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NY Update

NY Update

By Jake Jacobs

A public school teacher discusses NY education news, policy and politics in New York and beyond.


Website: nyupdate.org
Twitter: @UpdateNY
FB: www.facebook.com/NewYorkupdate/
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Contested convention? More charter school controversies for Warren, Booker + NYS Sen Kevin Parker

NY UpdateJan 03, 2020

00:00
48:04
Anthony Weiner on the 1947 establishment of Israel

Anthony Weiner on the 1947 establishment of Israel

I asked Anthony Weiner about the 1947 creation of Israel. He recounted some history but at the very end admitted that Palestinians were displaced, claiming Israelis took any offer they could get and accepted any peace plan offered but claims the Palestinians said no.


I'm still curious what authority allowed the UN to create Israel without the consent of Palestininans....

Oct 25, 202305:48
Debating School Shootings the Day after Uvalde (Joe Piscopo Show AM-970)

Debating School Shootings the Day after Uvalde (Joe Piscopo Show AM-970)

Discussion of gun violence in schools the day following the massacre at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, Texas

Call starts at 4:30 mark following a wide-ranging, unhinged rant by Piscopo invoking frequent right-wing themes about gun-grabbing, transphobia, rigged elections and leftist censorship, laying blame on Joe Biden, "Marxist" Democrats, Covid and Satan among others.

In the call, I describe the predictable repetition of these copycat massacres with mentally unwell 18-year olds easily obtaining assault weapons, the role of the media in publicizing shooters' manifestos, and the effect on young students in my classroom.

Piscopo seems to ponder red flag prohibitions on access to guns for "crazy" people, but continually mentions his doubts on gun restrictions because of potential civil unrest on the horizon. This is reinforced in a subsequent call at the 10:40 mark from a gun rights advocate who believes we are in the final stages of a Marxist insurrection which is "going to get really hot" and the massacres we're seeing in classrooms do not qualify as an epidemic. Followed by some final thoughts around the 13:00 mark.

Originally aired on The Joe Piscopo Show AM-970 on May 25, 2022. Show archive version:
https://am970theanswer.com/podcast/episode/577/6-am-hour-the-joe-piscopo-show-5-25-22

Aug 15, 202216:46
Debating charter schools with Governor Patterson on "Rush Hour with Bo Snerdley"

Debating charter schools with Governor Patterson on "Rush Hour with Bo Snerdley"

James Golden, the longtime producer for the Rush Limbaugh Show, dubbed "Bo Snerdley", now has his own extreme-right talk radio show on WABC 770 AM, here discussing charter schools with former NYS Governor David Patterson until I call in with a few facts, explaining just how charter schools cherrypick students from public schools in violation of the 1998 state law that created them.

After cutting my audio, Patterson falsely claims the cherrypicking is no longer happening, but in fact it was just this past year Success Academy was found liable for millions in damages for discriminating against high-needs students. We also urge anyone still unsure of the way NYC charter schools rig the system to listen to this 7-part podcast series in which their former employees and parents describe the systematic exclusion of low-performing students: https://gimletmedia.com/shows/startup/v4he75

Jun 04, 202207:37
Interview with Jeffrey Greenberg for Clarkstown Supervisor in Rockland County, NY

Interview with Jeffrey Greenberg for Clarkstown Supervisor in Rockland County, NY

Special candidate interview with business owner Jeffrey Greenberg, looking to unseat incumbent Republican Town Supervisor George Hoehmann in the Nov. 2, 2021 elections in Rockland County. 

Oct 24, 202145:47
Outbreak Update - with union president Anthony Nicodemo on Westchester summer school closure - 7/30/20
Jul 30, 202029:37
Covid Response: Anthony Nicodemo, union president Greenburgh-North Castle district

Covid Response: Anthony Nicodemo, union president Greenburgh-North Castle district

Following the news a positive Covid test at the Reach Academy in West Harrison, New York's first in a summer school setting, we speak to the president of the teacher's union in the district @coachNicodemo about the surprising response by the Department of Health, the new operationalized guidelines, and the ramifications to the school community as fall approaches.

Recorded July 24, 2020.

NYupdate.org

Jul 24, 202029:34
Justin Sweet on East Ramapo Schools (original air date 1/14/20)
Jun 22, 202009:23
Mindy Rosier-Rayburn, Public Education Activist

Mindy Rosier-Rayburn, Public Education Activist

A veteran NYC teacher dishes on her journey into activism, the fight against charter schools, teaching remotely during the pandemic, her experience as a Sanders delegate and more.

