Neil A. Carousso produces NewsNation original “Kurt’s Country” – a celebration of country music and a slice of Americana with host Kurt Bardella.
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WCBS 880 Special Report: Chaos in the Capitol – A Nation Divided
By Neil. A. Carousso and the WCBS 880 News Team
NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — The nation and the world watched in horror Wednesday as a pro-Trump insurrectionist mob stormed the U.S. Capitol in a deadly occupation that claimed the lives of five people, including a police officer.
Lawmakers, who had gathered for a joint session of Congress to certify President-elect Joe Biden’s election victory, and their staff feared for their lives as the violent mob invaded the Senate and House chambers.
Members of Congress were forced into hiding, scrambled to hide under desks, were told to don gas masks and evacuated to undisclosed safe rooms.
Anchor Lynda Lopez hosts an hour-long special, “Chaos in the Capitol – A Nation Divided,” that looks back at this week’s historic events and how they unfolded.
“Chaos at the Capitol – A Nation Divided“ will feature firsthand accounts from lawmakers and reporters who were in the nation’s Capitol when it descended into chaos, as well as analysis on how we got here, what it will take to move forward as a nation, and more.
The broadcast includes interviews with freshman Congressman Ritchie Torres of the Bronx, Rep. Carolyn Maloney, CBS News correspondent Steve Dorsey, former Long Island Congressman Steve Israel, Princeton University professor Julian Zelizer, CBS News election law expert David Becker, child psychiatrist and professor Dr. Llinda Drozdowicz and more.
Below is our segment featuring Becker, as interviewed by producer Neil A. Carousso.
Becker explains Wednesday’s riots are the culmination of a years-long disinformation campaign and discusses what it will take to restore confidence in future elections.
Neil A. Carousso contributed reporting and produced the WCBS 880 Special: Chaos in the Capitol – A Nation Divided, hosted by Lynda Lopez, on Friday, January 8, 2021, which was nationally syndicated on Entercom stations.
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How to See ‘Great Conjunction’ of Jupiter and Saturn in New York
NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — Mother Nature is going to put on a sky show Monday night but unfortunately, she’s not going to allow us to see much of it here in the northeast.
The closest conjunction of the planets Jupiter and Saturn in about 400 years is occurring a little after sunset.
I saw it. About a 5 minute break/thin spot in the overcast. So it appeared fuzzy and not as bright as if it was clear but pretty cool! Both planets visible with binoculars.
Keep in mind, the planets are hundreds of millions of miles apart but from our perspective, they line up. https://t.co/0QCDZKf3Bx— Craig Allen (@CraigAllenWx) December 21, 2020
This is the closest the two planets will come together since 1623, but that time it happened too close to the sun for anyone on Earth to see.
The spectacular celestial event hasn’t been observable at night in nearly 800 years.
If visible, this would look like an incredibly bright star. You would easily see it, low in the west/southwest sky for over an hour.
The brightness of this conjunction may very well be the scientific reasoning behind “The Star of Bethlehem” or “Christmas Star.”
The day started cloudy but we were teased by a few hours of sun and clear skies. If only it could have lasted longer. The clouds are moving back in ahead of a few rain and snow showers overnight. So chance of viewing this phenomena are now almost nil.
There could be enough thin spots in the overcast skies to catch a fuzzy and not-as-bright glimpse of the planetary alignment. Binoculars could help!
Keep in mind, this is just our perception from Earth. The two planets are still hundreds of millions of miles apart but our line of vision would make it look like they are right next to each other
We still have a chance Tuesday and Wednesday evening. Better weather is expected. The planets won’t be quite as close but it should still afford a spectacular sight.
The next great conjunction won’t occur until 2080.
Neil A. Carousso edited WCBS Chief Meteorologist Craig Allen’s special video for WCBS Newsradio 880.
