Shark Scoop is a weekly roundup of five stories that examine developments in global, national, and local news, as well as a top headline in entertainment and sports.
By: BRYAN ROMBOT / STAFF WRITER
Biden says Cuomo’s Got to Go if Allegations Are True
(Photo by The New York Times)
In a recent interview with ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos on This Week, President Joe Biden said that New York Governor Andrew Cuomo must resign if allegations against him are true. Biden said, “Yes, I think he’ll probably end up being prosecuted too.” Despite glowing praise for Cuomo’s COVID response last summer, President Biden along with Senators Chuck Schumer and Kristen Gillibrand, House Judiciary Committee chairman Jerry Nadler, and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, have joined Republicans Elise Stefanik, Lee Zeldin, Nicole Malliotakis, John Katko in demanding Cuomo’s resignation. Despite this, Governor Cuomo has remained adamant that he will not resign and the accusations are ‘not true.’
Play Ball! New York’s Baseball Teams Welcome Fans Back to Start the MLB Season
Artwork by: ESPN
Starting on April 1, Yankee Stadium and Citi Field are opening up for fans just in-time for the start of the 2021 MLB season. Other venues in New York state are also increasing their attendance, as announced by Governor Cuomo Thursday. Under this move, indoor stadiums will be open at 10% capacity and outdoor stadiums at 20% capacity. Governor Cuomo specified the attendance numbers: 8,834 fans for Citi Field and 10,850 fans for Yankee Stadium. Last year, the Coronavirus pandemic had come during the middle of Spring Training, which delayed Opening Day to July last year. The Yankees and Mets were isolated in their Florida locations during the outbreak, and later were not able to see their fans once playing back home. Citing the Buffalo Bills who played their AFC Championship with fans, Cuomo stated: “They said that it was a totally different experience when you have the crowd, and you have the noise and you have the people cheering. So we’re gonna play ball, and we’re gonna play ball with a crowd.” There will be testing required to screen fans before they attend, and masks are still required once at the ballpark, but at least the New York Yankees and New York Mets are reunited with the fans once again.
James Levine Dead at Age 77
Photo by The New York Times
On March 9, James Levine, ex-conductor for the Metropolitan Opera, passed away from natural causes at 77 at his home in Palm Springs, California. His death was confirmed this past Wednesday according to Dr. Len Horowitz, Levine’s doctor. He was well-revered as a conductor who also worked with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Munich Philharmonic before working with the Metropolitan Opera. Levine was even affiliated with the Berlin Philharmonic, the Vienna Philharmonic, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He was also music director for the Ravinia Festival, and even appeared in Disney’s Fantasia 2000. The Metropolitan Opera had ousted Levine in 2018 due to allegations of sexual misconduct, where he allegedly molested a teenage boy when he was in Illinois. Levine sued the Met for defamation. A judge later dismissed most of Levine’s claims in 2019. His final performance with the Met was on December 2, 2017, conducting Giuseppe Verdi’s Requiem.
Drew Brees Retires from the NFL
(Photo by The Times-Picayune)
Drew Brees declared on Twitter that he is retiring from the NFL this past Sunday after a star-studded 20 years. Brees was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in 2001, playing there his first five years. He was then traded to the New Orleans Saints in 2005, where he played for a decade-and-a-half. Brees has thrown for over 80,000 passing yards in 287 career games. Brees completed 571 touchdowns to 73 receivers and has one Super Bowl ring on his resume. He led New Orleans to a Super Bowl victory and the franchise’s first Super Bowl win over the Indianapolis Colts in 2009. Post-retirement, NBC has signed Brees to become an analyst for their NFL coverage, and as a commentator for their Olympics coverage. Brees also left a final message to the youth of New Orleans in a letter to The Times-Picayune. Brees stated: “We all strive to be great at something. It could be sports, music, etc. What I’ve found to be most meaningful in life are relationships, being part of a team, feeling empowered by knowledge and education, and feeling empowered by knowledge and education, and feeling that I can impact the world in a positive way. Find the things that bring out the best in you and others. Have a thirst for knowledge, treat others with respect and kindness, work to be well rounded, and do your best where you are. It may not be where you want to be yet, but focus on winning the game of life, the rest will take care of itself.”
DeBlasio to Cuomo: ‘Slow Down With the Openings!’
(Photo by New York Post)
Another bout in the long-running saga between Governor Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio, de Blasio blasted Cuomo for allowing indoor fitness classes to resume, among his continued easing of restrictions. De Blasio in his daily press briefing Thursday said he believes the re-openings are an attempt by Cuomo to cover his own political mistakes. On Wednesday, Governor Cuomo decided to reinstate indoor fitness classes starting this Monday, prompting de Blasio to criticize Cuomo’s move. De Blasio said he will not resume indoor fitness classes due to possible risks. Responding to WNBC’s Andrew Siff (who asked about this move), the mayor noted: “The State of New York continues to make decisions without consulting the City of New York or our health experts or any locality, and this is why we need local control. It’s just troubling to me that our health care team has said very clearly this is not what they would’ve done, and the State just doesn’t care. I put out a statement that said we’re going to do our best to implement this rule safely because the state has the legal right to do it, but it’s not what we would’ve done, and on top of it, I want to ask a question: is this being done because of what the data and science is telling us or is this being done for political reasons [be]cause it’s sure as hell looks like a lot of these decisions are being made by the Governor because of his political needs.” Mayor de Blasio and Governor Cuomo have been at odds with one another since before the pandemic, and Cuomo’s recent scandals have made things even tenser.
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