newyorkpost--2020-01-25--Toddler dies after dad’s hidden gun discharges while play wrestling

A 4-year-old Indiana boy has died four days after being accidentally shot in the head by a gun that his father had hidden in his pants , police said .
Tripp Shaw was injured Sunday night when a Glock semi-automatic handgun that his dad had tucked in the small of his back discharged while they played wrestled on a bed in their Bloomington home ; the boy died Thursday , the Monroe County Sheriff ’ s Office reported , according to indystar.com .
Tripp ’ s dad , Tyler Shaw , 36 , was struck in the head with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ His injuries were not life-threatening .
Sheriff Brad Swain said the boy ’ s mother and 2-year-old sister were also in the house when the gun discharged , indystar reported .
Authorities sent the Glock off to be tested for any defects that may have caused it to fire unexpectedly .
Friends of the Shaws have launched a crowdfunding drive to “ help with the financial stress.
” The GoFundMe campaign — called # ShawStrong — notes “ It takes a village to help through an accidental tragedy .
The Shaw family has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Indiana is an open carry state , with a permit .
It ’ s not known if any criminal charges will be filed in connection with the shooting , indystar reported .

A 4-year-old Indiana boy has died four days after being accidentally shot in the head by a gun that his father had hidden in his pants, police said.
Tripp Shaw was injured Sunday night when a Glock semi-automatic handgun that his dad had tucked in the small of his back discharged while they played wrestled on a bed in their Bloomington home; the boy died Thursday, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office reported, according to indystar.com.
Tripp’s dad, Tyler Shaw, 36, was struck in the head with the same bullet that killed his son. His injuries were not life-threatening.
Sheriff Brad Swain said the boy’s mother and 2-year-old sister were also in the house when the gun discharged, indystar reported. Authorities sent the Glock off to be tested for any defects that may have caused it to fire unexpectedly.
Friends of the Shaws have launched a crowdfunding drive to “help with the financial stress.”
The GoFundMe campaign — called #ShawStrong — notes “It takes a village to help through an accidental tragedy. The Shaw family has been through so much in this situation.”
Indiana is an open carry state, with a permit. It’s not known if any criminal charges will be filed in connection with the shooting, indystar reported.


newyorkpost--2020-01-25--Joe Douglas effect is palatable as Jets overhaul gets underway

MOBILE , Ala. — Before heading to Miami for Super Bowl ...

If the Jets’ offseason were a sitcom, it would be called “Everybody Loves Joe.”
Whomever you talked to about new Jets general manager Joe Douglas at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. this past week, the responses were the same: “The Jets nailed it. He’s great. They finally got it right,” or something to that effect.
Whether it was longtime Jets employees, scouts from other teams, player agents, coaches who have worked with him, the praise for Douglas was effusive.
Just because he seems to be universally respected and liked does not mean he will be successful, but it is a strong step in the right direction. In the end, it will still come down to finding the right players, developing them and getting some luck when it comes to injuries.
Still, you can already feel the effect Douglas has had inside the Jets. He has infused confidence into the organization that has been lacking in recent years. He is comfortable in his own skin and gregarious. He has a way about him that puts people at ease quickly and has been a unifying force inside the team.
As important as his demeanor has been, the bigger factor in winning over people inside the organization has been his credibility and vision for the future.
After getting hired in June, Douglas met with the personnel department in July, about a week before training camp. Though he hired his lieutenants — Rex Hogan, Chad Alexander and Phil Savage — he inherited the scouting staff from Mike Maccagnan. Douglas knew all of them from years of being on the scouting trail together, but this was his introduction as their boss.
Douglas laid out a mission statement for them to follow and the core traits the Jets want in players overall, then specifically for each position. Douglas’ philosophy is a blend of different influences in his career. Ozzie Newsome’s Ravens, where he scouted for 15 years, is the biggest influence. But he also brought some Eagles with him from his time there, some Saints from working with Bears GM Ryan Pace, who was in New Orleans for years, and some Broncos from his time with former Denver coach John Fox in Chicago. There is also some Colts influence from Hogan after two years in Indianapolis.
In August, the scouting department did some mock scouting exercises to get used to the new philosophy and grading system. It gave the scouts a jump-start on the process that hit full stride this past week.
Though the timing of Maccagnan’s firing and the hiring of Douglas may have seemed unorthodox and unwise at the time, it now is benefitting the Jets. Instead of hiring a GM in January and him jumping in just as the draft season hits high gear, Douglas had months to get his staff prepared.
“I also didn’t have to rush through implementing a grading scale change, implementing a new philosophy,” Douglas said in his season-ending press conference. “You didn’t have to try to hit the ground running with All-Star games and the [NFL Scouting] Combine right around the corner. So you could really get your processes in place, communicate with the people on your staff about what expectations are, how processes are going to change, what the grading scale’s going to be.
“We were able to have some exercises in the summer, do some summer work as far as getting guys used to the new grading scale. Not to bore you with all those details, but there were a lot, lot, of benefits of starting when I did.”
Douglas met with each area scout individually in December, and they went over his region in depth. The staff will meet as a group in the coming weeks as they prepare for the combine next month. The coaches will also get involved in the process soon when the Jets begin narrowing their focus.
The task in front of Douglas is daunting. He inherited a roster with very little blue-chip talent and no middle class after years of poor drafting.
Douglas is already beloved and respected by his peers. If he can infuse the Jets with talent quickly and make them a perennial playoff contender, his popularity with fans might even be greater.
For more on the Jets, listen to the latest episode of the “Gang’s All Here” podcast:


newyorkpost--2020-01-25--Barbet steals the show at American Kennel Club’s ‘Meet the Breeds’

Artemi Panarin is constructing one of the greatest offensive seasons ...

A breed that was almost wiped out by the World Wars was the star of the American Kennel Club’s “Meet the Breeds” event Saturday.
The Barbet was among 150 breeds of dogs and cats available for pets, cuddles and romping with visitors to the Jacob Javits Center. The breed, along with the Dogo Argentino, joined the AKC’s list of recognized breeds at the start of the year, bringing the total number to 195.
The Barbet is a French water dog that dates back to the 16th century, but the breed nearly went extinct during the World Wars, which devastated France. After the wars, there were a handful of breeders who worked to revive the breed. There are only about 500 registered Barbets in the US.
Its rarity is one of the reasons it wasn’t recognized by the AKC until this year.
“They instantly love you,” said Barb Gresham, president of the Barbet Club of America, who joked she refers to the breed the “Velcro dog,” because they want to be with their humans all the time. “They’re always happy. Nothing makes them happier to be with you.”
Smart and playful with a thick coat of naturally curly hair — not fur, which means people who are allergic to dogs may not react as strongly — Barbets are usually about 30 to 45 pounds, and were originally bred to retrieve fallen game in marshes.
There were dozens of other breeds on display, from elegant Papillons to gentle Shi Tzus to tiny Schipperkes, weighing in at just 10-15 pounds.
“They are great companions. They’re full of life,” said Katharine Baptiste, of Montauk, Long Island, who was showing off her 7-year-old Schipperke named Meeko. “They’re very smart. He can open refrigerator doors. You get a big dog personality in a portable package.”
The day wasn’t only about pets. It also featured demonstrations by police dogs from the Transit K-9 unit. Rett, a 19-month-old Shepherd Malinois mix, who is state certified in explosive detection and works patrolling the subways was also on hand.
“He protects 6 to 8 million subway riders every day,” said his handler, NYPD Officer Justin Gelbrand. “He’s super social, and when it comes time to work, he is a workhorse.”
The meet-and-greet runs through Sunday .
AKC-recognized breeds will be on display Feb. 10-11 at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden. The event kicks off with the Master Agility Championship on Feb. 9.
Meet the breeds!
Previous 1 of 11 Next Advertisement Natty, a pug, is 2 years old. Stephen Yang Tinia the Bergamasco Sheepdog, 8, with Harper, 10. Stephen Yang Advertisement Willie, 7, is also a Barbet. Stephen Yang Abyssinian cat, Jack, is 5 months old. Stephen Yang 10-year-old Quinlan, a Shih Tzu. Stephen Yang Advertisement Afghan Hound, Pansy, with owner Dru Shepherd. Stephen Yang Panache Bengal, Janice, with owner. Stephen Yang Berger Picard, Ollie, is 2 years old. Stephen Yang Advertisement
Additional Reporting by Eileen AJ Connelly


newyorkpost--2020-01-25--Artemi Panarin is already in legendary Rangers company

ST. LOUIS — It is one of the most curious ...

