The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) approved a four-year settlement with Florida Power & Light (FPL) Thursday for about $6. 9 billion, which opponents claim is the largest rate hike in U. S. history. The investor-owned utility, Florida’s largest with approximately six million accounts totaling around 12 million customers, said in a press release that it will enable FPL to continue to make “smart, necessary investments in the grid to power Florida’s growth while keeping customer bills well below the national average.” [FPL is the exclusive provider of electricity in Flalger County and its cities.] The proposed rate hike was met with fierce opposition. More than two dozen local and state elected officials sent a letter to last month to Gov. Ron DeSantis and the PSC, calling on them to reject the proposal. The rate hike also became an issue in the race for attorney general. Former Democratic state Sen. José Javier Rodriguez, running for the position next year, called on Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier to intervene in the case. Attorneys general in places like Michigan, Connecticut, and Arizona have challenged proposed rate hikes by public electricity utilities this year, and Republican former Florida attorneys general such as Bill McCollum and Charlie Crist previously intervened in rate hikes proposed by investor-owned utilities. However, Uthmeier declined to get involved. ‘Shameful decision’ Bradley Marshall, who represented several groups who opposed the rate hike, insisted the fight isn’t over yet. “We look forward to reviewing the written decision and expect this case will be appealed to the Florida Supreme Court, where we look forward to presenting our case,” he told the Phoenix. “This decision hurts the people who are already struggling with higher power bills.” Other critics blasted the PSC. “Four years ago, FPL was awarded one of the largest rate hikes in U. S. history. Today, they’ve made history again at nearly double that amount. This shameful decision illustrates why our state energy regulators cannot be trusted to ensure that families have reliable, affordable energy,” said Food & Water Watch Senior Florida organizer Brooke Ward in a written statement. “People are not asking for diamonds or gold while greedy utilities keep raking in record profits, regular Floridians want to be able to afford running their air conditioners and heaters. The Legislature must pass affordable energy legislation this session to ensure fair electricity prices.” “By approving this rate hike, the PSC has handed FPL another blank check while Floridians struggle to keep the lights on,” said Alyssa White, climate justice organizer for Florida Student Power. “This is a slap in the face to every family, student, and small business already drowning in high bills. Our communities deserve an energy system that puts people over profit, and we will continue to build the power to make that happen!” FPL initially wanted bigger rate hike Originally, FPL proposed a four-year, $9. 8 billion rate hike but, shortly before the PSC was scheduled to hold hearings on that proposal in August, FPL announced that it had reached an 11th-hour “agreement in principle” with what it described as a “diverse” group of organizations including Walmart, RaceTrac, Wawa, and the Florida Retail Federation. That proposal reduced the rate increase to about $6. 9 billion but still maintained a return on equity of 10. 95%. ROE is a measure of a company’s financial performance. FPL’s revised proposal drew pushback from the Office of Public Counsel (OPC), designated by law to represent Florida consumers. The OPC worked with organizations such as Florida Rising and the League of United Latin American Citizens of Florida (LULAC) and came up with their own counterproposal, which did not include any input from FPL. Their proposal would cut the base bill by nearly half for the average residential customer compared to FPL’s original proposal, to $5. 2 billion. Their proposed ROE for FPL would be 10. 6%. PSC Chairman Mike La Rosa rejected the OPC proposal on Sept. 12, saying FPL was “an indispensable party to any settlement.” He added that while their proposal could not be presented as a settlement agreement, it could be included as part of their testimony in opposition to FPL’s agreement submitted in late August. FPL says that in 2026, its “typical” 1, 000-kWh residential customer bill in most of Florida will increase by $2. 50 a month, or about 2%, from the existing $134. 14 to $136. 64. In Northwest Florida, the typical residential customer bill will remain relatively flat, going from the existing $143. 60 to $141. 36 in 2026. [There would be additional increases in 2027, 2028 and 2029.] “We appreciate the Florida Public Service Commission’s thorough review of our rate plan,” said FPL president and CEO Armando Pimentel in a statement. “Today’s vote enables FPL to continue to deliver some of America’s most reliable electric service and meet the needs of our fast-growing state and we project will keep customer bills well below the national average through the end of the decade. As we begin our second century of serving Florida, approval of this plan is a win for our customers and a win for the entire state.” -Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix.
https://flaglerlive.com/fpl-customers-billions/
Author: admin
Judge Concludes Prosecutors Can Circumvent Federal Grand Juries in D.C.