Recorded April 16, 2020

May 23, 202001:02:06
Interview: Evelyn Farkas for Congress in NY CD-17

Interview: Evelyn Farkas for Congress in NY CD-17

Now running for Congress in Rockland/Westchester, Evelyn Farkas, former Deputy Assistant Secretary to the Secretary of Defense under President Obama stops in to discuss education. Original air date: March 7, 2020.

Mar 25, 202033:50
Interview: Tony Martinez candidate for NY Senate (NYS-38)

Interview: Tony Martinez candidate for NY Senate (NYS-38)

Discussion about charter schools, standardized testing, education funding and more with Ossining Immigration attorney Tony Martinez, running for the State Senate seat of David Carlucci in Rockland/Ossining. Originally aired Feb. 27, 2020.

Mar 16, 202055:00
Interview: NY State Senate candidate Elijah Reichlin-Melnick on education

Interview: NY State Senate candidate Elijah Reichlin-Melnick on education

Discussion of education issues in New York including charter schools, standardized tests, school funding, yeshiva standards and more. Elijah Reichlin-Melnick is a Nyack Village Trustee and senior aide to neighboring NYS Sen. James Skoufis.  Originally aired Jan. 21, 2020.

Mar 16, 202001:00:52
Interview: Justin Sweet for NY State Senate (NYS-38)

Interview: Justin Sweet for NY State Senate (NYS-38)

A discussion about standardized testing, charter schools and more with Clarkstown Town Clerk Justin Sweet, running for NY State Senate in Rockland County and Westchester. Original air date Jan. 14, 2020.

Mar 16, 202001:01:20
Interview: Erica Vladimer for Congress in NY-12.

Interview: Erica Vladimer for Congress in NY-12.

Interview with Erica Vladimer, running in NY's 12th congressional district to unseat 30-year incumbent Carolyn Maloney. We discuss education funding, privatization, campaign finance and much more.

Original air date: Dec. 10. 2019

Feb 07, 202001:04:50
Contested convention? More charter school controversies for Warren, Booker + NYS Sen Kevin Parker

Contested convention? More charter school controversies for Warren, Booker + NYS Sen Kevin Parker

Are we headed for a "brokered" convention in the 2020 Democratic primary? What happened when Elizabeth Warren was protested by charter school supporters? Why is Cory Booker writing pro-charter editorials again? How much charter school PAC money is NYS Senator Kevin Parker taking and why? What's the latest with the NY yeshiva controversy and more. Original air date Nov. 25, 2019.

Jan 03, 202048:04
Warren on charters, NYS Sen. Carlucci on PAC money, debating with Trump supporters + more. Nov. 5, 2019

Warren on charters, NYS Sen. Carlucci on PAC money, debating with Trump supporters + more. Nov. 5, 2019

Conflicted charter school supporters attack Elizabeth Warren, NYS Senator David Carlucci on PAC money, Senate Republicans unveil new bill to reduce school shootings, Zephyr Teachout endorses Jamaal Bowman and more education news.  Also - we try to debate with Trump supporters out on 7th Avenue during a Trump protest!

Originally aired Nov. 5, 2019

Nov 11, 201949:06
Impeachment begins, updates on yeshivas, Bill de Blasio, climate march and more

Impeachment begins, updates on yeshivas, Bill de Blasio, climate march and more

News on Trump impeachment proceedings, education headlines and more: Mayor de Blasio gets PAC money and is also selling student data to charter school marketers. Randi Weingarten reacts to a Jacobin article on Bernie Sanders, another yeshiva parent speaks out, Erica Vladimer launches run for NY-12  and much more. Originally aired 09-24-19.

Oct 15, 201955:10
Education news and updates - charters, testing + more. Sept 10, 2019

Education news and updates - charters, testing + more. Sept 10, 2019

How NY state's definition of "proficiency" was farmed out to a corporation, plus the latest NY and national headlines in education - standardized testing, opt out updates, charter schools, data privacy and a special tweet from Valerie Bertinelli!

Originally aired Sept. 10, 2019 on rocklandworldradio.com

All archives available at NYupdate.org

Sep 16, 201945:28
Congressional candidate for NY-16 Andom Ghebreghiorgis. August 20, 2019

Congressional candidate for NY-16 Andom Ghebreghiorgis. August 20, 2019

Following news headlines, we speak to Andom Ghebreghiorgis ("Geh-bruh-gee-or-jiss"), former special education teacher, running for House District NY-16 in the Bronx and Westchester, a seat held for over 30 years by Democrat Eliot Engel. Discussion includes education policy, charter schools, standardized testing, teaching in both public and charter schools, campaign finance and more.

Originally aired 08-20-2019.