Artemi Panarin is constructing one of the greatest offensive seasons in Rangers history with 68 points (26 goals, 42 assists) in 47 games. But the electric winger has a long way to go to surpass No. 68 at the top of the franchise’s all-time single-season list.
For Jaromir Jagr not only established franchise records of 54 goals and 123 points in 2005-06, he carried that team to the playoffs, ending a seven-season drought with a club that had been regarded as no better than the Blueshirts’ current squad during the preseason.
Just as it is with Panarin, who has elevated his teammates and team, it was much more than numbers with Jagr. It always is with great ones and great seasons. If it weren’t, we could allow just mathematical formulas to select Hart Trophy winners and the like.
But what are the greatest offensive seasons in Rangers history?
Jagr , 2005-06.
, 2005-06. Jean Ratelle , 109 points (46-63) in 63 games during the 1971-72 season that ended for No. 19 when he sustained a broken ankle when hit by a shot from teammate Dale Rolfe in a March 1 contest. Ratelle averaged 1.73 points per game while skating with GAG Line mates Vic Hadfield and Rod Gilbert, while Art Ross Trophy winner Phil Esposito collected 1.75 ppg in finishing with 133 points in 76 games for the Bruins. Ratelle’s injury likely cost the second-best team in modern franchise history the Stanley Cup, the Blueshirts eventually going down in a six-game final round to the Bruins with Ratelle appearing as a faint shadow of himself in the series.
, 109 points (46-63) in 63 games during the 1971-72 season that ended for No. 19 when he sustained a broken ankle when hit by a shot from teammate Dale Rolfe in a March 1 contest. Ratelle averaged 1.73 points per game while skating with GAG Line mates Vic Hadfield and Rod Gilbert, while Art Ross Trophy winner Phil Esposito collected 1.75 ppg in finishing with 133 points in 76 games for the Bruins. Ratelle’s injury likely cost the second-best team in modern franchise history the Stanley Cup, the Blueshirts eventually going down in a six-game final round to the Bruins with Ratelle appearing as a faint shadow of himself in the series. Brian Leetch , 102 points (20-82) in 1991-92 while winning the Norris Trophy as a 23-year-old in his fourth full season. Leetch had an outstanding 1993-94 and won a second Norris in 1996-97, but No. 2 was an offensive dynamo in Mark Messier’s first season on Broadway.
, 102 points (20-82) in 1991-92 while winning the Norris Trophy as a 23-year-old in his fourth full season. Leetch had an outstanding 1993-94 and won a second Norris in 1996-97, but No. 2 was an offensive dynamo in Mark Messier’s first season on Broadway. Andy Bathgate , 88 points (40-48) in 1958-59 while winning the Hart Trophy and first-team All-Star designation at right wing, thus breaking the Maurice Richard-Gordie Howe 14-year stranglehold on that spot, during which the Rocket was first-team All-Star eight times and Mr. Hockey six times.
, 88 points (40-48) in 1958-59 while winning the Hart Trophy and first-team All-Star designation at right wing, thus breaking the Maurice Richard-Gordie Howe 14-year stranglehold on that spot, during which the Rocket was first-team All-Star eight times and Mr. Hockey six times. Marian Gaborik , 86 points (42-44) in 2009-10 while playing primarily with Vinny Prospal on the left and either Brandon Dubinsky or Erik Christensen in the middle. The Great Gabby bolted out of the gate with 26 goals in his first 35 games after signing a massive, five-year free agent deal worth $7.5 million per. Two years later, Gaborik joined Mike Gartner as the only Rangers to ever score 40 or more goals twice within three seasons before being run out of New York a year after that by John Tortorella.
, 86 points (42-44) in 2009-10 while playing primarily with Vinny Prospal on the left and either Brandon Dubinsky or Erik Christensen in the middle. The Great Gabby bolted out of the gate with 26 goals in his first 35 games after signing a massive, five-year free agent deal worth $7.5 million per. Two years later, Gaborik joined Mike Gartner as the only Rangers to ever score 40 or more goals twice within three seasons before being run out of New York a year after that by John Tortorella. Mike Rogers, 103 points (38-65) in 1981-82. Six Rangers have recorded 100 points or more in a season, and Rogers joins franchise fables Messier, Hadfield, Ratelle, Leetch and Jagr in that club. Rogers had put up a pair of 105-point seasons for the Whalers before coming to New York in a deal in which Doug Sulliman was the key piece going the other way. He finished 13th in the NHL scoring race that season with 27 points more than Rangers runner-up Ron Duguay, but was 109 points behind Art Ross winner Wayne Gretzky.
Jordan Greenway has been toiling on the fourth line in Minnesota, and you had better believe the Rangers will be inquiring what it would take to acquire the 22-year-old, 6-foot-6 winger who thrived playing for David Quinn at Boston University.
The top 10 undrafted players to make their NHL debuts in the cap era: 1. Panarin; 2. Sergei Bobrovsky; 3. Mats Zuccarello; 4. Tyler Bozak; 5. Mark Giordano; 6. Torey Krug; 7. Dan Girardi; 8. Tyler Johnson; 9. Alex Burrows; 10. Andy Greene. Honorable mention: Cam Talbot, Nate Schmidt.
So if you transposed Columbus’ Zach Werenski-Seth Jones first pair onto the Rangers, would the Blueshirts be in the playoff spot currently held by the Blue Jackets?
And, seriously, in coaching the team he has rather than the one that he had last season or might want to have, Tortorella could well have another Adams Award as coach of the year in his sights if Columbus can maintain its hold on a tournament spot.
Though his old buddy Mike Sullivan might pick up a few votes for his job with the Penguins.
It is the All-Star break and the Maple Leafs are still somehow not in a playoff spot, and if anyone in the organization truly believes this is still about two, three or four years down the line, it is not.
Toronto isn’t in, same for Vegas, same for Nashville, same for Calgary, and every one of them has already made a coaching change this season, though the Flames’ Bill Peters would presumably still be in place if his past hadn’t caught up to him.
Mike Babcock has just disappeared, hasn’t he? And it is a wonder that the league is still playing games without the input from one of the people who couldn’t wait to tell you how he invented it.
Oh, sorry, I might have gotten Babcock mixed up with Dan Bylsma.
Who gets hired first, Gerard Gallant, Peter Laviolette or Babcock?
Snapshot. Elite Eight: 1. Tampa Bay; 2. Washington; 3. St. Louis; 4. Boston; 5. Pittsburgh; 6. Colorado; 7. Columbus; 8. Florida.
So is Keith Yandle having a nice career, or what?
Chris Kreider’s trade value has skyrocketed after Friday’s speedskating contest in St. Louis because before that, nobody knew he was fast.
Finally, with Mat Barzal winning that skills competition with the third-fastest time ever recorded, it is now unassailable that Islanders coach Barry Trotz is the only man in the world who can slow down No. 13.


newyorkpost--2020-01-25--Robinson Cano is center of Mets universe with so much at stake

Luis Rojas is a new name to most Mets fans , ...

With a wet and chilly Saturday serving as a fitting backdrop, the Mets’ spring training truck posed for one last shot at Citi Field before heading for Port St. Lucie. There, to enhance the photo opportunity, stood three important Mets: Edwin Diaz lowest to the ground, then Robinson Cano, then Jeff McNeil.
Fitting, too, that Cano stood in the middle.
You name a storyline surrounding these 2020 Mets, and you’ll find Cano in the center of it. Hence, one of the key questions for this club can be posed, quite simply: Can the center hold?
“Last year, I got a couple of injuries. I got hit five times in the hands,” Cano said during the Mets’ FanFest. “That’s not an excuse, but it’s not the same when you have pains or anything like that. I went home and prepared, got my legs stronger and tried to prevent what happened last year. Hopefully, it doesn’t happen again.”
The second baseman discussed this in response to a question of whether he could duplicate his performance with the 2018 Mariners, to which Cano initially smiled and replied: “Yes, for sure. Why not?”
In 80 games with the ’18 Mariners, Cano had a slash line of .303/.374/.471. In 107 games with the ’19 Mets, those numbers plummeted to .256/.307/.428. He did sustain a few hits to his hands, as he said, and the former iron man spent three stints on the injured list with left quadriceps and left hamstring issues. Throw in some ill-timed failures to hustle out grounders — as well as one ill-timed, unnecessary hustle that resulted in his first IL stay — and Cano’s first year as a Met proved downright disastrous.
Entering his age-37 season, less than a year younger than his new manager, Luis Rojas, He is joined at the hip with his general manager, Brodie Van Wagenen, his former agent who brought him here in a trade that imploded in year one like the “Cats” movie and has Cano under contract here through 2023.
He championed the hiring of Rojas, his fellow Dominican Republic native, after getting to know him last season and playing for Rojas’ legendary dad Felipe Alou in the World Baseball Classic. He helped beleaguered closer Edwin Diaz, who accompanied him here from Seattle, connect with Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez over the winter.
As for the Astros sign-stealing scandal that jettisoned Carlos Beltran from the Mets manager’s office before even getting to spring training and landed Rojas in place? Not only did Cano play for the 2017 Mariners, facing Beltran’s scheming, title-winning Astros 19 times, but he also knows something about rule breaking, having served an 80-game suspension in 2018 for violating the game’s illegal performance-enhancing drug protocol.
“Honestly, I don’t have [any] comment on that,” Cano said of the big Astros news. “I didn’t see anything back then. What else can I say? I let MLB decide and do whatever they have to do.”
Can Cano do what he has to do? Can he rediscover his past excellence legally while enhancing Rojas’ stature rather than sinking it, as he did last year with Mickey Callaway? If, like most 37-year-olds, he does continue on a downward trajectory, can he handle a decrease in playing time with diplomacy? Do the Mets possess the depth to handle that, given that they have Jeff McNeil penciled in for a lot of third-base time, J.D. Davis is a defensive liability at third and Jed Lowrie missed nearly all of last year with injuries?
“For me, every year is important,” Cano said. “I’m blessed to still wear this uniform. I just want to go out there and help this team win a championship.”
With a new owner on the way in Steve Cohen, this season looks particularly important for Cano and everyone in his orbit. Which is essentially everyone in the Mets’ universe. Can the center hold? We’ll start to get the answer once Cano meets that truck down in Florida.


newyorkpost--2020-01-25--Inside Cameron Diaz’s secret life as a Hollywood ‘retiree’

These SUR-vers are ready to be “ Housewives .
”