The ruling by a federal judge found that federal prosecutors could fall back on local grand juries to approve serious charges when they failed to persuade a federal grand jury.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/20/us/politics/judge-trump-washington-grand-juries.html
New Jersey organ procurement organization under congressional investigation after ‘alarming’ whistleblower claims
The House Ways and Means Committee has investigated several organ procurement organizations over what the lawmakers say is behavior considered unacceptable. The US House Ways and Means Committee said Wednesday that it is investigating the organ procurement organization for the New Jersey region for what it called “extreme abuse of public trust” and possible illegal activity, including trying to procure organs from people who didn’t volunteer to be donors and, in at least one case, trying to continue with the organ recovery process in a patient who had “reanimated.” The allegations were discussed in a letter the committee sent to the New Jersey Organ and Tissue Sharing Network, one of 55 organ procurement organizations that are federally designated nonprofits tasked with the multibillion-dollar business of managing the recovery of organs for transplantation in the United States. The committee, which has investigated several organ procurement organizations over what the lawmakers say is behavior considered unacceptable, says it has been asking the New Jersey network for records and information at least since July. Investigators spoke with nearly a dozen whistleblowers, the letter says. One of the incidents it highlights involves an unnamed patient at the Virtua Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Camden, New Jersey. The patient was pronounced dead and the network started the process to recover their organs, the letter says, but soon after the recovery process began, the person “reanimated.” The procurement team called the network’s chief executive officer to find out what to do. Witnesses told the committee that the CEO instructed the NJTO staff on site to “proceed with recovery,” according to the letter. “However, hospital staff intervened, and recovery did not move forward.” Neither the hospital nor the procurement organization responded to CNN’s requests for comment. The committee described the case as “shocking” and “alarming” and said several whistleblowers told investigators that documents with regard to details about the case were deleted or manipulated. The committee’s letter also alleges that the New Jersey Sharing Network misused documents to tell patients’ families it had authority to remove organs, even if the patient was not currently listed as an organ donor on their driver’s license or, in some cases, had withdrawn their permission to donate; may have procured and thrown out hundreds of organs just to meet federal metrics; and gave organs to people out of sequence on the transplant list. “This is unacceptable,” the letter says. “The organs procured by every [organ procurement organization] across the country belong to the individuals on the waitlist who are ranked and matched using medical criteria. They do not belong to the OPOs, and it is not NJTO’s role to pick winners and losers on the transplant waiting list.” The letter also says the organization has made misleading statements to Congress throughout the investigation. “These allegations raise questions about whether NJTO should keep its tax-exempt status and highlights the need for potential legislative reforms,” the letter says. The House Ways and Means Committee has asked the New Jersey organization to send additional documents including any complaints it has received, documents from the head of the organization and staff communications, as well as any more unredacted documents related to the patient in the Camden case. The letter is the latest development in the committee’s focus on the nation’s organ procurement groups. In July, the committee sent a letter to the Indiana Donor Network with regard to its use of private jets for non-mission charter flights. It also demanded documents from the Miami-area Life Alliance Organ Recovery Agency, and after its investigation, the US Department of Health and Human Services moved to decertify the organization – essentially shutting the operation down – in September. The investigation found unsafe practices, staff shortages and paperwork errors, according to HHS. Agency Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said at the time that the move was meant as a “clear warning” to other donor organizations. In September, the committee sent a letter to the Network for Hope, a Kentucky-based organ procurement organization, that demanded documents related to practices it considered unsafe. In one case four years ago in Richmond, Kentucky, a man says he woke up on the operating table while a recovery team was shaving his chest to take his organs. Witnesses say the hospital staffers were pressured by people within the organization to continue with the procedure, but a local surgeon refused to continue the operation when she saw that the man wasn’t dead. The Kentucky Attorney General’s Office has also been investigating the case. Stay informed and connected — subscribe to The Philadelphia Tribune NOW! Click Here Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Don’t Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated. Be Truthful. Don’t knowingly lie about anyone or anything. Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person. Be Proactive. Use the ‘Report’ link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Share with Us. We’d love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/health/new-jersey-organ-procurement-organization-under-congressional-investigation-after-alarming-whistleblower-claims/article_857704a9-2558-4c5d-a282-52e1569f3360.html
‘Delusional’ Meghan Markle Mocked for Having Staff Members Use Her Royal Title to Announce Her Arrival… In a Nearly Empty Room
Nov. 20 2025, Published 4:35 p.m. ET Quitting the royal family more than five years ago has only made Meghan Markle more emboldened about her use of her title, as she has it announced upon entering rooms today, RadarOnline.com can reveal. The ex-royal, 44, is still into the Duchess of Sussex’s styling she was given upon marrying Prince Harry, as it has been revealed she uses it to share her presence, even in empty spaces. Shocking Title ‘Announcement’ In a profile by Harper’s Bazaar published on Wednesday, November 19, one anecdote from the reporter glaringly stood out. “We’re in a grand brownstone on the Upper East Side that belongs to one of Meghan’s friends. When I enter, the house manager announces, ‘Meghan, Duchess of Sussex,’ even though we appear to be the only other two people in the house,” Kaitlyn Greenidge shared about Markle’s display of her title. She went on to describe how the two tried to decide where in the house to have their chat, with Markle gesturing “toward the second floor of the house, which is accessed via a glass elevator in the living room,” to show the rarified air the Netflix star moves in. Earlier in the piece, it was clear how Markle wants others to address her by her royal title, despite quitting the monarchy with Harry in 2020 and moving to California. While meeting up with a group of 11 and 12-year-old girls from a STEM academy at a museum outing, Greenridge wrote about Markle’s entrance: “A golf cart pulls up, the gravel crunching beneath its tires. ‘The Duchess of Sussex,’ someone in the scrum announces.” ‘So Cringe!’ Royal watchers were stunned by Markle’s blatant use of her title, despite having no current connection to the royal family other than her marriage to Harry. She infamously only worked 72 days as a senior member of the family before quitting, 20 months after Markle and the prince married in 2018. “Imagine being so f—— full of yourself that you have someone else’s staff announce you with a formal title as if you’re making an entrance to some grand event. So gross & nauseating,” one person sneered on X. “The best part of the article is Meghan demanding to be announced by her full title (in the US, no less) when the reporter arrives. So cringe!” a second sighed. “Meghan clings to the title, like a toddler clinging to a pacifier,” a third person snarked. “Actually, can’t wait for her titles to be stripped. The way she abuses that title is just pathetic,” a fourth huffed, while a fifth fumed, “She is an American in America, why the hell is she using that title here, ridiculous!” Markle Previously Claimed No ‘Attachment’ to Royal Title Others brought up Markle’s own claim that titles meant nothing to her during the former Deal or No Deal briefcase girl’s infamous March 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, where she and Harry viciously bashed the royal family. The Los Angeles native proudly proclaimed at the time, “All the grandeur surrounding this stuff is an attachment I don’t personally have. I’ve been a waitress, an actress, a princess, and a Duchess. I’ve always still just been Meghan, right? I’ve been clear on who I am, independent of all that stuff, and the most important title I’ll ever have is mom.” It’s been widely reported that Harry’s brother, Prince William, intends to strip the couple of their Duke and Duchess of Sussex titles when he ascends to the throne.
