NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – More and more people are using social media to pick their next vacation destination. Some call it an “Insta-vacation,” when you travel somewhere based on the best photo-ops. The picture perfect view of the Empire State Building through the base of the Manhattan Bridge is no longer a neighborhood secret. Thanks to Instagram, it’s drawing tourists from around the world. “We know that this street is very famous, because of the view,” tourist Gabriela Amarao told CBS2’s Andrea Grymes. Ana Beranger’s visitors from Brazil saw a spot on Instagram and headed over to the Dumbo section of Brooklyn. “It has to be this particular street and this particular spot to get the right angle of the bridge,” she explained. More From CBS News Mark Ellwood, contributing editor of Conde Nast Traveler , says when it comes to tourism, Instagram is the new navigator. “New Zealand is one of the hottest destinations in the world, partly because its scenery is so Instagrammable. It looks like the moon,” he said. Photogenic scenery is especially important to millennials. A recent study found 40 percent of them consider ‘Instagrammability’ a top priority when making travel plans. That’s a big number when you consider that an estimated 60 percent of millennial travelers are on Instagram – a 375 percent increase from 2013. “We’re not picking a vacation destination and taking a picture once we get there. We’re thinking, ‘Can I get a great picture? If I can’t, I’m not going to go,’” said Ellwood. The social media platform has also become a tool for travel agents. Instagram has more than one billion users. So many, travelers say there are enough images to inspire vacations for a lifetime.
SECAUCUS, N.J. (CBSNewYork) – Welcome to Harmony Dispensary, the latest facility to offer medical marijuana in New Jersey. CBS2’s Meg Baker took an exclusive tour Friday in Secaucus. CEO Shaya Brodchandel has a pharmaceutical background. He brought Baker behind-the-scenes into the flowering room, where they suited up in sterile white jumpsuits and sunglasses to protect their eyes from the lights that act as the sun during the growing process. “This cannabis here that we’re growing, we’ll harvest it, dry it, cure it, send it out for testing in the state labs, and then we’ll send it to dispensing for patients,” he said. I got a behind the scenes tour of Harmony medical marijuana dispensary in Secaucus, New Jersey – they have serviced 1,000 patients in the first 30 days since opening and say they could service the public ASAP if pot is legalized in NJ @CBSNewYork pic.twitter.com/ZHD5yV1pi8 — Meg Baker (@megbakertv) July 20, 2018 There are more than 7,500 plants in the tech-controlled climate. They use a custom hydroponic filtration system to nourish the two-level farm. Start to finish, Brodchandel says it takes roughly three months to make the finished product. Communications Director Leslie Hoffman says the process to open wasn’t easy – extensive background checks, inspections and fundraising took several years. “We have plenty of medicine. We’ve been growing since October of 2017,” she said. The dispensary has been open for 30 days and serviced 1,000 customers, so far. Doctor recommendations vary, but state law limits patients to two ounces, which cost about $960. Hoffman says their main priority will always be meeting the needs of their patients, but if the state pivots toward legalization , the dispensary will pivot, too. “We’re ready today. We have the product, and we’ve got the space open, and we’re open and we’ve got four point-of-sale positions,” she said. Harmony is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., no appointment necessary. You will need a state issued medical marijuana card. More than 10,000 people have enrolled in New Jersey’s medical marijuana program since Gov. Phil Murphy took office, bringing the total to about 25,000 patients. On Thursday, Jersey City loosened its marijuana laws . But on Friday, New Jersey’s attorney general said the city’s policy to decriminalize marijuana was void because it violates state criminal laws.