Five years ago, Cameron Diaz was one of the most A-list celebrities in the world. In 2014 alone, she was on the covers of Harper’s Bazaar, InStyle, Self, Marie Claire and Esquire. She starred in “Sex Tape” and “The Other Woman,” as well as a remake of “Annie,” which together grossed more than $450 million worldwide. She hosted “Saturday Night Live” for the fourth time.
And then she all but disappeared. No more movies or TV. Only the rarest of appearances (showing up last year for pal Lucy Liu’s Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony) and interviews — including one in 2018, when she told Entertainment Weekly she was “retired.’”
So it was a shock when she posted an announcement to her 6 million Instagram followers on Jan. 3: She and her husband, musician Benji Madden, were parents to a baby girl, Raddix Chloe Wildflower, born Dec. 30.
It even came as a surprise to people who had once known Diaz well.
“They keep to themselves. No one outside their tight small circle hears from them,” said a screenwriter who has worked with the actress.
Sources suggest motherhood may have been a big impetus behind Diaz’s decision to walk away from Hollywood.
“They tried forever to get pregnant. They did acupuncture, special diets, IVF, supplements. They went to the best fertility doctors. They tried to adopt. Nothing worked,” said a Diaz pal, adding the baby was born via a surrogate. “But for Cam, this was her priority over acting, doing books, any kind of career. She was compelled.”
Still, it’s not like Hollywood has turned its back on her.
“There was no studio who wouldn’t hire her [when she was still acting],” said one executive who has worked with Diaz multiple times. “They’d hire her now. They’d develop projects especially for her. But she always passes.”
Insiders said the actress is sticking to her plan.
“Everyone thought Cami loved the attention,” said one old friend of the actress. “But really, she just knew how to ride a wave, had fun with it, made a lot of friends.”
Two other big things happened to Diaz in 2014. For one, she quit social media — and her reasoning offered a glimpse into her view on fame.
“The way people use it to get validation from a bunch of strangers is dangerous,” she told Cosmopolitan UK in January 2015. “What’s the point?”
(She later returned to Instagram, then took a hiatus from 2016 to 2018 and now rarely posts anything — and certainly nothing personal besides the baby announcement.)
Also in 2014, she began dating Madden, guitarist for the band Good Charlotte, whom she married in January 2015.
“Cami always came off as the good-time girl, the fun girl, the sexy girl,” said a former assistant to the actress. “She had a long list of boyfriends, but never felt safe with any of them.”
Among the men she dated: Justin Timberlake, Matt Dillon, Jared Leto, magician Criss Angel and Alex Rodriguez.
Meeting Madden, the assistant said, changed Diaz. “With Benji, she’s in a totally different mindset: domestic, cooking, all about wellness. Even though she’d said she never thought of having kids, that all changed when she met him.” (Diaz told Esquire in 2014: “I was never drawn to being a mother.”)
The actress, who grew up in Long Beach, California, and went to high school with Snoop Dogg, worked as a teen model before bursting on the big screen at age 21 in 1994’s “The Mask.”
She often played the hot, fun blonde, in movies such as “My Best Friend’s Wedding,” “The Sweetest Thing,” “There’s Something About Mary” and the “Charlie’s Angels” franchise. In 2013, she was the highest-paid actress over 40, with ticket grosses hitting $3 billion.
“Very few actresses ever rake in that kind of box office,” said the screenwriter who has worked with her.
But her old friend said that, despite the actress’ bubbling laugh and big personality, the roles into which Diaz was pigeonholed didn’t exactly fit her.
“I always thought she was more like her ‘Being John Malkovich’ character than all the sexy chicks she played,” the old friend said. “She’s incredibly soulful.”
As for how Diaz and Madden came up with their daughter’s unusual name, a family friend told The Post: “Raddix comes from ‘Rad,’ their favorite word. And her best friend Drew Barrymore’s autobiography is called ‘Wildflower.’ Also, Benji has a band called Rad Omen.”
Sources say Raddix is still sleeping in her crib in her parents’ bedroom in Beverly Hills, but will soon move into a pink nursery.
“She has little interest in going out right now,” said the pal of Diaz. “Benji’s an amazing caretaker. And they have no interest in a nanny right now. They want to do it all together, utterly hands on.”
“Right now, Benji just wants to take care of Cameron and their little girl,” said a music-industry source. “Fifteen years on the road and after that, you want to stay home.”
The couple are also close to Madden’s twin brother and Good Charlotte bandmate, Joel, and his wife, Nicole Richie.
“Benji saw how happy his brother is being married to Nicole and being a dad,” said the former assistant. “Benji loves his niece and nephew like they’re his own kids.”
While Good Charlotte hasn’t had a Top 40 hit since 2010, the band’s last album, 2018’s “Generation Rx,” reached No. 18 on Billboard’s Top 100 album chart.
But Diaz, whose net worth has been reported at $140 million, is set.
“Cam was very smart toward the end of her career,” said the former assistant. “She took only a million-dollar salary for ‘Bad Teacher’ — then made $40 million on the back-end deal.”
And just because Diaz is retired from performing doesn’t mean she’s not planning to work again one day.
“She loved doing books,” the former assistant added of the actress’ wellness-focused “The Body Book” (2013) and “The Longevity Book” (2016). “I bet she writes one about becoming a mom in [her] late 40s.”
As Diaz wrote for InStyle last year: “I’ve given more than half of my life to the public . . . I don’t miss performing. Right now I’m looking at the landscape of wellness and all that. But whatever I do, it has to be something I’m passionate about — something that just feels effortless.”
“She’s always been into yoga, pilates, acupuncture,” said another Hollywood insider of the actress. “But she’s not as ambitious as Gwyneth.”
As for right now, there’s only one thing on the horizon for Diaz and Madden.
“Diapers,” the pal said with a laugh. “Diapers are all they’re thinking about. And maybe another baby.”
And where are these A-listers?
Cameron Diaz isn’t the only one of her Hollywood contemporaries to seemingly go MIA as of late.


newyorkpost--2020-01-25--MTA has more happy riders — but still lags behind D.C., Chicago

The MTA is gloating about a big jump to nearly 50 % in customer satisfaction , but hang on : The number still lags far behind both Washington and Chicago , which are roughly 30 percentage points higher .
New York ’ s mass transit agency sets the bar for happy campers at a simple majority , and it ’ s close .
The number of pleased subway passengers zoomed from 34.8 % in 2018 to 49.3 % last year ; for bus riders , the increase was less dramatic — 49.8 % , up from 43.8 % .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passenger survey that MTA launched about a year ago under transit chief Andy Byford , who resigned Thursday .
During Byford ’ s two years on the job , the on-time rates for the subway improved and fewer trains were in the repair shop .
“ System satisfaction is at the highest level since the launch of Customers Count , and very close to the key threshold of having a majority of customers satisfied , ” MTA ’ s market research arm said in its January report to board members .
One satisfied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Hoboken , who takes the subway for both work and pleasure .
“ It depends on the line actually , ” said Golubchik , standing outside the stop at 42nd Street and Sixth Avenue at noon Friday .
“ The F and M are good and consistent.
” Then , he rattled off a list of the pluses : clean stations , the MTA ’ s efforts to communicate better with riders and new technology , including the smart device fare payment system OMNY .
Golubchik chalks up the smoother rides to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poured into improvements , New York ’ s robust economy and politicians pulling out the stops to meet riders ’ higher expectations that came with the hike in fares last spring .
In Chicago , customer satisfaction stands at 85 % for trains and buses — the highest since 2011 .
And spokesman Brian Steele points out that 91 % of riders would recommend the system .
Washington ’ s Metro system is coasting along , too .
The numbers for both bus and rail hover around 75 % and spring to 80 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is off to a strong start : 79 % for trains and 76 % for buses .
Unlike New York , Washington doesn ’ t have a specific goal for customer satisfaction — only a general one , “ to show a continually improving customer satisfaction score , ” said spokesman Jannetta .
One way Washington is working to improve customer satisfaction is by giving riders their fare back if they have a rush-hour trip that takes 10 minutes or more than it should .
The system , Jannetta explained , automatically measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ start to finish .
Neusa Silva would be thrilled if the MTA gave her a refund for every time her bus was late .
Once a week , she waits and waits for the QM4 express bus to take her back to Queens from her part-time cleaning job in Manhattan .
On Friday , the schedule puts the arrival time at about 12:20 p.m. at the stop on Sixth Avenue , between 44th and 45th streets .
She was still waiting a half-hour later .
“ It ’ s always late , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ edge to her voice .
Still , the MTA can take comfort that customer satisfaction is headed in the right direction : Over six years , San Francisco ’ s BART system saw its score tumble — from 74 % to 56 % .

The MTA is gloating about a big jump to nearly 50% in customer satisfaction, but hang on: The number still lags far behind both Washington and Chicago, which are roughly 30 percentage points higher.
New York’s mass transit agency sets the bar for happy campers at a simple majority, and it’s close. The number of pleased subway passengers zoomed from 34.8% in 2018 to 49.3% last year; for bus riders, the increase was less dramatic — 49.8%, up from 43.8%.
The figures come from Customers Count, a passenger survey that MTA launched about a year ago under transit chief Andy Byford, who resigned Thursday.
During Byford’s two years on the job, the on-time rates for the subway improved and fewer trains were in the repair shop.
“System satisfaction is at the highest level since the launch of Customers Count, and very close to the key threshold of having a majority of customers satisfied,” MTA’s market research arm said in its January report to board members.
One satisfied customer is Stan Golubchik, 50, of Hoboken, who takes the subway for both work and pleasure.
“It depends on the line actually,” said Golubchik, standing outside the stop at 42nd Street and Sixth Avenue at noon Friday. “The F and M are good and consistent.”
Then, he rattled off a list of the pluses: clean stations, the MTA’s efforts to communicate better with riders and new technology, including the smart device fare payment system OMNY.
Golubchik chalks up the smoother rides to the millions of dollars that MTA has poured into improvements, New York’s robust economy and politicians pulling out the stops to meet riders’ higher expectations that came with the hike in fares last spring.
In Chicago, customer satisfaction stands at 85% for trains and buses — the highest since 2011. And spokesman Brian Steele points out that 91% of riders would recommend the system.
Washington’s Metro system is coasting along, too. The numbers for both bus and rail hover around 75% and spring to 80% every so often. Fiscal 2020 is off to a strong start: 79% for trains and 76% for buses.
Unlike New York, Washington doesn’t have a specific goal for customer satisfaction — only a general one, “to show a continually improving customer satisfaction score,” said spokesman Ian Jannetta.
One way Washington is working to improve customer satisfaction is by giving riders their fare back if they have a rush-hour trip that takes 10 minutes or more than it should. The system, Jannetta explained, automatically measures a rider’s travel time from start to finish.
Neusa Silva would be thrilled if the MTA gave her a refund for every time her bus was late. Once a week, she waits and waits for the QM4 express bus to take her back to Queens from her part-time cleaning job in Manhattan.
On Friday, the schedule puts the arrival time at about 12:20 p.m. at the stop on Sixth Avenue, between 44th and 45th streets. She was still waiting a half-hour later.
“It’s always late,” Silva, 70, said with an edge to her voice.
Still, the MTA can take comfort that customer satisfaction is headed in the right direction: Over six years, San Francisco’s BART system saw its score tumble — from 74% to 56%.


newyorkpost--2020-01-25--Brooklyn Bishop DiMarzio cancels school visit amid sex abuse claim

