JULY 15–THIS WEEK DAVID BUCHWALD FORMER ASSEMBLY NOW PEOPLE’S ADVOCATE–ON “PEOPLE TO BE HEARD” SATURDAY AT 7 FIOS CH 45 AND OPTIMUM 76 AND WWW.WPCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG

Posted on July 15, 2026 by John Bailey

DAVID BUCHWALD EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF “CIVIC HELPERS”

INTERVIEWED BY JOHN BAILEY ON HIS ADVOCACY FOR THE PEOPLE ORGANIZATION

THE ORANIZATION THAT HELPS PEOPLE TO SOLVE PROBLEMS WITH GOVERNMENTS OF ALL KINDS

DISCOVERS PROBLEMS, SOLVES THEM TOGETHER WITH BUREAUCRACIES

WHO LISTEN TO WHAT CIVIC HELPERS FIND OUT

DAVID BUCHWALD ON DIPLOMACY THAT WORKS WITH FACTFINDING, FACTS AND REASON AND CONSISTENCY

YOUR ORGANIZATION CAN USE

JULY 14– WHITE PLAINS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER ANNOUNCES 24TH SEASON

Posted on July 14, 2026 by John Bailey

White Plains Performing Arts Center Announces 24^th Season

The White Plains Performing Arts Center (WPPAC) is delighted to announce its 2026–2027 Mainstage Season, marking the professional regional theatre’s 24^th season.

This season features three dynamic Mainstage productions: the award-winning coming-of-age hit DEAR EVAN HANSEN, the worldwide phenomenon Disney’s FROZEN, and the Broadway blockbuster 9 TO 5.

Subscription packages to see all 3 of these shows up to 15% off are on sale as well as individual show tickets! WPPAC is the perfect venue to take in professional Broadway quality productions.

The professional theatre productions include the following three shows:

DEAR EVAN HANSEN October 2-25
Disney’s FROZEN December 11 – January 3
9 to 5 April 9 – May 2

DEAR EVAN HANSEN

Book by STEVEN LEVENSON

Music & Lyrics by BENJ PASEK & JUSTIN PAUL

October 2 – 25, 2026

The Tony^® Award Winning Best Musical

Featuring a Tony Award-winning book by Steven Levenson (Fosse/Verdon), and a score by Grammy^®, Tony^®, Emmy^® and Academy Award^®winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (The Greatest Showman, La La Land, Dogfight, James and the Giant Peach), Dear Evan Hansen is a new classic, with a message that has resonated with audiences around the world: “You Will Be Found.”

Seventeen-year-old Evan Hansen has felt invisible his entire life. But when a tragedy shocks his community and thrusts him into the center of a rapidly evolving controversy, Evan is given the opportunity of a lifetime: the chance to be somebody else. As his web of well-intentioned lies begins to unravel, though, Evan is forced to confront the fact that the price of belonging may be far steeper than he bargained for.

Disney’s FROZEN The Broadway Musical

Music & Lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez

Book by Jennifer Lee

Based on the Disney film written by Jennifer Lee and directed by Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee

December 11, 2026 – January 3, 2027

For the first time in forever, experience the musical phenomenon that has taken the world by storm! Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature film, Disney’s Frozen includes all the film’s beloved songs by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, along with new music written exclusively for the stage.

In the beautiful mountainous kingdom of Arendelle, Princesses Anna and Elsa grow up sheltered inside their castle, isolated from the world and increasingly distant from each other. When Elsa is crowned queen, the magical powers she’s desperately tried to conceal from her sister take control, and she flees into the mountains. As a ferocious winter descends on Arendelle, Anna sets off on an epic journey to find Elsa and bring her home – with the help of hardworking ice harvester Kristoff, his loyal reindeer Sven, and a happy-go-lucky snowman named Olaf.

Full of magic, humor, and a stunning musical score, Disney’s Frozen is a powerful tale of sisterhood, acceptance, and finding the real meaning of true love.

9 to 5

Music and Lyrics by Dolly Parton

Book by Patricia Resnick

Based on the Twentieth Century Fox film

April 9 – May 2, 2027

9 to 5, with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton and book by Patricia Resnick, is based on the seminal 1980 hit movie. Set in the late 1970s, this hilarious story of friendship and revenge in the Rolodex era is outrageous, thought-provoking and even a little romantic.

Pushed to the boiling point, three female coworkers concoct a plan to get even with the sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot they call their boss. In a hilarious turn of events, Violet, Judy and Doralee live out their wildest fantasy – giving their boss the boot! While Hart remains “otherwise engaged,” the women give their workplace a dream makeover, taking control of the company that had always kept them down. Hey, a girl can scheme, can’t she?

The White Plains Performing Arts Center’s 24^th season will also include a variety of special events and concerts. They are the following:

BEAUTY AND THE BEATS

Ultimate fairytale tribute show for Disney fanatics of all ages!