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Exclusive: Go Inside New Jersey’s Newest Medical Marijuana Facility
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NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – Action is finally being taken to stop one of New York’s most populated graveyards from falling into Long Island Sound. This year marks the 150th anniversary of Hart Island , a little known Potter’s Field in New York City, reports CBS2’s Natalie Duddridge. It’s often referred to as the “island of the dead,” a name reinforced even more recently since bones have been washing up along the shoreline , but now there’s a push to restore it. It takes months to schedule a visit to this public burial ground, the largest in the country, where more than a million New Yorkers have been laid to rest – many because they had no money or family, or were never identified. The island is highly restricted and run by the city’s Department of Corrections, so armed officers didn’t show CBS2 the area where years of storms have unearthed graves. In the last few months, Chopper 2 spotted red flags marking the spots where bones and teeth were found – including those of infants. “My baby was buried right near the water,” said Dr. Laurie Grant of the Hart Island Project. “The babies are buried in small coffins so there’s about five on top of each other, and the whole area has sunk.” Grant’s child died in 1993 and was buried on Hart Island in error. There are countless stories like hers. Elaine Joseph’s daughter died days after she was born in February 1978. On that day a catastrophic snowstorm hit the city, and she says there was mass confusion at the hospital. “I was told they had been understaffed in the morgue and was told the city had ‘quote, unquote’ taken care of it,” said Joseph. “Taken care of” turned out to mean Joseph’s daughter had been mistakenly buried on the island. It took weeks to track down her grave, but at that time Hart Island did not allow visitors. It wasn’t until three decades later in March 2014 when Joseph became the first person ever to visit the grave of a loved one buried on the island. Each markers represents 150 people, so in a small section of the island, thousands have been buried. All of those graves are dug by Rikers Island prisoners. “Sentenced inmates who are in the department serving sentences of a year or less for misdemeanor charges, they perform burials and disinterment as well as general grounds keeping around the island,” said Carleen McLaughlin, director of legislative affairs/special projects for the Department of Correction. The inmates are the reason security has to be so tight and access so limited to the public, a policy that found its share of critics. “We need to end jail for the dead,” said Melina Hunt, one such person who believes the way the island is run is a disgrace. She has been monitoring it since the 1990s and doesn’t believe the Department of Corrections is equipped to operate a burial ground. In April, 74 exposed bones were recovered by the medical examiners office. They were eventually re-interred after pressure from local advocates who say this issue is not new. “I saw those bones in 1992 and we rephotographed them in April 2018,” said Hunt. “That’s an awfully long time so now the city needs to take action.” City council members have introduced two bills to transfer jurisdiction of the island to the parks department. They also want abandoned buildings that have sat empty for years renovated and put to use, along with proposing a public ferry service be set up. Corrections is fighting back to maintain control, saying in a statement: “The New York City Department of Correction has managed burial and disinterment services at Hart Island for more than 100 years, and we consider this a solemn responsibility.” Despite promises, so far advocates say nothing been done to make the island more accommodating to visitors or to fix the worsening erosion. Back in 2015, after Superstorm Sandy, FEMA gave the city $13.2 million to strengthen the shoreline, but three years later the work hasn’t even started. This spring, after CBS2 covered the story, the department of correction announced it is now fast-tracking the project. Repairs are set to start next year, which advocates hope is the first step to a revitalized island. They hope one day people like Elaine Joseph can visit her daughter without being escorted by armed guards. “So I can come visit her grave site as often as I choose to visit,” said Joseph. “Just like anyone else visits their family’s gravesite.”