Brooklyn Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio canceled his visit to a Park Slope school Tuesday after parents raised concerns that the cleric accused of child molestation would be around their kids , The Post has learned .
DiMarzio was scheduled to participate in a Q & A with kids at St. Saviour Catholic Academy on Tuesday , as part of Catholic Schools Week activities , according to parent Gloria Pellegrino , who took her concerns to Principal Susan Walsh .
“ I do not want someone with an open investigation for child sex assault to be around my child or to speak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is highly inappropriate for him to come to school and speak to the children , while the investigation is pending , ” Pellegrino wrote to Walsh .
“ Please let me know the planned program for that day , ” the email said .
“ I will keep [ my child ] home for part or all of the school day depending on the agenda involving the Bishop.
” Pellegrino said several other parents were also upset by DiMarzio ’ s plans , as well as the PTA .
The school announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been cancelled .
“ As the Diocese has heard the concerns of some of our families , Bishop DiMarzio will not visit the school at this time , ” Walsh wrote .
Mark Matzek , 56 , accused the 75-year-old bishop in November of repeatedly molesting him in the mid-1970s , when he was an altar boy in Jersey City .
In a statement to The Post , DiMarzio said he made the decision not to visit St. Saviour after the parent backlash : “ While I categorically deny the accusation made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I at the same time respect the concerns of parents who make many sacrifices to send their child to a Catholic school .
The last thing I would want is for this to be a distraction from the celebration of Catholic Schools Week , which is why I decided not to visit St. Saviour School at this time.
” Matzek ’ s lawyer Mitchell Garabedian — who is depicted in the “ Spotlight ” movie about clergy abuse in Boston — said Friday he is preparing a lawsuit against the church .
Earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York , which oversees the Brooklyn Diocese , launched an investigation into the claim against DiMarzio , as required by Vatican protocol .
Unlike many accused priests who are asked to step aside during sexual misconduct probes , DiMarzio is carrying on with his duties — a decision Garabedian has protested .
“ Pending the results of the investigation , Bishop DiMarzio should be suspended like any other accused priest , ” he said .
“ Bishop DiMarzio should not get a pass because of his status as a Bishop.
” The National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the church , also raised concerns about the investigation , which is being led by New York Archbishop Timothy Cardinal Dolan , who works closely with DiMarzio .
“ Perhaps the format should be modified so that the investigating bishop is from a different province , a different part of the country , where objectivity can be better guaranteed ?
” the paper ’ s editorial board pondered Friday .
“ Any implication that this serious charge can be investigated in a clubby clerical atmosphere only mitigates against the public confidence in any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Pope Francis in June last year when he turned 75 , as church law requires , but the pope has yet to accept .

Brooklyn Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio canceled his visit to a Park Slope school Tuesday after parents raised concerns that the cleric accused of child molestation would be around their kids, The Post has learned.
DiMarzio was scheduled to participate in a Q&A with kids at St. Saviour Catholic Academy on Tuesday, as part of Catholic Schools Week activities, according to parent Gloria Pellegrino, who took her concerns to Principal Susan Walsh.
“I do not want someone with an open investigation for child sex assault to be around my child or to speak to [them]. I think it is highly inappropriate for him to come to school and speak to the children, while the investigation is pending,” Pellegrino wrote to Walsh.
“Please let me know the planned program for that day,” the email said. “I will keep [my child] home for part or all of the school day depending on the agenda involving the Bishop.”
Pellegrino said several other parents were also upset by DiMarzio’s plans, as well as the PTA.
The school announced last week that DiMarzio’s visit had been cancelled. “As the Diocese has heard the concerns of some of our families, Bishop DiMarzio will not visit the school at this time,” Walsh wrote.
Mark Matzek, 56, accused the 75-year-old bishop in November of repeatedly molesting him in the mid-1970s, when he was an altar boy in Jersey City.
In a statement to The Post, DiMarzio said he made the decision not to visit St. Saviour after the parent backlash: “While I categorically deny the accusation made against me from 45 years ago, I at the same time respect the concerns of parents who make many sacrifices to send their child to a Catholic school. The last thing I would want is for this to be a distraction from the celebration of Catholic Schools Week, which is why I decided not to visit St. Saviour School at this time.”
Matzek’s lawyer Mitchell Garabedian — who is depicted in the “Spotlight” movie about clergy abuse in Boston — said Friday he is preparing a lawsuit against the church.
Earlier this month, the Archdiocese of New York, which oversees the Brooklyn Diocese, launched an investigation into the claim against DiMarzio, as required by Vatican protocol.
Unlike many accused priests who are asked to step aside during sexual misconduct probes, DiMarzio is carrying on with his duties — a decision Garabedian has protested.
“Pending the results of the investigation, Bishop DiMarzio should be suspended like any other accused priest,” he said. “Bishop DiMarzio should not get a pass because of his status as a Bishop.”
The National Catholic Reporter, which is independent from the church, also raised concerns about the investigation, which is being led by New York Archbishop Timothy Cardinal Dolan, who works closely with DiMarzio.
“Perhaps the format should be modified so that the investigating bishop is from a different province, a different part of the country, where objectivity can be better guaranteed?” the paper’s editorial board pondered Friday. “Any implication that this serious charge can be investigated in a clubby clerical atmosphere only mitigates against the public confidence in any conclusion.”
DiMarzio submitted his resignation letter to Pope Francis in June last year when he turned 75, as church law requires, but the pope has yet to accept.


newyorkpost--2020-01-25--Second man arrested in killing of young Brooklyn video game developer

A grand jury has indicted the alleged gang member who ...

A second man has been charged in the November killing of video game developer Jose Zambrano Rodriguez.
Damian Diaz, 29, was arrested in Queens, police said, and arraigned Saturday on manslaughter charges in Brooklyn Criminal Court.
Diaz, along with his cousin, 25-year-old Joshua Hernandez, allegedly beat Rodriguez, 26, in a random attack outside a Brooklyn bar in the early morning hours of Nov. 17, Assistant District Attorney Christopher Myco said in court Saturday.
Myco said the pair, along with another male companion, came after Rodriguez while he was walking down Havemeyer Street with a woman around 4:30 a.m.
Hernandez threw the first punch to the back of Rodriguez’s head.
Rodriguez and the woman briefly walked away, before the group chased them — and Diaz delivered a blow knocking Rodriguez to the ground, where he allegedly cracked his skull on the pavement, Myco said.
“The complainant never regained consciousness and was pronounced dead on November 21st,” Myco said.
Police arrested Hernandez the night of the alleged attack and charged him with misdemeanor assault, after a witness said he was the single puncher.
The case was initially classified as a rare “one-punch killing” in which a single punch leads to a victim’s death. In those cases, New York laws make it near-impossible for prosecutors to meet the minimum threshold for felony assault, which requires proof of intent to cause serious physical injury, legal experts explained.
But surveillance video unearthed by police in December, showed Hernandez and Diaz each throwing punches, according to multiple sources familiar with the footage, leading to an upgraded manslaughter charge for Hernandez and a warrant on Diaz.
When cops found Diaz Friday, he was in receipt of a “large sum of money” and engaged in what looked like “a long hug goodbye,” according to Myco, who alleged he could have been attempting to flee “since his cousin had been arrested.”
Diaz’s lawyer said the manslaughter charge is “not sustainable,” noting “it was a punch with a tragic end.”
Judge John Hecht set Diaz’s bail at $250,000.
A lawyer for Hernandez, who has been out on $20,000 bail since December, did not respond to request for comment. He’s due back in court Thursday.


newyorkpost--2020-01-25--Bruce Springsteen’s son chose firefighting over being an EMT in New York

Sam Springsteen may have been born to run into burning buildings , but the Boss ’ son could have been racing in the streets of New York City in an ambulance .
The newly minted Jersey City firefighter took the civil-service exam in September 2015 to become a New York City EMT .
He scored a 75 on the exam and was 497 on a waiting list of 1,359 , not exactly the top of the Billboard charts .
However , Springsteen ’ s number came up in March 2017 , and he could have signed up for the Big @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to start , according to the Department of Citywide Administrative Services .
Instead , he opted to take that ride , across the river to the Jersey side — for around $ 37,000 .
“ Even Springsteen knows , nobody wants to go to EMS , ” a veteran FDNY member joked .
“ It ’ s probably a smart move .
He ’ ll make a good living .
And he ’ ll be home , a Jersey boy close to his dad , ” he said .
Springsteen , 26 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2014 and served with his hometown Colts Neck Fire Department , the Long Branch Fire Department and the North Wildwood Fire Department , according to the Asbury Park Press .
He was sworn into the Jersey City Fire Department earlier this month .
Back in April , proud mama Patti Scialfa broke the news of Sam ’ s new gig on her Instagram story .
“ You followed your dreams…JC firefighter… Stay safe .. love your brave heart , ” Scialfa posted .
Bruce Springsteen ’ s old manager , Mike Appel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years ago that “ straight-laced ” Sam wasn ’ t blinded by the bright lights of show business .
“ Bruce was good with that .
He ’ s live and let live , ” Appel said .
Still , he was probably the only newbie Jersey City firefighter who received words of support from supermodel Christy Turlington , who posted emojis of hands clapping and actress Rita Wilson , who commented on pal Patti Scialfa ’ s Instagram , “ Congratulations , Sam !
!
…We are lucky to have you out @ @ @ @ @ @

Sam Springsteen may have been born to run into burning buildings, but the Boss’ son could have been racing in the streets of New York City in an ambulance.
The newly minted Jersey City firefighter took the civil-service exam in September 2015 to become a New York City EMT. He scored a 75 on the exam and was 497 on a waiting list of 1,359, not exactly the top of the Billboard charts.
However, Springsteen’s number came up in March 2017, and he could have signed up for the Big Apple gig, which pays $32,000 to start, according to the Department of Citywide Administrative Services.
Instead, he opted to take that ride, across the river to the Jersey side — for around $37,000.


newyorkpost--2020-01-25--RJ Barrett’s extended Knicks absence giving him different opportunity

RJ Barrett ’ s sprained ankle has opened the door for Damyean ...

