Good Monday morning.
You all know that math is not my strong suit, and I assume that some of you here are in the same boat.
But even I am sufficiently capable of basic addition. As such, I can tell you that no, your eyes are not deceiving you, and yes, I am home from vacation a week earlier than planned.
Suffice it to say that the trip took a massive detour. Things did not go at all well. To say that I am disappointed is a significant understatement, though we saw some amazing things in the short while we were away and learned some important lessons.
I’m happy we are safe and healthy. But other than that, I’m not really ready to discuss it, though I’m sure you’re curious.
Some of you know what happened already, because I’ve spoken with you, or Steve has. For the rest of the extended online universe, if you’ll indulge me some additional time to process, I would be grateful.
I’m sure at some point I’ll have something worthwhile to say on the subject. Right now, I am determined to make a second attempt at conquering Europe’s hardest hike, though when that will be I’m not entirely sure.
In the meantime, I’m seeking solace in the familiarity of routines and home. There is laundry to do and small everyday challenges to overcome – like the dog’s persistent and mysterious intestinal ailment (anyone have ideas and/or remedies for this, please pass them along…the vet seems to be flummoxed – and the Jewish holidays to prepare for.
Soon enough, there will be leaves to rake and apples to eat and Halloween candy to purchase and hand out and pumpkin spice everything to consume. (I know the latter is already available, but I am not ready yet and so am willfully turning a blind eye to the fact – anyway, it’s still too warm to give up iced drinks altogether).
I would say that it’s nice to be back, but then I wouldn’t be telling the whole truth. There also might be some changes around here in the long-term, but it’s too soon to say for sure what that will look like. One thing that did become clear to me as a result of the vacation-that-wasn’t-really, is that you can never really predict what the future will hold and the best laid plans often go wry.
So, all we know for sure is that we have today – or this moment, anyway. Let’s make the most of it.
I would be completely remiss if I didn’t take a moment to acknowledge the 22nd anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, which killed 2,977 individuals and injured thousands at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where some brave passengers on United Airlines Flight 93 attempted to wrest control of the hijacked plane and died heroically in the process.
Despite the fact that more than two decades have passed, the memories of that day are still fresh in my mind. I didn’t personally know any of the victims, but many families I do know were impacted in some way. I know they will never forget, and neither will I.
Many commemorations will be taking place across New York and the nation. Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to attend the ceremony at the 9/11 Memorial Plaza, which is starting at 8:30 a.m. today and will run through about 1 p.m.
Also, from dusk until dawn today, the “Tribute in Light” – two blue beams that represent the fallen towers – will illuminate the Manhattan skyline. I have seen this tribute from a plane, and it is haunting and poignant.
There’s more rain in the forecast, with showers in the morning giving way to sunshine in the afternoon. Temperatures will be in the mid-to-high 70s. Nice and comfortable – very early fall-like.
In the headlines…
President Joe Biden arrived at Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s doorstep yesterday with a deal in hand to draw yet another one of China’s neighbors closer to the United States.
Biden secured deals with Vietnam on semiconductors and minerals as the strategic Southeast Asian nation lifted Washington to Hanoi’s highest diplomatic status alongside China and Russia.
Biden sought to downplay friction with China and insisted he is not trying to constrain the country’s rise, even as he spent a weekend in Asia strengthening ties with other nations seen as a bulwark against Chinese economic and military clout.
Biden publicly shook hands with Saudi Arabia’s Mohammed bin Salman at the G20 summit Saturday — after the president sustained a backlash last year for fist-bumping the crown prince.
As the bitcoin and crypto market braces for a $15 trillion earthquake, Biden and leaders of other G20 member nations have endorsed the radical, game-changing crypto regulation recommendations of the global Financial Stability Board (FSB).
Biden finds himself in a tough spot between his “Union Joe” persona and his aggressive climate goals as the United Auto Workers prepare to strike.
The possibility of a federal indictment of Hunter Biden stunned the president. Yet the bond between him and his only surviving son is ironclad.
Donald Trump is polling even with Biden in a likely 2024 rematch, sparking mixed feelings among Democrats 14 months from Election Day. Some are alarmed by the neck-and-neck race, while Biden campaign officials and other allies downplay the results.
A new poll from CNN is providing bad news for the White House and Biden, who scores just a 39 percent approval rating a little more than a year before Election Day.
Some leading Democratic lawmakers and strategists are raising concerns about the 80-year-old commander-in-chief’s viability to win reelection.
Trump’s coming civil fraud trial, which stems from a lawsuit filed by the New York attorney general against the former president and his family business, may last nearly three months, according to the state court judge who will preside over the proceeding.