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Hope Renewed For Unknown Thousands Among Hart Island’s Dead
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The DNC filed its lawsuit against the Trump campaign, the Russian government and WikiLeaks, alleging conspiracy, three months ago
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DNC files motion to serve lawsuit against WikiLeaks via Twitter
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Rockaway Residents Want Something Done About Dangerous Stretch Of Roadway
written by MichaelKornweib
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – Residents in one part of the Rockaways say a major road is more like a raceway. They have been asking for help and say it’s a matter of life and death. As CBS2’s Lisa Rozner reported, family and friends said final goodbyes Friday to 63-year-old Valerie Razack. Police said the Arverne resident was struck by a car in the crosswalk at Beach 73 rd Street last Wednesday, and she had the walk signal. “It’s so sudden,” said her aunt, Shirley Razack. “I do hope they do something so that somebody else won’t get killed over there.” The dangerous intersection now has a flashing speed limit sign. It’s only a block from Beachfront Road, near a new development and a new road that was opened to traffic in the last few years. “You will see crowds of people trying to navigate crossing this street,” Community Board 14 member Chris Tedesco told Rozner. “You won’t find a speed limit sign, you won’t find a speed hump, you won’t find a stop sign, you won’t find a traffic light.” Residents say there’s no safe way to cross the street for 13 blocks from Beach 59 th Street to Beach 73 rd Street. Some have even taken it upon themselves to put a stop sign in, but it was taken down. It’s a conundrum: The Department of Transportation can’t install a sign, Rozner reported. It doesn’t have jurisdiction of that particular stretch. A different city agency – Housing and Preservation Development – runs the road, but is not allowed to put up traffic signs. “It’s a lot of commercial vehicles, private charter buses, I’ve even seen a 53-foot semi come through here,” said resident Charles Christie. The DOT and HPD confirmed they are working on transferring the street to DOT. “We followed up with them this week, and they said that they’re meeting next week with HPD to transfer over the property. And we’ll be calling next week to keep this moving forward, so that this community can feel safe,” said Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato. The community hopes the city will install traffic signs, and not put them off with more studies. The DOT said it’s looking into whether speed bumps could be installed on the road, but would not provide a timeline.
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Rockaway Residents Want Something Done About Dangerous Stretch Of Roadway
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SECAUCUS, N.J. (CBSNewYork) – A goat abandoned Thursday at the Secaucus Walmart Super Center has been renamed Wally and taken to The Barnyard Sanctuary animal pet farm and rescue due to his infection with a contagious disease. The dwarf fainting goat was found Thursday morning running loose in one of the nation’s largest Walmarts. Animal control officers took the little kid to the sanctuary where he was estimated to be 3 to 4 months old. In addition, caretakers also discovered the goat was sick with orf, a viral disease which can affect goats, sheep and humans. Workers at the sanctuary named the baby goat “Wally” — in honor of Walmart — and placed him in quarantine for further treatment. “We believe him to be a Dwarf Nigerian, maybe a fainting goat, as he gets stiff in the hind legs sometimes, if startled,” the rescue workers posted on Facebook. Secaucus Mayor Michael Gonnelli said the rescue was an easy one. “It didn’t fight us, it went down like a lamb,” he said. “Anytime we can save an animal and help an animal, that’s what we do.” “It’s pretty cool that they did save the goat,” said Walmart employee George Arcos. The city thinks Wally’s owner may have been overwhelmed. “I guess they thought they were trying to save him, but maybe they couldn’t manage him, and they dumped him. We found him and we sent them to a rescue down in Route 80,” the mayor said. “He will be a happy goat from now on.” The goat’s ear was tagged, meaning it was marked for slaughter, CBS2’s Dave Carlin reported. The tag was from Indiana.
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‘Wally,’ Goat Abandoned At Secaucus Walmart, Now At Sanctuary
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NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — Police are trying to identify a man who they say is suspected of assaulting an elderly woman in Midtown Manhattan. The case is being investigated as a bias incident. It happened last week near Ninth Avenue and 43rd Street. The man allegedly shoved the 84-year-old Caucasian woman to the ground from behind while yelling a racial slur. The victim suffered cuts and bruises and was treated at a hospital. WANTED: Dark-skinned male, 5'7″, for assaulting and yelled a racial slur at an 84-year-old woman near 9th Ave/ W.43St #Manhattan at 7:15pm on July 11. Help us ID him, call #800577TIPS https://t.co/mXmp4qSYQ8 pic.twitter.com/JUMJG1zBlw — NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) July 20, 2018 “She was in a bit of shock,” the victim’s neighbor and friend, Jan Buttram, told CBS2’s Clark Fouraker. “It was just an angry person who took umbrage at the way she looked and sort of pushed her down.” “She’s certainly messed up. I mean, her leg is just in terrible shape,” she added. Police canvased the block searching for surveillance video of the incident. “It’s just been the Wild West. You know, thank you Mayor de Blasio. It’s been really bad. We have shoplifters coming in four or five times a day. It’s very hard to stay in business and function,” American Home Hardware store owner Felix Atlasman said. “A couple of years ago, it got a little bit better when we had cops on the beat and they would actually be in the neighborhood. I think that went away. I think we need to bring that back.” Anyone with information in regards to this incident is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by visiting the Crime Stoppers website or by texting tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577.
