Governor Cuomo’s streak of on-time budgets ended after New York State lawmakers approved a $142 billion early this morning. The assembly wrapped up their proceedings at 3am, missing the midnight deadline that Governor Cuomo has proudly beaten four times during his tenure. Headlining the new budget is increased funding for schools, revisions to teacher evaluations, and new legislative disclosure rules intended to address Albany corruption. (New York Times)
A positive story came out of the East Village explosion today. After thinking she lost everything in the fire that took her home of 21 years, Kathleen Blomberg was reunited yesterday with her two cats. Ms. Blomberg’s prayers on social media were answered when the two felines, named Sebastian and Kitty Cordelia, were found unharmed amidst the rubble after the NYPD and ASCPA searched through the debris. (New York Post)
Desperate for the touch of another human being? Searching for platonic intimacy? Look no further than The Ideal Cuddle, a confidential cuddling service that offers paid cuddle sessions for adults in need of affection. The service was started by couple Noelia Bonilla and Charlie Amadiz, and is a confidential business intended to improve people’s well-being and create a safe environment for individuals to connect. Rates start at $60 for 45 minutes, but don’t get any ideas, all sessions are videotaped to make sure participants and facilitators never cross the line. (DNAinfo)
A medicaid scam fueled by the promise of tennis shoes has been put to rest. Eric Vainer, 43, and his mother, Polina Vainer, 66, ran the so called Medicaid mill that lured thousands of needy New Yorkers to undergo unnecessary medical tests while the con artists overcharged Medicaid. The operation was mainly run out of Sunset Park, and most of the clients were recruited from low-income neighborhoods and even soup kitchens, where they were promised Metrocards, their nails cut, and even tennis shoes. The scam resulted in approximately $7 million in improper reimbursements between 2012 and 2014, and nearly two dozen people have been identified as participants. (Daily News)
A vacuum-sealed shipment of peanut butter that sent to a Crown Heights grocery store Monday appeared to have marijuana inside. Police reported that an employee of the store alerted the authorities after a leafy, green substance could be seen through the wrapping. Police found 10 bags of marijuana inside the package, which had a California return address, and is believed to have been shipped to the wrong address. No arrests have been made. (CBSNY)