https://radaronline.com/p/meghan-markle-mocked-staff-members-royal-title-announce-arrival/
Lamar Jackson Will ‘Talk To’ Ravens About Growing Problem
He knows there’s a problem, but Baltimore Ravens franchise quarterback Lamar Jackson can still take being sacked 23 times already this season with good humor. At least for now, but the two-time NFL MVP revealed a conversation is coming between himself and his offensive line. Jackson spoke with reporters on Thursday, November 20, one day after missing practice again with what turned out to be an ankle injury. The Ravens were being cautious with their star asset, but Jackson was upbeat after participating in the latest session, even when the issue of crumbling protection was mentioned. As ESPN’s Jamison Hensley noted, Jackson said, “I’m going to talk to my offensive line about that.” Although Hensley was quick to point out Jackson uttered these words “with a smile,” the growing numbers of hits he’s taking is a problem the Ravens can’t ignore. Especially in the context of the team still needing to carefully manage his health. Lamar Jackson Has a Problem Getting hit and staying under siege in the pocket is an uncomfortable, but familiar reality for Jackson this season. He was sacked five times against the Cleveland Browns in Week 11, with four of those QB takedowns by star defensive end Myles Garrett. Those aren’t the numbers head coach John Harbaugh wants to see when Jackson is struggling to overcome nagging injuries. Making it all the way back from hamstring, knee and ankle problems is proving a challenge, particularly when it comes to dealing with the midweek practice schedule. Jackson’s health is becoming a weekly hot topic. Fortunately, he admitted he’s “good” ahead of facing the New York Jets in Week 12, per Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic, yet the latter noted Jackson also “said given he’s been banged up, this could be his new normal this season with taking a day off from practice but noted ‘We’ll have to see what coach feels about it.’” Keeping Jackson out of the fray during the week might be necessary fitness management by the Ravens, but there could be drawbacks. Those risks would include Jackson not being in peak playing condition on gamedays, or over-exerting himself after a light pre-game workload. Those theories will be put to the test when the Jets visit M&T Bank Stadium on November 23. They still boast a capable defensive front, but Jackson will be able to count on an All-Pro presence looking after his blindside. Ravens Get Good News Along Struggling Offensive Line Getting Jackson fully healthy and keeping him upright are the priorities for the Ravens, but the latter won’t happen without Ronnie Stanley at 100 percent. The 31-year-old was a full participant on Thursday, after missing practice a day earlier due to illness, according to the Ravens’ latest injury report. Stanley has been far from his best this season, but he can still be one of the more accomplished left tackles in the NFL. His ability to handle Jets edge-rushers Jermaine Johnson II and Will McDonald IV will be key to how Jackson performs. Another underrated boost to Jackson’s chances to thrive is the inclusion of running back Justice Hill as a full participant after a toe injury. Hill still does most of his work in third-down situations, where the useful veteran remains an excellent blocker.
https://heavy.com/sports/nfl/baltimore-ravens/lamar-jackson-sacks-ronnie-stanley-jets/
Sidway Elementary holds Bills prep rally ahead of Thursday Night Football
GRAND ISLAND, N.Y. (WIVB) — First graders at Sidway Elementary School in Grand Island cheered, put their dancing shoes on, and showed off their team spirit ahead of the Buffalo Bills Thursday night game in Texas. “It’s a Thursday, it’s game day, it’s a great atmosphere. Today is a half day for our students so […]
https://www.wivb.com/news/local-news/erie-county/grand-island/sidway-elementary-holds-bills-prep-rally-ahead-of-thursday-night-football/
D’Andre Swift, Jaquan Brisker up to full practice participation for Bears
Running back D’Andre Swift returned to full practice participation for the Bears on Thursday. Swift (hip) was listed as limited on Wednesday and Thursday’s upgrade should put him on track to play against the Steelers on Sunday. The team will issue injury designations for the game on Friday. Cornerback Jaylon Johnson (groin) and safety Jaquan Brisker (shoulder) were also bumped up to full. Johnson was limited on Wednesday while Brisker was out of practice. The Bears added running back Roschon Johnson (thumb) to Thursday’s report. He was out of practice along with linebacker Tremaine Edmunds (groin), linebacker T. J. Edwards (hand, hamstring), running back Travis Homer (hamstring, knee), linebacker Noah Sewell (elbow), and left quguard Joe Thuney (rest). Left tackle Theo Benedet (quad), center Drew Dalman (knee), cornerback Kyler Gordon (calf), cornerback Tyrique Stevenson (hip, calf), and right tackle Darnell Wright (pec, back) were limited participants.