Sunday, July 19 – 2:00 PM

My First Ex-Husband

A New Play by Joy Behar

starring Joy Behar, Veanne Cox and Jackie Hoffman

My First Ex-Husband is a bold and heartfelt adaptation of true stories by the legendary Joy Behar, comedienne and co-host of The View. With razor-sharp wit and no filters, this play explores the messy, hilarious truths of love, sex, and relationships.

Whether you’re happily coupled, cautiously committed, or considering changing the locks, relationships are complicated—and universally relatable. These stories are your stories, only funnier.

Saturday, August 1 – 2:00 PM & 7:30 PM

An Evening with 2-time Tony^® Award Nominee

MEGAN HILTY

Best known for her breakout role as Ivy Lynn in the NBC musical drama Smash, Megan Hilty has built a celebrated career spanning Broadway, television, and concert stages around the world. She most recently starred as Madeline Ashton in the hit Broadway musical Death Becomes Her, earning a Tony Award nomination and a Grammy Award nomination and two Broadway.com Audience Awards.

Saturday, November 14 – 7:30 PM

CHRISTMAS WITH THE NEW YORK TENORS

The Spirit of New York comes alive at Christmas time with the voices of Daniel Rodriguez, Andy Cooney and Christopher Macchio, The New York Tenors. Join us as these stars of Carnegie Hall bring an uplifting show filled with Christmas, Broadway, Opera, Inspirational and Patriotic songs that will leave you totally inspired!

Monday, December 14 – 7:30 PM

SETH’S BROADWAY CONCERT SERIES

SETH RUDETSKY with Tony^® Award Nominee

Ana Gasteyer

Saturday Night Live’s and Broadway’s Ana Gasteyer teams up with SiriusXM radio host Seth Rudetsky for a one-night-only special-event concert full of intimate, funny, behind-the-scenes stories mixed with incredible performances. The set list will have Gasteyer recreating show-stopping performances from her incredible singing career where she delivers a standout turn in her Tony^® nominated role in Schmigadoon! and flew high in Wicked!

Saturday, January 16 – 7:30 PM

CHEYENNE JACKSON

That Guy From That Thing

That Guy from That Thing is an evening of story and song that pulls back the curtain on Grammy and Emmy-nominated Cheyenne Jackson—the actor you instantly recognize from his star turns on stage and screen…but can’t quite place. Fresh off his run in Broadway megahit Oh, Mary! and his stunning solo debut concert at Carnegie Hall, Cheyenne invites into his orbit with humor, warmth, and a knowing wink. This unforgettable evening will take you on an eclectic musical journey from the songbook classics of Nat King Cole to the pop of Elton John and Sarah Bareilles, to the Broadway brilliance of Bernstein—and beyond.

Friday, March 12 – 7:30 PM

For additional information regarding all the upcoming performances, please visit the website at www.wppac.com

The White Plains Performing Arts Center is located on the third level of City Center off Mamaroneck Avenue in downtown White Plains, minutes from the White Plains Metro North Station. For tickets visit the theatre box office Monday-Friday (11am-6pm), purchase the tickets online at wppac.com or call 914-328-1600. For Group Sales, please contact [email protected].

JULY 14—FEDERAL JUDGE RULES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE CANNOT REVIEW VOTER PERSONAL DATA

Posted on July 14, 2026 by John Bailey

Victory for New York Voters:

Federal Court Dismisses DOJ Lawsuit Seeking Private Voter Data

NEW YORK — In a victory for voters, a federal judge dismissed the US Department of Justice’s (DOJ) lawsuit seeking New York state’s complete voter file, which contains voters’ driver’s license numbers, partial Social Security numbers and other private information. The League of Women Voters of New York State, represented by Campaign Legal Center and the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law, had intervened in the suit to protect voters in the Empire State.

The ruling marks the 12th time a federal district court has rejected a DOJ lawsuit seeking to gain access to voters’ confidential information. A 13th case was dismissed in West Virginia yesterday afternoon.

“Every eligible voter deserves to participate in our democracy without fear that their personal information will be misused or weaponized,” said Marcia Johnson, chief of activation and justice for the League of Women Voters.

“The law is clear: voter registration records are not an open door for fishing expeditions that intimidate voters or erode public trust in our elections. Attempts to bypass these longstanding legal protections are not about strengthening our elections. They are about making it harder for eligible Americans to participate. The League will continue fighting to ensure our democracy belongs to voters, not those seeking to intimidate or silence them.”

“The people of New York should never have to choose between exercising their fundamental right to vote and protecting their personal information,” said Erica Smitka, executive director for the League of Women Voters of New York State. “When voters fear their private information will be exposed or misused, it undermines confidence in our elections and discourages participation. The League of Women Voters of New York State will continue standing up for voters and pushing back against efforts that threaten the privacy, security, and freedom every eligible voter deserves.”

