As Hurricane Irene bears down on the U.S. East Coast, its inital rain bands are already rotating into the Carolinas bringing intense rain squalls complete with gusty winds.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today declared a state of emergency in New York in preparation for the potential impact of Hurricane Irene, which may hit New York State this coming weekend.

The city is urging residents not to panic but to take basic precautions ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Irene, which has strengthened to a category three storm.

There’s a new war between Mayor Michael Bloomberg and state lawmakers over more red-light cameras on New York City streets.

The city's red-light traffic cameras have resulted in more than $52 million in fines last year to drivers who ran the lights, according to Department of Transportation records obtained by the New York Daily News.

All the attention to and fuss over bike lanes has obscured a bigger issue affecting the public rights of way, namely the use of our sidewalks.

Officials from the city's Department of Consumer Affairs are warning shoppers to keep their eyes peeled at checkout.

As soon as I heard one of the Guardian Angels yell, “Fight! Fight!” I knew our nice, quiet patrol of Coney Island was over.

The Port Authority, its proposed huge toll hikes dialed down by Govs. Cuomo and Christie, approved an increase Friday of $1.50 for E-ZPass drivers beginning next month. The PA board unanimously voted yes on the proposal following a 60-minute meeting largely devoid of drama or disgust. The new prices are effective Sept. 18.

Mayor Bloomberg’s having a hard time swallowing this one. The feds yesterday rejected his attempt to get soda and other sugary drinks banned from the list of products one can buy in New York with food stamps.