Ralph R. Ortega's Avatar

Ralph R. Ortega

@ralphortega

Former editor-in-chief at City & State NY, Daily News alumn, father, Trekkie, Whovian and overall nerd. Glad to be here πŸ––πŸΌ

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14.11.2024
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Latest posts by Ralph R. Ortega @ralphortega

This is huge news for Strong and for the legacy of @atari.com! The museum is a must-visit on any visit to Rochester. Highly recommended!

31.01.2026 13:31 πŸ‘ 5 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Get in, nerds. We’re watching the NYC mayoral debate See it Thursday at 7 p.m., and witness how the tables have turned for Mamdani and Cuomo.

Are you ready for the battle royale? We at @City& State can't wait! @cityandstateny.bsky.social

15.10.2025 21:23 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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How Elle Bisgaard-Church became Zohran Mamdani’s most trusted adviser The first-time campaign manager steered him to victory in June. Now she’s focused on the likely next administration.

If Mamdani is the artist, Bisgaard-Church is the producer. She’s strategic, hungry for information and described by nearly everyone interviewed for this story as some variation of β€œcalm” and β€œchic.” By all accounts, he trusts her completely. @hollypret.bsky.social @cityandstateny.bsky.social

15.10.2025 21:07 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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A big thank you to Mark Cuban for joining City &State’s Changing the Playbook on Hospital Prices event! A very important and timely topic! @cityandstateny.bsky.social

09.10.2025 13:23 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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56 best Eric Adams quotes of all time There may never be another mayor like the bard of the Big Apple.

The classics... Eric on Eric... Eric on love... Eric on faith...

02.10.2025 12:16 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Cohen’s casino project approved by community advisory committee The Metropolitan Park project is one of four remaining projects competing for three downstate casino licenses.

β€œI could not be more excited about the potential this project represents,” Queens Borough President Donovan Richards said in casting his vote Tuesday. β€œQueens hit the jackpot with the Metropolitan Park project.” @sophiekrichevsky.bsky.social @cityandstateny.bsky.social

30.09.2025 16:29 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Layla Law-Gisiko eyes second Assembly run What does this mean for Tony Simone?

Things are changing! Simone is also eyeing a move to the state Senate, as Brad Hoylman-Sigal – whose district overlaps with Simone’s – is poised to become Manhattan’s next borough president. @sophiekrichevsky.bsky.social @cityandstateny.bsky.social

24.09.2025 19:54 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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What Is Disney Thinking? By pulling Jimmy Kimmel off the air, Bob Iger risks tarnishing his legacy in Hollywood.

"With Carr, networks now have not an objective regulator, or even someone with a partisan agenda, but something unprecedented in recent history: a mercenary who seems intent on using the regulatory state to serve the personal whims of the president." -- www.vulture.com/article/jimm...

18.09.2025 22:44 πŸ‘ 17 πŸ” 4 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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State and city lawmakers arrested at 26 Federal Plaza City Comptroller Brad Lander and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams were arrested alongside state senators, Assembly members and City Council members at an immigration protest.

These folks were arrested by U.S. Department of Homeland Security agents after attempting to gain access to the 10th floor of the building, which U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has turned into a makeshift detention facility.

18.09.2025 22:09 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1
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Albany’s β€˜3 people in a room’ are all with Zohran Mamdani They want him to be mayor. Will they support his agenda?

β€œHis bold vision and determination to build a city that works for everyone are exactly the leadership we need at City Hall, and I am confident he will deliver a more affordable, just, and hopeful future for all New Yorkers.”

18.09.2025 21:59 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Just now, 11 state and city lawmakers were arrested by DHS police on the 10th floor of 26 Federal Plaza after a hour of demanding access to the ICE lock up on the same floor. @thecity.nyc

18.09.2025 20:06 πŸ‘ 20452 πŸ” 10597 πŸ’¬ 1097 πŸ“Œ 1082
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Editor’s note: An annual day of service evokes the spirit of unity that came after 9/11 Thousands again volunteered to feed the hungry in remembrance of those lost during the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

I was privileged to meet so many volunteers and Lt. Dowdell at this amazing event. So inspiring on such an important day of remembrance.

11.09.2025 14:47 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Reporter: Mayor Adams is staying in the race

Trump: He's free to do what he wants

Reporter: You didn’t offer him an ambassadorship?

Trump: No, I wouldn’t do that. There’s nothing wrong with doing that.

05.09.2025 21:25 πŸ‘ 894 πŸ” 204 πŸ’¬ 137 πŸ“Œ 57

Good one!

