SEN. KIRSTEN GILLIBRAND on Tuesday secured reelection to the U.S. Senate over challenger Mike Sapraicone, winning a third full term.

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VOTERS RATIFIED New York’s hotly debated Prop. 1 ballot measure, with 61% of state voters assenting to enhance civil rights protections.

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NEW YORKERS ON Tuesday voted yes on several amendments to the city’s charter that will grant more power to City Hall.

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A major national advocacy group is spearheading a movement to get NYC’s sidewalks in tip-top shape, but it needs some help from concerned citizens to make it happen.

AARP New York announced a hands-on state-wide initiative on Monday to improve the quality of the Empire State’s many sidewalks. Dubbed Taking it to the Streets: Improving Pedestrian Safety in Your Community, the initiative gives New Yorkers an opportunity to survey the sidewalks — or lack thereof — in their neighborhoods.

In NYC, private homeowners are primarily responsible for maintaining sidewalks adjoining their properties.

“At AARP, we’re really dedicated to people being able to live in their communities, be safe in their communities, and one of the most basic pieces of that is to be able to get from one place to another by walking, or even if you just want to get out and exercise and walk,” said Beth Finkel, AARP New York state director.  

From Nov. 14 to 22, New Yorkers can download a form from the AARP New York website to do what the organization calls a “walk audit” to assess the safety of streets and sidewalks within neighborhoods.

AARP New York will also conduct its own audits. The data and research will be compiled and presented to elected officials.  

Though AARP is an advocacy group for older Americans, anyone can do a walk audit regardless of age.

AARP New York and other organizations say there is a strong need to address sidewalk problems. According to the advocacy group Transportation Alternatives, 61 pedestrians were killed in traffic during the first half of 2024.

“We know that mortality rates across the state and the country have really grown,” Finkel said. “And we know that we need to have safe streets not just for older adults but for every single age group.”

AARP is aiming to fix the problem through its Taking it to the Streets initiative.

“A lot of local governments have been very receptive to understanding that in order to keep their communities livable, they really have to have safe streets and sidewalks,” Finkel said. “AARP nationally has been working for a very long time on this and developed this wonderful walk audit survey.”

New Yorkers who participate in an AARP walk audit are asked several questions on the form to help evaluate their sidewalk’s safety.

“Is the light timed so you can cross the street? And is the timing sufficient for you to get from one side to another? Are the lines painted clearly? Are there cracks on the sidewalk?,” Finkel said as she explained the series of questions on the walk audit form. “You don’t have to be an expert. You just have to be somebody who’s concerned about these things and just wants to make sure their voice is heard.”

While there is no hard date yet for when the research will conclude, AARP New York will prepare a report on the audits’ results.

“We’re going to put together a full aggregate report on what we’re finding and how you would grade these intersections,” Finkel said. “Once you fill out this form, it leaves you with space to add up the answers. And then at the bottom, you can give that intersection a grade.”

For more information and to download a walk audit, visit states.aarp.org.

VOTERS RATIFIED New York’s Prop. 1 with 61% of state voters assenting to amend the state constitution to enhance civil rights protections.

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STATE SEN. JESSICA Scarcella-Spanton handily defeated Republican challenger Marko Kepi on Tuesday in the 23rd state Senate District seat.

The post Scarcella-Spanton wins in southern Brooklyn, Staten Island appeared first on Brooklyn Eagle.

Donald Trump is projected to have won the United States presidency.

The 78-year-old businessman turned politician is expected to have claimed Wisconsin to earn 276 electoral college votes, which is more than the 270 needed to win the election overall.

Trump declared victory in a speech at his watch party in Florida, saying: “I want to thank the American people for the extraordinary honor of being elected your 47th president and your 45th president.”

The former president — who was the 45th man in the White House — is projected to be returning for another term, as reported by CBS. He will also be the first president to serve non-consecutive terms in the White House since Grover Cleveland.

He added: “This is a magnificent victory for the American people, that will allow us to make America great again.”

Trump also claimed he would “help our country heal,” insisting he would fix the borders.

During his speech, he described X owner Elon Musk as a “new star” of the Republican Party.

UFC boss Dana White appeared on stage, and insisted Trump “deserves” his victory over Democratic nominee and Vice President Kamala Harris.

He said: “He keeps going forward. Never quits.”

Politicians around the world have spoken out to congratulate Trump on hist victory, including the UK’s Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

He said: “I look forward to working with you in the years ahead. “As the closest of allies, we stand shoulder to shoulder in defense of our shared values of freedom, democracy and enterprise.”

French President Emmanuel Macron insisted he is “ready to work together” with Trump for a second time, after his initial spell in the White House from 2016 to 2020.

And Ukraine President Volodymr Zelensky congratulated Trump, praising his dedication to “peace through strength” as he insisted that commitment will “bring a just peace in Ukraine closer”.