Anger over 911 Victim Fund Explodes at Town Hall Meeting

(NEW YORK) -- On Wednesday, attendants at a town hall meeting in Queens to discuss compensation for 911 first responders, expressed anger and frustration that cancer would not be covered by the Zadroga Act. The measure will provide additional money to people who fell ill from being near or at the site from the day of the attacks to March 2002.

However, a National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health study released on Tuesday stated that although dozens of people developed cancer after working in an around Ground Zero after the September 11 attacks, there was not enough evidence to link the cancer to debris and wreckage at the site.

Sheila Birnbaum, Special Master of the $2.8 billion Victim Compensation Fund, held the town hall meeting to explain the Zadroga Act, but found herself forced to address outrage over the fact that cancer would not be covered.

"We'll find out more as we go along, we have five years, people are frustrated they want answers today, but cancers take a long time to develop, and we have to have under the statute evidence to make the connection," Birnbaum said according to WABC-TV.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Retired New York State Police Major Arrested for Theft

(COLONIE, N.Y.) -- Authorities arrested the former head of the State Police Aviation Unit Wednesday for stealing a global positioning device.

The Albany Times Union reports that Robert Kreppein, 47, stole a $2,432 GPS device that the State Police bought in 2008.

Kreppein, a resident of Walden, Orange County, retired abruptly in June after allegedly selling the GPS unit.

His charges include grand larceny and possession of stolen property, felonies and official misconduct, according to State Police.

Kreppein worked with the aviation division, headquartered at Albany International Airport, for 24 years.

He is scheduled to appear in Colonie Town Court on Aug. 3.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

New York State Unemployment Rate Trending Downward

(ALBANY, N.Y.) -- Unemployment across New York State for the month of June is down in comparison to the previous year, according to the latest figures released by the state's Department of Labor.

New York's unemployment rate for June 2011 stands at 8 percent, representing a decrease when compared to the previous year's figure of 8.4 percent, based on data released by the department on Tuesday.

Counties in the state with the lowest unemployment rates include: Rockland County (6.7%); Tompkins County (6.4%) and Saratoga County (6.3%).

Counties with the highest unemployment rates include: Bronx County (12.0%); St. Lawrence County (10.7%) and Oswego County (9.9%).

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Cuomo Launches Regional Economic Councils

(ALBANY, N.Y.) -- Gov. Andrew Cuomo launched Regional Economic Development Councils for Central, Western, and the Finger Lakes regions of New York on Tuesday.

The new councils are designed to improve communication between the state government and the regions to boost economic growth and job creation. Gov. Cuomo said the state will work with the councils to focus on development through communities and local expertise.

"For too long, Albany has imposed one-size-fits-all economic development plans across the state, ignoring the unique assets and challenges of each region," Gov. Cuomo said.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

New York Challenges Defense of Marriage Act

(ALBANY, N.Y.) -- Although marriage equality was legalized across New York state Sunday, not all same-sex couples are sharing equal benefits as their heterosexual counterparts.

New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman was the latest to jump on board to challenge the U.S. Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) which denies recognition of federal benefits for same-sex couples.

Schneiderman filed the friend-of-the-court brief Tuesday in Manhattan in the U.S. District Court, claiming the law unconstitutional as it violates equal protection for couples across all sexualities, according to Bloomberg News.

The 1996 Defense of Marriage Act infringes upon New York’s ability to define marriage and interferes with state sovereign power, Schneiderman noted in the brief. 

New York’s gay marriage law took effect July 24 -- four days after a debate sparked at a U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee meeting in which a Respect for Marriage Act was proposed. The measure would essentially end DOMA and allow the federal government to extend benefits to same-sex married couples.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Gov. Cuomo Suspends Licenses of 8 Charter Bus Companies

(ALBANY, N.Y.) -- Gov. Cuomo has suspended the operating licenses of eight charter bus companies over failed inspections that came in the wake of a deadly accident involving a charter bus.

Best Trails & Travel Corp., Party Ride, A&W Tours Inc., and the Big Apple Bus Charter, Inc., were among the companies listed. Their licenses will remain suspended, with some 100 buses banned from the roads, until further inspections can be made.

Cuomo also announced that his Transportation Department will bring in 20 new inspectors to amp up safety.

Bus services have been under increased scrutiny since the March 17 crash on a Bronx highway that left 15 dead.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Husband of Taconic Crash's Diane Schuler Sues NY State

(LONG ISLAND, N.Y.) -- Two years after the horrific wrong-way Taconic State Parkway crash that killed five people, the husband of Diane Schuler is suing New York State and the father of three nieces who were killed when the Long Island mother drove the wrong way, slamming head-on into another vehicle. Eight people were killed in the accident, which cops blamed on Mrs. Schuler's drinking while severely impaired.

Daniel Schuler, who has asked that his wife's body be exhumed, has maintained all along that she was a perfect wife and mother with no alcohol problems. Diane Schuler and her 2-year-old daughter also died in the accident.

Officals say Schuler's blood tested positive for marijuana, and she was over twice the legal limit for alcohol.

Mr. Shuler alleges the highway was badly designed and had inadequately signage, which enabled his wife to drive the wrong way into traffic, according to the New York Post. He also alleges in his lawsuit the Chevy Trailblazer the family had borrowed from his brother-in-law Warren Hance, was faulty.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Schumer Calls for Tougher Penalties for Military Product Counterfeiters

(SYRACUSE, N.Y.) -- U.S. Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) announced proposed legislation to increase penalties for people who sell counterfeit military equipment and products.

Senator Schumer said he supports the Combating Military Counterfeiting Act of 2011, originally authored by U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI). Production of counterfeit military products increased by 250 percent between 2005 and 2008, a development that is increasingly putting lives at risk says Schumer.

In 2010, the U.S. Navy bought 59,000 microchips used for missiles among other uses that turned out to be counterfeits from China. 

Schumer spoke at defense contractor SRC headquarters in Syracuse Monday. He was joined by executives from New York-based defense contractors Lockheed and Sensis. "Counterfeiting is not just dangerous to our troops -- it is also a job killer for our defense contractors right here in Central New York," Mr. Schumer said. "These Syracuse workers produce some of the finest technology around, and shouldn’t be undercut by scam artists looking to make a quick and dangerous buck. With both national and job security at risk, it is critical that we crack down on the trafficking of these phony military products," said Schumer.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Produce Company Recalls Papayas Due to Salmonella Scare

(WASHINGTON) -- A Texas-based produce company is recalling all the papayas it sells due to potential Salmonella contamination, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Agromod Produce Inc. announced over the weekend it is recalling all Blondie, Yaya, Mananita, and Tastylicious Brand papayas sold prior to July 23, 2011. The company says the papayas, which were imported from Mexico, have been linked to 97 reported cases of Salmonella agona across 23 states. It has resulted in at least 10 hospitalizations, according to officials.

The recall affects the following states: Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.

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New York Wins $113 Million in Federal Charter School Grant

(ALBANY, N.Y.) -- New York State won over $113 million in federal grant funds from the U.S. Department of Education to create more charter schools.

The money will filter into the state over the course of five years. The grant is designed to create more public school options.

New York is one of two states, the other being Florida, to win grants under the Charter Schools Program competition.

For the 2011 fiscal year, the Empire State will receive $28,259,451.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio