WASHINGTON (AP) — The FBI said Monday it successfully used a mysterious technique without Apple Inc.’s help to hack into the iPhone used by a gunman in a mass shooting in California, effectively ending a pitched court battle between the Obama administration and one of the world’s leading technology companies.
The government asked a federal judge to vacate a disputed order forcing Apple to help the FBI break into the iPhone, saying it was no longer necessary. The court filing in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California provided no details about how the FBI did it or who showed it how. The FBI is reviewing the information on the iPhone, the Justice Department said in a statement.
Apple did not immediately comment on the development.
The brief court notice left important questions unanswered: Who showed the FBI how to break into iPhones? How did the government bypass the security features that Apple has invested millions of dollars to build into its flagship product? Are newer iPhones vulnerable to the same hacking technique? Will the FBI share its information with scores of state and local police agencies that said they also need to break into the iPhones of criminal suspects? Will the FBI reveal to Apple how it broke its security? Did the FBI find anything useful on the iPhone?
New York City’s pension system, which encompasses $160 billion in retirement funds, is rife with problems that leave it vulnerable to an “operational failure,” according to an independent report commissioned by the city comptroller’s office.
The report found that the city’s retirement system, the fourth largest in the country, needs additional resources, is understaffed and lacks many basic tools required to gain insight into the complicated risk embedded in its investments. Some managers rely on fax machines to send and receive vital information.
MADISON, Wis. – Contrary to the left’s claim that Republican Gov. Scott Walker’s tax cuts have only helped the rich, a new report by the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance finds most taxpayers have seen their income taxes decline during the Walker era – some significantly.
And the rich didn’t make the cut.
The nonprofit, nonpartisan group’s study found middle-income earners who made between $20,000 and $50,000 a year saw their income taxes drop by 32 percent from 2008 to 2014, the latest data available. Their average bill dropped from $688 in 2008 – during Democrat Gov. Jim Doyle’s last term in office – to $467 in 2014, the final year of Walker’s first term.
Taxes fell 7.6 percent over the period for filers with annual incomes between $50,000 and $100,000, according to the study. Their tax burden declined from $3,167 to $2,926.
Todd Berry, president of the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance, acknowledges 2008 and 2009 were trying times for state budgets everywhere. Doyle and the Democrats responded by raising taxes in the 2009 budget.
TAX RELIEF: Most taxpayers have seen some income tax relief during Gov. Scott Walker’s time in office. The exception, contrary to the left’s spin, is Wisconsin’s wealthiest taxpayers.
But in 2013-14 in particular, Walker called for sweeping tax cuts and the Republican-controlled Legislature complied, thanks in large part to better-than-expected revenue.
“They don’t get much credit for it but they really deserve credit for it,” Berry told Wisconsin Watchdog this week on the Vicki McKenna Show on NewsTalk 1310 WIBA. “(It was) one of the first times I can remember in my 30, 40 years of watching the income tax that they actually cleaned up the income tax law a little bit, got rid of some of the stuff people aren’t using.”
Walker and the Republicans received only scorn and spin from their political foes.
Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca, D-Kenosha, has called the tax cuts a giveaway for Wisconsin’s wealthiest.
“If this is anything like the Republicans’ past tax plans, it will primarily benefit the wealthy and not have an impact on most Wisconsin families,” Barca said as Republicans promoted another round of tax cuts in 2014.
In fact, a new top tax bracket created by controlling Democrats in 2009 led to a 5.7 percent increase in income tax liability for filers earning more than $500,000 a year. Their taxes climbed from $74,107 in 2008 to $78,345 in 2014.
“By far the largest percentage reduction was the $20,000 to $50,000 range. Surprisingly the tax burden actually went up at the really high range,” Berry said.
Individuals with income under $20,000 saw a cut in their refundable tax credits due to changes in tax law. As a group, these filers do not pay income tax, but the state writes them a check thanks to the tax credits.
In 2013, all tax rates were reduced and the number of tax brackets was reduced from five to four.
The top rate was trimmed from 7.75 percent to 7.65 percent, while the bottom rate dropped from 4.6 percent in 2012 to 4 percent in 2014.
Still, there has been little will to bring significant tax reform to the table.
Berry said the state income tax is essentially one of the largest government regulations anyone faces, and Wisconsin remains one of the most tax-burdened states in the nation.
The Badger State in 2013 ranked 7th in percentage of income taxes claimed, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Wisconsin ranked 11th, at $1,262 in per capita income tax collected.
“If we want to reduce that burden, then we have got to make it a lot easier and quicker and less emotionally draining to file a state income tax return,” Berry said. “Unfortunately, partisans on both sides of the aisle love to propose little deductions and exemptions and credits so they can have a press release. The problem is that that just keeps adding to the instructions and to the length of the form.”
Fri, April 01, 2016
Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Porch Light Theater, 555 Broad Street Glen Rock, NJ
Cost: $18 per person
Glen Rock NJ, Porch Light Theater Present “Jerusalem is Beautiful .The play revolves around two young peace activistsa Jewish-American male (Dylan), and a Palestinian-American female (Amal) who unexpectedly cross paths. He is leaving his job at the Coalition for Peace to start a new life in Jerusalem and she has been hired to take over his position and his Brooklyn apartment. The two had arranged a meeting for the following day, but Amal arrives unannounced at the apartment in the middle of the night. During the visit, they debate politics, reveal personal tragedies and come to a surprising and romantic mutual understanding. Jerusalem is Beautiful is a charming and timely play with just the right amount of humor and pathos.
For more information, please visit: njplaywrightscontest.org
This production is presented through special partnership with the New Jersey Playwright’s Contest. Staged readings of the finalists for the 13th Annual NJPC will be held at Porch Light on Sunday, April 17.
Ridgewood NJ, Prior to the iron plow, plowing a new field was hard work. Due to friction, it could take three men and several animals to turn a furrow when the ground was hard.
On April 1, 1807, New Jersey native David Peacock was granted a patent for an iron plow. But three only years after his patent was granted, he was successfully sued by another New Jersey native – Charles Newbold of Burlington County.
It turned out that Newbold had received a patent for a cast-iron plow in June, 1797. And even though he won $1500, early American farmers mistrusted Newbold’s plow, saying it “poisoned the soil” and encouraged weeds. So it was Peacock’s iron plow that came into use – and farming had its first labor saving device!
To learn more about farm life in Ridgewood hundreds of years ago, and howfarmers, their wives and children lived off the land, harvested food, prepared meals and developed a prosperous economy in the 18th and 19th Century, come to the
Schoolhouse Museum’s new exhibit “Farm and Home” using artifacts from the 18th and 19th century.
Schoolhouse Museum’s new exhibit “Farm and Home” using artifacts from the The Museum is located at 650 E. Glen Ave., Ridgewood, NJ, and visiting hours are Thursdays and Saturdays; 1 to 3 p.m. and Sundays; 2 to 4 p.m.
Photo: They are pictured here with Principal Dr. Thomas Gorman Two Ridgewood High School Students Named National Merit Scholarship Finalists
March 26,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Two RHS students, Maximilian Jerdee (center) and Kristen Schretter (left), have been designated National Merit Scholarship Finalists. The The mission of National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) is to recognize and honor the academically talented students of the United States. NMSC accomplishes its mission by conducting nationwide academic scholarship programs. The enduring goals of NMSC’s scholarship programs are:
To promote a wider and deeper respect for learning in general and for exceptionally talented individuals in particular
To shine a spotlight on brilliant students and encourage the pursuit of academic excellence at all levels of education
To stimulate increased support from organizations that wish to sponsor scholarships for outstanding scholastic talent
Students who meet published program entry and participation requirements* enter the National Merit® Scholarship Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®) at the specified time in the high school program, usually as juniors. Each year’s PSAT/NMSQT is the qualifying test designated for entry to a particular year’s competition. For example, the 2015 PSAT/NMSQT is the qualifying test for entry to the competition for scholarships to be awarded in 2017.
Wed, March 30, 2016
Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: YWCA Bergen County, YMCA of Ridgewood, 112 Oak St., Ridgewood, NJ 07450
Cost: $33 per person
Wednesday, March 30, 7:00 pm
112 Oak Street l Ridgewood, NJ 07450
YWCA Bergen County and Ridgewood YMCA, in cooperation with Bookends Bookstore, is proud to welcome Senator Cory Booker to our YM/YWCA to discuss his new book, United.
Tickets are $33 each and include a talk, Q&A, photo op and a pre-signed copy of the book. Tickets and books are required and must be purchased in advance by visiting Bookends Bookstore at 211 Ridgewood Ave. in Ridgewood or by calling (201) 445-0726.
photo courtesy of Ridgewood Public Libary’s Facebook page
Ridgewood librarian Gina Mitgang retires after 25 years
March 26,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, long-time Ridgewood librarian Gina Mitgang retires from Ridgewood Public Library .Mitgang, was named the Ridgewood Public Library’s first full-time “Young Adult” Librarian in 1997, and spent of 25 years at the Ridgewood Public Library.
On the Library’s Facebook page her retirement was marked ; “How can we thank you, Gina Mitgang, for your tremendous legacy at the Library? We hope you felt the love and respect expressed from the many teens, friends, family and colleagues (past and present) today. There will never be another you!”
It has taken a few years, but at this point, every committee and board in the village has been planted with people who will approve Paul, Gwenn and Albert’s agenda and will go to any length to write letters to editor or mass email to get their agenda approved.
They WILL approve it. The question is how to overturn, how much money will it cost to appeal in a higher court.
What is the purpose of the Financial Advisory Committee? They are now cheerleaders for the three council members? They should be neutral. So, they are not a financial advisory committee, they are a political action committee.
It has taken a few years, but at this point, every committee and board in the village has been planted with people who will approve Paul, Gwenn and Albert’s agenda and will go to any length to write letters to editor or mass email to get their agenda approved.
They WILL approve it. The question is how to overturn, how much money will it cost to appeal in a higher court.
FAC members don’t quit your day job:
In his first paragraph, he says, “the updated design includes removing a level”.
In his 2nd to last paragraph, he says, “I believe the current compromise is the best path forward for the Village”.
Sounds like he agrees that 3 stories, 4 levels is the compromise. I agree.
I’m signing the petition with the hope that the discussion will continue, & a compromise of 3 stories, 4 levels will become a reality, not just an incorrect statement to make people believe otherwise.
More points to add to the other day’s post on Parking Garage leding many to suggest some resume updates :
1. HPC member Tony Damiano sends a letter to fellow HPC members claiming the garage fits the lot.
2. FAC member Rich Cundiff sends mass email with multiple lies. One story shorter claim and special election claim, both are wrong.
3. Gwenn Hauck continues to post on facebook that garage will fit the lot and only sidewalk is being extended for safety reasons.
4. Village Manager lies in a facebook blog, claiming that the parapet is an aesthetics feature, while its actually required by code for using the roof level for parking
So if this FAC member did not do his due diligence before sending out an email full of lies – how do we know that they did their due diligence on the walker report/ parking garage’s financials?
BOE-REA Negotiations
Click here to view an analysis of “Unused Funds’ identified by the REA during Fact Finding Proceedings, presented at the March 7, 2016 Regular Public Meeting.
Click here to read a Letter to the Editor of The Ridgewood News, which appeared in the paper on March 4, 2016.
Click here to read the Ridgewood Board of Education’s Fact-Finding Presentation with The Ridgewood Education Association.
Click here to view the backup for the Ridgewood Board of Education’s Fact-Finding Presentation with The Ridgewood Education Association.
BOE Meets on April 4 at 7:30 p.m.
The Ridgewood Board of Education will hold a Regular Public Meeting on Monday, April 4, 2016 at 7:30 p.m.
The public is invited to attend the meeting at the Ed Center, 49 Cottage Place, Floor 3. The meeting may also be viewed on FiOS channel 33, Optimum channel 77 or from computers via the “Live BOE Meeting” tab on the district website.FiOS channel 33, Optimum channel 77 or from computers via the “Live BOE Meeting” tab on the district website.
