Hospital Closures Cause Spillover in Remaining Birth Wards

BROOKLYN, NY — Whoa, babies!

As maternity wards in hospitals across Brooklyn have closed their doors, those in the borough that haven’t are scrambling to keep up with a big influx of births.

Mayor, City Council Speaker Agree on Sales Tax Hike

NEW YORK, NY — New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Council Speaker Christine Quinn agreed on a plan to raise $887 million by increasing the city sales tax rate and repealing an exemption for clothing purchases of less than $110.

The proposals, requiring Legislature approval, would boost the sales tax to 8.875 percent from 8.375 percent. The plan also would apply the charge to electricity and natural gas purchases from non-utility companies, according to Bloomberg.

Taxes on Livery Cabs, Unnoticed in State Budget, Go into Effect Monday

NEW YORK, NY — The taxman cometh for livery car riders as well.

A little-noticed provision in the state budget adopted by the Legislature in April imposes a sales tax on livery car, limousine and corporate black-car trips.

Video – White Cop Shoots and Kills Off-Duty Black Cop

NEW YORK, NY [May 29 AP] — A plainclothes policeman who drew his gun while chasing someone he had found rummaging through his car was shot and killed by a fellow officer who was driving by and saw the pursuit, the police commissioner said.

Commissioner Raymond Kelly said 25-year-old Omar J. Edwards died after being shot late Thursday within blocks of the Harlem police station where he worked.

Experts: It Would Take a Miracle to Defeat Mayor Bloomberg

NEW YORK, NY — A bottomless campaign chest, healthy approval ratings, the power of incumbency – how can Mayor Bloomberg lose?

There’s no one answer, but plenty of guesses.

Video – Second New Yorker Dies from Swine Flu

NEW YORK, NY [CNN] — A second New York City resident has died after contracting swine flu, the city’s Health Department reported Sunday. WHO says more than 12,000 cases of swine flu have been confirmed worldwide.

Put on Your Best Clothes Before Going Out: Google’s Camera Car May Cross Your Path

NEW YORK, NY — Smile, New York — it’s time for your close-up.

In the past few days, a gray four-door sedan with 360-degree panoramic cameras on its roof has been roaming the city’s streets, photographing sidewalks and buildings. It is on a mission for Google, creating a virtual streetscape for Street View, a feature of the Google Maps Web site.

Video – NYPD Beefs Up Security at New York Shuls

NEW YORK, NY [CBS] — New York City synagogues are stepping up security in the aftermath of this week’s terror plot arrests. Even with the suspected mastermind and three others behind bars, police aren’t taking any chances.

Cop Gives Bystander Gun as he Cuffs Perp

NEW YORK, NY — Struggling to subdue a crazed suspect, an NYPD cop broke a cardinal rule of law enforcement and handed his gun to a Manhattan janitor, telling his stunned new deputy, “I need some help here,” The Post has learned.

Even though his idea of backup usually involves clogged drains, Placido Contreras, 51, said he took hold of the weapon and pointed it at the floor after the cop told him, “Keep your eyes on him and shoot him if you have to.”

New York Driving Course Goes Online

NEW YORK — New York drivers now have the option of taking defensive-driving courses over the Internet to qualify for auto insurance discounts and point reductions on their driving records.

Boruch Dayan Emes – Jew First New Yorker to Die from Flu

QUEENS, NY — The Queens assistant principal stricken with swine flu succumbed to the deadly virus today, the first person to die in the city from the disease, hospital officials said.

“We were treating him very aggressively,” said Flushing Hospital spokesman Ole Pedersen. “Unfortunately, he did expire at 6:17 p.m. this evening.”

The sick man, Mitchell Wiener, 55, an assistant principal at IS 238 in Jamaica Estates, first fell ill more than a week ago, but didn’t seek help at the hospital until his symptoms became severe early Wednesday morning.

Since that time, he’s been in a medically induced coma, on a ventilator.

New York City’s Emergency Text Alerts In the Spotlight

NEW YORK — A warning would have been welcome when an Air Force jet flew unannounced over the New York Harbor weeks ago and sent frightened workers in lower Manhattan into a tizzy. (When it turned out the flyover was for an expensive photo op, the White House official who approved it resigned from his post over the scandal.)

B’klyn Gas Stop a Kosher Delight

BOROUGH PARK, Brooklyn — It’s a fill-up with a schmear.

A gas station in one of Brooklyn’s Orthodox Jewish communities is offering up more than just candy and soda — it’s also peddling hearty stews, bagels with lox, challah and homemade gefilte fish for commuters hankering for an old-country nosh.

“People fill up on gas and fill up on food at the same time,” said Sam Kay, 50, as he munched on goodies at Rio gas station in Borough Park. “It’s good, Jewish and tasty.”

Don’t Linger in Statue of Liberty’s Crown

NEW YORK — Welcome to the Statue of Liberty, and enjoy the view – quick.

A new safety report obtained by the Daily News recommends once Lady Liberty’s crown reopens on July 4 that only up to eight people enter at a time and that they shuffle out after spending no more than five minutes admiring the vista.

Sen. Schumer Asks For Probe Into Cell-Phone Scam

NEW YORK [CBS] — Sen. Charles Schumer is asking for an investigation into the scam phone calls pitching bogus car warranties that many Americans receive several times a day.

He says the scam artists are using random call generators allowing them to call people who are on the “do not call” list.

War Against Black Market of Cigarettes Burned Out

NEW YORK — Despite its having been touted as a way to close budget gaps, city and state officials have backed off plans to crack down on the $1.6 billion black market for cigarettes.

The sole city unit targeting illegal tobacco full time has been reassigned, and a new law aimed at Indian reservations — the prime source of the butts — hasn’t been enforced.