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Police Investigating Midtown Assault As Bias Crime
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NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) — The NFL’s two-month old national anthem policy is on hold. Hours after The Associated Press reported that Miami Dolphins players who protest on the field during the anthem could be suspended for up to four games under a team policy issued this week, the league and the players union issued a joint statement late Thursday night saying the two sides are talking things out. “The NFL and NFLPA, through recent discussions, have been working on a resolution to the anthem issue. In order to allow this constructive dialogue to continue, we have come to a standstill agreement on the NFLPA’s grievance and on the NFL’s anthem policy. No new rules relating to the anthem will be issued or enforced for the next several weeks while these confidential discussions are ongoing,” the statement read. “The NFL and NFLPA reflect the great values of America, which are repeatedly demonstrated by the many players doing extraordinary work in communities across our country to promote equality, fairness and justice. Our shared focus will remain on finding a solution to the anthem issue through mutual, good faith commitments, outside of litigation.” The issue has dominated headlines over the past two seasons, caused division and alienated some fans. The NFL rule that was passed in May forbid players from sitting or taking a knee if they are on the field or sidelines during “The Star-Spangled Banner,” but allowed them to stay in the locker room if they wish. The policy said teams would be fined if players didn’t stand during the anthem while on the field. The league left it up to teams on how to punish players. None of the team policies had been made public until the AP obtained a copy of Miami’s nine-page discipline document. It included a one-sentence section on “Proper Anthem Conduct” and was provided to the AP by a person familiar with the policy who insisted on anonymity because the document is not public. It classifies anthem protests under a large list of “conduct detrimental to the club,” all of which could lead to a paid or unpaid suspension, a fine or both. The Dolphins said in a statement: “The NFL required each team to submit their rules regarding the anthem before their players reported to training camp. We will address this issue once the season starts. All options are still open.” Miami can choose not to issue any suspension nor fine any player guilty of “conduct detrimental to the club.” Other violations under that label include drug use or possession, gambling, breaking curfew and riding motorcycles as a driver or passenger from the start of camp until the last game of the season. Jets acting owner Christopher Johnson said shortly after the league announced its policy that he will not punish his players for any peaceful protests — and would pay any potential fines incurred by the team as a result of his players’ actions. The new league rules were challenged this month in a grievance by the players union. The NFLPA said the NFL policy, which the league imposed without consultation with the players union, is inconsistent with the collective bargaining agreement and infringes on player rights. Now, the two sides are hoping to reach a solution without litigation. Dolphins veteran receiver Kenny Stills took a knee with a hand on his heart during the anthem throughout last season. Defensive tackle Jordan Phillips put his arm around Stills before one game. Two other players who knelt — safety Michael Thomas and tight end Julius Thomas — are no longer with the team. Defensive end Robert Quinn, who raised his fist during the anthem while with the Rams, is now with the Dolphins. “Players who are on the field during the Anthem performance must stand and show respect for the flag and the Anthem,” says the 16th and final bullet point on Miami’s list of conduct considered detrimental, below disparaging teammates, coaches or officials including NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. The NFL started requiring players to be on the field for the anthem in 2009 — the year it signed a marketing deal with the military. In 2016, then-49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick began protesting police brutality, social injustice and racial inequality by kneeling during the national anthem, and the demonstration spread to other players and teams. Critics led by President Donald Trump called the players unpatriotic and even said NFL owners should fire any player who refused to stand during the anthem. Some players countered that their actions were being misconstrued and that they are seeking social change rather than protesting the anthem itself. Trump’s criticism led more than 200 players to protest during one weekend, and some kept it up throughout the season. The league and a coalition of players have been working in tandem to support player initiatives for a variety of social issues. The NFL is committing $90 million over the next seven years to social justice causes in a three-segment plan that involves league players. Kaepernick didn’t play at all last season and still hasn’t been picked up by another team. He threw 16 touchdown passes and four interceptions in his final season in 2016. Safety Eric Reid, one of Kaepernick’s former teammates and another protest leader, is also out of work. Both have filed collusion grievances against the NFL. (© Copyright 2018 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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NFL, NFLPA Freeze Anthem Rules Amid Backlash Over Miami Policy