https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/dandre-swift-jaquan-brisker-up-to-full-practice-participation-for-bears
Hanukkah 2025: How New York City is celebrating this year
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready. The festive, eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah begins this year on Sunday, Dec. 14. Fortunately, in this great and very Jewish city of ours, there’s no shortage of ways to celebrate, from pre-Hanukkah shopping bazaars to family-friendly concerts to parties where adults can dance the night away. Keep reading for our list of Hanukkah events across New York City this year there’s truly something for everyone. And remember: Each night of the holiday, there are also public lightings of two of the world’s largest menorahs at Grand Army Plaza in Manhattan and Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn. Are you hosting a Hanukkah event that’s open to the public? Send us an email with the details at jhajdenberg@jta. org if you’d like to be added to the list. Pre-holiday fun Dec. 5-12: Check out 35 unique menorahs up for sale at Christie’s Head to Christie’s Rockefeller Center (20 Rockefeller Plaza) for a public viewing of 35 unique and historic Hanukkah menorahs that are up for sale, with prices starting at $5,000. Get details here. Dec. 6: An annual concert with an a cappella take on the Torah Town and Village Synagogue, a Conservative congregation at 334 East 14th St., is putting on its 37th annual Cantor Louis Moss Memorial Concert at 7: 30 p. m. This year’s concert, “A Hanukkah Concert: Songs in the Key of Peace & Harmony,” features Cantor Shayna Postman, the synagogue choir and more. The concert is free for under 13s, $18 for students and $40 for adults. Get tickets and details here. Dec. 6-7: Tablet Magazine’s Hanukkah Bazaar Head to Canyon Essex (135 Delancey St.) for Tablet Magazine’s annual Hanukkah Bazaar, where more than 40 vendors will sell food, jewelry, art, dreidels and more. The bazaar will be open Saturday, Dec. 6 from 7 p. m. to 10 p. m. and Sunday, Dec. 7 from 10 a. m. to 6 p. m. $18 to enter; grab tickets here. Dec. 7: Havurah’s Hanukkah Market Congregation Rodeph Shalom (7 West 83rd St.) hosts a Hanukkah market curated by Jewish art collective Havurah, featuring food and artisans’ wares from 2 p. m. to 7 p. m. Entry is free, but registration is required. Sign up here. Dec. 13: A Hanukkah-themed choral concert Hear from two choral ensembles Zamir Chorale, the premier Hebrew choir in North America, and Zamir Noded, the Jewish choir for young professionals at Merkin Hall at the Kaufman Music Center (129 West 67th St.) at 8: 00 p. m. The concert will “celebrate Hanukkah, Jewish independence, resilience and hope.” Tickets from $40; get them here. Dec. 13: An underground Hanukkah discotheque Havurah transforms the legendary Astor Place Hairstylists (2 Astor Pl.) into an “underground 80s Hanukkah club” with funk, soul, house and disco music from 9 p. m. to 1 a. m. Guests must be 18 or older; open bar for 21+. Student tickets are $20, early bird tickets start at $32. Get them here. First Night Sunday, Dec. 14 92NY’s “Chanukah Extravaganzukah” Bring the whole family to 92NY’s Kaufmann Concert Hall (1395 Lexington Ave.) at 10: 30 a. m. for a “Chanukah Extravaganzukah,” featuring an interactive performance by Israeli dance troupe Parparim, followed by a party with sufganiyot (Hanukkah jelly doughnuts), potato latkes, crafts and games. $10 entry for adults, $5 for children, children under 2 are free. Get tickets here. Jazzukah in Greenwich Village Enjoy a musical afternoon with the Jazzukah Project an ensemble of Jewish jazz musicians who will perform “the ultimate holiday playlist” at Groove (125 MacDougal St.). Showtimes at 11 a. m. and 1 p. m. Tickets from $25. 