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Dr. Fauci Says Christmas Does Not Need to be Canceled; Explains When Life May Return to Normal
NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease doctor, spoke with WCBS 880 about the promise of two authorized COVID-19 vaccines and opines on the holidays amid a surge in infections, hospitalizations and deaths.
https://omny.fm/shows/880-weekly-rewind/the-weekly-rewind-looks-at-light-in-the-dark-covid
This week, WCBS 880’s Lynda Lopez examines the historic COVID-19 vaccine rollout and a possible New York City shutdown on the horizon.
Listen back to The 880 Weekly Rewind, including the Week In Sound as heard on WCBS Newsradio 880, produced by Neil A. Carousso, on the media player above.
You can listen to The 880 Weekly Rewind with Lynda Lopez Friday nights at 7 PM ET for a deeper understanding of the top local, national and international stories of the week, featuring interviews with newsmakers and the Week/Month In Sound audio file.
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Winter Storm Warning in Effect for Tri-State Area; Blizzard-Like Conditions, More Than Foot of Snow Possible in Parts
NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — The East Coast is facing what’s expected to be its largest snowstorm in at least two years, with up to a foot of snow possible in New York City.
Get ready! Here's Chief Meteorologist @CraigAllenWx with the three things you need to know about today's snowstorm. Keep it locked in to WCBS 880 for the latest updates every 10 minutes on the 8s. https://t.co/wEGt8fwl8I pic.twitter.com/NzpdUuxVbN
— WCBS 880 (@wcbs880) December 16, 2020
A major winter storm is set to hit the Tri-State area on Wednesday with the potential to bring 6 to 12 inches of snow to much of the region and possibly more than a foot in some parts.
A winter storm warning is in effect for a majority of the area, including New York City and all of Long Island, from Wednesday afternoon through Thursday afternoon.
Coastal flood and high wind warnings are in effect for the New Jersey shoreline.
Meteorologists get all excited over the first snowfall of the season. It’s like Opening Day for them! This storm appears to be a whopper tomorrow evening in the Tri-State. @CraigAllenWx is all over it on @WCBS880. #StayConnected #LocalNewsMatters pic.twitter.com/mhKNNL3SpC
— Neil A. Carousso (@NeilACarousso) December 16, 2020
Snow arrived in the area Wednesday afternoon and the worst of the storm is expected after 7 p.m. through sunrise Thursday. Snow will continue Thursday morning before tapering off around noon.
Snow is forecast to come down at a rate of 1 to 3 inches per hour as the fast-moving storm rolls through the area overnight. Snow will be light and fluffy to the north and west, while it will be heavier and wetter towards the coast.
Wind and snow will create blizzard-like conditions at times Wednesday night into Thursday, leading to poor visibility and dangerous travel conditions, especially in northern New Jersey, the Hudson Valley and much of Connecticut, where visibility could be near-zero at times during the height of the storm.
New York City may see two or three times as much snow as it did all of last winter, when there were 4.8 inches recorded for the entire season in the five boroughs. The total accumulation will depend how much the snow mixes with rain; if little mixing occurs, snow could approach a foot.
As much as a foot of snow could fall in the city.
Northwestern suburbs in New Jersey and the Hudson Valley could see more than a foot, while far northwest New Jersey could get nearly 2 feet.
Snow totals will be lower along the coast. Portions of Suffolk County could see between 3 and 6 inches, and even less on the very East End out towards Orient Point and Montauk.
There will likely be under 6 inches of snow down the Garden State Parkway corridor of New Jersey, from mid-Monmouth County all the way down to the southern portion of the state.
The heaviest amounts will be determined by the exact track of the storm; if it moves further east, the city and nearby areas will see higher snow totals.
Wind gusting to near 50 mph at the storm’s peak early Thursday will likely cause power outages at times.
MTA Bridges and Tunnels President Daniel DeCrescenzo told WCBS 880 that “a heavy, wet, wind-driven snow” could impact bridges across the area.
“If we have winds in excess of 40 mph, you may see restrictions on bridges,” he said.
