Today’s editorial, FEMA funds stall in GOP mire, gets an update: Last night, the Senate passed a measure that clears $7 billion for emergency disater relief funding for the Federal Emergency Disaster Administration (eight Republican senators defied leadership and voted for the funding). But now the House bill has to be reconciled with the Senate [...]

Happy Friday! Today, the Editorial Board is bugged by the idea of cutting mosquito prevention programs. Today’s editorial, “Mosquito control’s the wrong budget bite,” says: Whether it’s a wholesale cut to West Nile programs or nibbling around the edges of prevention, counties need to proceed with caution. Skipping preventive methods could quickly land counties right [...]

Dropped credit ratings, stale job growth and political bickering. What does it mean for jobs, and the economy, in the Lower Hudson Valley? We’ll seek answers during an Editorial Board discussion on the economy in the Lower Hudson Valley at 2 p.m. Thursday LIVE on LoHud.com. A panel of stakeholders will weigh in on where we [...]

It’s a frightful Friday, as shaky markets around the globe have us on edge. Today’s editorial, “Winter Regents saved — for now,” welcomes the return of January Regents exams in 2012 for schools statewide, thanks to private donations. But, we say: This unique solution — using private donations to pay for mandatory public-education tests — [...]

Today in “Bank sale good news for the region,” the Editorial Board looks at the planned $1 billion sale of 195 HSBC bank branches to First Niagara, including nine Rockland, four Westchester and two Putnam branches. Gov. Cuomo sounded optimistic in his comments, as did local business leaders here. Business Council of Westchester President Marsha [...]

Sing along! It’s Friday, Friday … Here’s a look at today’s Opinions, as we look forward to the weekend … Today, the Editorial Board addresses Gov. Cuomo’s push for a Tier VI pension. An editorial states: The public-employee pension reforms unveiled by Gov. Andrew Cuomo this week are neither game-changing nor revolutionary; what they are [...]

Here’s a glance at Opinion-related news for Thursday: Editorial: Hillcrest sale in East Ramapo A report by the state education commissioner makes clear that East Ramapo’s school board failed to fulfill its responsibilities to its taxpayers regarding sale of Hillcrest Elementary School to Congregation Yeshiva Avir Yakov of New Square. In ordering the sale nullified, [...]

Here are the Rockland area 2011 graduates of St. Thomas Aquinas College in Sparkill UNDERGRADUATE Airmont: Elese Klein Bardonia: Daniella Birrittieri Blauvelt: Kelly Melia, Briana Rizzi Congers: Matthew Alfieri, Amy Aquilina, Amy Ascatigno, Kevin Christiansen, Nicole Kennelly, Dana Munoz, Stephanie Olivieri, Alexis Power, Francesca Principe, Christian Sayegh, Kristen Simon, Alecia Vilandry Garnerville: Marianne Kugler, Rekha [...]

Elliot Moritz of Chestnut Ridge laments (just a little) that his roles as a “background actor” don’t include spoken lines. See the profile, “Silent film star,” here.) But, letter-writer Elliot J. Moritz of Chestnut Ridge has long had a voice on The Journal News/LoHud.com Opinion page! He’s written about economic issues, the importance of supporting [...]

Congratulations to the 4th grade girls basketball CYO team from St. Peter’s in Haverstraw. The team was one of four Rockland teams to take first last weekend at the CYO championships. Nine Rockland teams made it to the championship. The 4th grade Baskeball Gidgets won Saturday’s game against St. Ann’s (Ossining) 26-16. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO: The [...]