF During Family Fight In Hudson Valley An 18-year-old Hudson Valley man has formally confessed to accidentally shooting his girlfriend during a family fight. Orange County resident Joseph Lightfoot, of Wallkill, pleaded guilty to possession of a weapon in Orange County Court on Tuesday, May 14, stemming from a shooting that occurred in the Village of Walden on Thursday, April 25. According to prosecutors, Lightfoot, his girlfriend, and another man exited a truck and began physically fighting with a man during a family argument over property that was allegedly stolen from the relative’s driveway. During the fight, Lightfoot pul…

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by Michael Mashburn
Lifestyle
Mutant Sleepover: Request Stay At All-New X-Mansion Airbnb In Hudson Valley Mutant Sleepover: Request Stay At All-New X-Mansion Airbnb In Hudson Valley
Mutant Sleepover: Request Stay At All-New X-Mansion Airbnb In Hudson Valley Any mutants out there may be interested in requesting a stay at an all-new Airbnb in Northern Westchester inspired by an animated X-Men television series.  The 4-bed, 5-bath mansion, located in New Castle, is part of Airbnb's "icons" series, which consists of locales inspired by music, films, television shows, art, sports, and more, according to the company.  The company's X-Mansion is inspired by the animated Disney+ show "X-Men '97" and features show-inspired interior design and activities.  Those who book a stay can sleep in one of the mansion's many X-Men-inspired dorms …

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by Ben Crnic
Business
Italian Restaurant In Region Closes After 10 Years: 'Proud And Honored' Italian Restaurant In Region Closes After 10 Years: 'Proud And Honored'
Italian Restaurant In Region Closes After 10 Years: 'Proud And Honored' After a decade of satisfying hungry patrons, that’s a wrap for this popular Italian restaurant in the region. Saratoga County eatery Nonna Maria’s Italian Kitchen – located in Halfmoon at 1505 Route 9 – permanently closed on Wednesday, May 15. The restaurant space will be taken over by neighboring establishment Mi Mexico Lindo, owner Gerry Cunsolo said in a goodbye post on Facebook. “About 10 years ago we stumbled upon this little place in a strip mall in Halfmoon, we figured we would take a chance,” he said. “We didn’t know that the chance would turn into endless amounts of customers who …

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by Michael Mashburn
Police & Fire
Trio Nabbed After Incident At Hudson Valley CVS Leads To Chase, Crashes Trio Nabbed After Incident At Hudson Valley CVS Leads To Chase, Crashes
Trio Nabbed After Incident At Hudson Valley CVS Leads To Chase, Crashes Three Connecticut men were apprehended after an incident involving a woman in a CVS parking lot in New York led to a police chase and separate crashes. The chain of events began around 4:30 p.m. Friday, May 17 in Northern Westchester County. The North Castle Police Department received a call from a person reporting a concerning incident that had just occurred in the CVS parking lot at 450 Main St. in Armonk, according to Lt. Thomas McCormack. The caller reported that an unfamiliar vehicle pulled up next to her while sitting in her car in the parking lot.  The man then exited his…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
Hudson Valley Man Admits Attacking Corrections Officer Hudson Valley Man Admits Attacking Corrections Officer
Hudson Valley Man Admits Attacking Corrections Officer A Hudson Valley man in jail for alleged grand larceny and burglary charges has pleaded guilty to attacking a corrections officer while behind bars. Rockland County resident Shaquille Gage, age 21, of Spring Valley, pleaded guilty on Tuesday, May 14, to one count of assault for injuring a Rockland County corrections officer, said Rockland County District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II. According to Scott Waters with the District Attorney's Office, Gage, who was in the Rockland County Jail, failed to comply with multiple verbal instructions by Rockland County corrections officers on Tuesday, Apr…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
NY Financial Advisor Stole Over $1M From Clients To Buy Car, High-End Clothing, Jury Finds NY Financial Advisor Stole Over $1M From Clients To Buy Car, High-End Clothing, Jury Finds
NY Financial Advisor Stole Over $1M From Clients To Buy Car, High-End Clothing, Jury Finds A former investment adviser and founder of a New York financial advisory firm could spend decades in federal prison for conning his clients out of more than $1 million. Long Island resident Jeffrey Slothower, age 46, of Southampton, was found guilty of wire fraud and related charges by a jury in Central Islip federal court on Thursday, May 16. According to prosecutors, in 2017 Slothower targeted a California couple whose money he had managed at another financial services firm, promising them he could beat any rate of return they were receiving at his own firm, Battery Private. He offered t…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
FedEx Sued After Former Poughkeepsie Driver Raped, Assaulted Teens FedEx Sued After Former Poughkeepsie Driver Raped, Assaulted Teens
FedEx Sued After Former Poughkeepsie Driver Raped, Assaulted Teens One of the victims of a former delivery driver in the region who was convicted of sexually assaulting three teens while on the job is now suing FedEx and the local parcel service for negligence. The lawsuit, which was filed on Monday, May 6, alleges that FedEx and the Dutchess County Parcel Service were negligent in the rape of a teen girl by Poughkeepsie resident Joshua J. Ginyard. This new suit comes less than four months after Ginyard, age 33, was released from prison on parole concerning the 2021 incident. Original Story: FedEx Driver Accused Of Raping, Sexually Abusing Teens…

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by Sophie Grieser