NEW THIS MORNING

NEW THIS MORNING: * Merryl Tisch, the chancellor of the state Board of Regents, is mulling a run for mayor of New York City as a Republican in 2013 as business and civic groups encourage her candidacy, the Wall Street Journal writes: http://on.wsj.com/KEZLlu * A new Quinnipiac poll released this morning has Governor Cuomo’s approval rating at 71 percent, the highest score for a New York State governor in 11 years: http://bit.ly/M68xgB * Appearing next to challenger Adriano Espaillat, Rep. Charlie Rangel acknowledged that it wont be easy to win re-election but defended himself against charges of ethical misconduct, the New York Times reports: http://nyti.ms/KbDXko * Rangel is set to get endorsements from Mayor Michael Bloomberg as well as former mayors Ed Koch and David Dinkins in coming days, the Post writes: http://nyp.st/JMem2g * Eleven inmates are seeking class-action status for a lawsuit accusing New York City corrections officials of allowing guards to beat inmates without provocation, the Times reports: http://nyti.ms/JOMTs1 * A fire company in the Bronx is used less frequently than any other in New York City but it is still rescued from closure year after year as part of the mayors budget dance with the City Council, the Times writes: http://nyti.ms/L1YgRf * Public Advocate Bill de Blasio is backing a lawsuit against the states plan for New York Citys taxis, saying the governor and the mayor bypassed the City Council, the Daily News writes: http://nydn.us/KbOlcI * The Bloomberg administration is looking to target delivery cyclists who ride on the sidewalks with more enforcement agents and higher fines, the Daily News writes: http://nydn.us/L1RdIh

Summer on the Hudson: Shape Up in West Harlem Piers Park Zumba

Summer on the Hudson: Shape Up in West Harlem Piers Park Zumba

Date: June 2, 2012

Shape Up NYC (partnered with the Department of Parks and Recreation, Equinox, NYC Service, and Empire BlueCross Blue Shield) offers more than 175 free fitness classes every week at locations across the five boroughs to helpNew Yorkers shape up.

Mercy Irizarry teaches Zumba class on Saturdays in West Harlem Piers Park – Enter at 125th St.

Start time: 11:00 am

End time: 12:00 pm

Contact phone: 311

Location: West Harlem Piers Park

Summer on the Hudson: Shape Up in West Harlem Piers Park Zumba
Wed, 30 May 2012 04:00:13 GMT

Summer on the Hudson: Learn To Ride

Summer on the Hudson: Learn To Ride

Date: June 2, 2012

New riders, ages 5 years and up learn to balance, ride, and enjoy life on two wheels. Don’t have a bike? A limited number of kids bikes will be available free of charge from Bike and Roll NYC. To ensure bicycle availability, please reserve by calling (212) 260-0400.

REGISTER for the Learn To Ride here: http://www.bikenewyork.org/learn/kids/learn-to-ride-kids/

Start time: 11:00 am

End time: 4:00 pm

Contact phone: 311

Location: West Harlem Piers Park

Summer on the Hudson: Learn To Ride
Wed, 30 May 2012 04:00:13 GMT

Unemployment For Young African American Vets Topped 40 percent in 2011

Unemployment For Young African American Vets Topped 40 percent in 2011 Examiner.com The number is even worse for young African American male military veterans who face a 40 percent unemployment rate. Our young men and women in uniform put their lives on the line for all of us so that we may remain free. The least we can do is make … See all stories on this topic »

First African American to Guard ‘Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Blogs 1 new result for AFRICAN AMERICAN First African American to Guard ‘Tomb of the Unknown Soldier – WJW By Bliss Davis Fred Moore is the first African American to guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetary in Washington, D.C.Hear him tell his story. FOX8.com Cleveland news &…

NEW THIS MORNING

NEW THIS MORNING: * Possible successors to Senate Minority Leader John Sampson, including Sens. Ruth Hassell-Thompson and Andrea Stewart-Cousins, are jockeying for his spot even though hes still leader, the Daily News reports: http://nydn.us/Jwhf62 * Rep. Kathy Hochul, the darling of the Democratic Party after her surprise special election win last year, is now the states most vulnerable House incumbent thanks to redistricting, the New York Times writes: http://nyti.ms/JPf5cp * A proposal to reduce the assumed rate of return for New York Citys pensions from 8 percent to 7 percent may not go nearly far enough and reflects a nationwide challenge, the Times reports: http://nyti.ms/LwHg0Z * A $750 million federally mandated safety program means the MTA will delay LIRR and Metro-North upgrades to ease congestion, even though it already spent $1 billion on safety improvements, the Post writes: http://nyp.st/JHqzoO * Top New York City employees are donating much more money to President Barack Obama than to Mitt Romney, with Deputy Mayor Robert Steel the only donor to the presumptive Republican nominee, the Post reports: http://nyp.st/JHtyhe