New York City’s Department of Sanitation has issued a “snow alert” and is suspending alternate side parking regulations on Wednesday and Thursday for snow clearing operations. Restaurants must also cease outdoor dining starting at 2 p.m. Wednesday to keep the streets clear for snow plowing.
The department said salt spreaders are already filled and ready to go. The department’s collection trucks will also be turned into snow plows and will be deployed once 2 inches of snow has fallen.
The sanitation department will have all hands on deck with 12 hour shifts, 2,000 plows and 700 salt spreaders.
Spreaders will be out ahead of the first flakes,” acting commissioner Ed Grayson said, adding that they’ll start by brining the streets in advance of any precipitation.
He knows the landscape is different this year with the outdoor dining structures.
“So our job has been to train to know where they are and to do all we can to work with the local streetscape,” he said.
The mayor said if restaurants can’t bring in outdoor structures, “we’ll work around them.”
The mayor said he “feels good” about the city’s ability to clear things up by Thursday afternoon, and he’s hopeful outdoor dining can resume Thursday night. A final determination could be made in the morning.
The timing of the storm is troubling, which comes as COVID-19 vaccines have started to be delivered and administered.
“Vaccine deliveries will continue as scheduled,” Mayor Bill de Blasio assured.
The mayor admitted that COVID “makes everything harder” and more complicated, but he’s confident that the city is prepared to tackle the storm.
“I think in terms of this storm, the city has what it needs to get through,” de Blasio said.
The mayor is warning New York City residents to stay off the roads for the duration of the storm.
“This is a serious storm bearing down on us,” de Blasio said, as he urged residents to stay off the roads so the plows could do their jobs. “The next 24 hours is not when you want to be out on the road.”
New York City public school buildings will be closed Thursday, but classes will be held remotely.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo has directed state agencies to prepare for the incoming storm and said he may declare a state of emergency at 6 p.m. for parts of the state, including Sullivan, Ulster, Orange, Putnam and Dutchess counties.
“Forecasts are calling for this season’s first major snowstorm in the Hudson Valley and points south, so it’s once again time for New Yorkers to find their shovels,” Cuomo said. “On the state side, all of our agencies have readied their emergency response assets, are coordinating with local governments and will help ensure utilities are prepared to address any possible power outages.”
The governor’s office is advising New Yorkers to start taking precautions now for this impending storm, which could also bring blowing and drifting snow, travel delays, and potential power outages.
Here's a breakdown of the potential impacts and concerns, courtesy of @CraigAllenWx, as a major winter storm takes aim at the New York City area. https://t.co/cAUuFR0aXi pic.twitter.com/0CiN35wZsJ
— WCBS 880 (@wcbs880) December 15, 2020
Con Edison said it is monitoring the snowy, windy weather approaching the region and will be prepared to respond to any service problems. Con Edison crews will be supplemented by 225 mutual aid workers who will help restore service to customers who are affected, the utility said.
The Port Authority said speed restrictions may be imposed on its bridges and is advising travelers to its airports to contact their carriers and airlines for information on delays and cancellations.
The Tri-State area will face what's expected to be its largest snowstorm in years. @CraigAllenWx has the latest on when the storm will hit and how much snow we can expect: https://t.co/8Igx7Ya8sK pic.twitter.com/j8CsOOFzcB
— WCBS 880 (@wcbs880) December 15, 2020
Metropolitan Transportation Authority personnel are also ready to spread salt and clear platforms and stairs of snow and ice, keep signals, switches, third rail operating, remove any downed trees that may fall across tracks, and attend to any weather-related challenges during the storm.
Gov. Phil Murphy said he signed an executive order declaring a state of emergency in New Jersey beginning at 2 p.m. Wednesday. State offices will close starting at 1 p.m.
“We expect a significant winter storm to begin making its way across the state,” Murphy said. “This will be a statewide weather event and every county is currently under a watch or a warning of some sort.”
Murphy said commercial vehicle travel restrictions are in place along the state’s interstate highways. If people must travel, the governor said drivers should make sure they have an emergency supply kit for their vehicle. Information on road conditions will be posted on highways across the state.