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NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) — The NFL’s two-month old national anthem policy is on hold. Hours after The Associated Press reported that Miami Dolphins players who protest on the field during the anthem could be suspended for up to four games under a team policy issued this week, the league and the players union issued a joint statement late Thursday night saying the two sides are talking things out. “The NFL and NFLPA, through recent discussions, have been working on a resolution to the anthem issue. In order to allow this constructive dialogue to continue, we have come to a standstill agreement on the NFLPA’s grievance and on the NFL’s anthem policy. No new rules relating to the anthem will be issued or enforced for the next several weeks while these confidential discussions are ongoing,” the statement read. “The NFL and NFLPA reflect the great values of America, which are repeatedly demonstrated by the many players doing extraordinary work in communities across our country to promote equality, fairness and justice. Our shared focus will remain on finding a solution to the anthem issue through mutual, good faith commitments, outside of litigation.” The issue has dominated headlines over the past two seasons, caused division and alienated some fans. The NFL rule that was passed in May forbid players from sitting or taking a knee if they are on the field or sidelines during “The Star-Spangled Banner,” but allowed them to stay in the locker room if they wish. The policy said teams would be fined if players didn’t stand during the anthem while on the field. The league left it up to teams on how to punish players. None of the team policies had been made public until the AP obtained a copy of Miami’s nine-page discipline document. It included a one-sentence section on “Proper Anthem Conduct” and was provided to the AP by a person familiar with the policy who insisted on anonymity because the document is not public. It classifies anthem protests under a large list of “conduct detrimental to the club,” all of which could lead to a paid or unpaid suspension, a fine or both. The Dolphins said in a statement: “The NFL required each team to submit their rules regarding the anthem before their players reported to training camp. We will address this issue once the season starts. All options are still open.” Miami can choose not to issue any suspension nor fine any player guilty of “conduct detrimental to the club.” Other violations under that label include drug use or possession, gambling, breaking curfew and riding motorcycles as a driver or passenger from the start of camp until the last game of the season. Jets acting owner Christopher Johnson said shortly after the league announced its policy that he will not punish his players for any peaceful protests — and would pay any potential fines incurred by the team as a result of his players’ actions. The new league rules were challenged this month in a grievance by the players union. The NFLPA said the NFL policy, which the league imposed without consultation with the players union, is inconsistent with the collective bargaining agreement and infringes on player rights. Now, the two sides are hoping to reach a solution without litigation. Dolphins veteran receiver Kenny Stills took a knee with a hand on his heart during the anthem throughout last season. Defensive tackle Jordan Phillips put his arm around Stills before one game. Two other players who knelt — safety Michael Thomas and tight end Julius Thomas — are no longer with the team. Defensive end Robert Quinn, who raised his fist during the anthem while with the Rams, is now with the Dolphins. “Players who are on the field during the Anthem performance must stand and show respect for the flag and the Anthem,” says the 16th and final bullet point on Miami’s list of conduct considered detrimental, below disparaging teammates, coaches or officials including NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. The NFL started requiring players to be on the field for the anthem in 2009 — the year it signed a marketing deal with the military. In 2016, then-49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick began protesting police brutality, social injustice and racial inequality by kneeling during the national anthem, and the demonstration spread to other players and teams. Critics led by President Donald Trump called the players unpatriotic and even said NFL owners should fire any player who refused to stand during the anthem. Some players countered that their actions were being misconstrued and that they are seeking social change rather than protesting the anthem itself. Trump’s criticism led more than 200 players to protest during one weekend, and some kept it up throughout the season. The league and a coalition of players have been working in tandem to support player initiatives for a variety of social issues. The NFL is committing $90 million over the next seven years to social justice causes in a three-segment plan that involves league players. Kaepernick didn’t play at all last season and still hasn’t been picked up by another team. He threw 16 touchdown passes and four interceptions in his final season in 2016. Safety Eric Reid, one of Kaepernick’s former teammates and another protest leader, is also out of work. Both have filed collusion grievances against the NFL. (© Copyright 2018 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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NFL, NFLPA Freeze Anthem Rules Amid Backlash Over Miami Policy
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NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — For the first time ever, real women will be put on a pedestal in Central Park . After creating 23 statues of men, the city is now designing the first-ever statue for women. On Thursday, the city showed off a small replica of the future monument which honors women’s rights pioneers Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony. The full statue will be unveiled in 2020 on the centennial of the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which gave women the right to vote. “It’s going be in Central Park on this mall, with all the other men that have been in the park for many many years,” said Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer. “It’s a big deal for all us here in New York, and for the women of New York.” The statue will stand along the Literary Walk on the Mall, which spans from 66th Street to 72nd Street.
