“FIXED” SUSTAINABLE WESTCHESTER RATES COULD RAISE AGAIN THIS YEAR, CONSTELLATION NEW ENERGY ACKNOWLEDGES IF STATE SAYS SO.

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FIXED PRICE OF SUSTAINABLE WESTCHESTER/WESTCHESTER POWER CAN BE CHANGED AGAIN THIS YEAR  BY NEW YORK STATE  IF ELECTRICITY CHARGES AND TRANSMISSION (DELIVERY CHARGES) RISE.

WPCNR THE POWER STORY.  By John F. Bailey. January 3, 2023. UPDATE 1:45 P.M.EST:

A Constellation Customer Care Representative of Constellation Energy clarified that the 0.325 cent rise in Transmission Charge  (SEE PREVIOUS STORY) now applicable and being added to the 100% Renewable and Standard (No additional renewable energy) refers to the Delivery Charge Consolidated Edison charges, not the additional cost of the electricity.

The representative said that fixed rate could be changed again this year.

The representative said  that could happen should New York State Public Policy  be changed to reflect additional  rises in grid electricity costs  for making electricity and deliverying it during the summer,

For example   the representative said raises in the fixed rate to  generate electricity (Supply Cost)  and deliver electricity (Transmission charge), if New York State chooses to do could be raised to  cover the cost of higher rates to generate and deliver electricity.

I asked the Representative why since Constellation is based in the south, why they had to pay New York Rates. She said all Suppliers  of electricity to New York were subject to paying New York rates.

In the years prior to 2023,  Sustainable Westchester/Westchester Power offered fixed green energy and standard electricity at fixed rates.   Customers were saved hundreds of dollars when Con Edison charged more for supply of electricity during the heat waves of the first four summers.

The Sustainable Westchester/Westchester Power offered price stability as opposed to Consolidated Edison costs of the electricity that fluctuated wildly resulting in bills in the $ 400 to $500 range and up.

In negotiating the new contracts for 2023-2024, Escos (Electric Supply Companies) buying off the  NY electric grid market were forced to pay the highest cost electric power (natural gas), by the New York State Independent System Operator to maintain an orderly market.

A private utility that could generate electricity without having to supplement with electricity buys off the NY grid,  to fulfill their consumer demand when demand soared beyond your capacity, you gained a competitive advantage. Your company could continue to offer lower rates until demand soared  and you had to  buy supply  off the grid at the sky high grid rates of natural gas.

This policy, (if I owned an  ESCO), would give me any incentive to convert to sustainable green energy and stop polluting the planet.

The New York Independent Services Operator effectively doubled the cost of  Sustainable Westchester/Westchester Power rates, when Electric Supply companies who met consumer electric demands without going to the grid for electricity  beyond the plant capacity gained a significant advantage over Sustainable by beating the Sustainable Fixed Rate by a substantial margin.

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FREI-PEARSON, PRESSER, PUJA SWORN IN FOR 4 YEAR TERMS ON COMMON COUNCIL

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JEREMIAH FREI-PEARSON TAKING THE OATH OF OFFICE AT TUESDAY’S COMMON COUNCIL MEETING FOR HIS FIRST TERM AS A MEMBER OF THE COMMON COUNCIL.

COUNCILWOMAN JENNIFER PUJA WITH HER FAMILY TAKING HER OATH OF OFFICE FOR HER SECOND TERM ON THE COMMON COUNCIL

COUNCILWOMAN VICTORIA PRESSER BEING SWORN IN FOR HER SECOND TERM ON THE COMMON COUNCIL.

COUNCILMAN FREI-PEARSON MADE A VERY SHORT THANK MESSAGE UPON COMPLETION OF HIS OATH AND COUNCILWOMAN PUJA DISCUSSED THE COMMITMENT A PERSON MAKES WHEN SERVING ON THE COMMON COUNCIL

https://youtu.be/nKGVzOMULt8

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SUSTAINABLE WESTCHESTER “FIXED” RATES NO LONGER “FIXED.”