Nassau County Executive Laura Curran told WCBS 880 that the first salt trucks were already out Wednesday before a single snowflake had fallen on Long Island.
“We have a lot of salt. We did a bunch of salt yesterday. We’re doing more. We sent the trucks out at 7 a.m. this morning to do more salt on all of our county roads,” Curran said.
Curran said the county has the resources necessary to deal with the storm, even amid the pandemic, including some 90 trucks on the roadways.
Suffolk County has 19,000 tons of salt and 200 snow plow trucks ready to go.
“Good news on the East End the totals will be less, but we’re looking at gusts of up to 57 mph on the East End,” County Executive Steve Bellone said.
Officials are warning that it will be a heavy, wet snow so if you’re not physically fit it may be wise to hire someone to do the shoveling.
Neil A. Carousso produced and edited WCBS Chief Meteorologist Craig Allen’s snow storm video uppates.
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Online Sales Keep Small Businesses Afloat but Pandemic Losses Are Insurmountable
By Joe Connolly and Neil A. Carousso
NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — Increases in online sales are not covering losses suffered in the coronavirus pandemic for many small retailers, but it is allowing them to stay afloat during the unprecedented holidays as hospitalizations and deaths due to the virus surge.
“I’m happy to report we’re surviving,” Jennifer Bergman of West Side Kids said on the WCBS Small Business Spotlight, sponsored by BNB Bank.
Bergman’s Upper West Side toy store is in the midst of their annual busy season, but overall sales are down about 50 percent. Her busiest day of 2020 was December 9 – the day before Hanukkah.
“Our online sales have never generated enough business for me to invest in expanding that so it’s always been a real catch-22,” she explained.
Bergman is not alone. Many small businesses are struggling to develop a profitable e-commerce strategy. Those who had one in place before March were best positioned to pivot amid shutdowns, but still, it is difficult to compete with online retail giants, namely Amazon and Wal-Mart.
“It costs us a lot more to process online orders and we’re going in early and we’re staying late to get them all done,” she said.
Tom Geniesse owns Bottlerocket Wine & Spirit in the Flatiron District. He had more than a head start on his e-commerce; he owns several patents on the display of his website, which shows different pairings of wines that go well with various meals.
“The customer-centric focus is on giving people choices that map to their needs,” he told WCBS 880. “By doing that, we give people an opportunity to make better decisions when they’re making a bottle of wine.”
Geniesse is educating his customers virtually. Before opening the doors to his wine shop in 2003 with the goal of making wine more accessible to the average consumer, he owned an e-learning business company named Quisic from 1996-2001. That experience is paying dividends 19 years later.
He told Joe Connolly and Neil A. Carousso he has put Bottlerocket Wine & Spirit on numerous e-commerce platforms, including Instacart, Grubhub and other niche websites. That exposure and marketing has given him a 25 percent bump in online sales, but it does not make up for Geniesse’s overall sales losses in the pandemic. His challenge now is finding new customers who have fled Manhattan.
“People that can work remotely have continued to work remotely and residential folks in Flatiron tend to be affluent, tend to have second homes outside of the city and many of those people have moved out in March and have remained away,” said Geniesse, continuing, “We’ve really had to be entrepreneurial in finding customers that are new customers, reach to a broader audience in the city and find the people that are here and working here and living here.”
He told WCBS 880 he believes the pandemic is an inflection point on the viability of local businesses’ e-commerce sales operations.
“I do think that e-commerce has been on a 20-year trend, increasing online sales for businesses everywhere and this pandemic has hurdled us forward about 10 years in that trajectory,” said Geniesse. “We’ve always been online, we’ve always had an e-commerce platform, but I think what this has shown us is that this is critically important for us to keep our efforts focused on e-commerce and continue to grow in that way.”
Hear ideas on how to find new customers online and learn about the changing landscape of e-commerce on the WCBS Small Business Spotlight Podcast on the RADIO.COM app or on the media player above.