The Knicks will be without RJ Barrett for at least another week.
The rookie has transitioned from crutches to a walking boot for his sprained right ankle and “continues to make progress,” the Knicks announced Saturday after Barrett was examined. He is set to be reevaluated in one week.
Barrett, who was shooting free throws when practice opened to the media Saturday, has already missed four straight games and is expected to miss at least another four this week.
“Just in conversations, he’s studying the game,” interim coach Mike Miller said. “He’s talking about things he’s seeing in the game. He’s at a point where he’s played a good number of NBA games [41], he has this great experience right now, invaluable experience. Now he’s taking it from a different perspective. He’s watching and seeing the game differently and seeing the plays that are made and the execution and all the little details.”
Reggie Bullock has been starting at shooting guard in Barrett’s absence. Before he was injured, Barrett was averaging 14.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game.
The way Damyean Dotson has been shooting the ball lately, the Knicks guard has one mindset.
“I guess [I’m] as confident as you can be,” Dotson said. “As long as it’s going in, keep shooting.”
That worked well for most of Friday night, until Dotson stopped shooting. After he drained his fourth 3 of the game with 7:06 left in the fourth quarter, he didn’t get another shot off as the Knicks lost to the Raptors 118-112.
“It’s probably he had made some shots during the game, the defense changes,” Miller said. “We shot 71 percent in the fourth quarter. It’s tough to do a whole lot better than that. So we were getting good shots and maybe his ability to space the floor for others came into play in that too. We were pretty efficient in the fourth quarter.”
Dotson finished with a season-high 21 points on 7-for-10 shooting, including 4-for-7 from deep. Over his last three games, he is shooting 58.1 percent (18-for-31) from the field and 55 percent (11-for-20) from 3.
Taj Gibson said the Knicks want Dotson to shoot more, which the third-year guard viewed as a vote of confidence.
“If your teammates believe in you, coaches believe in you, then you have no choice but to believe in yourself,” said Dotson, who played the entire fourth quarter. “I’m getting open looks and guys are looking for me. So I just gotta keep letting it fly and do what I’m good at.”
The Knicks hired their former point guard Beno Udrih as an assistant coach for G-League Westchester.
For more on the Knicks, listen to the latest episode of the “Big Apple Buckets” podcast:


newyorkpost--2020-01-25--Hunter College students protest campus Starbucks

Hunter College students want Starbucks to take their lattes and shove them !
Students at the City University of New York school are protesting a Hunter proposal to install a Starbucks on their campus saying it doesn ’ t serve the needs of a public college .
“ The coffee is overpriced , ” said Briana Calderon Navarro , 25 , a senior from Brooklyn .
“ Most students honestly can ’ t afford the coffee at Starbucks.
” Navarro has been leading the charge against the coffee giant , saying there was already a cafeteria and cafe on campus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the street and sidewalk vendors with cheap Joe .
“ Three blocks away is a Starbucks , ” she said .
“ We don ’ t need another coffee shop.
” Instead , students would prefer utilizing the 2,000 square foot space at Lexington Avenue and 67th Street as an art gallery or food pantry for the Hunter community , she said , adding a student art show there last spring had been very successful .
Some students said they just wanted a place to congregate on the crowded campus .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wouldn ’ t be a student space .
It would be a place for people on Lexington to get their coffee , ” said Becca Tauscher , 25 , a junior from Brooklyn .
“ Students are hanging out in the library because there isn ’ t anywhere else to just hang out .
“ I feel like on a liberal college campus , you don ’ t want a big corporate name in a space that could be just for students , ” Knapp said .
Leonard Blades , who voted against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CUNY ’ s facilities and planning committee , said students should have been involved in the planning process and there were Hunter groups that could have used the space .
“ They ’ ve been wanting space for quite some time , ” said Blades , 30 , a graduate student .
Students plan to speak out against Starbucks at a CUNY Board of Trustees meeting Monday ahead of a planned board vote on the deal Feb. 3 .
Kamalpreet Kaur , president of the Hunter Undergraduate Student Government , said in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ board Monday “ we are not opposed to Starbucks moving into the space.
” Under the proposed lease , Starbucks would pay $ 411,390 a year for the first five years for 2,000 square feet on the ground level and 1,000 square feet on a lower level .
But Hunter is providing up to $ 411,390 as a “ tenant improvement allowance ” toward construction costs , according to the resolution on the lease .
It is also giving Starbucks an eight-month rent abatement to complete construction .
“ That a great deal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , president of Stacey-Robins Realty Corp. “ The free rent period is also very generous.
” A Hunter spokeswoman said the rental revenue would go to student programs .

Hunter College students want Starbucks to take their lattes and shove them!
Students at the City University of New York school are protesting a Hunter proposal to install a Starbucks on their campus saying it doesn’t serve the needs of a public college.
“The coffee is overpriced,” said Briana Calderon Navarro, 25, a senior from Brooklyn. “Most students honestly can’t afford the coffee at Starbucks.”
Navarro has been leading the charge against the coffee giant, saying there was already a cafeteria and cafe on campus selling coffee as well as bookstore across the street and sidewalk vendors with cheap Joe.
“Three blocks away is a Starbucks,” she said. “We don’t need another coffee shop.”
Instead, students would prefer utilizing the 2,000 square foot space at Lexington Avenue and 67th Street as an art gallery or food pantry for the Hunter community, she said, adding a student art show there last spring had been very successful.
Some students said they just wanted a place to congregate on the crowded campus.
“We don’t need Starbucks. It wouldn’t be a student space. It would be a place for people on Lexington to get their coffee,” said Becca Tauscher, 25, a junior from Brooklyn. “Students are hanging out in the library because there isn’t anywhere else to just hang out.
Thomas Knapp, 19, a sophomore, called the Starbucks deal “brazen.”
“I feel like on a liberal college campus, you don’t want a big corporate name in a space that could be just for students,” Knapp said.
Leonard Blades, who voted against the deal as a student representative on CUNY’s facilities and planning committee, said students should have been involved in the planning process and there were Hunter groups that could have used the space.
“They’ve been wanting space for quite some time,” said Blades, 30, a graduate student.
Students plan to speak out against Starbucks at a CUNY Board of Trustees meeting Monday ahead of a planned board vote on the deal Feb. 3.
Kamalpreet Kaur, president of the Hunter Undergraduate Student Government, said in a statement to be given to the CUNY board Monday “we are not opposed to Starbucks moving into the space.”
Under the proposed lease, Starbucks would pay $411,390 a year for the first five years for 2,000 square feet on the ground level and 1,000 square feet on a lower level. But Hunter is providing up to $411,390 as a “tenant improvement allowance” toward construction costs, according to the resolution on the lease. It is also giving Starbucks an eight-month rent abatement to complete construction.
“That’s a great deal for Starbucks,” said Stacey Kelz, president of Stacey-Robins Realty Corp. “The free rent period is also very generous.”
A Hunter spokeswoman said the rental revenue would go to student programs.
Additional reporting by Melanie Gray


newyorkpost--2020-01-25--‘Vanderpump Rules’ stars hang with hopeful ‘Housewives’ of Salt Lake City

Click to email this to a friend ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Twitter ( Opens @ @ @ @ @ to share on Facebook ( Opens in new window ) These SUR-vers are ready to @ @ @ @ @ Vanderpump Rules ” stars Lala Kent and Katie Maloney were spotted filming in Utah with @ @ @ @ @ Salt Lake City ” stars on Friday , an insider told Page Six .
The @ @ @ @ @ so in a boutique together with cameras rolling .
Lisa Barlow , Jen Shah , @ @ @ @ @ , Whitney Rose , Sara McArthur-Pierce and Angie Harrington are all rumored to be in @ @ @ @ @ line on the new franchise .
Both Maloney and Kent hail from Utah .
Maloney @ @ @ @ @ as she tied the knot with Tom Schwartz , and Kent is set to tie @ @ @ @ @ in April .

Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
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These SUR-vers are ready to be “Housewives.”
“Vanderpump Rules” stars Lala Kent and Katie Maloney were spotted filming in Utah with potential “Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” stars on Friday, an insider told Page Six. The women spent an hour or so in a boutique together with cameras rolling.
Lisa Barlow, Jen Shah, Heather Gay, Meredith Marks, Whitney Rose, Sara McArthur-Pierce and Angie Harrington are all rumored to be in the running for a tag line on the new franchise.
Both Maloney and Kent hail from Utah. Maloney is already a wife, as she tied the knot with Tom Schwartz, and Kent is set to tie the knot with Randall Emmett in April.


newyorkpost--2020-01-25--Maspeth High School dean who allegedly helped kids cheat is removed

City Councilman Robert Holden met this month with officials in ...

A Maspeth High School math teacher and dean who students say gave them answers on Regents exams and texted with them has been removed, The Post has learned.
Danny Sepulveda was escorted out of the Queens school in late December “due to an ongoing investigation,” the city Department of Education confirmed.
DOE officials said the investigation was “unrelated to academic fraud.”
But Sepulveda, 30, is one of several teachers who gave kids answers during Regents exams, according to statements given to investigators.
One student wrote last year that Sepulveda re-read the questions at the end of the exam: “But while he was reading it he was only saying the right answer choice, and this made me uncomfortable because it showed he didn’t believe in me to pass the exam.”
Another student wrote that during a math Regents exam in June 2018, Sepulveda and math teacher Chris Grunert “helped me and other kids in my room with answers.”
Grunert and others accused of academic misconduct have not been removed from the school.
In texts to a fellow teacher, Sepulveda defended the practice of giving kids answers, arguing it protects their futures.
“Having someone fail and not graduate HS because of a state exam that colleges never look at is more of a failure than anything else. I look at state tests as the anti-christ,” Sepulveda wrote.
He also wrote, “You don’t get it, man … It’s different here. It’s different because I’m not going to not even give these kids a shot at the real world because they didn’t pass HS. That’s ridiculous.”
During last week’s Regents exams, the DOE let Principal Khurshid Abdul-Mutakabbir and two assistant principals — all under investigation — administer and proctor the tests.
The DOE said it sent “test monitors” to Maspeth as a precaution. “There were no reports of cheating,” a spokeswoman said.
In a letter to Councilman Robert Holden, who also raised concerns about the Regents exams, the DOE said it has “trained” Maspeth personnel. Among instructions, employees were told not to “give students any clues or answers.”
Sepulveda also texted frequently with students during the school day, insiders said.
Among multiple text exchanges turned over to investigators, a student repeatedly asks Sepulveda if he can come to his office.
“I won’t do anything stupid anymore, from here on out. Your’e always good to me and I don’t wanna make you look bad. I’m sorry,” the student says.
Sepulveda replies, “You know your’e my guy. Just let me be able to hype you up again.”
Academic fraud at Maspeth High School is one of the complaints that led to the feds now looking into allegations of systemic cheating at city schools.


newyorkpost--2020-01-25--Curvy model remembers ‘trauma’ of trying on clothes at Abercrombie