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SUSTAINABLE WESTCHESTER FIXED RATES FOR 29  WESTCHESTER CITIES & TOWNS IN ITS WESTCHESTER CONSORTIUM GO UP FROM “FIXED” RATE OF 15.281 PER KWH TO 15.606  FOR 100% RENEWABLE POWER  & STANDARD SUPPLY BEGINNING JAN 1.

WPCNR THE POWER STORY. News & Comment By John F. Bailey. January 3, 2023:

The Westchester Power/Sustainable Westchester customers in 29 Westchester County cities and towns paying fixed rates for 100% renewable energy generated or a fixed rates for standard electricity  learned Tuesday from Constellation Energy that their “fixed’ rate is no longer fixed.

It goes up effective January 1 through November, 2024 when the current Westchester Power/Sustainable Westchester contract with the 29 cities and towns expires with an anticipation of  the new rate that will be negotiated this year. No explanation for the midstream “transmission charge” was given in the letter

 

Constellation Energy wrote customers in a letter  dated December 28 and mailed first class from Dulles, Virginia that

“As the supplier to the City of White Plains community electricity program, Constellation New Energy, Inc., (“Constellation”) is writing to inform you of an increase to the electric supply price due to a transmission charge being assessed to all electricity suppliers in the state of New York. This price increase is 0.325 cents/kwh and will take effect beginning with your January 2024 utility meter read dates and remain in effect until the end of the current City of White Plains Electric Service Agreement on your November 2024 utility meter dates.”

(Editor’s Full Disclosure: Mr. Bailey is a Westchester Power/Sustainable Westchester customer for its 100% Renewable Clean Power Product, customers with questions are urged to call Constellation Customer Care at 888-437-1722  or www.westchesterpower@sustainablewestchester.org or 914-242-4725)

Customers received this notice simultaneously virtually when Noam Bramson former Mayor of New Rochelle, now Executive Director of Westchester Power/Sustinable Westchester sent out a news release to media  recommitting Sustainable Westchester commitments to clean energy growth. There was no mention of the reason for today’s “Unfixing” of the Green and standard  Westchester Power electric rates in the Bramson news release.

The raising of the fixed rate raises the question of what kind of fixed rate will Westchester Power/Sustainable Westchester be able to negotiate with electric suppliers  that will be competitive with Con Edison rates and whether the Westchester Power/Sustainable Westchester will be forced to pay the most expensive source of power when buying off the New York power grid,  which currently is natural gas.

This is why the current “fixed” rate that is apparently not really “fixed” shot up from 7-1/2 cents/kwh to 15.2 cents/kwh in 2023. when a contract was finally agreed to in 2023 The New York Independent System  Operator which regulates the electric supply market  explanation for this forcing electrical highest price off the grid fits all suppliers,  was every supplier buying off the power grid has to pay the same price for power off the grid, even though some suppliers may make electricity at their own plants like Con Edison.

Since the fixed rate doubled under the current contract, Westchester Power/Sustainable Westchester customers have been promoted by Con Edison to switch over to Con Ed green supply guaranteed stable for 2 months.These promotions have been coming at about a once-a-month frequency from Con Ed and assorted other indedepent suppliers.

Now the knowledge that you can be switched in the middle of the contract, hurts the appeal of choosing a power source that helps save the planet.

Another issue here is: how serious is New York State, its legislators and the Governor in starting to clean up fossil burning fuel energy plants? When?

Since the approval of Con Ed rates by the Public Service Commission there have been no comments to this reporter’s knowledge criticizing the PSC 7-1 approval of  the new 2023-24-25 electric rates Con Ed began to charge.

It is unclear whether the transmission charge referred to in the letter is related to the new Con Ed approved rates.

It is also unclear whether the Fixed can now change again should grid prices go up.

Leaders of both Sustainable Westchester/Westchester Power and the 29 cities in that consortium need to be informed and should really challenge this violation of the “Fixed Rate” contract to come next November.

