Reuven Blau
@reuvenblau.bsky.social
Senior Reporter @ THE CITY. Co-author: "Rikers: An Oral History." Denver native.
"At least one of the properties in Brooklyn was stolen after his sentencing in Queens — indicating that he continued to defraud people even after being convicted of the same crime in a different borough."
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/r...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/r...
Brooklyn Investor Who Stole Homes Faces Years Behind Bars
www.nytimes.com
November 14, 2025 at 3:23 PM
"At least one of the properties in Brooklyn was stolen after his sentencing in Queens — indicating that he continued to defraud people even after being convicted of the same crime in a different borough."
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/r...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/r...
Reposted by Reuven Blau
A lot of people are going to walk away from the Ghislaine Maxwell coverage with the impression that our prison system isn’t punitive enough but I’d say it highlights how most everyone else is treated with *deliberate* cruelty.
November 14, 2025 at 1:27 PM
A lot of people are going to walk away from the Ghislaine Maxwell coverage with the impression that our prison system isn’t punitive enough but I’d say it highlights how most everyone else is treated with *deliberate* cruelty.
Reposted by Reuven Blau
mariska hargitay’s documentary on her mother, jayne mansfield, is phenomenal
November 14, 2025 at 2:06 AM
mariska hargitay’s documentary on her mother, jayne mansfield, is phenomenal
New: Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez is backing a bid to re-sentence a prominent counselor in the Hasidic Jewish community who was originally sentenced to 103 years in prison for repeatedly abusing an adolescent girl.
www.thecity.nyc/2025/11/13/brooklyn-eric-gonzalez-nechemya-weberman/
www.thecity.nyc/2025/11/13/brooklyn-eric-gonzalez-nechemya-weberman/
Brooklyn DA Backs Reduced Sentence for Notorious Child Molestor
The DA’s office argues the original 103-year sentence was excessive, while critics say reducing it sends a dangerous message.
www.thecity.nyc
November 14, 2025 at 12:11 AM
New: Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez is backing a bid to re-sentence a prominent counselor in the Hasidic Jewish community who was originally sentenced to 103 years in prison for repeatedly abusing an adolescent girl.
www.thecity.nyc/2025/11/13/brooklyn-eric-gonzalez-nechemya-weberman/
www.thecity.nyc/2025/11/13/brooklyn-eric-gonzalez-nechemya-weberman/
“The 23-page document calls on the incoming mayor to immediately reduce the number of people incarcerated, fully end solitary confinement and improve medical and mental health care. It also demands that Mamdani do everything possible to close Rikers Island for good.”
www.thecity.nyc/2025/11/13/r...
www.thecity.nyc/2025/11/13/r...
Rikers-Reform Fight Awaits Mamdani as Advocates Release Jails 'Blueprint'
With a court-appointed manager set to take over parts of the city’s Correction Department, advocates want the incoming mayor to back up pledges he made about city jails while on the campaign trail.
www.thecity.nyc
November 13, 2025 at 1:54 PM
“The 23-page document calls on the incoming mayor to immediately reduce the number of people incarcerated, fully end solitary confinement and improve medical and mental health care. It also demands that Mamdani do everything possible to close Rikers Island for good.”
www.thecity.nyc/2025/11/13/r...
www.thecity.nyc/2025/11/13/r...
There are hundreds of interested police officer candidates on multiple civil service rosters generated after they took and passed a written test for the job.
"Hundreds of New York City police officers are ready to leave the force in the wake of Zohran Mamdani’s (D.) election victory, with some openly weeping after the cop-hating socialist seized the city’s mayoralty earlier this month"
(Note: This story has 3 sources, who wouldn't go on record)
(Note: This story has 3 sources, who wouldn't go on record)
NYPD Officers Say Mamdani’s Win Will Lead to Exodus of ‘A Few Hundred’ Officers
Hundreds of New York City police officers are ready to leave the force in the wake of Zohran Mamdani’s (D.) election victory, with some openly weeping after the cop-hating socialist seized the city’s ...
freebeacon.com
November 12, 2025 at 10:30 PM
There are hundreds of interested police officer candidates on multiple civil service rosters generated after they took and passed a written test for the job.
"On the eve of Zohran Mamdani’s election, an assistant commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs joined a wave of commenters smearing the young Muslim candidate as a terror sympathizer." — @gwynnefitz.bsky.social reports
www.thecity.nyc/2025/11/12/i...
www.thecity.nyc/2025/11/12/i...