Rescuers in Morocco raced to reach remote areas in the mountains outside Marrakesh after the worst earthquake to hit the area in a century flattened homes across central and southern parts of the country, killing more than 2,000 people.
Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a law making Lunar New Year public school holiday.
Hochul signed legislation to prohibit employers from disciplining employees who opt not to participate in meetings about the employer’s political or religious views.
Hochul put Charter Communications on notice Friday — telling the cable company it had better issue refunds to customers who have had Disney-owned channels such as ABC and ESPN turned off during a contract dispute.
Hochul said she has directed the Department of Public Service to ensure Spectrum delivers refunds to New York consumers who have experienced disrupted service amid the ongoing cable dispute between Spectrum’s owner, Charter, and The Walt Disney Co.
More than 100 thousand immigrants have arrived in New York City over the last few months, and Hochul says the “Right to Shelter” law is what is driving the influx of asylum seekers.
In a shift in tone, Hochul criticized the White House for failing to help the state deal with the continuing influx of migrants into New York.
DocGo CEO Anthony Capone made apparent misstatements to investors about the publicly traded company’s business dealings, including inflating the amount of a federal contract that it’s pursuing to provide services for migrants at the southern border.
Biden, under pressure to address a surge of migrants overwhelming resources in New York and several other cities, is ramping up efforts to ensure that some can get jobs — a move designed to ease the spiraling political and financial costs of the crisis.
Many Democrats and business leaders favor giving migrants work permits, but pockets of tension and reluctance have created a complex political calculus.
A multi-year error at the state agency that provides tuition assistance has left some college students without the money they expected just weeks after the new academic year began. SUNY is pledging to make up for the lost funds.
The state Department of Motor Vehicles is seeking public comment on a series of new measures designed to crack down on reckless and impaired driving.
Days after declaring the migrant crisis would destroy New York City, Mayor Eric Adams warned agency heads they must slash their budgets by 15 percent by next spring to compensate for increasing asylum-seeker costs.
In a recorded speech, Adams cited slowing revenue growth and the financial strain caused by housing and caring for the migrants, which officials have estimated will cost the city more than $12 billion over three fiscal years.
The cuts, larger than any in recent history, are liable to generate outrage, and appeared to double as a pressure campaign aimed at Albany and the federal government to help with the influx of more than 100,000 migrants since last year.
Those cuts, the administration said, intend to “minimize disruption to programs and services, and there will not be layoffs,” according to a press release on the announcement. The current budget stands at $107 billion.
Chicago’s mayor, Brandon Johnson, has attacked his New York counterpart, Adams, for the latter’s aggressive comments that the large number of migrants arriving from the US-Mexico border will “destroy” his city.
Adams’ statement — and the positive reaction it drew from Republicans — has Democrats concerned his words will threaten not only their political goal of winning back control of the House, but his desire to lock down more help from the federal government.
Adams said he plans to move some migrant families with children into congregate homeless shelters, a move that would be an apparent violation of the city’s right to shelter laws.
Adams staunchly defended Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries on Saturday, insisting both are working hard behind the scenes to help the Big Apple deal with its migrant crisis.
Schumer insists he is pressuring the White House to speed up migrant work permits and boost federal aid to combat the asylum-seeker crisis — as some fed-up New Yorkers claim he and Jeffries have been “lazy” and nearly “invisible” on the issue.
The FDNY wants the feds to add two more health conditions to its growing list of 9/11-related illnesses.
Big Apple students were sweltering last week amid the late season heat wave, with nearly 500 schools complaining of air conditioners.
The Trump Organization has sold its right to operate a public golf course in the Bronx, city officials confirmed Friday, offloading control of the publicly-owned property to a company that is seeking to build a casino in New York City.
The Beastie Boys were immortalized in New York history Saturday when the street corner featured on the cover of the hip-hop group’s 1989 album “Paul’s Boutique” was christened “Beastie Boys Square.”
NXIVM co-founder Nancy Salzman has been released early from federal lockup — less than 20 months into her three-and-a-half year sentence for playing a senior role in Keith Raniere’s twisted sex cult.
A supporter of same-sex marriage from Colorado received the most votes to be next bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Albany during an election convention Saturday at the Cathedral of All Saints.
The top bid for Palazzo Riggi came from a Capital Region-area couple at a Friday evening auction, according to the real estate company that assisted with the sale.
A 45-year-old Troy man is facing arson and burglary charges after city police said he broke into Dinosaur BBQ on River Street and set a fire there Saturday.
