NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – Wednesday was a very bad night for the local candidates in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Hours after New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand ended her 2020 campaign, it was revealed that Mayor Bill de Blasio was still short of threshold to qualify for the next Democratic debate.

Facing a midnight deadline to show both the fundraising and polling needed to reach the fall debates, de Blasio had reportedly failed to hit either mark.

According to CBS News, only 10 candidates had already reached the goals necessary to get an invite to the next level of the Democratic primary race.

Joe Biden, Pete Buttigieg, Kamala Harris, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Beto O’Rourke, Cory Booker, Amy Klobuchar, Andrew Yang, and Julian Castro will all be on the next debate stage.

New York City’s mayor is among 11 other candidates who reportedly couldn’t gather 130,000 unique donors (with 400 each in at least 20 states) and to hit two percent in four national polls.

Recently, de Blasio and Gillibrand had both seen their polling numbers around zero percent.

Candidates who don’t qualify for the September debates could reportedly still qualify for the following round in October.

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — There’s a new restaurant nestled in the heart of Manhattan offering Middle Eastern comfort food inside a four-star hotel.

Lamalo, located at the Arlo NoMad hotel, features an incredible daily spread that will transport you to Jerusalem.

Chef Ofir Horesh stopped by with his recipe for tahini.

Lamalo Tahini

Yields: 4 Cups

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of raw tahini
• 1 and 1/3 cups of ice cold water
• 3.5 tbsp of fresh squeezed lemon juice
• 1.5 tsp of salt

Instructions:

• Add all ingredients (except the water) to a large mixing bowl.
• Slowly add water and whisk until emulsified and in the right texture.
• Check and adjust seasoning as necessary.
• Better to serve at room temperature.

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – Power has been restored in Kew Gardens, Queens.

Con Edison said a car took down utility poles in Kew Gardens.

The crash happened around 4 a.m. near Kissena Boulevard and 73^rd Avenue. 

Approximately 250 customers were in the dark.

No injuries were reported.

Check back with CBSNewYork.com for more on this developing story.

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — There are things you can to do help prevent Alzheimer’s and other dementias.

With 5.8 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s, anything that can be done do to ease that huge healthcare burden is important.

That number is expected to grow to 14 million by 2050.

CBS2’s Dr. Max Gomez said his father died with Alzheimer’s, so he’s like most people who want to do whatever they can to stave off the memory-robbing disease. It turns out there are some lifestyle changes that can help.

Looking through photo albums means a lot to Kristen and Glenn Hemanes. Kristen’s father recently passed away from Alzheimer’s disease.

“It’s draining for the families and it’s just such a debilitating disease for everybody,” Kristen said.

MORE: Ultrasound Technique Promises New Ways To Help Treat Alzheimer’s Disease

Her husband, Glenn, lost his grandfather to Alzheimer’s. With that family history, the couple wants to try to lower their chances of developing the disease.

“It’s one of the worst things to experience, because you lose that connection with somebody,” Glenn said.

Now, new research from the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference suggests adopting four or five healthy lifestyle practices may reduce risk for Alzheimer’s and other dementias by 60 percent. The study focused on healthy diet, moderate to vigorous physical activity, not smoking, light-to-moderate drinking, and engaging in activities that stimulate the mind.

“Everyday activities can really impact your risk of Alzheimer’s disease and these are things that everybody can do every day,” said Dr. Maria Carrillo, chief science officer for the Alzheimer’s Association.

A separate study shows healthy habits may counteract a person’s genetic risk for dementia. Researchers looked at people that had the same genetic risks, but different lifestyles.

“People that had a healthy lifestyle actually had less chance of developing dementia. That’s really exciting because it means there is something you can do today even to overcome what you’ve inherited,” Dr. Carrillo said.

MORE: Study: Eye Test May Lead To Faster Alzheimer’s Diagnosis

Kristen and Glenn are already eating right and getting plenty of exercise.

“It started several years ago for me, but it has changed even more so now,” Kristen said.

“I think it’s definitely one motivator of many that motivates me to stay healthy,” Glenn added.

Do those anti-Alzheimer’s recommendations sound familiar? They are a lot like what the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society and American Diabetes Association have been recommending for years.

It’s true. All those lifestyle habits help prevent heart disease, cancer and diabetes. Remember, what’s good for your heart is good for your brain.

TEANECK, N.J. (CBSNewYork) — There is a doctor shortage in the United States. Federal representatives were expected to introduce legislation Monday that they said will solve the problem.

CBSN New York’s Meg Baker was outside Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck, where there are currently only six doctor residency slots available. That arbitrary number was set more than two decades ago and is one of a few reasons lawmakers said a federal law needs to change.