In 2005 , Marquita Pring was flipping through an issue of Cosmopolitan when she saw a voluptuous photo of “ plus-size ” model Crystal Renn that changed her life .
“ It was the first time I ’ d seen thickness and proper curves in a magazine and I freaked the f- -k out , ” said Pring , 29 .
“ I never had anybody I could relate to before who looked like me .
But after that , I was like , ‘ This is my dream.
’ ” Now she has turned her biggest fantasy into reality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a member of the 2020 rookie class for this year ’ s Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue .
Pring was preparing for New York Fashion Week , where she walked the runway for Christian Siriano and Tommy Hilfiger in September , when her agent broke the good news .
“ I jumped on my bed , screamed , buried my face in my pillow and screamed some more , ” Pring recalled .
“ I totally lost it.
” A few weeks later , she was in Wyoming for her big photo shoot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as she posed among patches of snow .
Her excitement kept her warm .
“ You just let adrenaline take over and realize this is probably one of the biggest moments of your career , ” Pring said .
But it hasn ’ t been an easy journey to the top .
Working as a “ curve ” model for the last 13 years , Pring has faced a few obstacles .
Growing up about two hours west of Albany in the small town of Clinton , Pring struggled to fit in and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at shopping experiences with my friends , I remember crying my eyes out because at Abercrombie or American Eagle I couldn ’ t fit into anything , ” she recalled .
“ The biggest sizes wouldn ’ t even go up above my knees .
It was traumatizing.
” She felt different from her peers , too .
“ Everyone had a white-picket fence , a mom , a dad and a dog , and I was the only child with a single mother — the brown girl with the white mama , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the outliers.
” Eventually , she figured out she could use that “ other ” feeling to fuel her fire .
At only 16 years old , Pring signed with Wilhelmina Models and booked so many gigs that she was able to persuade her mom , who works as a grant writer , to move to New York City for her senior year of high school .
After briefly studying at Baruch College , she dropped out to pursue modeling full time and signed with Ford Models .
Although Pring has always been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s never been a fan of labels .
“ To me the term ‘ plus size ’ is completely outdated and just unnecessary , ” she said .
“ I immediately think , ‘ Plus what ?
There ’ s an average , normal size that we should all be and anything more than that needs to be called something different ?
’ You ’ re your size — and that ’ s it.
” Pring has long been an outspoken activist for body positivity , appearing in V Magazine ’ s first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a women ’ s “ curve ” modeling collective , Alda , with four other models , including superstar Ashley Graham .
“ Alda means ‘ wave ’ in Icelandic , ” she said .
“ Like a wave taking over the fashion industry.
” IMG Models snapped up all five of the women .
“ The fashion industry has not only been more open to curves , but [ now ] we make so much more money , ” Pring said .
“ Before , we were doing the same jobs as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ third of the rate they were getting.
” She believes in living life on her terms — even if it means nearly missing a photo shoot with Italian Vogue .
In 2011 , the model had turned her phone off for a week while camping in a South African nature reserve .
When her then-boyfriend switched his on to check voicemail , he had “ a million ” messages , many from Pring ’ s agent .
“ I called my agent and she was like , ‘ What the f- -k ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ’ ” Pring said , laughing .
“ They miraculously got me on the next plane from Capetown to New York.
” And now , Pring , who is single , feels like she ’ s ready to soar .
“ I ’ m free as a motherf–king bird , ” she said .

In 2005, Marquita Pring was flipping through an issue of Cosmopolitan when she saw a voluptuous photo of “plus-size” model Crystal Renn that changed her life.
“It was the first time I’d seen thickness and proper curves in a magazine and I freaked the f- -k out,” said Pring, 29. “I never had anybody I could relate to before who looked like me. But after that, I was like, ‘This is my dream.’ ”
Now she has turned her biggest fantasy into reality.
The 6-foot-tall upstate New York native is a member of the 2020 rookie class for this year’s Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue.
Pring was preparing for New York Fashion Week, where she walked the runway for Christian Siriano and Tommy Hilfiger in September, when her agent broke the good news.
“I jumped on my bed, screamed, buried my face in my pillow and screamed some more,” Pring recalled. “I totally lost it.”
A few weeks later, she was in Wyoming for her big photo shoot, rocking a two-piece in 19-degree weather as she posed among patches of snow. Her excitement kept her warm.
“You just let adrenaline take over and realize this is probably one of the biggest moments of your career,” Pring said.
But it hasn’t been an easy journey to the top. Working as a “curve” model for the last 13 years, Pring has faced a few obstacles.
Growing up about two hours west of Albany in the small town of Clinton, Pring struggled to fit in and accept her body.
“Looking back at shopping experiences with my friends, I remember crying my eyes out because at Abercrombie or American Eagle I couldn’t fit into anything,” she recalled. “The biggest sizes wouldn’t even go up above my knees. It was traumatizing.”
She felt different from her peers, too.
“Everyone had a white-picket fence, a mom, a dad and a dog, and I was the only child with a single mother — the brown girl with the white mama,” she said. “We were the outliers.”
Eventually, she figured out she could use that “other” feeling to fuel her fire.
At only 16 years old, Pring signed with Wilhelmina Models and booked so many gigs that she was able to persuade her mom, who works as a grant writer, to move to New York City for her senior year of high school. After briefly studying at Baruch College, she dropped out to pursue modeling full time and signed with Ford Models.
Although Pring has always been considered a plus-size model, she’s never been a fan of labels.
“To me the term ‘plus size’ is completely outdated and just unnecessary,” she said. “I immediately think, ‘Plus what? There’s an average, normal size that we should all be and anything more than that needs to be called something different?’ You’re your size — and that’s it.”
Pring has long been an outspoken activist for body positivity, appearing in V Magazine’s first curvy editorial in 2010 and later starting a women’s “curve” modeling collective, Alda, with four other models, including superstar Ashley Graham.
“Alda means ‘wave’ in Icelandic,” she said. “Like a wave taking over the fashion industry.”
IMG Models snapped up all five of the women.
“The fashion industry has not only been more open to curves, but [now] we make so much more money,” Pring said. “Before, we were doing the same jobs as straight-sized models and making not even a third of the rate they were getting.”
She believes in living life on her terms — even if it means nearly missing a photo shoot with Italian Vogue.
In 2011, the model had turned her phone off for a week while camping in a South African nature reserve. When her then-boyfriend switched his on to check voicemail, he had “a million” messages, many from Pring’s agent.
“I called my agent and she was like, ‘What the f- -k? I’m going to kill you,’ ” Pring said, laughing. “They miraculously got me on the next plane from Capetown to New York.”
And now, Pring, who is single, feels like she’s ready to soar.
“I’m free as a motherf–king bird,” she said.
Photos: Annie Wermiel/NY Post; Stylist: Nicole Zane; Hair: T. Cooper/crowdMGMT using ECRU NY; Makeup: Alberto Luengo/Creative Space Artists; Stylist Assistant: Katherine Moore; Location: The Sheffield, 322 W 57th St., PH57K, NYC.


newyorkpost--2020-01-25--Man claims he was fired by pilates studio for complaining about unequal pay

A man claims he was canned from a downtown pilates studio because he questioned why he earned less than a @ @ @ @ @ was making $ 70,000 a year as a studio director and “ director of community @ @ @ @ @ Pilates when he chatted up the coworker last fall and discovered she brought home a @ @ @ @ @ for “ substantially equal ( or lesser ) work , ” according to a Manhattan @ @ @ @ @ against the company .
Carattini , who worked at the chain ’ s Soho location @ @ @ @ @ he was being paid less .
“ It ’ s not really appropriate for people @ @ @ @ @ ” the boss sniffed , he claims in court papers .
After that , he @ @ @ @ @ charges .
Carattini is seeking unspecified damages .

It wasn’t working out.
A man claims he was canned from a downtown pilates studio because he questioned why he earned less than a female colleague.
Frankie Carattini was making $70,000 a year as a studio director and “director of community rapport” for New York Pilates when he chatted up the coworker last fall and discovered she brought home a bigger check than he did for “substantially equal (or lesser) work,” according to a Manhattan Supreme Court lawsuit he filed against the company.
Carattini, who worked at the chain’s Soho location, asked a manager why he was being paid less.
“It’s not really appropriate for people to be discussing salaries,” the boss sniffed, he claims in court papers.
After that, he was abruptly fired, he charges. Carattini is seeking unspecified damages.
The company denied wrongdoing.


newyorkpost--2020-01-25--Felicity Huffman and daughter Sophia Macy attempt to go incognito at JFK

`` I want to be in Season 3 , '' Zamata said at ...

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They’re not fooling anyone.
Felicity Huffman and her oldest daughter, Sophia Macy, attempted an incognito visit to John F. Kennedy Airport Saturday.
It was not clear as to whether the mother-daughter duo wore masks to protect themselves from the dangerous coronavirus or to hide from the paparazzi.
Huffman, 57, spent 14 days in jail in October for her role in the college admission scandal. She paid $15,000 to have a test proctor edit Sophia’s SAT test answers. Her husband, actor William H. Macy, was not charged with any wrongdoing.
Since her prison stay Huffman has been seen enjoying her life of luxury, driving around in her husband’s Porsche.
Daughter Sophia, 19, will star in an episode of the second season of Jordan Peele’s anthology series, “The Twilight Zone.” It is unknown as to whether she attended any sort of college.
Her 17-year-old sister Georgia will head to Vassar College in the fall.


newyorkpost--2020-01-25--Eli Manning’s savage shower prank on Plaxico Burress was one of many