Click here to view a revised agenda for the March 21, 2016 Regular Public Meeting.
Click here to view the 2016-2017 Preliminary Budget presented at the March 21, 2016 Regular Public Meeting.
Click here to view the minutes of the February 22, 2016 Regular Public Meeting.
Click here to view the minutes of the March 7, 2016 Regular Public Meeting.
Click here to view the Full Day Kindergarten Recommendation presented to the Board at their March 7, 2016 Regular Public Meeting.
Ridgewood NJ, As a follow up to yesterday’s Valley Hospital video: please read and share p.31 from the American Lung Association’s State of the Air address to better understand the potential respiratory impact on BF students, as well as nearby residents, who will be subjected to such a prolonged construction of Valley Hospital’s expansion.
EPA Concludes Fine Particle Pollution Poses Serious
Health Threats
■■ Causes early death (both short-term and long-term exposure)
After three big wins out west, Democratic presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders said he thinks many of the party’s superdelegates who have pledged to rival Hillary Clinton will switch to his side.
“I think the momentum is with us,” Sanders said on CNN’s “State of the Union” with Jake Tapper on Sunday. “A lot of these superdelegates may rethink their positions with Secretary Clinton.”
The Vermont senator swept Saturday’s Democratic contests in Washington, Alaska and Hawaii, easily winning the majority of the 142 pledged delegates in those states. The biggest prize of the day was in Washington, which offered 101 delegates to be split up on a proportional basis.
The latest delegate counts still put Sanders behind Clinton, however, with 1,004 pledged delegates to her 1,712.
Of those, 469 are superdelegates who have pledged to Clinton and only 29 have pledged to Sanders.
Hunter Walker
National Correspondent
March 26, 2016
Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders greets his supporters at a rally in Seattle last week. (Photo: David Ryder/Reuters)
Bernie Sanders has dubbed his presidential campaign a “political revolution,” but some of his supporters are rebelling against the very party he is hoping to lead.
A voluble group of die-hard Sanders backers is vowing online that it’s “Bernie or Bust,” saying they will never support his presidential primary opponent — and, at this point, the likely Democratic nominee — Hillary Clinton.
Nearly two months after voting began in the Democratic primaries, Clinton has racked up a lead among pledged party delegates that makes a Sanders victory increasingly implausible. In apparent recognition of this mathematical challenge and the need to begin aiming fire outside the party, Sanders in recent weeks has pivoted away from Clinton and toward Republican frontrunner Donald Trump. Yet at the same time Sanders is making the case that he’s actually more electable in a matchup with Trump, he has also started talking about the circumstances under which he would endorse Clinton. His senior adviser, Tad Devine, has even suggested that Sanders would consider serving as Clinton’s running mate.
Ridgewood NJ , the Ridgewood Veterinary Hospital Wishes everyone a happy Easter and reminds cat lovers , No Lilies for Kitties! For more information on this topic and to learn about safer cut-flower alternatives, please click here: https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/…/f…/no-lilies-for-kitties/
Why are the Easter holiday and Mother’s Day two of the most dangerous holidays for cats? The answer is simple—lily poisoning. Exposure to common lilies such as Easter lilies, tiger lilies and stargazer lilies sicken and kill thousands of cats annually. What’s even more dangerous is that less than 30% of cat owners realize these common and seemingly “benign” lilies are fatal to our feline friends. That’s about to change. We want to introduce you to a new educational campaign—‘No Lilies for Kitties!’
Pet Poison Helpline, in partnership with the Small Animal Welfare Committee of the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association, have teamed up to increase awareness of lily poisoning to cat owners and remind veterinarians that we are heading into lily season. Please help us spread the word and learn why you need to “leave out the lilies”. As part of the campaign,downloadable graphics, PDFs and a videoare available for printing and sharing.
THE PRIESTS AND STAFF WISH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY A VERY JOYOUS EASTER! ALL are welcome to join us today in celebration of the RISEN CHRIST!
Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord: March 27