[Note: NY Update Host Jake Jacobs endorsed Dr. Jamaal Bowman in this race on June 18, 2019]

Aug 23, 201953:38
NAACP infiltrated? Billionaire propaganda, NYC's gifted + talented program + NY-12 Candidate Erica Vladimer. Aired Aug. 6, 2019.
Aug 07, 201947:04
Trump's Racism vs. The Squad, Yeshivas Deny Education, Those Crazy Charter Billionaires. Apr. 23, 2019 Episode
Jul 28, 201946:09
We argue with Trump advisor Sebastian Gorka plus big news on charter schools, standardized tests + a new Congressional candidate. Aired July 9, 2019.

We argue with Trump advisor Sebastian Gorka plus big news on charter schools, standardized tests + a new Congressional candidate. Aired July 9, 2019.

Hear a strong new position against standardized testing by Elizabeth Warren, stong position against charter schools by Bernie Sanders, all about Mondaire Jones who announced a primary challenge against Rep. Nita Lowey in Rockland + Westchester Counties for Congressional District 17. Plus more news headlines and a crazy clip of right wing radio shock jock Sebastian Gorka, a former advisor on the Trump campaign.

Originally aired 7-9-2019

Jul 16, 201950:12
Lola Osoria, Candidate for Congress in NY-17. Aired 6-28-19

Lola Osoria, Candidate for Congress in NY-17. Aired 6-28-19

A conversation with Bronx high school English teacher Lola Osoria on her campaign against Nita Lowey in New York's 17th Congressional district. A resident of White Plains, Ocosia explains why she is running against a longtime incumbent, her views on education, climate, campaign finance, healthcare and much more. Originally aired June 28, 2019.

Jun 28, 201901:07:19
Patricia Gunning, candidate for Rockland County District Attorney

Patricia Gunning, candidate for Rockland County District Attorney

Informative discussion with Trish Gunning, Democratic candidate for District Attorney in Rockland County. We discuss the difficulties in first-time candidates actually getting on the ballot to run for office, her views on the race against Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski and former Supreme Court Judge Tom Walsh, and other issues that affect Rockland county. Interview begins 07:30. Originally aired May 21, 2019.

Note: Gunning spoke briefly about testifying at the historic NYS Legislature Joint Public Hearing on Sexual Harassment - the video for her full testimony is here: https://youtu.be/KLRJtlIvn0Q?t=37789

Jun 23, 201953:04
Schenley Vital, candidate for Clarkstown Town Council, Ward 3 - aired April 16, 2019

Schenley Vital, candidate for Clarkstown Town Council, Ward 3 - aired April 16, 2019

Following the 2018 elections, a new wave of young candidates has stepped up to run for public office. Interesting views from attorney Schenley Vital who is challenging Republican Don Franchino for a town council seat in Clarkstown the NYC suburb of Rockland County. Also in this episode, updates in the fight against charter schools in New York state.  Original air date: 04-16-19

Jun 22, 201955:59
MAY 14, 2019 EPISODE - Assemblyman Harvey Epstein's opt-out bill, Amy Klobuchar on charters + news

MAY 14, 2019 EPISODE - Assemblyman Harvey Epstein's opt-out bill, Amy Klobuchar on charters + news

Audio of Amy Klobuchar at the AFT town hall in Yonkers, interview with Assemblyman Harvey Epstein (D-Lower East Side, Manhattan) about his legislation (#A07744)  that would notify NY parents of their right to refuse standardized tests (33:00).  Plus story of candidate Kat Brezler (15:30), charter lawsuits, DFER propaganda and NY testing news. Originally aired 5-14-19.

May 20, 201958:27
MAR-13-2019 EPISODE: Nicole Doliner, candidate for Clarkstown Supervisor
May 10, 201947:57
NY COMMISSIONER SPEAKS: Audio of Education Commissioner Elia trying to defend her crashing, wasteful NY state tests. Originally aired 04-09-19.
Apr 20, 201949:25
03-05-19 EPISODE: Dr. Mike Hogan on NYS politics

03-05-19 EPISODE: Dr. Mike Hogan on NYS politics

We talk to Associate Dean of Education/Certification at Long Island University, Dr. Mike Hogan about CFE funding for needy schools, fusion voting, the state of the NYS Democratic party + more. Originally aired March 5, 2019.

Mar 13, 201953:30
FEB-26-2019 EPISODE: School funding, evaluations bill, crazy candidates + ed news

FEB-26-2019 EPISODE: School funding, evaluations bill, crazy candidates + ed news

The latest in under-reported education news and politics in NY state:
Audio clip of NYS Sen. Robert Jackson on CFE funding, audio of an unhinged candidate for Rockland DA being booed off the stage, discussion of teacher evaluation bill and a little known Republican amendment that could have repealed the law. Originally aired 02/26/19.