NEW THIS MORNING

NEW THIS MORNING: * The investigations editor for the Albany Times Union is charging that Albany elected officials and law enforcement unjustly targeted his wifes spa with a prostitution charge in retaliation for critical news coverage, the New York Times reports: http://nyti.ms/KSQtRB * The New York City congressional race between Congressman Charlie Rangel and State Sen. Adriano Espaillat has turned into a war of endorsements, with Rangel seeking to prove he still retains institutional support, and Espaillat seeking to show that Rangel has lost it, the Times writes: http://nyti.ms/KkzOYg * More than 600 hours of New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinns public schedule were redacted from a freedom of information request, but records do show meetings with campaign fundraisers and frequent meetings about Walmart and the living wage bill, NY1 reports: http://bit.ly/LkWW7v * The New York State Democratic Party denied New York City Comptroller John Liu a slot to attend the 2012 convention in Charlotte as an at-large delegate, in part over concerns about an investigation into his campaign fundraising, the Times writes: http://nyp.st/K2t6rG * Gay couples in New York and Connecticut are learning that even though their state allows them to marry, they still must take more steps than straight couples to protect their assets, and are increasingly seeking advice from professionals about issues ranging from filing joint taxes to owning property together, the Wall Street Journal writes: http://on.wsj.com/Lmo2es * After a two-year exile to a trailer outside of City Hall, New York Citys press corps is finally returning to the fabled Room 9, as well as to a lesser-known overflow room, which boasts a number of new media outlets, the Times says: http://nyti.ms/LkSSUJ

Mandrill Tribute To Hal Jackson

Mandrill Tribute To Hal Jackson Hal Jackson was intimately associated with the career of Mandrill. He was at the helm at WBLS/WLIB in New York City when our third album, Composite Truth, hit the streets in the early 70s. Hal believed in the Wilson Brothers /Mandrill and supported us in every way. He relayed that spirit to his entire staff, including such world-class announcers like Frankie Crocker, Vaughn Harper, Vy Higgensen, Ken Spider Webb, G. Keith Alexander and so many others. This support contributed to a break out album in the US and abroad and garnered gold album status for Mandrills Composite Truth including such hits as Fencewalk and Hang Loose. Mr. Jackson will be remembered as a close friend and mentor. He will also be looked to as an individual who took the bull by the horns and did it his way. He was the first Black radio announcer on network radio and was on the air for more than 70 years, The entrepreneurial example that he has set is indeed a blueprint for freedom and independence in this dog eat dog entertainment industry. He will be truly missed but his spirit and legacy will live in our hearts and minds forever. We love you Hal and may you rest in peace. Ric Wilson, MD For the Wilson Brothers (Lou, Ric, Carlos & Wolf) of Mandrill

Memorial Day

Visit USA.gov’s Memorial Day page to learn about the origins of this federal holiday; read veterans’ stories; find patriotic songs; get tips on barbecue, boating, and swimming safety; and more!

HEARD AROUND TOWN

HEARD AROUND TOWN: * In a highly symbolic move, ex-Assemblyman Adam Clayton Powell IV will endorse Manhattan Rep. Charlie Rangel today, according to a source with knowledge of the endorsement and confirmed by a campaign press release. A spokesman for Rangel, Bob Liff, said he had heard that the endorsement was taking place, but did not have direct knowledge of it. Ive also heard the same thing, and its always nice to be with Mr. Powell, Liff said. The endorsement will occur in front of a statue in Harlem of former Congressman Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., whom Rangel unseated in a primary in 1970. Now, Rangel faces perhaps his toughest test since then, running in a highly competitive five-way Democratic primary, which includes a top-tier challenger in state Sen. Adriano Espaillat. Powell IV, the ex-assemblyman, is the son of the former congressman. In 2010, Powell ran against Rangel but lost by a substantial amount, despite scandals swirling around Rangel at the time. But now, the redistricting process has made the seat far more Latino-heavy, and Rangel faces a tough test from Espaillat and three others.