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First Ever Central Park Statue To Honor Women
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NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — For the first time ever, real women will be put on a pedestal in Central Park . After creating 23 statues of men, the city is now designing the first-ever statue for women. On Thursday, the city showed off a small replica of the future monument which honors women’s rights pioneers Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony. The full statue will be unveiled in 2020 on the centennial of the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which gave women the right to vote. “It’s going be in Central Park on this mall, with all the other men that have been in the park for many many years,” said Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer. “It’s a big deal for all us here in New York, and for the women of New York.” The statue will stand along the Literary Walk on the Mall, which spans from 66th Street to 72nd Street.
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First Ever Central Park Statue To Honor Women
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LONG BRANCH, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) — New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has signed a bill banning smoking at public beaches and parks unless local communities explicitly opt out and set aside a small smoking section. Murphy was in Long Branch on Friday morning to sign a measure that was passed by the state Legislature last month. “The Jersey Shore has always been one of our state’s – and nation’s – great natural treasures, and a place for families to enjoy,” Murphy said in a statement. “Signing this legislation demonstrates my firm commitment to protecting our environment and public health while preserving the quality and cleanliness of our public beaches and park areas.” Like previous versions of the bill that have failed, the bill doesn’t specify who would be responsible for enforcing it: lifeguards, police or someone else. Murphy said it shouldn’t be lifeguards, but left it to towns to decide enforcement. The bill takes effect in six months and allows for designated smoking areas of 15 percent of a beach. Smokers also would be allowed to light up in parking lots. Fines would start at $250 for a first offense and go up to $1,000 for a third offense. (© Copyright 2018 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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New Jersey Bans Smoking On Beaches And In Parks
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LONG BRANCH, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) — New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has signed a bill banning smoking at public beaches and parks unless local communities explicitly opt out and set aside a small smoking section. Murphy was in Long Branch on Friday morning to sign a measure that was passed by the state Legislature last month. “The Jersey Shore has always been one of our state’s – and nation’s – great natural treasures, and a place for families to enjoy,” Murphy said in a statement. “Signing this legislation demonstrates my firm commitment to protecting our environment and public health while preserving the quality and cleanliness of our public beaches and park areas.” Like previous versions of the bill that have failed, the bill doesn’t specify who would be responsible for enforcing it: lifeguards, police or someone else. Murphy said it shouldn’t be lifeguards, but left it to towns to decide enforcement. The bill takes effect in six months and allows for designated smoking areas of 15 percent of a beach. Smokers also would be allowed to light up in parking lots. Fines would start at $250 for a first offense and go up to $1,000 for a third offense. (© Copyright 2018 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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New Jersey Bans Smoking On Beaches And In Parks
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The NFL has suspended Jags DE Dante Fowler Jr. one game for a violation of the league’s conduct policy.
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NFL suspends Jags’ Fowler 1 game over conduct
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Volunteers picked 29,000 cigarette butts off the Jersey Shore last year, according to Clean Ocean Action
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Ban on smoking at New Jersey beaches to go into effect in 2019
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