- FL Has NY Beaten On Jobs: For the first time since the Bureau of Labor Statistics has kept track, New York is now behind Florida in total jobs. 9,578,500 non-farming industry jobs were in the Sunshine State at the end of last year, slightly higher than the 9,576,100 in the Empire State. Florida has long been catching up, but the pandemic broke the dam: not only did over 64,000 New Yorkers flee to Florida since 2020, but has also led the nation in business formation with 1.7 million new businesses created since 2020. Being a low-tax and warm place to live and work has drawn not just retirees, but professionals eager to work somewhere else.
- NJ Governor Tapped By Biden: The Washington Post reported yesterday that President Joe Biden is assembling a “national advisory board” in cooperation with the Democratic National Committee to assist with his expected reelection bid. A lot of prominent Democrats are reportedly involved, including New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy. Murphy, though not an overwhelmingly popular governor, presides over a state Biden won by sixteen points in 2020 and has long harbored presidential ambitions himself.
- NYC Taking On Loud Noise: New York’s program aimed at cracking down on drivers with loud and illegally modified mufflers is being stepped up. The number of “noise cameras” that can pick up sounds greater than 85 decibels is expected to go from just one to seven this year according to Beth DeFalco, a deputy commissioner with the Department of Environmental Protection. The DEP gets over 45,000 complaints a year (mostly from the mufflers) and DeFalco says “the overall plan is to have as many as 100 [noise cameras] by 2028.”
- CT Teen Wrote Climate Bills: High school junior Bobby Callagy co-authored a pair of bills considered in Connecticut’s general assembly: one would declare a climate emergency in the state, and the other would overhaul plastic labeling to make recycling easier. “As a young student, it feels pretty imperative to take action now and not wait till later,” Callagy told the Hartford Courant. “I’m kind of young, but I feel like a lot of young climate activists are at the forefront of this effort.” His bills are in collaboration with state Rep. Christine Palm, geologist, and environmentalist Roger Kuhns, and other members of the Connecticut branch of the Citizens Climate Lobby.
- NHL: Islanders Zip Past Red Wings: A whopping four goals in the third period proved too much for the Detroit Red Wings to handle as the Islanders raced to victory in Long Island yesterday. Captain Anders Lee had two goals, while Kyle Palmeri and Zach Parise each added one. Netminder Ilya Sorokin made 22 saves on 23 shots, only letting a blast from Dlyan Larking through. The Isles remain in fourth place of the Metropolitan Division with unlikely prospects of moving up, but the win does give them needed breathing room in the standings.
- NHL: Bruins Pummel Rangers: It was a tough one in Boston for the New York Rangers as they were trounced by the Bruins 4-2. Alexis Lafrenière was the only goal scorer for the Blueshirts, while the Bruins got contributions from four different players. The Rangers are still above the Islanders in the standings, and many fans are hoping that new acquisition Patrick Kane can give the team one final push as the postseason nears.
- NFL: Giants On The Clock With Daniel Jones: As reported by NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero Saturday evening, Giants team officials are expected to leave the ongoing NFL Combine in Indianapolis without a deal in place to extend star quarterback Daniel Jones. Jones had a career year last season leading Big Blue to the playoffs, and he wants to be paid $45 million dollars a year: that sum would put him in the company of Aaron Rodgers, Patrick Mahomes, and other MVP-level players. That may leave the only option for the Giants to use their franchise tag, thus keeping Jones at around $32 million a year, but Giants general manager Joe Schoen has been reluctant to do that since star running back Saquon Barkley is also a lucrative free agent.
