Several states and cities around the country consider taking part in the latest trend of levying a “soda tax” on high-calorie beverages. But in New York state, the measure looks certain to die a quiet death in the state house, while the folks in Philadelphia are looking at a loophole that could render the whole “combatting obesity” thing nonexistent. [More]
NEW YORK
Robbers Break Into Bank, Don't Steal Anything
By 3.16.10
Much like the burglars in New Jersey who cut a huge hole in the roof to steal laptops, a crew of crooks in Brooklyn made their way into the safe-deposit room of a Sovereign Bank. But unlike the Best Buy burglary, these thieves didn’t take anything. [More]
NYC Taxis Caught Overcharging By $8.3 Million
By 3.15.10
If you’ve ever taken a cab in New York City and thought, “Wow, that seemed to be more expensive than it should have been,” there’s a chance you might have been right. The city’s Taxi & Limousine Commission has recently admitted that, in just the past two years, drivers have overcharged passengers to the tune of $8.3 million. [More]
Law & Order: SVU Star Belzer Denies Attack On Apple Store Employee
By 3.11.10
The story — TV star stands accused of going nuts on a store employee — is something straight out of any one of the numerous Law & Order shows on NBC. But this time it’s real, and the actor in question is Richard Belzer, long-time co-star on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. [More]
"Four Breast" Plastic Surgery Patient Wins Almost $1 Million Per Boob
By 3.11.10
A few weeks back, we wrote about a woman in Staten Island who filed a lawsuit against her plastic surgeon, claiming her breast enhancement surgery was so botched that she effectively ended up with “four breasts.” Well, her case must have been convincing, because a court has awarded her $3.5 million. [More]
NYC Mayor Bloomberg: Soda Tax Is An Easy Fix For Flagging Economy
By 3.8.10
Even though an overwhelming number of Consumerist readers thought NY state’s proposed “soda tax” on high calorie beverages was nothing but a cash grab, NYC Mayor ad eternum Michael Bloomberg says he’s all for it, calling it an easy fix. [More]
Woman Goes In For Boob Job, Comes Out With "Four Breasts"
By 3.2.10
No, this isn’t the story of a Martian lady of the night. A 47-year-old woman from Staten Island, NY, is suing her plastic surgeon for a cool $5 million over a breast augmentation procedure she says went so poorly she “came out of that operation with essentially four breasts.” [More]
Landlord Accused Of Surprise Bug Bomb Attack On Tenant
By 3.1.10
There’s legal proceedings a-brewin’ in New York City. A man has file suit against his landlady — to the tune of $1 million — claiming she decided to do some mass bug-bombing in his apartment… while he and his family were still at home. [More]
Will The Soda Tax Do Anything To Curb Obesity?
By 3.1.10
There’s a movement in New York to have the state pass a so-called “soda tax” that impose taxes on soft drinks containing more than 10 calories per 8 ounces. Among the beverages included would be just about all non-diet sodas, sports drinks, energy drinks, sweetened coffees and teas (only in bottles), and fruit and vegetable juices containing less than 70% natural juice. According to the ads being run by the supporters of the tax, the goal is to curb childhood obesity. But will it really work? [More]
JFK Runway Work Forces 20% Cut In Flights For Next Four Months
By 3.1.10
Today marks the beginning of what could be an ugly four months at JFK International Airport, as the NYC-area travel hub loses its busiest runway for renovation work. This move has forced the airport to reduce the number of flights going in and out by 20% during this time. [More]
Tenants Sue Landlord Over "Ugly" Ikea Kitchen
By 2.26.10
For anyone that thought Ikea made something you can be proud to have in your home, a new lawsuit filed in New York City has some bad news. The former tenants of a Gramercy Park building are pursuing legal action against their onetime landlords for, among other things, installing an “ugly” Ikea kitchen. [More]
You Make The Call: Puke-In-A-Cab Edition
By 2.26.10
Believe it or not, we value your opinion — especially on icky topics like having to clean up your own puke from the back of a taxi. [More]
Street Vendors Protest Because They Would Rather Not Wet Themselves
By 2.25.10
Following the news earlier this week that a street food vendor in New York City had lost his permit because he left his hot nut cart unattended while he used a nearby restroom, several vendors gathered outside the City’s Dept. of Health offices yesterday in protest. [More]
NY AG Makes Toyota Come To Your House And Get The Damn Car
By 2.24.10
New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo announced today that his office had negotiated improved “accommodations” for owners of recalled Toyotas. In short, Toyota agreed to come to your house and get the car if you’re too freaked out to drive it. [More]
NYC Turns Shrink Ray On Parades, Reduces Fun By 25%
By 2.24.10
New York is a big city with a lot of people, each of whom seems to get a parade of his or her own at some point during the year (usually the day I need to get across town in a hurry). But the NYPD has just thrown a dagger into the heart of this float-loving metropolis with their announcement that all parades — yes, even the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day thingy — will now be 25% shorter. [More]
DMV Staffers Made $1 Million Selling Fake IDs To Criminals, Sex Offenders, Undercover Cop
By 2.24.10
It’s bad enough that so many of the people at the Department of Motor Vehicles treat you like so much gum stuck to the bottom of their shoe, now comes a report that a handful of DMV employees in New York have been getting rich selling fake ID — not to minors trying to score beer or get into R-rated movies — to convicted felons, sex offenders and just about anyone who could come up with the cash. [More]
Street Vendor Loses Permit For NOT Urinating In Bottle
By 2.23.10
It’s a problem that’s common to men and women who drive trucks, make deliveries or work outdoors — When do you go to the bathroom? Well, a law recently passed in New York City gives street vendors an easy answer: Never. Just ask Mohammed Shirajul Islam, a 10-year veteran of the business who is now without a permit because he dared to answer nature’s call. [More]
We Hope Your Mail Isn't On This Postal Truck
By 2.8.10
…Because that sh*t is stuck. A Gothamist reader took this photo of a postal truck stuck at a crazy angle under an overpass on 10th ave in NYC. Whoopsies! [More]