Medical student enrollment has increased across the country, yet New Jersey and other states have a looming shortage of physicians. The problem is residency slots are partially funded by Medicare and those positions were frozen by a federal law that created hiring caps in 1996.

“Our legislation will allow Holy Name to relaunch their residency program without the caps on Medicare-sponsored residents set in the mid-1990s,” Sen. Robert Menendez said. “The bill also compliments a broader effort in the Senate that I have with the ‘Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act.’ That legislation would initiate a nationwide hiring surge of medical residence in America, hospitals, by increasing residency slots by 3,000 a year for five years.”

MORE: New Study Says Americans Flocking To Urgent Care Instead Of Their Primary Doctor Due To Convenience

Congressman Joshua Gottheimer said statistics show when a doctor enters residency at a teaching hospital he or she is likely to stay in that community, which is good for the healthcare system in New Jersey and the economy. However, federal assistance is needed.

“Training a new doctor isn’t cheap, and by the way, it shouldn’t be. We want our medical professionals well trained and ready to take care of our families. [It’s] not a place to cut corners. That’s where, of course, you have the government come and make sure they can help in that process,” Gottheimer said.

MORE: Tuition-Free Medical School Is Coming To Long Island

Menendez said the state is also in the midst of what he calls a “silver tsunami,” aging adults who will need more care in the coming years, and aging doctors.

“Nationwide, an estimated 40 percent of physicians will retire within the next 10 years and New Jersey has the third-highest percentage of doctors over the age of 60,” Menendez said.

Michael Maron, the CEO of Holy Name Medical Center, said the hospital has 80 percent specialists and 20 percent primary care doctors. He said that should be reversed and he hopes new legislation can help with that.

Lawmakers said 2,500 to 2,800 new physicians will be needed by 2020 to meet New Jersey’s needs.

The Association of American Medical Colleges estimates a shortfall of up to 120,000 physicians nationwide by 2030.

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – Police say a suspect wanted in the attempted rape of a 73-year-old woman in the Financial District is now under arrest.

Clarence Bradley was arrested Sunday and charged with attempted rape, robbery and public lewdness.

Police said the 23-year-old Bronx man demanded sex from the victim, then punched her in the face repeatedly when she refused, breaking her eye socket and knocking out her teeth.

He also stole her purse, containing $20, police said.

The incident happened shortly before 1 a.m. on Sunday, July 7 in front of a DMV building on Greenwich Street.

The woman, 73, was taken to the hospital, where she was listed in stable condition.

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — A crackdown on illegal immigrants facing deportation was expected to begin to Sunday in at least nine cities across the country.

But so far they’ve been limited to New York City, immigration sources told CBS2.

Federal and customs enforcement agents were seen knocking on doors in Sunset Park, Brooklyn this weekend.

Mayor Bill de Blasio has said New York City will not help Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in making arrests, and reported no arrests when he spoke to the media in the afternoon.

ICE is targeting roughly 2,000 people, including families, with final deportation orders.

Web Extra: Mayor Bill de Blasio, Officials Addresses ICE Raids: 

Advocates are coaching immigrants on their rights, including not to respond if agents knock on the door unless they show a warrant signed by a judge.

RELATED STORY: ICE To Carry Out Nationwide Raid For Undocumented Immigrants In New York, Other Major Cities This Weekend

At a press conference Sunday, Sen. Chuck Schumer spoke out against the raids.

Web Extra: Sen. Chuck Schumer Addresses ICE Raids: 

“I don’t care if you’re a Democrat, Republican, liberal or conservative. No one wants to see children ripped away from their children, parents ripped away from their children, and that ought to stop right now,” Schumer said. “In previous raids, that has happened. Everyone agrees, if someone’s a hardened criminal, a bank robber, a sexual abuser, they shouldn’t be here, but the vast majority of immigrants are hardworking people who just want to make a better life. And the idea of ripping them apart from their parents is a very bad idea, and that is what will happen in these raids, inevitably.”

President Donald Trump has said the raids are focused on deporting criminals, including MS-13 gang members.

Protesters gathered in Battery Park on Saturday and in Queens on Sunday to denounce the raids.

“We will fight your right to remain at home because you are home in this city, New York City,” Anthony Enriquez, with Catholic Charities Community Services, said.

RELATED STORY: Hispanic Communities In New York , New Jersey Preparing For Impending ICE Raids

On Saturday, de Blasio tweeted he had received “reports of attempted but reportedly unsuccessful ICE enforcement actions in Sunset Park and Harlem.”

The mayor is urging concerned residents to call 311 to receive free immigration legal help.

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – Power has been restored after a large outage struck Midtown, Times Square, Hell’s Kitchen, and other parts of Upper Manhattan.

CBS2 began to hear reports that that all restaurants had gone dark in Hell’s Kitchen around 7 p.m. Saturday evening – 42 years to the day after the famous 1977 blackout in New York City.

By midnight, just under five hours after thousands lost power, electricity was fully restored throughout the city.

At around 10 p.m. Saturday night, CBS2 began to receive multiple reports that lights have begun to come back on around Midtown. CBS2’s Alice Gainer was near Columbus Circle as traffic lights began to come online. Power was also restored to the CBS2 studios, which had also been affected by the outage.

City Council Speaker Corey Johnson tweeted shortly after 10 p.m. to say that Con Edison is working to have all six sections of Manhattan that were affected restored by midnight.

During a press conference with the city’s Office of Emergency Management and officials from Con Edison, authorities said 73,000 customers had lost power due to the outage. Loud cheers rang out as power was restored to another of the darkened sections – bringing five of the six back online at that point.

WEB EXTRA – OEM and Con Edison officials provide the latest details on the Manhattan outage as power begins to be restored: 

OEM officials said the root cause of the blackout is not yet known, but it was not due to extensive power use on the hot summer day. Authorities do not expect any more outages throughout the night.

PHOTOS: Massive Power Outage Hits Parts Of Manhattan

The FDNY earlier reported that they are receiving calls from residents without power in the West 40s all the way north to 72nd Street and from Fifth Avenue west to the Hudson River.

Police and fire department sources tell CBS2 that the cause of the failure appears to be a feeder cable problem below ground at 64th Street and West End Ave. A transformer fire at that location may be to blame for the massive outage.

Mayor de Blasio tweeted just after 8:20 p.m. – saying that both police and fire officials were responding to the affected area and that the “disruption is significant.”

The mayor then spoke with CBS2’s Jessica Moore live from the presidential campaign trail in Iowa and addressed the ongoing emergency:

Fortunately, the mayor said that first responders have not received an reports of injuries due to the blackout. De Blasio is also reportedly returning to New York City Saturday night to deal with the crisis; pausing his latest 2020 fundraising trip out of state.

The power outage struck on the same day, July 13, as the 1977 blackout. That outage happened when lightning struck electrical equipment resulting in a blackout that lasted 25 hours. The darkness was filled with thousands of crimes, but only one homicide.

New Yorkers were reminded of the blackout of 1977 Saturday – the 42nd anniversary of the July 13 outage. (Credit: CBS2)

Authorities say there is no indication of intentional sabotage or an act of terrorism involved with the blackout.

The FDNY said they had to prioritize life threatening and public safety emergency calls earlier in the night due to the number of people calling 911, but they are now back to normal operation as of 9:30 p.m.

The MTA is reporting major system disruptions heading into Sunday due to the power outage. Multiple lines, including the A, C, M, and Q lines are suspended or have had their route altered. For the latest on the subway service changes, click here.

CBS2’s Alice Gainer was at one of the subway stations in Midtown where power has completely gone out.

Gainer also hit the road to see how drivers are handling the dangerous traffic conditions on Manhattan’s West Side Highway.

CBS2’s Ali Bauman was in Midtown Saturday evening, where pedestrians and drivers are dealing with the mass confusion caused by the downed traffic lights.

New Yorkers are also calling for help through social media, as at least one person has been trapped in an elevator by the outage. Richard R. O’Connor tweeted from his elevator in Manhattan Saturday evening.

Broadway shows also went dark on Saturday, but that didn’t keep performers from putting on a show for New Yorkers outside the theaters. The Carnegie Hall choir even put on an impromptu concert in the streets of Manhattan.

As many officials tweeted throughout the night, the crisis brought that best in New Yorkers, many of whom were photographed helping to direct traffic and assist people stuck in elevators. Even tourists who weren’t familiar with Manhattan pitched in to lend a hand.

“We’ve been lost over the past three days, and we’ve reached out for help on subways trying to navigate the streets, and everyone has been overwhelmingly wonderful and helpful to us, so we’re paying it forward,” Jennica Reynolds of Middleton, Idaho said.

Stay with CBS New York for the latest on this developing story

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – Some local communities are bracing themselves, one day before Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers (ICE) are expected to begin nationwide raids to find illegal immigrants.

President Trump says the crackdown is meant to remove undocumented criminals from the country. CBS2’s Dave Carlin reports that local leaders have a wide range of opinions on the divisive issue.