95; purchase them here Hanukkah family day at the Jewish Museum Drop in to the fourth floor of the Jewish Museum (1109 Fifth Ave.) for a full afternoon of art making, music and activities for the family from 11 a. m to 3: 30 p. m. Free with museum admission, which is $24 for adults and free for kids. Get tickets here. The 9th Annual Chanukastravaganza Watch a great lineup of New York’s Jewish comedians including Lana Schwartz, Ilana Michelle Carmi and Ophira Eisenberg at this Hanukkah-themed benefit for Jews for Racial and Economic Justice at 7: 30 p. m. at Brooklyn Art Haus (24 Marcy Ave.). Expect songs, surprises, and gelt. Get tickets, $23. 18, here. Hanukkah speakeasy with Kehillat Harlem Head uptown to Kehillat Harlem (2248 Adam Clayton Powell Junior Blvd.) for a speakeasy night at 8 p. m. featuring jazz, cocktails and latke flights. Get tickets, from $36, here. Second night Monday, Dec. 15 A Hanukkah party with Russ & Daughters Celebrate the second night of Hanukkah at Russ & Daughters Café (127 Orchard St.) with latke bar, “nosh favorites,” sufganiyot, beverages both alcoholic and not, plus a menorah lighting. The festivities begin at 6: 30 p. m. Tickets are $125; must be 21+ to attend. 54 Celebrates Hanukkah: A Festival of Writers 54 Below, New York’s Broadway-themed supper club at 254 West 54th St., showcases Jewish musical theater writers as they each present an original Hanukkah song, performed by Broadway actors. Showtimes at 7 p. m. and 9 p. m. Tickets start at $35; get them here. Third night Tuesday, Dec. 16 A guided tour of Temple Emanu-El’s permanent Judaica collection At 11 a. m., head to Temple Emanu-El (1 East 65th St.) to take a curator-guided tour of the menorah collection at the Reform congregation’s in-house museum. Details here. Chanukkah on Ice at Wollman Rink “Chanukkah on Ice” is back at Central Park’s Wollman Rink this year from 6 p. m. to 9 p. m. Skate to live Jewish music accompanied by a life-sized dreidel mascot. Also included: hot drinks, food and a “meaningful” menorah lighting. Tickets start at $30. until Nov. 25. Fourth night Dec. 17 A Zusha Hanukkah concert Hasidic folk-slash-electronic band Zusha performs a Hanukkah concert at The Altneu, an Orthodox synagogue at 107 East 70th St., in partnership with the SAM School. Tickets to the 6 p. m. show are $54 for Altneu members and SAM families ($26 for kids); $118 for non-members ($54 for kids). Get tickets here. The Great Chanukah Doughnut Duel 2025 Find out who makes the best Hanukkah doughnuts, or sufganiyot, at this annual doughnut duel hosted by The Neighborhood and held at The Moxy Williamsburg (353 Bedford Ave.) at 7 p. m.. Guests will sample doughnuts made by a variety of top chefs and vote for their favorite. Get tickets here for $36. Old Jewish Men Hanukkah Spectacular Join lifestyle brand-slash-Instagram-comedy group Old Jewish Men for their Hanukkah Spectacular comedy show at the Gramercy Theater (127 East 23rd St.). The show begins at 8 p. m.; tickets start at $33. 95. Fourth night Wednesday, Dec. 17 A SNL Hanukkah jam at the JCC Celebrate Hanukkah with music and comedy at the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan (334 Amsterdam Ave.) at this Saturday Night Live tribute show from 7 p. m. to 8: 15 p. m. Starring singer-songwriter Romi Hanoch, the event will pay tribute to SNL’s most beloved musical sketches, including, of course, Adam Sandler’s “The Chanukah Song.” Tickets are $20. Fifth night Thursday, Dec. 18 Hanukkah party with the East Side Quartet and National Council of Jewish Women Join the National Council of Jewish Women at the Council House (241 West 72nd St., second floor) for a Hanukkah party from 1 p. m. to 2 p. m. featuring vocalist Deborah Karpel who will perform Jewish music from across Yiddish, Sephardic and