“Once again, a federal court has said no to the Justice Department’s hunt for state voter rolls,” said Eileen O’Connor, former attorney in the Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department and Brennan Center for Justice senior counsel. “As this dismissal shows, the Justice Department can’t simply demand a state’s voter rolls without legal justification. The department should put an end to its campaign to obtain voters’ confidential information.”

“This dismissal is a victory for New York voters and for the rule of law. The Constitution is clear: The states and Congress have the power to set the rules around our elections, not the president or the executive branch — including the DOJ,” said Dan Lenz, senior legal counsel for strategic litigation for the Campaign Legal Center. “This ruling is now one of many, from federal courts across the country, rejecting the DOJ’s brazen attempts to overstep the bounds of its power. We are glad the court affirmed that the states — including New York — have the authority to administer their own elections, free from this type of federal overreach.”

Our democracy is strongest when every eligible voter can meaningfully exercise their freedom to vote, and Campaign Legal Center, the League of Women Voters of New York State, and the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law are working together to protect that freedom.

Background: Beginning in May 2025, the Justice Department embarked on a sweeping effort to demand highly sensitive voter information — including dates of birth, partial Social Security numbers and driver’s license numbers — from almost every state. The department filed 31 lawsuits against 30 states and the District of Columbia that refused to turn over their voter rolls.

To review the decision, click here.

JULY 14— EXTREME HEAT WARNING 11 AM EDT FOR WESTCHESTER COUNTY—-CURRENTLY 87 WPCNR SUNNY HAZY HOT HUMID DEGREES FEELS LIKE 91 HOT HUMID WIND OUT OF THE SOUTH WEST 15 GUSTING TO 27

Posted on July 14, 2026 by John Bailey

EXTREME HEAT FORECAST FOR TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY

HEALTH COMMISSIONER ISSUES WARNING

Real Feel Temperatures Could Reach 100 Degrees through Wednesday

(White Plains, NY) – The National Weather Service is warning that extremely hot and humid conditions could persist from today, Tuesday, through Wednesday. The forecast calls for temperatures in the upper 90s to 100 degrees or more, with humidity making outdoor temperatures very uncomfortable. The humidity is expected to ease up on Thursday and Friday, but return for the weekend.

With heat, humidity and air quality in mind, the Westchester County Health Department cautions residents to drink lots of water, avoid over-exertion, seek air-conditioned spaces and check on vulnerable family, friends and neighbors.

Westchester County Health Commissioner Dr. Sherlita Amler said:

“Heat advisories like this one should remind everyone to drink lots of water, take frequent breaks from outdoor labor, seek the shade and air-conditioned places and make sure children, the elderly and pets have enough to drink. To avoid tragedy, never leave people or pets in a closed car because vehicles can heat up to life-threatening temperatures in moments. Infants, those with asthma, pregnant women, older adults and those with respiratory or heart conditions should spend less time outdoors until the temperature cools to avoid heat stroke.”

Heat stroke is a serious and life-threatening condition that claims many lives nationwide each year. Symptoms include hot, dry skin, shallow breathing, a rapid, weak pulse and confusion. Anyone suffering from heat stroke needs to receive emergency medical treatment immediately.

Call 911 if you suspect heat stroke, and take immediate action to cool the overheated person while waiting for emergency help to arrive.

Amler said: “Heat stroke and dehydration can surprise you. The elderly, young children and those with high blood pressure, heart disease, or lung conditions should be especially careful to avoid heat-related illnesses. High humidity and some medications can also increase a person’s risk for heat stroke.”

The Health Department recommends the following preventive measures against heat-related illnesses:

Drink at least two to four glasses of water per hour during extreme heat, even if you aren’t thirsty.
Avoid beverages that contain caffeine, alcohol or large amounts of sugar – these actually cause you to lose more body fluid. Avoid very cold drinks, because they can cause stomach cramps.
Stay indoors, ideally, in an air-conditioned place. If your home isn’t air-conditioned, spend a few hours at a shopping mall, public library or even the grocery store. A few hours spent in air conditioning can help your body stay cooler when you go back to a warmer place.
If you must go outdoors, wear sunscreen with a high sun protection factor of at least 30 and a hat to protect your face and head. Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing to reflect heat and sunlight.
Check on your neighbors, especially the elderly, the very young and those with special needs.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation issues Air Quality Health Advisories when NYSDEC meteorologists predict levels of pollution, either ozone or fine particulate matter, are expected to exceed an Air Quality Index (AQI) value of 100. Updates are available on DEC and on DOH websites.

Those who lack air conditioning can visit a cooling center if their home becomes too warm. For locations, go to https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/weather/cooling/