MORE: ICE To Carry Out Nationwide Raid For Undocumented Immigrants In New York, Other Major Cities This Weekend

There was high anxiety in neighborhoods where raids by ICE are believed to be coming Sunday.

On Saturday New York City leaders including Council Speaker Corey Johnson said those targeted by the dragnets should not open their doors to an agent who does not have a warrant.

Mayor Bill de Blasio again announced the raids will come without the city support, including aid from the NYPD.

The Mayor sent out a tweet saying “if you or a loved one are approached by federal immigration enforcement in your home, on the street or in public, remember: You have rights – and your city will help you fight for them.”

Union leaders with the NYPD’s Sergeants Benevolent Association however, are urging local police to defy de Blasio’s policy and not to leave ICE officers undefended in potentially dangerous situations.

“I there remind you of our sworn oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States,” union president Ed Mullins said in a statement on Twitter. “stand shoulder to shoulder with each agent so that they too can return home safely to their families.”

In a phone interview Republican Congressman Peter King of Long Island told CBS2 something must be done about an estimated 11 million immigrants living in the country illegally.

“I believe these raids – while nobody wants them – there absolutely necessary,” Rep King said.

“Everyone that ICE is going after my understanding is they had their day in court, the judges ordered them deported, so they have no right to be here in the country.”

Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York, brought up the topic at a noon mass before the St. Frances Cabrini Shrine on what would have been her 169th birthday.

“With all the difficulties and tensions and challenges we are facing,” Dolan said.

He added that staffers with Catholic charities are working this weekend, answering hotline calls and providing outreach.

“We defend the right of the nation to make sure it’s borders are secure and its people are safe, but we also defend the right of people to be treated honestly, justly, and fairly as children of God,” Dolan added.

There is concern among religious leaders that when houses of worship become safe houses they are not necessarily set up properly to become extended living spaces.

“Sanctuary can’t be limited to this particular building,” Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, the executive director of Catholic Charities said.

“We need our neighborhood, our community, our nation to be a holy safe place.”

Catholic Charities volunteer Fanny Gomez spent Saturday spreading a message that help is available.

“To give them their rights, to look at their paperwork, to see what they’re missing in order to become a resident,” Gomez explained.

She added getting information to those who may need it is complicated by the fact that many who fear being caught by ICE this weekend are hiding out inside their homes until the impending raids die down.

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — Mayor Bill de Blasio said there were reports of Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions in the city Saturday.

The mayor tweeted Saturday morning that he had received reports of “attempted but reportedly unsuccessful ICE enforcement actions” in Sunset Park and Harlem.

De Blasio has been speaking out against the raids, saying on Twitter, “Let’s be blunt here: [President Donald Trump] has turned ICE into a political weapon against our immigrant communities.”

RELATED STORY: Hispanic Communities In New York , New Jersey Preparing For Impending ICE Raids

Sunday is the expected start date for ICE agents will begin carrying out raids in at least ten major cities across the country including in New York.

White House officials say immigration authorities will mostly target illegal immigrants and those who’ve been issued final orders of removal from the country.

RELATED STORY: ICE To Carry Out Nationwide Raid For Undocumented Immigrants In New York, Other Major Cities This Weekend

Ed Mullins, president of the Sergeants Benevolent Association, put out a letter Friday saying, “Our job is to simply enforce all laws equally upon all individuals so that each person receives equal justice under the law.”

He goes on to encourage officers not to “leave any ICE agent abandoned if in need of assistance.”

A rally against the planned raids was held Friday in Foley Square. One man at the rally told CBS2 he has been in the United States for 16 years, but he admitted his family’s immigration status is still up in the air.

“That doesn’t mean we are robbers or bad people,” he said.

Web Extra: Cardinal Timothy Dolan Celebrates Mass At Washington Heights Church —

Cardinal Timothy Dolan, archbishop of New York, celebrated the noon mass at the St. Frances Cabrini Shrine in Washington Heights on Saturday in honor of the saint’s 169th birthday. St. Frances Xavier Cabrini is the Patron Saint of Immigrants.

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — Police now know the name of the suspect wanted in the attempted rape of a 73-year-old woman in the Financial District earlier this month.

Police say 23-year-old Clarence Bradley demanded sex from a 73-year-old woman in the Financial District on July 7, 2019. (Credit: NYPD Crime Stoppers)

Investigators say 23-year-old Clarence Bradley demanded sex from the victim, then punched her in the face when she refused, knocking her teeth out and breaking her eye socket. He also allegedly stole $20 from her bag.

The incident happened just before 1 a.m. on July 7 in front of the DMV building on Greenwich Street.

Bradley is 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs about 170 pounds. He has brown eyes and black hair.

