Good morning, it’s Thursday, but not just any Thursday – Maundy or Holy Thursday, to be exact.
Traditionally, this day marks the Last Supper, which was Jesus’s final meal before his Good Friday crucifixion. However, experts have been debating the timing of that event, with some believing that it actually took place a day earlier (on April 1, 33, in case that means something to you, though I can’t imagine how it could).
For those not in the know, the Last Supper was a Passover (!) meal, at which he revealed that he was aware one of them would betray him. This upset them greatly, not surprisingly, and they all denied it would be them – including the ultimate betrayer, Judas.
It is also at this meal that Jesus is believed to have taken a piece of bread, blessed it and given it to the attendees, saying: “Take it and eat it; this is my body.” And then did the same with the wine, saying: “This is my blood, which seals God’s covenant – my blood poured out for the many for the forgiveness of sins.”
It is from this that we get the “Eucharist“, which refers to the Sacrament in which body and blood of Jesus are said to be truly present on the altar at the Catholic mass, appearing as the bread and wine that is then consecrated and shared through communion.
It is traditional to observe Holy Thursday by holding a special service at which the Last Supper is re-enacted. (FWIW, this is celebrated at every mass, as part of the Liturgy of the Eucharist, but it’s of particular and special note on this day). This service might include the washing of feet, and also stripping the altar of all adornments, which symbolizes Christ’s impending death.
There’s also something called a Tenebrae Service, which involves increasing the darkness inside the church by snuffing out candles – again, signaling the coming death of Christ. “Tenebrae” is Latin for “darkness”.
And since we’re on the topic of etymology…The word Maundy” has its origins in the Latin word “mandatum,” which means “commandment”, reminding us of Jesus’s commandment that his disciples love one another.
Another warmish day is on tap, with temperatures in the low 50s. It will be cloudy with occasional rain showers and areas of patchy fog will potentially develop, so be on the lookout if you’re on the road.
In the headlines…
Officials investigating the ship crash that caused Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge to collapse early Tuesday have recovered the vessel’s black box data recorder.
Officials announced the recovery of two bodies from the water beneath the spot where the bridge in Baltimore collapsed, with the two men having been found trapped in their vehicle after it fell from the bridge early on Tuesday. Four men are still missing.
The authorities said the men were found by divers in a red pickup truck underwater yesterday morning and their loved ones were informed in person by officials yesterday afternoon, the public and media were told at an evening briefing.
Federal investigators said “multiple alarms” and an order to drop anchor could be heard on the data recorder of a massive cargo ship in the desperate moments before it struck the bridge, plunging it and several construction workers into the cold river below.
The massive cargo ship that lost control and slammed into the bridge was not the first to do so. The same span was also hit by a wayward cargo vessel in 1980.
Former U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, who nearly won the vice presidency on the Democratic ticket with Al Gore in the disputed 2000 election and who almost became Republican John McCain’s running mate eight years later, has died.
Lieberman died in New York City yesterday due to complications from a fall, a statement from his family said. He was 82.
Friends, allies and former rivals of Lieberman, offered condolences and praise for the four-term senator from Connecticut who was once a standard-bearer of the Democratic Party.
President Joe Biden’s bid for a second term and reelection campaign coffers will get a hefty boost today when he’s joined in New York by his two immediate predecessors as Democratic presidents, Barack Obama and Bill Clinton.
Obama has made clear to associates in recent months that he believes Biden’s intensifying re-match with Donald Trump in November will be incredibly close, and that the 2024 election marks an “all-hands-on-deck” moment.
Biden this week called for extending a subsidy boost under the Affordable Care Act that is set to expire after 2025, underscoring one of the most immediate health care policy implications of the upcoming election.
Biden has repeatedly invoked the darkest days of the pandemic in a series of recent speeches, recalling the panic that took hold in early 2020 as schools shuttered, stocks cratered and hospitals became overwhelmed.
Trump lashed out at the New York judge who put him under a gag order ahead of his April 15 hush-money criminal trial, suggesting without evidence that the veteran jurist was kowtowing to his daughter’s interests as a Democratic political consultant.
Trump suggested without evidence that Judge Juan M. Merchan was kowtowing to his daughter’s interests as a Democratic political consultant. He also claimed — repudiated by court officials — that she had posted a social media photo showing him behind bars.
The photo made it “completely impossible for me to get a fair trial,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. He demanded that the judge recuse himself. The New York State Court system says the account on X is bogus.
Ethics experts say Trump Media, now a publicly traded company, would present a new way for foreign actors or others to influence Trump, if he is elected president.
Trump attacked Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the independent presidential candidate, yesterday morning, casting Kennedy as a liberal Democrat in disguise while also seeming to back him as a spoiler for President Biden’s campaign.
Weeks of cautious optimism that New York lawmakers might approve the state budget on time have faded to the reality that talks will drag past the April 1 deadline, with differences over housing, health care and education policy delaying a deal.
Though officials have indicated that the meetings have been productive, Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement she would deliver a bill to lawmakers delaying the budget’s due date until April 4.
“While I believe a final agreement is within reach, I recognize many New Yorkers would like to spend the holiday weekend with family and loved ones,” Hochul said.
With budget negotiations underway, Hochul’s proposal to create an Empire AI consortium to lead responsible development of artificial intelligence is likely to get the $275 million it needs.