Immigrant Affairs Assistant Commissioner Posted Anti-Muslim Mamdani Meme
MOIA Commissioner Manuel Castro recommended he be fired, a source said, though Erick Salgado remains employed at City Hall.
www.thecity.nyc
November 12, 2025 at 10:27 PM
"On the eve of Zohran Mamdani’s election, an assistant commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs joined a wave of commenters smearing the young Muslim candidate as a terror sympathizer." — @gwynnefitz.bsky.social reports
www.thecity.nyc/2025/11/12/i...
www.thecity.nyc/2025/11/12/i...
"While the facility is meant to hold 123 detainees, ACS has obtained and extended waivers from the state since 2023 to accommodate up to 154 teens as recently as the monitor’s visit this July, when 33 young people slept on portable bunks in classrooms and dayrooms."
www.thecity.nyc/2025/11/12/f...
www.thecity.nyc/2025/11/12/f...
Federal Monitor Says It’s Done Overseeing Bronx Youth Jail
But advocates say the monitor’s recent report overlooked “extreme conditions” caused by overcrowding at Horizon Juvenile Center.
www.thecity.nyc
November 12, 2025 at 10:25 PM
"While the facility is meant to hold 123 detainees, ACS has obtained and extended waivers from the state since 2023 to accommodate up to 154 teens as recently as the monitor’s visit this July, when 33 young people slept on portable bunks in classrooms and dayrooms."
www.thecity.nyc/2025/11/12/f...
www.thecity.nyc/2025/11/12/f...
“This means we’re going to see a $200,000 loss each year,” Fischer said. “For an organization like ours, with a $4.8 million budget, that’s devastating. We may have to let go of three full-time staff who do on-the-ground work with our clients.”
www.thecity.nyc/2025/11/10/o...
www.thecity.nyc/2025/11/10/o...
State Scraps $300M in Victim-Services Grants, Throwing Programs Into Crisis
A comptroller’s ruling overturning 250 awards has left hundreds of New York providers in limbo, forcing layoffs, intake freezes and service cuts for survivors of violence.
www.thecity.nyc
November 11, 2025 at 1:38 PM
“This means we’re going to see a $200,000 loss each year,” Fischer said. “For an organization like ours, with a $4.8 million budget, that’s devastating. We may have to let go of three full-time staff who do on-the-ground work with our clients.”
www.thecity.nyc/2025/11/10/o...
www.thecity.nyc/2025/11/10/o...
Marcy is the prison where Robert Brooks was killed by a group of officers as he was handcuffed on Dec. 9, 2024.
November 7, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Marcy is the prison where Robert Brooks was killed by a group of officers as he was handcuffed on Dec. 9, 2024.
“Zane’s family is still reckoning with their loss – and trying to understand how he could have chosen to spend months talking with an AI tool rather than his loved ones. From their home, his parents recalled their son as a loving family member who was taken too soon.”
www.cnn.com/2025/11/06/u...
www.cnn.com/2025/11/06/u...
ChatGPT encouraged college graduate to commit suicide, family claims in lawsuit against OpenAI | CNN
A 23-year-old man killed himself in Texas after ChatGPT ‘goaded’ him to commit suicide, his family says in a lawsuit.
www.cnn.com
November 7, 2025 at 11:36 AM
“Zane’s family is still reckoning with their loss – and trying to understand how he could have chosen to spend months talking with an AI tool rather than his loved ones. From their home, his parents recalled their son as a loving family member who was taken too soon.”
www.cnn.com/2025/11/06/u...
www.cnn.com/2025/11/06/u...
“A travel request reviewed by @THE CITY for Rodriguez and another DOT staffer totaled more than $6,600, which included $587 for round-trip flights and a $125 per diem for meals.” — via @katiehonan.bsky.social
www.thecity.nyc/2025/11/06/s...
www.thecity.nyc/2025/11/06/s...
Post-Election, Pols Hit Puerto Rico for 5-Day SOMOS Feast
City Hall staffers — many on the taxpayer tab — also traveled to San Juan.
www.thecity.nyc
November 7, 2025 at 11:08 AM
“A travel request reviewed by @THE CITY for Rodriguez and another DOT staffer totaled more than $6,600, which included $587 for round-trip flights and a $125 per diem for meals.” — via @katiehonan.bsky.social
www.thecity.nyc/2025/11/06/s...
www.thecity.nyc/2025/11/06/s...
“With Cuomo garnering just under 855,000 votes, that amounted to the would-be power brokers spending $65 per vote for a losing candidate.” — via @gregbsmithnyc.bsky.social
www.thecity.nyc/2025/11/06/c...
www.thecity.nyc/2025/11/06/c...