Mar 04, 201954:55
JAN. 29, 2019 EPISODE - Teacher Activist Jia Lee on APPR bill

JAN. 29, 2019 EPISODE - Teacher Activist Jia Lee on APPR bill

Special Education specialist Jia Lee on the latest controversy over testing and teacher evaluations. Originally aired 1/29/19.

Feb 06, 201950:15
DEC. 4 EPISODE: New Democratic leaders in NYS Senate, Congress. Plus Mueller rant.

DEC. 4 EPISODE: New Democratic leaders in NYS Senate, Congress. Plus Mueller rant.

Originally aired December 4, 2018. Headlines on charter schools, yeshivas and Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Hakeeem Jeffries, Nancy Pelosi and more. Bonus segment beginning at 37:00 on Trump Collusion investigation.
Dec 16, 201859:22
Episode 12: David Carlucci + Jessica Ramos on Public Education

Episode 12: David Carlucci + Jessica Ramos on Public Education

We asked two NYS Senate candidates their views on charter schools, standardized testing and funding for needy public schools. Jessica Ramos interview taped 10-25-18. David Carlucci interview taped 10-30-18.
Nov 05, 201857:52
ON PUBLIC EDUCATION: NYS Senate candidate Jessica Ramos (Queens, NY)

ON PUBLIC EDUCATION: NYS Senate candidate Jessica Ramos (Queens, NY)

Phone interview from Oct. 25, 2018 discussing charter schools, standardized testing, school funding, reforming Albany and more.

(Spoiler alert: Jessica is an #optout mom!)
Oct 29, 201828:20
Episode 11: Teacher John Mannion for NYS Senate

Episode 11: Teacher John Mannion for NYS Senate

Biology teacher John Mannion, candidate in the 50th State Senate District (Syracuse area) discusses charter schools, standardized testing, Common Core and more. Taped 9-25-18. Also news headlines....
Oct 28, 201846:42
Episode 4: Progressive taxation, the Yeshiva controversy, privatizing schools

Episode 4: Progressive taxation, the Yeshiva controversy, privatizing schools

The Cuomo vs. Nixon primary race, the NYS millionaires tax, the Yeshiva controversy, de-unionized schools, how charter schools cherrypick students + Trump’s emoluments case. Originally aired 7-30-18
Oct 09, 201850:45
Episode 10: Cliff Weathers of Riverkeeper.org
Oct 08, 201848:10
With Green candidate for Lt. Governor Jia Lee, talking education and privatization.

With Green candidate for Lt. Governor Jia Lee, talking education and privatization.

Jia Lee is a special education teacher in NYC for 17 years and a union organizer with MORE-UFT who ran for UFT president. Jia made news as an anti-testing advocate, refusing to administer Common Core tests to students, and has testified in education committee hearings in the US Senate. Aired 7/23/18. Episode 3.
Sep 21, 201849:20
Blake Morris, challenging Simcha Felder in Brooklyn, NY

Blake Morris, challenging Simcha Felder in Brooklyn, NY

Interview with lawyer Blake Morris running for State Senate in NY's 17th district against controversial "Trump Democrat" Simcha Felder. Episode #8, aired 9/3/2018
Sep 18, 201850:31
NY Attorney General Candidates talk Charters, Yeshivas. Aired 8/27/18

NY Attorney General Candidates talk Charters, Yeshivas. Aired 8/27/18

Episode # 7 - What are the differences between Zephyr Teachout, Tish James and Leecia Eve on these controversial education issues?
Aug 29, 201843:58
Julie Goldberg for NY State Senate on Yeshivas. [13 min.]

Julie Goldberg for NY State Senate on Yeshivas. [13 min.]

Julie Goldberg on religious school students not receiving "substantially equivalent" education. Aired 7-16-18 Time: 13 min.
Aug 24, 201813:14
Episode 3 - Nixon vs. Cuomo, yeshiva update, charter schools

Episode 3 - Nixon vs. Cuomo, yeshiva update, charter schools

News roundup including Cynthia Nixon on taxing millionaires, a new lawsuit against ultra-orthodox yeshivas who don't teach basic subjects, a teacher exodus from charter schools and more. (Aired 7-23-18)
Aug 08, 201850:45
Episode 2: Meet Julie Goldberg for NY State Senate. Aired 7-16-18

Episode 2: Meet Julie Goldberg for NY State Senate. Aired 7-16-18

Episode #2 of NY Update, a discussion with progressive candidate Julie Goldberg about the NYS Senate race in the 38th State Senate District, representing parts of Rockland County, Ossining and Briarcliff Manor.
Jul 30, 201834:36
Episode 1: Betsy DeVos attacks public schools. Aired 7-9-18
Jul 20, 201843:37