Israeli traditions, as well as American standards. There will also be latkes and candle lighting. Free; learn more here. Nefesh Mountain Hanukkah show at Brooklyn Bowl Jewish bluegrass band Nefesh Mountain is putting on a Hanukkah show at Brooklyn Bowl (61 Wythe Ave.) beginning at 8 p. m. Get your tickets here from $21. Arrive at 7 p. m. for a pre-show Hanukkah party and candle-lighting, co-hosted by the band and a variety of local Jewish community partners. Hanukkah Bash for young Jewish professionals with the Museum of Jewish Heritage The Young Friends of The Museum of Jewish Heritage host “Light Up the Night,” a Hanukkah party at the museum (36 Battery Pl.) featuring an open bar, hors d’oeuvres and stellar views. The party goes from 8 p. m. to 11 p. m.; get tickets, from $54, here. A Hanukkah musical performance with 14Y in Union Square Join the 14Y for their second annual Hanukkah musical performance at 6 p. m. in Union Square, featuring a special performance by Broadway’s Adam Kantor, who is the current director of immersive culinary experience “Diaspora”. Free; register here. Hanukkah Tanz! album release party Celebrate Hanukkah and the release of klezmer clarinetist Michael Winograd’s new album “TANZ! Live in NYC,” at Brooklyn’s Center for New Jewish Culture (17 Eastern Parkway). Doors open at 7: 30 p. m., and the concert begins at 8. There will be latkes, l’chaims and music. Get your tickets here, from $18. Sixth night Friday, Dec. 19 Spin, Sing, and Shine for Hanukkah! From Dec. 19 to 21, head to the Children’s Museum of Manhattan (212 West 83rd St.) for a range of child-friendly Hanukkah activities, like creating wooden dreidels, making candles and listening to musical performances. Get the full schedule here; activities are included with regular museum admission, which starts at $17. Seventh night Saturday, Dec. 20 “Hanukkah Lit” takes Williamsburg Dance the night away at Unveiled, the nightclub beneath the Brooklyn’s William Vale Hotel (94 North 13th St.) with hundreds of young Jews at the tenth annual “Hanukkah Lit” party, from 10: 00 p. m. to 4 a. m. Get your tickets here from $23. 97. Eighth night Sunday, Dec. 21 Hanukkah concert with YIVO.
https://www.jta.org/2025/11/20/ny/hanukkah-2025-how-new-york-city-is-celebrating-this-year
How Minnesotans are honoring Transgender Day of Remembrance
Thursday marks Transgender Day of Remembrance, which honors transgender people who lost their lives due to anti-transgender violence. MPR News says dozens of people gathered at the Minnesota State Capitol rotunda to recognize the day. “LGBTQ+ people said the remembrance events carry a different weight this year as changes are introduced in other states and on the federal level designed to attack transgender rights.” How are Minnesota counties spending opioid settlement payouts? Minnesota Reformer reports municipalities are using the funding for treatment, education and addiction recovery support. “Some Minnesota counties spent the cash on law enforcement expenditures intended to weed out drug stashes and bolster criminal investigations: Three spent money on K-9 units, and at least two counties used the funds to pay the salaries of agents investigating drug-related crimes.” A new emergency shelter has opened in Stillwater to help residents experiencing homelessness, The Minnesota Star Tribune reports. They explain the new shelter “is the first of its kind in Washington County and could be a model for other suburbs where such facilities are rare.” You’ll soon notice more autonomous cars on Twin Cities roads. KARE 11 says Waymo is bringing its self-driving vehicles to Minneapolis. “Starting Thursday, a mixed fleet of its Jaguar I-PACE and Zeekr RT vehicles will be visible on Minnesota roads, already with an emphasis on safety as winter looms.”.