Cuomo Backers Burned $65 Per Vote, Including $13.3 Million From Bloomberg
A blizzard of outside spending on ads, including a spot that linked Zohran Mamdani to 9/11, failed to move voters and may have even backfired.
www.thecity.nyc
November 6, 2025 at 9:59 PM
“With Cuomo garnering just under 855,000 votes, that amounted to the would-be power brokers spending $65 per vote for a losing candidate.” — via @gregbsmithnyc.bsky.social
www.thecity.nyc/2025/11/06/c...
www.thecity.nyc/2025/11/06/c...
"A Manhattan Supreme Court judge on Thursday rejected a petition from a mysterious advocacy group to toss the city’s new self-funded health plan for municipal workers, administered by EmblemHealth and UnitedHealthcare." — via @clauirizarry.bsky.social
www.thecity.nyc/2025/11/06/e...
www.thecity.nyc/2025/11/06/e...
Judge Declines to Pause New Health Insurance Plan for City Workers
A case filed by a mysterious opposition group and several municipal employees will proceed, as unions and City Hall seek save a projected $1 billion annually.
www.thecity.nyc
November 6, 2025 at 7:18 PM
"A Manhattan Supreme Court judge on Thursday rejected a petition from a mysterious advocacy group to toss the city’s new self-funded health plan for municipal workers, administered by EmblemHealth and UnitedHealthcare." — via @clauirizarry.bsky.social
www.thecity.nyc/2025/11/06/e...
www.thecity.nyc/2025/11/06/e...
THIS 👇
It’d be truly amazing if the political media simply stopped focusing so much on the horse-race polls and covered the actual issues.
They aren’t political consultants. Their job isn’t to say “this issue resonated w that group.” It’s to tell us what the POLICY implications of the policies are.
They aren’t political consultants. Their job isn’t to say “this issue resonated w that group.” It’s to tell us what the POLICY implications of the policies are.
Cant wait for next November when ppl have a full on meltdown bc some combo of Emerson, AtlasIntel, & Trafalgar say the GCB is like R+1 or something
November 6, 2025 at 1:36 PM
THIS 👇
"The board report also noted that Correction staff in two of the five deaths did not immediately notify medical personnel after witnessing detainees in distress. In four of the cases, facility commanders delayed required notifications to central DOC leadership."
www.thecity.nyc/2025/11/05/r...
www.thecity.nyc/2025/11/05/r...
Rikers Detainee Found Dead With 121 Pills as Oversight Board Cites Mass Failures
A new oversight report on 2025 jail deaths reveals officers ignored medical emergencies, falsified records and allowed drugs to circulate freely behind bars.
www.thecity.nyc
November 5, 2025 at 11:23 PM
"The board report also noted that Correction staff in two of the five deaths did not immediately notify medical personnel after witnessing detainees in distress. In four of the cases, facility commanders delayed required notifications to central DOC leadership."
www.thecity.nyc/2025/11/05/r...
www.thecity.nyc/2025/11/05/r...
Does mayor-elect Mamdani support a receiver for Rikers Island? "I think that Eric Adams’ actions have left us with no alternative. I also think that the fact that we have ended here is a reflection of what he has and hasn’t done," he told @katiehonan.bsky.social
www.thecity.nyc/2025/11/05/m...
www.thecity.nyc/2025/11/05/m...
15 Minutes With the Next Mayor of New York City
On the W train, we asked the questions we couldn’t get to in the debate.
www.thecity.nyc
November 5, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Does mayor-elect Mamdani support a receiver for Rikers Island? "I think that Eric Adams’ actions have left us with no alternative. I also think that the fact that we have ended here is a reflection of what he has and hasn’t done," he told @katiehonan.bsky.social
www.thecity.nyc/2025/11/05/m...
www.thecity.nyc/2025/11/05/m...
Reposted by Reuven Blau
you've got to click around on this map, and the graphics here ... it's astounding. @haidee.bsky.social did such a great job with this:
Explore How Different New Yorkers Voted for Mayor
See how voters turned out for Zohran Mamdani, Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa in every neighborhood in the city — and by income, housing and transit preference.
www.thecity.nyc
November 5, 2025 at 4:59 AM
you've got to click around on this map, and the graphics here ... it's astounding. @haidee.bsky.social did such a great job with this:
“Queens Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani culminated a meteoric political rise by scoring a decisive victory in a polarizing mayoral election. At just 34 years old, he will become the youngest mayor in over a century and the first Muslim to lead New York City.”
www.thecity.nyc/2025/11/04/m...
www.thecity.nyc/2025/11/04/m...