 

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PORNHUB PARENT COMPANY ADMITS TO RECEIVING PROCEEDS OF SEX TRAFFICKING AND AGREES TO THREE-YEAR MONITOR

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Pornhub Parent Company “One of Largest (Porn) Distributors in the world” Admits to Receiving Proceeds of Sex Trafficking and Agrees to Three-Year Monitor. “STANDARDS SET FOR (All) PORN INDUSTRY SAFETY AND COMPLIANCE”–FBI

 

DEFERRED PROSECUTION AGREEMENT RESOLVES MONEY LAUNDERING CHARGE

WPCNR FBI WIRE. From U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of New York
In federal court in Brooklyn, December 21, Aylo Holdings S.A.R.L. (formerly MindGeek S.A.R.L.) (Aylo), parent company to Pornhub.com, was arraigned on a charge of engaging in unlawful monetary transactions involving sex trafficking proceeds, after entering into a deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York to resolve the charge.
The proceeding was held before United States Chief Magistrate Judge Lois Bloom.
The DPA provides for the appointment of a monitor (Monitor) for three years and for payments to be made to the United States and to individuals adversely affected by the underlying sex trafficking.

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and James Smith, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI) announced the deferred prosecution agreement.

Mr. Peace also thanked the Victim/Witness Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California, and the FBI’s San Diego Field Office for their valuable assistance in this case.

“This deferred prosecution agreement holds the parent company of Pornhub.com accountable for its role in hosting videos and accepting payments from criminal actors who coerced young women into engaging in sexual acts on videos that were posted without their consent,” stated United States Attorney Peace. 

“This Office is committed to ensuring internet safety and protecting people from online sexual exploitation.  It is our hope that this resolution, which includes certain agreed payments to the women whose images were posted on the company’s platforms and an independent monitorship brings some measure of closure to those negatively affected.  This resolution will not only provide oversight over one of the largest online content distributors in the world and ensure the company’s lawful behavior, but it will also develop industry-wide standards for safety and compliance.”   

“Motivated by profit, Aylo Holdings knowingly enriched itself by turning a blind eye to the concerns of victims who communicated to the company that they were deceived and coerced into participating in illicit sexual activity” stated FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Smith.  “Make no mistake, any entity that engages in sexual exploitation will be held to account for the mental anguish and terror imposed on victims. I hope today’s proceedings bring a sense of justice to the victims in this case as they move forward in their lives.”   

Unlawful Receipt of Sex Trafficking Proceeds

Aylo operates free and paid adult websites that allow third parties to post and distribute adult videos, including on its websites Pornhub.com and PornhubPremium.com.

As part of its business, Aylo contracted and/or partnered with adult entertainment companies who were given personalized channels on Aylo’s websites, which Aylo promoted and from which Aylo profited.

Beginning in 2009, Aylo hosted pornographic videos created by GirlsDoPorn (GDP) founder Michael Pratt and his co-conspirators (collectively referred to as the “GDP Operators”) on Aylo’s websites, including Pornhub.com.

The GDP Operators owned and operated a pornographic production company and online pornography websites called GDP and “GirlsDoToys” (GDT).

In 2019, a federal grand jury in the Southern District of California returned an indictment against the GDP Operators, for, among other charges, sex trafficking offenses, for deceiving and coercing young women to appear in sex videos which were then posted online without the women’s consent.  See United States v. Pratt, et. al. 19-CR-4488.  Since then, several of the GDP Operators have been convicted in connection with that criminal prosecution.  

According to Aylo’s admissions and/or court documents filed today, between 2017 and 2019, Aylo received money that Aylo knew or should have known was derived from the GDP Operators’ sex trafficking operations.

For example, in September 2017, Aylo learned that many of the women appearing in the GDP and GDT videos had filed a civil lawsuit in California against the GDP Operators alleging that the complainants had been tricked and coerced into filming the adult videos and that the videos were posted on Pornhub.com without their consent. 

Between 2016 and 2019, Aylo also received several conte.nt removal requests from complainants seeking to remove GDP videos from its websites.  The complainants told Aylo that they had been lied to and defrauded into making these videos and that the videos were posted on Pornhub.com without their consent.

Although Aylo sought, and received, information from the GDP Operators that purported to establish that the complainants had given consent for their videos to be posted online, Aylo did not independently verify consent and did not remove all the videos that were requested to be taken down. 