https://www.minnpost.com/glean/2025/11/how-minnesotans-are-honoring-transgender-day-of-remembrance/
At least 6 businesses burglarized in about 90 mins. across Chicago part of string of crimes: police
CHICAGO (WLS) — Thieves have been busy this week, knocking off businesses. Early Thursday morning, a group smashed into a GameStop on Cermak Road, and hit El Taconazo Restaurant that’s just steps away in the city’s Heart of Chicago neighborhood. ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch And at Shawn Michelle’s Homemade Ice Cream on 47th Street in Bronzeville, there was a similar scene Thursday morning. The owner said the alarm company called him in the middle of the night. When he arrived, the register was gone and even the safes had been taken. The Cermak burglaries were part of a string of crimes, Chicago police said. SEE ALSO: CPD issues alert for dozens of armed robberies over last month across Chicago In each incident, two to four men between 20 and 30 year old, wearing dark-colored hooded sweatshirts, sweatpants and ski masks, forcibly entered businesses after breaking the front glass door, Chicago police said. Once inside, suspects stole money in safes and cash registers, CPD said. In one incident, one of the suspects pointed a gun and threatened to shoot the unsuspecting victim as he arrived to work and entered into the business, according to police. A stolen gray 2011 Infiniti four-door sedan and a black 2017 Infiniti four-door sedan were identified as being used by the suspects in a majority of incidents. The crimes took place at the following times and locations: 3300-block of North Broadway at 3: 20 a. m. on Nov. 5 (Lake View East) 7100-block of North Ridge Boulevard at 3: 32 a. m. on Nov. 5 (West Ridge) 600-block of West Washington Boulevard at 4: 30 a. m. on Nov. 5 (West Loop) 400-block of South Wells Street at 5 a. m. on Nov. 5 (Chicago Loop) 1900-block of South State Street at 4: 58 a. m. on Nov. 7 (Near South Side) 2000-block of South Clark Street at 5: 04 a. m. on Nov. 7 (South Loop) 500-block West Harrison Street at 5: 40 a. m. on Nov. 7 (Near West Side) 6100-block of North Milwaukee Avenue at 5: 04 a. m. on Nov. 15 (Norwood Park) 6700-block of North Northwest Highway at 5: 21 a. m. on Nov. 15 (Edison Park) 3400-block of North Elston Avenue at 6: 30 a. m. on Nov. 15 (Avondale) 4300-block of West Irving Park Road at 3: 11 a. m. on Nov. 20 (Old Irving) 4300-block of West Irving Park Road at 3: 11 a. m. on Nov. 20 (Old Irving) 4300-block of West Irving Park Road at 3: 54 a. m. on Nov. 20 (Old Irving) 2300-block of West Cermak Road at 4: 25 a. m. on Nov. 20 (Lower West Side) 2300-block of West Cermak Road at 4: 27 a. m. on Nov. 20 (Lower West Side) 800-block of West Jackson Boulevard at 4: 41 a. m. on Nov. 20 (West Loop) Anyone with information should call Area Three Detectives at (312) 744-8263.
https://abc7chicago.com/post/chicago-burglaries-least-6-businesses-burglarized-90-minutes-old-irving-park-west-loop-lower-side-cpd-says/18181639/