According to police, Bradley has multiple identifiable tattoos, including the words “RIP Joe” on his right forearm and “Clarice” on his left forearm. He also has tattoos of a red feather and a mouth with a tongue sticking out on his arm.

Anyone who sees Bradley or has information on his whereabouts is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-8477 or for Spanish, 1-888-577-4782. Tips can also be sent to the NYPDTips Twitter account or submitted online at NYPDCrimeStoppers.com.

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – New Yorkers are rallying against planned weekend raids by ICE, attempting to apprehend thousands of illegal immigrants.

They banded together Friday on one side of a nationwide debate over civil liberties in the U.S. and along the Mexican border.

MORE: ICE To Carry Out Nationwide Raid For Undocumented Immigrants In New York, Other Major Cities This Weekend

They filled Foley Square with signs and voices of support for undocumented immigrants.

“I’m feeling scared for myself and also my family,” Eriverto told CBS2’s Jessica Layton.

“They are my mom, brother, for me they are everything.”

Eriverto came to the United States with his mother in 2003 when he was 15. Now in his 30s he’s working here as a bartender and waiter, but admits his family’s immigration status is still up in the air.

“That doesn’t mean we are robbers or bad people,” he said. “I’m feeling so sad because Sunday is starting something we never thought was gonna be.”

Sunday is the expected start date for ICE agents will begin carrying out raids in at least ten major cities across the country including in New York.

(Credit: CBS2)

White House officials say immigration authorities will mostly target illegal immigrants and those who’ve been issued final orders of removal from the country.

“You know what? They came in illegally, they have to go out,” President Trump declared.

The president also called out New York as a “sanctuary city” and Mayor de Blasio specifically.

“A guy like de Blasio wouldn’t want the raids, but many mayors do, most mayors do, you know why? Because they don’t want to have crime in their city,” Trump added.

De Blasio fired back on Twitter saying “wow – @realdonaldtrump is right for once! A guy like me wouldn’t want to criminalize immigrant communities that have made our country stronger.”

Later the mayor claimed the impending ICE raids are reckless and cynical. Critics say the raids will rip families apart – pointing to the crisis at the southern border.

Friday afternoon, Vice President Mike Pence visited a processing facility in Texas where families are being held. Detainees packed in security pens cried out to the cameras.

Pence admitted “this is tough stuff” but added agents are doing a good job in difficult circumstances.

“The time has come to stop irresponsible rhetoric of the way that people are being cared for and treated that are being detained in our facility. This is tough work, it’s overwhelming our system,” Pence said.

The vice president added he has pushed for more federal spending to deal with the situation. At Friday’s rally, immigrants were told to be prepared come Sunday at 3 a.m.

The Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office has confirmed the 1985 Cy Young Award winner was arrested by police last month in Holmdel Township, after police pulled him over driving under the influence of drugs.

Authorities say Gooden was stopped on June 7 just before 1 a.m. for driving too slowly on a highway and failing to maintain his lane. The 54-year-old was found with “two small green zip-lock style plastic baggies containing suspected cocaine,” according to the criminal complaint.

READ: Criminal Complaint Against Dwight Gooden

Gooden was charged with third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and being under the influence while driving.

Dwight Gooden greets fans before the game between the Mets and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Citi Field on May 28, 2016. Gooden was on hand to be honored along with the rest of the 1986 world championship team. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Gooden, who played for the New York Mets from 1984 to 1994 and then with the New York Yankees, was selected for four All-Star Games.

In 2017 Gooden was given a key to the city 31 years after the team’s thrilling World Series win over the Boston Red Sox.

His decades-long struggle with addiction destroyed his stellar career however. The New York star infamously missed the 1986 World Series parade because he was getting high.

He was suspended from baseball for most of the 1994 season and all of 1995 after testing positive for cocaine.

Darryl Strawberry has said publicly Gooden has a cocaine problem and that he fears for his former teammate’s life. Gooden has responded by saying he’s fine and that his friendship with Strawberry is now over.

Gooden is scheduled to make his first court appearance July 23. He could face up to five years in prison in the latest tragic chapter of a once-legendary ballplayer.

]]> https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2019/07/12/mets-great-dwight-doc-gooden-arrest/feed/ 2 https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2019/07/12/study-benefits-of-boredom-children/ https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2019/07/12/study-benefits-of-boredom-children/#comments Fri, 12 Jul 2019 22:02:33 +0000 CBS New York http://newyork.cbslocal.com/?p=1597514 According to multiple new studies, daydreaming with nothing to do exercises imaginations and sparks creativity.]]>

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — Parents work hard to keep their children active when they’re home on summer vacation, but a recent study finds boredom could lead to better creativity.

