
REGIONAL — WITH A STRIKE LOOMING, Gov. Kathy Hochul on Monday labeled wage demands by five Long Island Rail Road unions unrealistic and called for them to return to the bargaining table but also pointed an accusatory finger at President Donald Trump and his administration’s National Mediation Board, which ended negotiations with the unions on Aug. 18.
“The reckless actions of the Trump administration’s National Mediation Board pushed this dispute toward a strike instead of keeping talks on track,” Hochul said in a statement. “Make no mistake, this is a strike encouraged by Donald Trump and enabled by his allies in Washington.” She also highlighted the “continued inaction and silence” of Long Island’s two Republican members of Congress. Members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, one of the five unions involved, are turning in their ballots Monday.
In a press conference last Wednesday, Hochul was asked by a reporter if the White House could intervene in the threatened strike, which could go into effect as soon as Thursday. “The White House already intervened, and they screwed us in the process,” she replied.
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SUNSET PARK — “As a resident of Marine Park, one of the great surprises I found biking around Industry City and visiting Japan Village was to discover Bush Terminal Park. I continue to be amazed at the serene hideaways that the city offers in some of the busiest places — and, still, with an iconic view.”

BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — ‘A miracle that no one was killed …’ That’s what neighbors are saying about the collapse of the Hotel St. George marquee. Shown in this photograph are workmen beginning the removal and repair of the historic, old neon sign at the corner, referencing a relic of Brooklyn Heights’ past: the St. George Hotel.

ATLANTIC AVENUE — Exhausted shopper with cluster of bags and goods from mall at Boerum Place stops to look at huge construction site across the street. “Is that REALLY going to be a jail??” Her male companion is reassuring, “Nothing like Rikers … this is 21st Century.”
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — Overheard in line at one of most popular pastry outlets on Montague Street: “Hope I can get them into a camp …” A mother with two pre-schoolers in tow was showing a friend the Dodge Y flyer for Healthy Kids Day on Saturday, April 18.