They never stop having his back .
On the field , for sure , and off the field , well , Plaxico Burress can attest to that .
On the day Eli Manning said goodbye to his playing days , retiring from the Giants and the NFL , former Super Bowl teammates traveled from across the country to be there for him , assembling in the team ’ s field house on Friday as the quarterback bid adieu .
Two of Manning ’ s favorite and most prolific targets , Burress and Hakeem Nicks , were drawn to a farewell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both feeling the need to be there for their former quarterback and forever friend .
Burress , who lives in New Jersey , caught the game-winning touchdown pass from Manning in the final minute of the stunning Super Bowl XLII upset of the 18-0 Patriots .
Burress said he thinks about that moment in time every day .
He also thinks about something else when his thoughts drift to Manning : How he missed on a chance to get back on his prank-loving teammate .
One day , Burress came out of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ locker room cracking up .
He had no idea why .
He took a shower and toweled himself off in front of his locker .
More cracking up around him .
“ So I ’ m like , ‘ Hey man , what ’ s going on ?
’ ’ ’ Burress said .
He was not expecting to hear the reason for all the laughter at his expense .
“ So I come to find out , Eli got out of the shower and he took it upon himself to sit naked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stool , ’ ’ Burress said .
“ And here I am now , wiping my face with it.
’ ’ Manning needed to be paid back for this .
Not long after the towel incident , Burress got some grapes and stuffed them into Manning ’ s shoes .
“ I said , you know what , today he ’ s gon na make jelly with those grapes in his shoes , ’ ’ Burress said .
It never happened .
Manning got to his locker , picked up his shoes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the grapes .
“ He was like , ‘ See ?
See , you can ’ t get me , ’ ’ ’ Burress said .
“ I think it was [ offensive lineman ] Richie Seubert , he told on me .
He didn ’ t want to have his quarterback walking around with jelly on his toes.
’ ’ Burress is No .
4 on Manning ’ s reception list , having caught 244 of his passes .
Nicks is No .
2 ( behind only Odell Beckham Jr. ) with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former teammates , alerting them via a series of group texts he still maintains about his plan to retire before official word got out around 5 p.m. last Wednesday .
Nicks made the trip from North Carolina to be with Manning .
“ For one , he ’ s a great friend of mine , ’ ’ Nicks said .
“ We still communicate to this day .
When I wasn ’ t playing anymore I was still coming to train with him .
He was a great leader on our team .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Without Eli I wouldn ’ t even be wearing this hardware on my finger .
I feel I owe it to him just to let him know , I was a solider for him .
Without him I wouldn ’ t have most of my stats , really all my stats .
Hat ’ s off to Eli , man , it ’ s a celebration of great things he ’ s done over his career.
’ ’ Nicks caught a Hail Mary from Manning to lead the Giants into halftime of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Field during the postseason run following the 2011 season .
No one hauled in more of Manning ’ s passes in the postseason than Nicks ’ 28 .
Nicks , as a rookie in 2009 , learned the hard way that the baby-faced Eli could be ruthless .
“ He got a hold of my phone and changed it to Chinese , ’ ’ Nicks said .
“ It took me like forever , I think I had to wait until the next off-day to go to a Verizon store to change it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for me .
That was my welcome to the Giants , I guess .
He got me plenty of other times after that but that was the first time .
“ Man , he gets you how he gets you .
He got a couple pranks he does the same to everybody .
The only people that used to get him were the linemen .
’ ’

They never stop having his back.
On the field, for sure, and off the field, well, Plaxico Burress can attest to that.
On the day Eli Manning said goodbye to his playing days, retiring from the Giants and the NFL, former Super Bowl teammates traveled from across the country to be there for him, assembling in the team’s field house on Friday as the quarterback bid adieu. Two of Manning’s favorite and most prolific targets, Burress and Hakeem Nicks, were drawn to a farewell unlike any other in franchise history, both feeling the need to be there for their former quarterback and forever friend.
Burress, who lives in New Jersey, caught the game-winning touchdown pass from Manning in the final minute of the stunning Super Bowl XLII upset of the 18-0 Patriots. Burress said he thinks about that moment in time every day. He also thinks about something else when his thoughts drift to Manning: How he missed on a chance to get back on his prank-loving teammate.
One day, Burress came out of the weight room to find players in the locker room cracking up. He had no idea why. He took a shower and toweled himself off in front of his locker. More cracking up around him.
“So I’m like, ‘Hey man, what’s going on?’ ’’ Burress said.
He was not expecting to hear the reason for all the laughter at his expense.
“So I come to find out, Eli got out of the shower and he took it upon himself to sit naked on my towel that was on my stool,’’ Burress said. “And here I am now, wiping my face with it.’’
Manning needed to be paid back for this.
Not long after the towel incident, Burress got some grapes and stuffed them into Manning’s shoes.
“I said, you know what, today he’s gonna make jelly with those grapes in his shoes,’’ Burress said.
It never happened. Manning got to his locker, picked up his shoes, turned them over and out fell all the grapes.
“He was like, ‘See? See, you can’t get me,’ ’’ Burress said. “I think it was [offensive lineman] Richie Seubert, he told on me. He didn’t want to have his quarterback walking around with jelly on his toes.’’
Burress is No. 4 on Manning’s reception list, having caught 244 of his passes. Nicks is No. 2 (behind only Odell Beckham Jr.) with 313. Manning took care of his former teammates, alerting them via a series of group texts he still maintains about his plan to retire before official word got out around 5 p.m. last Wednesday. Nicks made the trip from North Carolina to be with Manning.
“For one, he’s a great friend of mine,’’ Nicks said. “We still communicate to this day. When I wasn’t playing anymore I was still coming to train with him. He was a great leader on our team. He led us to a championship. Without Eli I wouldn’t even be wearing this hardware on my finger. I feel I owe it to him just to let him know, I was a solider for him. Without him I wouldn’t have most of my stats, really all my stats. Hat’s off to Eli, man, it’s a celebration of great things he’s done over his career.’’
Nicks caught a Hail Mary from Manning to lead the Giants into halftime of a playoff victory over the Packers at Lambeau Field during the postseason run following the 2011 season. No one hauled in more of Manning’s passes in the postseason than Nicks’ 28.
Nicks, as a rookie in 2009, learned the hard way that the baby-faced Eli could be ruthless.
“He got a hold of my phone and changed it to Chinese,’’ Nicks said. “It took me like forever, I think I had to wait until the next off-day to go to a Verizon store to change it back. Nobody would change it back for me. That was my welcome to the Giants, I guess. He got me plenty of other times after that but that was the first time.
“Man, he gets you how he gets you. He got a couple pranks he does the same to everybody. The only people that used to get him were the linemen.’’


newyorkpost--2020-01-25--Trump impeachment schedule: Next on the docket

Here is what to expect in the coming days in President Trump ’ s impeachment trial in the US Senate @ @ @ @ @ to 24 hours , over three days , to present their defense .
Wednesday -Thursday @ @ @ @ @ Chief Justice John Roberts , who compiles and reads them .
Questioning proceeds for up @ @ @ @ @ House managers and Trump ’ s defense team each has up to two hours for @ @ @ @ @ , the Senate may vote on whether to subpoena witnesses and documents — or may @ @ @ @ @ vote to dismiss or to acquit .

Here is what to expect in the coming days in President Trump’s impeachment trial in the US Senate. His attorneys have up to 24 hours, over three days, to present their defense.
Monday-Tuesday
Trump’s defense completes their opening argument.
Wednesday -Thursday
Senators submit written questions to Chief Justice John Roberts, who compiles and reads them. Questioning proceeds for up to 16 hours.
Friday
House managers and Trump’s defense team each has up to two hours for closing arguments. After that, the Senate may vote on whether to subpoena witnesses and documents — or may end the case with a vote to dismiss or to acquit.


newyorkpost--2020-01-25--Patio furniture blown off Manhattan balcony hits pedestrian

A rogue piece of patio furniture was swept off a Manhattan 12th-floor balcony by Saturday’s stormy weather and clocked a pedestrian in the head, police said.
The wooden lawn chair and its cushion were blown off the 12th floor of 15 Union Square West at about 2 p.m. and plummeted down to the sidewalk, hitting a 23-year-old woman in the head and damaging a parked car, officials said.
“She was passed out. We thought she was dead. It really hit her hard.” said Patrice Demay, 62, who witnessed the freak furniture fall from her stand at the nearby farmers market.
Previous 1 of 5 Next Advertisement The wooden lawn chair and cushion that hit the woman. Daniel William McKnight The furniture was blown from an apartment at 15 Union Square West. Daniel William McKnight Advertisement The incident also damaged a parked car. Daniel William McKnight Advertisement
“All of a sudden, she started screaming. She woke up and she was in a panic,” Demay said. “She couldn’t move.”
The woman suffered a laceration to the head and was taken to Bellevue Hospital in stable condition.
The Department of Buildings was on the scene Saturday afternoon investigating the incident and securing the rest of the furniture from the building’s terrace, a spokesperson said.


newyorkpost--2020-01-26--Four cops hospitalized after their NYPD SUVs collide in the Bronx

Four cops miraculously survived a violent collision that totaled their two NYPD SUVs early Sunday morning .
The officers were in the Parkchester section of the Bronx responding to reports of a shooting when their SUVs slammed into each other near the intersection of White Plains Road and Archer Street just after midnight , police said .
Their vehicles were totaled in the wreck — and the crash was loud enough to startle neighbors , one of whom heard the shrieks from one of the injured officers .
“ One of the cops–he was on the ground .
You could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many cops here , ” said one witness , who declined to give her name .
One SUV ended up in the middle of White Plains with its front passenger side wheel completely ripped from its axle .
The other had crashed head-on into a couple parked cars on the western side of the road between Archer Street and Wood Avenue .
“ We all heard the impact .
We heard the bang , ” she said .
“ It was heavy .
Heavy impact .
That ’ s when we came out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sirens.
” The four officers suffered non-life-threatening injuries , a spokeswoman said ; the two were rushed to Jacobi Medical Center .
Police reported no other injuries in the crash .

Four cops miraculously survived a violent collision that totaled their two NYPD SUVs early Sunday morning.
The officers were in the Parkchester section of the Bronx responding to reports of a shooting when their SUVs slammed into each other near the intersection of White Plains Road and Archer Street just after midnight, police said.
Their vehicles were totaled in the wreck — and the crash was loud enough to startle neighbors, one of whom heard the shrieks from one of the injured officers.
“One of the cops–he was on the ground. You could hear him screaming. There were so many cops here,” said one witness, who declined to give her name.
One SUV ended up in the middle of White Plains with its front passenger side wheel completely ripped from its axle. The other had crashed head-on into a couple parked cars on the western side of the road between Archer Street and Wood Avenue.
“We all heard the impact. We heard the bang,” she said. “It was heavy. Heavy impact. That’s when we came out. After that all you heard were sirens.”
The four officers suffered non-life-threatening injuries, a spokeswoman said; the two were rushed to Jacobi Medical Center.
Police reported no other injuries in the crash.


newyorkpost--2020-01-26--Third US case of coronavirus confirmed in California

California is now home to the third US case of the deadly coronavirus , officials there revealed early Sunday , joining Chicago and the Seattle , Wash. area , where the first cases were announced last week .
The news was announced as health officials in China said that the virus ’ ability to spread was stronger than earlier thought .
That ’ s because unlike with SARS , the coronavirus is infectious during its one-to-14-day incubation period , China ’ s National Health Commissioner , Ma Xiaowei , said at a Sunday press conference , Reuters reported .
News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials with the Orange County Health Care Agency .
“ The OC Health Care Agency ’ s ( HCA ) Communicable Disease Control Division received confirmation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) this evening that an Orange County , California case has tested positive for the novel coronavirus , ” the agency said in a tweeted release .
The patient , whose identity was kept private , was described as a traveler from Wuhan , China — the outbreak ’ s epicenter .
The patient had reached out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and “ was provided guidance in order to reduce exposure to the public while awaiting laboratory confirmation from the CDC , ” the release said .
“ The individual has now been transported to a local hospital and is in isolation in good condition.
” Persons the patient had close contact with are being monitored .
Worldwide , an estimated 2,000 people , almost all of them in China , have been sickened by the virus , Reuters reported .
China ’ s National Health Commission said Sunday that 56 people , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the disease .
Isolated cases have been reported throughout Asia , and in France and Australia .
The first case in Canada was reported Saturday night , Reuters reported .
The CDC advises that while there is as yet no vaccine , all viruses can be prevented by washing one ’ s hands , especially before eating , and by avoiding touching one ’ s eyes , nose and mouth with unwashed hands , or close contact with people who are sick .