Moreover, in August 2019, Aylo learned that a GDP videographer had testified during the civil trial that he falsely told women that their sex videos would not appear online so that they would agree to appear in the videos, and that such videos were posted on Pornhub.com.

Despite the above, Aylo continued to host the GDP and GDT channels on its websites and accept money from its partnership with the GDP Operators.

On or about October 14, 2019, Aylo finally removed the official GDP channel from its platforms.  However, the company did not take steps to identify for removal all unofficial GDP content from its website at that time.  Aylo also did not remove the official GDT channel from its platforms until December 2020 even though the company knew that the individuals operating GDT were the same as those who operated GDP and that many of the individuals featured in the GDP videos were also featured in the GDT videos.

The Deferred Prosecution Agreement

Under the terms of the deferred prosecution agreement, Aylo has agreed to pay $1,844,952.83 to the United States.  Aylo has also agreed to provide monetary payments to victims of the GDP Operators who have not otherwise already received compensation, and whose images were posted on Aylo’s platforms. 

Aylo has agreed to be subject to an independent Monitor for a period of three years.

 

The Monitor will be tasked with assessing the company’s compliance with the terms of the DPA.  The Monitor will also evaluate the strength and thoroughness of Aylo’s due diligence protocols for its content partners and content programs; the robustness of the company’s content screening and monitoring processes; the adequateness of the staffing and resources dedicated by Aylo to address, mitigate and remediate takedown requests or allegations of the presence of illegal content on the company’s platforms; and the adequacy of the company’s disclosures to relevant law enforcement authorities regarding the presence of illegal content on the company’s platforms.  Aylo has agreed to cooperate fully with the Monitor, and to adopt and implement recommendations made by the Monitor, subject to the terms of the DPA.

The Office reached this resolution with Aylo based on several factors, including the nature and seriousness of the offense; the fact Aylo did not voluntarily self-disclose its criminal conduct to the Office but thereafter cooperated with the Office’s investigation; its removal of GDP and GDT content from its platforms; the nature of remedial measures Aylo has instituted across its platforms since 2020; and Aylo’s commitment to remediating and improving its compliance program and internal controls, including its agreement to a three-year monitorship.  In reaching this resolution, the Office also considered the wide-ranging impact the monitorship will have on Aylo and, possibly more broadly, other adult website operators and internet safety generally. 

In the event Aylo breaches the terms of the DPA, the company has agreed to be prosecuted for engaging in an unlawful monetary transaction, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1957.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI’s New York Field Office.  The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Business and Securities Fraud Section in coordination with the Office’s Bank Integrity Task Force, which is charged with investigating and charging corporate and individual actors who launder criminal proceeds using the U.S. banking system and enforcing anti-money laundering controls under the Bank Secrecy Act.  Assistant United States Attorneys Hiral Mehta, Gillian Kassner, Genny Ngai and Tara McGrath are in charge of the prosecution.

The Defendant:

AYLO HOLDINGS S.A.R.L.

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NORTH EAST OUTLOOK ON ILLNESS JANUARY 1

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NEW YEARS NEWS: EVEN YEAR ELECTIONS PASSED IN NY. FREE BEELINE BUSES TO AND FROM WHITE PLAINS FOR NEW YEARS EVE BALL DROP

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District 92 | News You Can Use

Happy New Year! I wish a joyful, healthy, and rewarding 2024 to all — and a very fun and safe New Year’s Eve celebration to kick it off.

 

 

Stay Safe from Drunk Driving

Never drink and drive.

Don’t let someone get behind the wheel if that person has been drinking.

If you’re hosting a gathering, make sure everyone has a sober ride home.

Call 911 if you see a drunk driver.

Always wear your seat belt. It’s your best defense against impaired drivers.

Recent data shows that December drunk driving deaths are near a 15-year high. Please keep in mind the dangers and consequences of driving drunk and do your part to keep our roads safe.

If you’re celebrating and drinking this weekend, remember to plan ahead with a sober driver to take you home. If you’re the designated driver, it’s important to take the role seriously and don’t consume alcohol or use other drugs.