Legislative leaders say they and Hochul are discussing a comprehensive revision of the outdated formula that is used to distribute $35 billion in school aid, which could be an alternative to Hochul’s idea to end the “hold-harmless” practice
The New York state Senate Republican Conference Antisemitism Working Group unveiled a report and recommendations to Hochul and Democratic lawmakers to address and combat antisemitism in communities.
The fight over charter schools is poised to reenter the political arena in the coming months after former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Walmart heir Jim C. Walton recently contributed more than $2 million to a pro-charter campaign fund.
New York is poised to embark on a public pool expansion push, a sort of chlorine new deal that would splash $150 million in grants across the state to multiply safe swimming sites.
Charlotte Bennett, who filed a federal lawsuit accusing Andrew Cuomo of sexual harassment, recorded a series of personal videos describing her work experiences in the executive chamber that the ex-governor’s attorneys contend refute many of her allegations.
Bennett filmed herself driving in a car in January 2020, talking about her discussions and relationship with her then-boss, calling him “so amazing” and “a wonderful person.”
Ten years ago, the agency overseeing the upkeep of the majestic state Capitol reported that the granite staircase leading to the main entrance was warped and bulging so badly that part of it might collapse at any moment. The stairs are still closed.
Nearly five years to the day that the state Legislature first passed congestion pricing, the board of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority has given final approval to the plan to toll vehicles in Manhattan south of 60th Street.
Only one of the 12 MTA board members – Nassau County’s David Mack – opposed the congestion pricing proposal, which will charge cars an additional $15 to enter Manhattan at 61st Street and below, while trucks could pay $24 and $36, depending on size.
Some lawmakers and advocates are pushing the state to invest more in prevention, treatment and recovery when it comes to substance use disorders. Hochul and the Senate and Assembly all made slightly different budget proposals for fighting the crisis.
The Republican treasurer and Democratic executive director of a pro-Israel political advocacy group have launched a state-level political action committee to spend directly in New York’s elections, according to Board of Elections records.
New York City can’t surrender and allow the Big Apple to descend back to the bad old days of subway crime, MTA boss Janno Lieber stressed yesterday, just days after an innocent straphanger was shoved to his death in the latest violent underground attack.
Anti-cop politicians should stay away from Diller’s funeral, the Sergeants Benevolent Association warned — specifically calling out City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and Public Advocate Jumaanee Williams.
Trump is due to join a sea of blue for the wake of Diller on Long Island today, officials confirmed.
Adams is facing calls to restore next year’s police academy classes to beef up the NYPD’s dwindling ranks following Diller’s line-of-duty shooting.
A 41-year-old man, Lindy Jones, was charged in connection with Diller’s fatal shooting two days ago. A man in the passenger seat, Guy Rivera, 34, fired the fatal shot through the passenger-side window, the authorities said, but has not been charged.
A 19-year-old man who was in mental distress and called 911 seeking help was fatally shot by the police in his Queens home yesterday after, officials said, he threatened officers with a pair of scissors and they opened fire.
Five students were wounded in slashings at a Queens high school and were later arrested, the police said. The slashings occurred during a fight that broke out around 12:43 p.m. at the school, New Dawn Charter High School II in Jamaica.
The hiring halls the Adams administration has held to fill vacant municipal government jobs will start also offering career opportunities in the private sector, the mayor announced.
“We have thousands of jobs that are open in city government, everything from school safety agents to entry level to tech jobs. There are so many jobs that are open, but it’s just too darn difficult to make that connection,” Adams said.
Adams defended his top adviser and longtime friend Timothy Pearson after a retired NYPD sergeant accused him of repeatedly sexually harassing her and thwarting her promotion within the department in a sprawling lawsuit last week.
Local elected officials and arts advocates are warning that “every NYC student stands to lose arts programming” when COVID aid disappears this summer.
Three million people a day ride trains in a system with more than 400 stations and 6,000 train cars. Officials hope pouring in more resources and officers can keep them safe.
The Long Island Roller Rebels, a nearly 20-year-old amateur league, backed by the NYCLU, is suing a county leader over an executive order to prevent women’s and girl’s leagues and teams with transgender players from using county-run parks and fields.
Six villages in New York have been designated to be in fiscal stress, according to a report from state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli’s office released yesterday.
The state has officially hired a monitor for the Orange County Industrial Development Agency, 10 months after state lawmakers approved the position.
A state university mascot competition has gotten even wilder after one university admitted students stuffed ballots for their furry favorite.
Unionized workers at MASS MoCA reached a contract agreement with the contemporary art museum in North Adams, Mass., late Tuesday night, bringing an end to a 20-day strike.
A longtime landmark for bargain hunters, the Freihofer’s Bakery Outlet on Fuller Road has been closed along with other outlets in Schenectady, Queensbury, and Nelliston, Montgomery County.
Colonie Center, the region’s second-largest mall, has defaulted on its $103 million mortgage, according to reporting by the Albany Business Review.
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) told the country to be on the lookout specifically for spotted lanternfly eggs and to destroy them immediately.
Former Syracuse guard Brendan Paul was arrested this week and issued two drug-related charges, according to Miami-Dade (Fla.) County police records. He was described in a federal lawsuit filed in February as a “mule” for rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs.
Photo credit: George Fazio.