Mamdani Makes History With Victory in Mayor’s Race
More than 2 million New Yorkers cast a ballot in a high-stakes election that smashed recent turnout levels.
www.thecity.nyc
November 5, 2025 at 2:47 AM
“Queens Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani culminated a meteoric political rise by scoring a decisive victory in a polarizing mayoral election. At just 34 years old, he will become the youngest mayor in over a century and the first Muslim to lead New York City.”
www.thecity.nyc/2025/11/04/m...
www.thecity.nyc/2025/11/04/m...
The number of voters casting ballots in the tense three-way race for mayor between Zohran Mamdani, Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa is breaking records, with more than 2 million check-ins, according to the city Board of Elections.
www.thecity.nyc/2025/11/04/r...
www.thecity.nyc/2025/11/04/r...
Voter Turnout Highest in Half Century as Mamdani Phenomenon Galvanizes Electorate
More than 2 million New York voters cast ballots, the most in a mayoral race since 1969.
www.thecity.nyc
November 5, 2025 at 2:27 AM
The number of voters casting ballots in the tense three-way race for mayor between Zohran Mamdani, Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa is breaking records, with more than 2 million check-ins, according to the city Board of Elections.
www.thecity.nyc/2025/11/04/r...
www.thecity.nyc/2025/11/04/r...
A new proposal would require judges who hand down sentences or make detention decisions to conduct meaningful prison visits annually. The proposed change would be the first of its kind in the nation and mandate hundreds of in-depth judicial visits to state prisons. www.thecity.nyc/2025/11/04/b...
Bringing the Bench Behind Bars: Plan Would Require Yearly Prison Visits by Judges
For decades, many New York judges skipped required visits. A new rule would change that.
www.thecity.nyc
November 4, 2025 at 8:24 PM
A new proposal would require judges who hand down sentences or make detention decisions to conduct meaningful prison visits annually. The proposed change would be the first of its kind in the nation and mandate hundreds of in-depth judicial visits to state prisons. www.thecity.nyc/2025/11/04/b...
Reposted by Reuven Blau
New Yorkers are HITTING THOSE POLLS. It's the highest turnout in about two decades.
November 4, 2025 at 5:38 PM
New Yorkers are HITTING THOSE POLLS. It's the highest turnout in about two decades.
Must-read brilliant deep dive into the complicated pedi cab industry following the death of a 29-year-old Turkish immigrant driver shortly after his arrest inside an NYPD precinct holding cell — via @yoavgonen.bsky.social
www.thecity.nyc/2025/10/30/p...
www.thecity.nyc/2025/10/30/p...
Pedicab Driver’s Death Amid NYPD Crackdown Rattles a Freewheeling Industry
Musa Cetin hanged himself in a police precinct cell as the pedicab industry, known for blaring music and tourist scams, is snared in sweeping NYPD enforcement.
www.thecity.nyc
November 3, 2025 at 8:16 PM
Must-read brilliant deep dive into the complicated pedi cab industry following the death of a 29-year-old Turkish immigrant driver shortly after his arrest inside an NYPD precinct holding cell — via @yoavgonen.bsky.social
www.thecity.nyc/2025/10/30/p...
www.thecity.nyc/2025/10/30/p...
"The White House also refused to source funds from a second account with billions of $, comprised largely of tariff revenues. It declined to do so even though the administration had taken the same approach with another federal nutrition program during the shutdown."
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/02/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/02/u...
Food Stamp Cuts Expose Trump’s Strategy to Use Shutdown to Advance Agenda
www.nytimes.com
November 2, 2025 at 12:37 PM
"The White House also refused to source funds from a second account with billions of $, comprised largely of tariff revenues. It declined to do so even though the administration had taken the same approach with another federal nutrition program during the shutdown."
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/02/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/02/u...
Avoid commas, semicolons and the word “castigate,” if you want to have impact. The Times’s corresponding headline that day — “Ford, Castigating City, Asserts He’d Veto Federal Bailout; Offers Bankruptcy Bill” — stands as a verbose counterpoint to “Drop Dead.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/30/n...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/30/n...
50 Years Ago, My Father Wrote the Headline That Refuses to Die
www.nytimes.com
October 31, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Avoid commas, semicolons and the word “castigate,” if you want to have impact. The Times’s corresponding headline that day — “Ford, Castigating City, Asserts He’d Veto Federal Bailout; Offers Bankruptcy Bill” — stands as a verbose counterpoint to “Drop Dead.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/30/n...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/30/n...