New York’s free “Have a Plan” app will allow you to designate a driver, call a cab or ride share, and to review the consequences of impaired driving. You can also use the app to report an impaired driver. “Have a Plan” is available for Apple, Android, and Windows smart phones.

 

 

Thruway Holiday Update

Most Lane Closures Suspended for the New Year’s Eve Weekend

Free Coffee and Hot Tea for Thruway Travelers

To ease travel during the busy holiday weekend, temporary lane closures for road and bridge construction projects on New York State highways will be suspended from 6 AM Friday, December 29, through 6 AM Tuesday, January 2. Some work may continue behind permanent concrete barriers for emergency repairs.

The New York State Thruway Authority will also continue its tradition of offering free coffee and hot tea to travelers at 27 plazas along the Thruway from 11 PM New Year’s Eve through 7 AM New Year’s morning to promote safety and alert driving.

Find more Thruway information and resources at thruway.ny.gov.

 

 

Metro-North Holiday Update

Extra New Year’s Eve Service on Subways and Commuter Rails

Off-Peak Fares in Effect on Commuter Railroads 

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is the best way to ring in the New Year in New York City as millions hit the roads to shop, eat, and travel. Most MTA agencies are operating on weekend or holiday schedules, while running additional trains for riders heading into the city for New Year’s Eve festivities.

New Year’s Eve: 

  • On Sunday, December 31, Metro-North will operate on a Sunday schedule. Additional outbound service from Grand Central Terminal will operate after midnight until 5 AM.
  • On West of Hudson lines, additional service will run after midnight on the Pascack Valley and Port Jervis lines.

New Year’s Day:

  • On Monday, January 1, Metro-North will operate on a special schedule with hourly service at most stations.

For real-time service updates and information, customers can use the MTA’s official apps MYmta and TrainTime. Learn more at mta.info/guides/apps.

 

Bee-Line Holiday Update

Free New Year’s Eve Shuttle Service in White Plains, Yonkers, and New Rochelle

There will be a special New Year’s Eve Bee-Line bus shuttle service to facilitate safe and convenient transportation for residents and visitors during the festive celebrations. All Bee-Line service remains fare-free through January 1.

White Plains Shuttle:

  • Route: Start at White Plains Trans Center, R/T Lexington, L/T Main St., R/T Mamaroneck, L/T Maple Ave., L/T Bloomingdale Rd., L/T Westchester Ave, L/T Broadway, R/T Martine back to Trans Center.
  • Service Hours: Buses will begin service at 7 PM and run approximately every 20 minutes.
  • Last Bus: The last bus departing from White Plains Trans Center will be at 1 AM.
  • Bus Stops: Buses will stop at all existing bus stops along the designated routes.

Yonkers Shuttle:

  • Route: Start on Central Ave. opposite Raceway, L/T McLean Ave., L/T Bronx River Rd., L/T Yonkers Ave, L/T Central Ave to opposite Raceway.
  • Service Hours: Buses will begin service at 7 PM and run approximately every 30 minutes.
  • Last Bus: The final bus leaving Clark Street (Yonkers Casino) will be at 1 AM.
  • Bus Stops: Buses will make stops at all existing bus stops along the specified routes.

New Rochelle Shuttle:

  • Route: Start at New Rochelle Intermodal Center, R/T North Ave, R/T Huguenot St, L/T Pintard at monument onto Main St. L/T River Ave (Echo Avenue), L/T Huguenot St, R/T North Ave, L/T Into Intermodal Center.
  • Service Hours: Buses will begin service at 7 PM and run approximately every 20 minutes.
  • Last Bus: The last bus departing from New Rochelle Intermodal Center will be at 1 AM.
  • Bus Stops: Buses will make stops at all existing bus stops along the designated routes.

For more information visit Bee-Line Bus on the Westchester County website or call 914-813-7777.

Recently Enacted Legislation

The Governor of New York has until the end of December to sign or veto bills that were passed by the Legislature during the calendar year. Conversely, legislation that was passed by both houses but remains unsigned by December 31 will expire without taking effect.