California is now home to the third US case of the deadly coronavirus, officials there revealed early Sunday, joining Chicago and the Seattle, Wash. area, where the first cases were announced last week.
The news was announced as health officials in China said that the virus’ ability to spread was stronger than earlier thought.
That’s because unlike with SARS, the coronavirus is infectious during its one-to-14-day incubation period, China’s National Health Commissioner, Ma Xiaowei, said at a Sunday press conference, Reuters reported.
News of the California case was announced by officials with the Orange County Health Care Agency.
“The OC Health Care Agency’s (HCA) Communicable Disease Control Division received confirmation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) this evening that an Orange County, California case has tested positive for the novel coronavirus,” the agency said in a tweeted release.
The patient, whose identity was kept private, was described as a traveler from Wuhan, China — the outbreak’s epicenter.
The patient had reached out to the agency prior to being diagnosed, and “was provided guidance in order to reduce exposure to the public while awaiting laboratory confirmation from the CDC,” the release said.
“The individual has now been transported to a local hospital and is in isolation in good condition.” Persons the patient had close contact with are being monitored.
No additional details were released.
Worldwide, an estimated 2,000 people, almost all of them in China, have been sickened by the virus, Reuters reported.
China’s National Health Commission said Sunday that 56 people, all in China, have been killed by the disease.
Isolated cases have been reported throughout Asia, and in France and Australia.
The first case in Canada was reported Saturday night, Reuters reported.
The CDC advises that while there is as yet no vaccine, all viruses can be prevented by washing one’s hands, especially before eating, and by avoiding touching one’s eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands, or close contact with people who are sick.


newyorkpost--2020-01-26--What Mets’ Pete Alonso is planning to do for a Year 2 encore

Luis Rojas has already secured the most important endorsements of ...

How do you top a record-breaking rookie season?
Not necessarily by breaking more records.
In preparing for his sophomore season, reigning National League Rookie of the Year Pete Alonso said at the Mets’ FanFest Saturday that he’s prioritizing the sublimeness of his complete play over the ridiculousness of his home run distances and exit velocity.
“I want to be as dynamic as possible,” said Alonso, who set the big league rookie record last year by going deep 53 times. “Obviously, I had a good offensive year, but who knows? If I can have more plate discipline, who knows that will translate?
“My goal is to capitalize on every single pitch that’s given. If it’s a hittable, drivable pitch, I want to capitalize. If I take a controlled, aggressive swing and have a good approach and have a good plan, that’s all I can do. If I square it up, I square it up. If I don’t, then on to the next pitch.”
The perennially animated Alonso continued, “I just want to win. I think preparation and hard work is going to translate to success. I can’t think about my stat line. I’m thinking about how to beat [Washington’s] Max Scherzer. I’m thinking about how to beat [Philadelphia’s] Aaron Nola and other aces. This is going to be a tough division, and I’ve got to bring my ‘A’ game every single day. Hopefully just thinking about the day-to-day process, that will translate to good stats at the end of the year.”
There is another tough opponent he likely will be facing often: His old teammate, Zack Wheeler, who left for the rival Phillies.
“It’s going to be a hell of a battle, because he’s watched me play and I’ve watched him pitch,” Alonso said. “It’s one of those, who’s got the better game plan? Who gets lucky that day? It’s a constant battle. He’s a hell of a pitcher. Very, very talented. He’s got electric stuff. We’re going to face him a lot. It’ll be interesting, what’s going to happen. It’s going to be a hell of a battle.”


newyorkpost--2020-01-26--Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes is NFL’s best player — and his time is now

It will be different for Michael Kopech watching Chiefs quarterback ...

A famous George Bernard Shaw quote applies to how Patrick Mahomes plays quarterback:
“You see things, and you say, ‘Why?’ But I dream things that never were, and I say, ‘Why not?’ ”
All Super Bowl 2020 eyes will be on the swashbuckling young Mahomes.
He is either a symbol of Coach Darwin’s theory of evolution, or a quarterback monster built in some secret laboratory in Kansas City by Andy Reid and a team of mad football scientists.
There will be more than 40 million reasons per year why the Chiefs will have no choice but to make Mahomes the highest-paid player in the NFL over the offseason.
Reason No. 1 is this:
If I were starting an NFL franchise, I would start it with Mahomes.
So would most everybody else who own or run franchises.
Because how could you not?
Tom Brady is the GOAT, but Father Time has finally forced him to abdicate the throne at 42. Aaron Rodgers is 36.
Maybe in Baltimore they will tell you they’d take Lamar Jackson, the slam dunk 2019 MVP. Jackson electrifies you with his legs more than his ever-improving arm. Mahomes electrifies you with his arm even more than Jackson electrifies you with his legs, and Mahomes’ legs are a weapon as well.
Aaron Donald is a beast, the best defensive player in the NFL. But he’s 28. And he’s not a quarterback.
Michael Thomas is a wide receiver. Christian McCaffrey is a running back, albeit a weapon. Quenton Nelson is a guard. Chase Young? Can we see him dominate first? Khalil Mack will be 29 next month, Chandler Jones 30 next month, J.J. Watt and Von Miller 31 in March.
Legendary Packers GM Ron Wolf, who won a Super Bowl with Brett Favre, judges Mahomes only on what he sees on television.
“He’s a dynamic young quarterback,” Wolf told The Post by phone. “He’s got everything you look for in a quarterback — he can throw long, he can throw intermediate, he has tremendous feet, he can get out of trouble, he can run, he can take a hit, he’ll stay in the pocket. … I don’t see anything really negative about him.”
I asked Wolf if he would pick Mahomes to start a franchise. He chuckled and referenced a Bum Phillips quote about Hall of fame Houston Oilers running back Earl Campbell:
“I don’t know if he’s in a class by himself, but I do know that when that class gets together, it sure don’t take long to call the roll.”
Mahomes would certainly be in the franchise conversation. “No question about that,” Wolf said.
You can’t win unless you have a quarterback, and you don’t have a quarterback if he is lacking in the most critical element required of the position: the throwing of the football.
Mahomes could have been an MLB pitching prospect with a 93 mph fastball and he can throw it from here to his Tyler, Texas, hometown.
But arm strength alone is never enough, as the cautionary tales about JaMarcus Russell and Jeff George and Browning Nagle can attest.
Mahomes is a baller, a natural-born leader who was exposed as a child to the life of a professional athlete at the feet of his father, former MLB pitcher Pat Mahomes.
He has rare instincts that enable him to slow the speed of the game and solve the treacherous traps that defensive coordinators lay for him.
He is fearless, a gunslinger whenever he feels like he wants to be who laughs in the face of danger, and he wants the ball in his hands in the biggest moments of the biggest games.
He plays with an innocent joie de vivre that reminds us so much of Favre. A 24-year-old forever remembering that he is playing a kid’s game.
Wolf staked his career on Favre, trading a first-round pick to the Falcons for him following his ill-fated rookie season.
“Whenever I saw him play, I thought the field tilted in his team’s favor, and he was the whole team, in my opinion,” Wolf said. “I’m talking about Southern Mississippi now. He went places and won games that you’re not supposed to do that. He was a winner with a capital W.”
Mahomes has shown early signs that he can figure things out on the fly in a way that the young Cassius Clay/Muhammad Ali could in a boxing ring, the way Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson could on a basketball court. Long, long way to go, of course, before he even dreams of joining those icons on their otherworldly pedestals.
When Wolf talks about the young Favre, you can’t help but think of Patrick Mahomes: “He had it. Whatever it is. He had that. And he demonstrated it.”
You want someone to start your franchise, Mahomes is it.
This is his Mahoment.
For more on the Super Bowl, listen to the latest episode of the “Gang’s All Here” podcast:


newyorkpost--2020-01-26--“Take her out!” Trump tells Giuliani pals of ambassador in new recording

A recording released Saturday appears to confirm reports that President Trump met with both Igor Fruman and Lev Parnas , @ @ @ @ @ didn ’ t know and told them to “ take out ” then-US Ambassador to @ @ @ @ @ recording , made public Saturday , was from a 2018 dinner Trump had with the @ @ @ @ @ , and was released by Parnas ’ attorney , Joseph A. Bondy .
A person @ @ @ @ @ heard on the recording calling Yovanovitch a liability for the president .
A voice sounding @ @ @ @ @ can be heard responding , “ Get rid of her !
” “ Get her @ @ @ @ @ ’ t care .
Get her out tomorrow .
Take her out .
OK ?
@ @ @ @ @ continues .
The recording has been posted by Fox News and other outlets .

A recording released Saturday appears to confirm reports that President Trump met with both Igor Fruman and Lev Parnas, donors he has claimed he didn’t know and told them to “take out” then-US Ambassador to Ukrainian Marie Yovanovitch.
The recording, made public Saturday, was from a 2018 dinner Trump had with the two pals of Rudy Giuliani, and was released by Parnas’ attorney, Joseph A. Bondy.
A person believed to be Parnas is heard on the recording calling Yovanovitch a liability for the president.
A voice sounding similar to Trump’s can be heard responding, “Get rid of her!”
“Get her out tomorrow. I don’t care. Get her out tomorrow. Take her out. OK? Do it,” he continues.
The recording has been posted by Fox News and other outlets.