In an effort to improve students’ computer science skills, Mayor Bill de Blasio has announced an enhanced computer education program for New York City public schools called “Computer Science for All.” Funded by an $81 million public-private partnership, the project aims to teach skills like web design, coding and robotics. The National Science Foundation plans on training 10,000 teachers to teach these skills, hoping to give every student in New York access to a computer science education in the next decade. “Right now, fewer than 5 percent of all New York City public school students have the chance to learn computer science,” Mr. de Blasio wrote in a public statement. Although computer science will not be a graduation requirement, elementary and middle school students in the Bronx, Park Slope and Staten Island will have these skills upon graduation, according to Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña. The initiative follows Mr. de Blasio’s “Pre-K for All,” which offers free, full-time pre-K classes for every child in New York City. (Gothamist)
Just days after the opening of the new 7 train station at 34th Street-Hudson Yards, a temporary closure this morning caused delays for commuters’ first full day of using the $2.4 billion station. The disruption began at 7:00, when trains stopped at Times Square, and passengers were instructed to take a bus westbound. However, trains were back up and running by 7:20, and according to MTA spokesman Kevin Ortiz, the delay was caused by an issue with the track circuit. (DNAinfo)
A man jumped in front of a G train pulling into 15th-Prospect Park Station yesterday evening, and survived. After leaping onto the tracks, the man, who has been identified as Derrick Williams, 22, crawled from under the train, walked up the stairs, and left the station. Witnesses say Mr. Williams refused help from bystanders. Police found him on the ground at 13th St. and Prospect Park West, and ambulances brought him to Methodist Hospital in stable condition. (New York Daily News)
Carey Gabay, the attorney in Governor Cuomo’s administration, has been pronounced brain dead after being shot in the head last week. Mr. Gabay, 43, was caught in a crossfire in Brooklyn between two rival gangs and has been in a coma at Kings County Hospital Center since the shooting during the pre-West Indian Parade festivities known as J’Ouvert. “There are difficult decisions we will face in the coming hours and days as our family struggles to process what this means for us,” Mr. Gabay’s family said in a statement today. (amNewYork)
New York City and federal authorities have broken up an international ring trafficking synthetic marijuana, known as K2, and have charged 10 people with connections to the operation. Having gained popularity among teenagers, the drug has also become widely used among the homeless population in New York. According to an indictment in Manhattan’s District Court, the operation involved importing illegal synthetic compounds from China to the United States. The indictment also states that more than 70 retail outlets, including bodegas and convenience stores, received shipments of the product to sell. (New York Times)