So far this month, Governor Hochul has enacted these items from our 2023 legislative session:

A.4282B – Even-Year Elections: Expands access to the ballot box and makes it easier to vote in local elections by aligning many county and town elections currently held in odd-numbered years with statewide and legislative elections that are held in even-numbered years.

A.3484 – LLC Transparency Act: Creates a database of the beneficial owners of Limited Liability Corporations that is accessible to government agencies and law enforcement, allowing members of law enforcement and regulatory authorities to uncover misconduct.

A.4023 – Fraud Protection for Low-Income New Yorkers: Requires stores accepting electronic benefit transfer cards to warn of skimming scams, in order to help prevent residents from falling victim to this practice and losing their SNAP benefits or cash assistance.

A.7669 – Reducing Court Backlog: Increases the number of judges serving on certain courts, to help alleviate the current backlog of nearly 120,000 cases in jurisdictions across the State.

A.3983 – Angelica’s Law: Decreases the number of prior license suspensions needed to qualify for aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the first degree, a class E felony; named for 14-year-old Angelica Nappi, who died in 2008 after a crash caused by a driver with multiple prior suspensions.

A.5791A – Defining “Mass Shooting” in New York State: Aligns the State’s definition of “mass shooting” with that of the Federal Bureau of Investigations — as a shooting incident where there are at least four people murdered with a firearm, shotgun, or rifle — in order to facilitate emergency response measures and community access to emergency funding and resources.

A.5088 – Task Force for Missing BIPOC Women and Girls: Establishes a task force on missing women and girls who are Black, Indigenous, and/or people of color — a cohort that comprised 43% of the more than 271,000 missing women and girls reported in 2022, per the FBI’s National Crime Information Center.

A.7691 – Commission to Study Reparations and Racial Justice: Creates a new commission to examine the legacy of slavery and its lingering negative effects on people currently living in the State of New York, with the goal of issuing issue a report consisting of recommendations for appropriate action to address enduring inequities.

A.6216B – Strengthening Rent Stabilization: Strengthens protections for rent stabilized tenants throughout New York State by making various changes to avoid improper deregulations or rent increases and improve enforcement of the rent stabilization laws.

A.6115 – Lead Pipe Right to Know Act: Requires that information about the number and location of lead pipes be made easily available to the public, so that state and federal resources can be secured and efficiently targeted to support local efforts to remove all lead pipes impacting New York’s drinking water.

A.2917 – Protecting Wildlife from Hunting Derbies: Prohibits the wasteful taking of certain wildlife by making certain hunting contests, competitions, tournaments, and derbies that allow for the take of large numbers of wildlife unlawful; does not ban hunting or fishing.

A.7640 – Birds and Bees Protection Act: Protects New Yorkers and our insects and and other wildlife by prohibiting the use of certain neonicotinoid pesticides on treated corn, soybean, and wheat seed crops, as well as outdoor ornamental plants and turfs.

 

 

It’s been my honor to serve in this first year as your State Assemblymember. I look forward to representing the interests of our residents in the new legislative session, which opens on January 3, and I will continue to share the “news you can use” from Albany and across our communities in the year to come.

If my office can be of assistance to you, please respond to this email or call 914-631-1605.


MaryJane Shimsky
Assemblymember 92nd District
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COFFEE WITH “THE STORIES OF THE IMPOSSIBLE YEAR 2023” ON WHITE PLAINS WEEK, THE TRADITIONAL END OF THE YEAR REPORT WORLDWIDE ON WWW.WPCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG

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JOHN BAILEY AND THE NEWS

YOU NEED TO KNOW THIS WEEK

EVERY WEEK ON WHITE PLAINS WEEK

BEGINNING OUR 23 YEAR OF REPORTING ON JANUARY 1, 2024

33 STORIES IN 30 MINUTES

THE ISSUES AT LARGE

WHAT THEY MEAN

WHERE THEY ARE AT

WHAT’S AHEAD?

WHERE WHITE PLAINS IS AT NOW.

JOHN BAILEY, THE CITIZENETREPORTER

TAKES YOU MONTH BY MONTH

THROUGH THE SHOCKING YEAR OF 2023

THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE FAST-MOVING HARD-RIDING

NEWS REMUDA ROUNDUP 

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