Making kids handle boredom may prove to be a family success story, CBS2’s Jennifer McLogan reports.

“I like to be bored because I can come up with ideas,” 7-year-old Mila Jarocki told McLogan.

Mila and her younger sister wonder if their parents were bored as kids, and what they did about it.

“They even ask us if we ever had imaginary friends. It’s crazy that they’re trying to see what we were like when we were children,” said Mila’s dad Rob Jarocki.

Rob and his wife Jill call their parenting “old school.”

“They need to be bored sometimes. I think there is too much of the iPad and the TV,” said Jill.

Multiple new studies say they’re right, McLogan reported. Daydreaming with nothing to do challenges the imagination and sparks creativity. According to the American Psychological Association, boredom makes kids more motivated and improves children’s minds and well-being.

“There’s a new term out, it’s called lawnmower parents, where the parents push the kids to do everything, and as a teacher, I see, certainly see a difference. There’s a lack of creativity,” said Massapequa teacher Regina Restivo.

Boredom makes kids more interesting and improves creativity, McLogan reported.

“Boredom is our brain’s way of searching for interesting, stimulating activity,” said psychiatrist Dr. Sue Varma. “And if we can’t find it in the external environment, we are going to create it.”

“We don’t need any of that. We can play in the water, and use this, a metal detector. There’s so many thing you can do at the beach without electronics,” said 11-year-old Tom Matringa.

In CBS2’s sampling of parents at Eisenhower Park on Long Island, all said they were trying to allow fewer minutes of screen time so children will learn how to be alone and productive and have fun without.

But it’s not always easy.

“Sometimes I even find myself sitting with them and saying, ‘Do you want to watch a show?’ But I have to tell myself, no, let them, you know, they’ll play something on their own,” one mom said.

“My fear is that now we live in a work warrior culture and we’re promoting productivity at the expense of creativity, and we’re finding that as IQs are increasing, creativity quotients are actually decreasing,” Dr. Varma said.

Experts say parents should stop juggling, helicoptering and lawnmowering. Take some time for yourself and let your kids be bored for a while. It might be the best thing you can do for them.

WASHINGTON (CBSNewYork) – The House has passed the Never Forget the Heroes Act, a bill to extend the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund until 2090.

The vote passed 402-12 on Friday.

The $7.4 billion Congress approved for the fund in 2015 has nearly run out, forcing the funds administrator to slash payouts to 9/11 heroes, survivors and their families.

Comedian Jon Stewart, who has been a strong advocate for first responders, said Friday’s vote is just one step closer to their goal.

“Passing this in the Senate in two weeks — and we’re going to hold Senator McConnell to his word — will be a chance to exhale, but it doesn’t fix the grief and the suffering that they will continue to experience going forward,” Stewart said.

MORE: ‘Why Is This So Damn Hard?!’: Jon Stewart Shames Congress Over 9/11 Victims Funding

Retired New York Police Department detective and 9/11 responder Luis Alvarez testifies during a House Judiciary Committee hearing on reauthorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund on Capitol Hill on June 11, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Zach Gibson/Getty Images)

The bill is named in honor of first responders James Zadroga, Ray Pfeifer and Luis Alvarez.

Alvarez died two weeks ago from cancer. He was just 53 years old. Alvarez joined the NYPD in 1990 and was a detective on 9/11.

He had spent months at Ground Zero after the attacks, and then spent his finals weeks calling on Congress to extend the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund.

“It is my goal and it is my legacy to see that you do the right thing,” Alvarez said.

Stewart sat by Alvarez’s side.

“They responded in five seconds. They did their jobs. Eighteen years later, do yours,” Stewart said.

MORE: Funeral Held For Retired NYPD Det. Luis Alvarez, Who Fought In Washington For Others Sickened On 9/11

At the funeral, a sea of blue celebrated Alvarez’s life, and his sister, Aida Lugo, says even on the night before his death, his sister says he got up out of bed on a mission.

“He was coughing. He was agitated. He told me he had been walking and walking. The nurse asked him where he had been walking, and with David as my witness, my brother responded, ‘I was walking to find first responders to make sure they get help,'” Lugos said.

The bill now heads to the Senate and supporters of the Never Forget the Heroes Act are hoping it passes and they’ll all be having a final signing ceremony by Aug. 2.

PARAMUS, N.J. (CBSNewYork) – A New Jersey-based chain of pizza shops is serving up the crust – just the crust.

Villa Italian Kitchen says it’s the best part of the pizza and they’ll soon add crust-only slices to their menu.

While there are some fans of the idea on social media, others vehemently opposed, calling it “absolute madness” and “just a brunch of breadsticks.”

