2012: "[T]he president is sending a signal that the reverend has become a key ally." [Michael Saul]

2012: "Obama was very wary of the race issue and of being labeled as a 'black candidate'," said Larry Sabato. [Jonathan Lemire]

2012: George Pataki, just having lunch. [Page Six]

2013: De Blasio appealing $304,500 fine for illegal posturing during 2009 race. [David Seifman]

Gun Control: Bloomberg, NYC, Schneiderman named in suit by 2nd Amendment rights advocates, complaining about gun permit fees. [Anahad O'Connor]

Houston vs NYC: Gillibrand gets in on the fight to land retired space shuttles here. [Richard Sisk]

State Budgeting: Bill would let school districts borrow money and delay pension costs. Legislators back it; so does comptroller. Cuomo silent. [Jacob Gershman]

State Budgeting: Tea Party takes credit for Cuomo's budget. [Carl Campanile]

Islam: Greg Ball really wants to hear about Shariah law. [Glenn Blain]

Islam: Rep. King to testify at Ball's hearing on Friday. [S.A. Miller]

Food: Comrie wants to ban toys from happy meals. [Sally Goldenberg]

Steve Levy: Suffolk GOP Chairman John Jay LaValle returning his $100,000 donation; chairman fears it'll "taint" the party. [Kery Murakami]

Steve Levy: How does LaValle know what Levy was thinking? [Dan Janison]

Pedro Espada: He and son plead not guilty to tax evasion. [John Marzulli]

Staffing Up: Spokesman for Buffalo Mayor rejoins Team Cuomo. [Tom Precious]

MTA: Not great signage. [Andrew Grossman]

FDNY: Using their sirens less is the goal. [Sean Gardiner and Pervaiz Shallwani]

Child Abuse: Golden proposes using photographs to better monitor kids in trouble. [Casey Seiler]