The crust-only slices go on sale July 18 at participating locations for $2.75.

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – The NYPD wants your help identifying four female suspects tied to a series of violent robberies.

All of the incidents happened in West Harlem on July 25.

In one incident, the suspects approached a 42-year-old woman on West 135th Street from behind and striking the victim in the face with a rock. Fortunately, the victim wasn’t seriously hurt.

Two other women were attacked the same day. In those cases, they were thrown to the ground and their valuables were stolen.

Anyone with any information is asked to call NYPD’s Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or 1-888-57-PISTA (74782) for Spanish. You can also submit a tip via the Crime Stoppers website, by Tweeting @NYPDTips or by texting a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) and then entering TIP577.

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – A portion of Coney Island’s beach was closed off Thursday after human remains were found near the shore.

Police sources tell CBS2 that a badly decomposed body part, believed to be a human leg, was found submerged in the Brooklyn water stuck between the jetty rocks.

Police closed off the area around West 5th Street and the shoreline while they investigated the scene.

The medical examiner is now working to confirm that the body part is human remains and what the cause of death was.

According to multiple reports, multiple body parts were found wedged in the rocks by a recreational diver on Saturday.

Conditions in the water were reportedly too bad to attempt a recovery until Thursday morning.

The location where the alleged human remains were found is a short distance from the New York Aquarium.

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – A multi-billion dollar construction project at LaGuardia Airport is causing more than a minor inconvenience.

Many travelers have to take another trip before they head home and many are now complaining of price gouging.

On the Sunday night after July 4th, frustrated passengers fresh off a flight thought the long line outside the airport was for a yellow taxi to get out of LaGuardia’s Terminal B.

At the front they find out, “you get to board the shuttle bus,” an airport worker said.

(Credit: CBS2)

They’re then crammed on a standing room only shuttle bus to a different taxi stand at another terminal.

“Do we have to stand in the back of the line when we get to Terminal A?” Charles pehlivanian of Manhattan asked.

“No there’s going to be plenty of taxis,” the LaGuardia worker replied.

That was not true.

(Credit: CBS2)

“Please make a line behind the passengers,” another worker said as the shuttle bus passengers were then told they can also order a ride-share from a 7-11 up the road.

Passengers were also told it would be a five to six minute wait – that was actually 25 to 45 minutes with traffic.

Back at Terminal B, one desperate yellow taxi broke the rules to pick up a fare.

Nearby, aggressive hustlers prey on other people waiting.

(Credit: CBS2)

“It’s a long line, gotta car ready to go if you don’t wanna wait,” one ride-share driver said.

It’s a problem CBS2’s Marcia Kramer first exposed in 2016. CBS2 counted at least three within a half-hour stalking potential fares at LaGuardia.

“I got a black car. It’s 95 plus tolls though,” the driver said.

That was the quote for a ride to Midtown Manhattan – more than double the average – which is about $40 according to Taxifarefinder.com.

“It’s an Uber car, but we’re not going through the app, you track it thru GPS,” a driver claimed to CBS2’s Lisa Rozner.

“What kind of like license do you have?” Rozner inquired.

“It’s government ID, New York State ID… The ID is irrelevant, you need a ride right?” the driver continued.

The TLC says it is relevant and so does the Port Authority police.

CBS2 showed the video to one of the top officer’s at the airport’s police department who admits the problem is worse, but they’ve stepped up enforcement.

“Would the Port Authority police consider putting a police officer at the end of these taxi shuttle lines because they get very long and that’s where we found these hustlers, but there were no officers,” Rozner asked police.

“We’re open to every opportunity. One thing I have to explain is we put plain-clothes officers out,” David Ehrenberg, executive officer of the Port Authority police said.

(Credit: CBS2)

He also added there were 30 additional traffic cops at LaGuardia and tried to explain the reason for backups.

“As a result in managing the traffic, sometimes we actually have to create traffic because we’re holding up areas that are less vulnerable,” Ehrenberg said.

That traffic resulted in official Ubers and Lyfts stuck in backups approaching the pick-up area in the Terminal B parking garage.

When you add in weak cell service making it harder to reach customers, some riders give up.

“Four drivers cancelled on me. Two drivers just stopped outside, didn’t even move. So a total of six cars, 45 minutes, nobody showed up,” flyer John Santorelli said.

“The Lyft doubled in price from 25 to 45,” Nicole Rodriguez of Greenpoint said.

The Port Authority said the day after CBS2’s visit the quality of cell service was significantly enhanced. Construction continues until 2021, so passengers need to decide if the price for their flight is worth the pandemonium once they get off the plane.

The Port Authority added it hasn’t cut any airport services during the construction. For now, Uber said it’s blocked drivers who cancel too often from doing airport pickups and Lyft claimed that driver cancellations do not lead to higher prices.

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — A New York woman has died while undergoing plastic surgery in the Dominican Republic, the third such death involving an American in a month.

The Dominican health ministry is now opening an investigation, but CBS2’s Tony Aiello reports a grieving family is worried they won’t get answers and wonder if others are at risk.

Maxine David’s phone is filled with pictures of her sister Alexandra Medina.

“Savvy, smart, vibrant, passionate,” David said, describing her sister.

New Rochelle resident Alexandra Medina died while undergoing plastic surgery in the Dominican Republic on July 5, 2019. (Credit: CBS2)

But the New Rochelle resident was also unhappy with her appearance.

David says doctors in the United States told her sister she needed to lose weight before getting liposuction body reshaping.

A Dominican doctor Medina contacted through Facebook, however, had a different opinion, according to David.

“This doctor was like, ‘No problem. We can do it. We can handle it. We’ve dealt with bigger women, so come here. We’ll do it.’ And it was obviously also cheaper,” David said.

Friday, during liposuction at a Santo Domingo clinic, Medina stopped breathing and died.

The death certificate blames a fatty tissue embolism, or blood clot.

Medina is the third American to die in a month while undergoing cosmetic surgery in the Dominican Republic.

The Dominican health minister says a full review will now take place.

Aiello: “The health minister says an investigation is underway. As that process starts, what are your concerns?”
David: “That they’re gonna get away with it, that they’re gonna, you know, finagle it to it seeming as if it were accidental and that we’re not going to get justice.”

Doctors at the Dominican clinic say there was no malpractice, just a tragic complication, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns Americans of risks associated with plastic surgery in the Dominican Republic.

Manhattan plastic surgeon Dr. Henry Spinelli has a warning as well.

“There are reasonable facilities in Europe, South America, et cetera, but they are usually subject to the same set of criteria we have here. To indiscriminately choose some place on the basis of finances is a grave mistake,” he said.

“Women are going over there for these surgeries, these elective surgeries, and not coming out alive,” David said.

David says her sister’s cheap surgery came at a terrible cost.

News media in Santo Domingo report the clinic where Medina died had just recently reopened after being closed for “irregularities.”

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — For the second time in a just over a month a rainbow “Pride” flag was burned outside the same Harlem bar.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo says he will now assign a task force to investigate the hate crime.

On Monday, CBS2’s Jenna DeAngelis spoke to the owner of the Alibi Lounge, who called the incidents “surreal.”

Watch Jenna DeAngelis’ report —

“After the success of Pride this year, someone decides that we’re going to burn the symbol of Pride,” Alexi Minko said.

A week after love filled New York City streets, with rainbow flags on display to celebrate Pride, a flag was left torched and tattered outside the popular Harlem gay bar — and it’s not the first time.

(credit: CBS2)

“Twice in five weeks. It is a hate crime,” Minko said.

On May 31, the eve of Pride Month, surveillance cameras captured a man lighting two rainbow flags on fire outside the same bar, but the suspect still hasn’t been caught. Minko said he froze when he found out a rainbow flag was set on fire again outside his bar, especially since he said the NYPD has had a steady presence in the neighborhood.

“It’s calculated because he managed to actually commit his crime when the NYPD wasn’t here,” Minko said.

MORE: “It’s Really Just An Act Of Hate”: New Video Shows Man Set Fire To Rainbow Flags Outside Gay Bar In Harlem

Minko said after midnight someone saw one of two flags on fire and got the attention of a bartender, who put out the flames. A cigarette butt was found on the other flag and Minko said he believes it may have something to do with the fire. Police spent hours going in and out of the bar overnight, talking to the owner and taking pictures.

“You’re gonna get caught and this is gonna be such a stupid thing to lose five to 10 years of your life on a hate crime,” Harlem resident Eric Stewart said.

“I hope they continue to stay here and not get scared off because of one bad apple, because the rest of the community doesn’t feel this way,” resident Abadir Barre added.

At a time when NYPD statistics show hate crimes up 64 percent this year compared to last, his is a message to the community.

“We need to keep our heads high and make sure that we take all the appropriate measures to stay safe,” Minko said.

After the first incident, someone anonymously donated two flags, one which was during the early morning hours on Monday. The other was taken inside when the bar closed, but the owner said he doesn’t plan to stop displaying his patrons’ Pride.

Police have not linked the two crimes, but the Hate Crimes Task Force is investigating both incidents.