27.08.2025 22:37 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Penn Station gets β€˜magic key’ and $43 million to push redevelopment forward Andy β€œTrain Daddy” Byford, special advisor to Amtrak, and U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy announced that construction of the new Penn Station will start in 2027.

Also, got a chance to throw a question out about the status of congestion pricing with the secretary of transportation. He basically is like," I can't talk about it, it's in the courts. But let me tell you how I really feel..." @cityandstateny.bsky.social

27.08.2025 22:28 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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New NYU Wagner Dean Polly Trottenberg makes the pitch for public service The transportation expert wants to inspire young people to take on challenging, ambitious work in government.

"It’s an exciting transition, and I’ll just tell you this … I feel pretty thrilled and lucky to come to this extraordinary school, and this extraordinary university." Read the rest at the link below or in this week's issue of City & State! @cityandstateny.bsky.social

20.08.2025 12:17 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Ho ho ho, WFP endorsements are here!

But there are only 4? You could always rank Glen Coco 5th. www.cityandstateny.com/politics/202...

31.03.2025 23:02 πŸ‘ 15 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 1
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Pro-Eric Adams PAC gets $750k boost Empower NYC has now raised more than $1 million to support the mayor’s reelection bid, including from the crypto industry.

The pro-Adams independent expenditure committee Empower NYC has now raised just over $1 million, thanks to a $750,000 haul reported this week. For more, check out Annie McDonough's story in City & State. @cityandstateny.bsky.social @anniemcdonough.bsky.social

06.08.2025 15:55 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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How NYC governs for the dogs Elected officials are dealing with hundreds of thousands of barking, pooping, drama-prone constituents.

β€œA pet such as a dog is not just a thing...” From @hollypret.bsky.social in this week's @cityandstateny.bsky.social magazine and online.

04.08.2025 14:45 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Is NYC’s housing engine finally restarting? New residential permit filings jump in second quarter Residential permits are up 43% year-over-year as the new 485-x tax break takes effect. Most projects are capped at 99 units – just below the wage trigger in the new program.

After a construction slump that began in late 2022, there are signs the city may be turning a corner. Check out Steven Kastenbaum's report in City & State. @cityandstateny.bsky.social @skastenbaum.bsky.social

16.07.2025 19:15 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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4 takeaways from New York City’s ranked choice voting results Andrew who? Also if you’re in the lead on election night, STAY IN THE LEAD!

Mamdani didn’t just dominate in first-choice votes on election night. He got the better of Cuomo in ranked choice voting, too, and it wasn’t even close. @sahalied.bsky.social @anniemcdonough.bsky.social @hollypret.bsky.social @cityandstateny.bsky.social

01.07.2025 19:19 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

We have entered the full authoritarian phase… no one is safe now.

01.07.2025 17:36 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

I guess that’s an endorsement!

01.07.2025 17:02 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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This heckler was removed immediately after interrupting the mayor as he started his speech at the campaign launch.

26.06.2025 20:15 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Adams launched his reelection campaign on the steps of City Hall with crowds of supporters and a few hecklers.

26.06.2025 20:12 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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WFP’s absence felt in Rochester mayoral race Why is the progressive third party staying out of a competitive upstate mayoral primary?

β€œI'm a Democrat, and I'm a common-sense Democrat that gets results. I'm a Democrat. I've been a Democrat since I've been 18 years old and everyone in my family has been a Democrat. So I'm a Democrat. That's what I am.” @cityandstateny.bsky.social

25.06.2025 17:02 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Environmentalists are not on board with Hochul’s new nuclear plant Green energy advocates were quick to denounce the governor’s plan to build a nuclear facility to provide zero-emission energy as a distraction from real clean solutions

β€œGovernor Hochul’s nuclear gamble is a reckless distraction from the clean, affordable energy New Yorkers actually need.” @rebeccaclewis.bsky.social @cityandstateny.bsky.social

25.06.2025 16:55 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Shahana Hanif prevails in tough City Council primary fight β€œPragmatic progressive” Maya Kornberg came up short.

"The chair of the City Council’s Progressive Caucus was greeted like a conquering hero as she walked into the pub, making her way through a sea of hands holding slices of pizza to get to a microphone at the back of the room."
@skastenbaum.bsky.social ‬ @cityandstateny.bsky.social

25.06.2025 16:38 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Alexa AvilΓ©s kept her seat in Council District 38 …and it wasn’t even close

"Beyond her incumbency advantage, AvilΓ©s secured powerful endorsements from the Democratic Socialists of America, the New York Working Families Party, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and labor unions including 32BJ SEIU, 1199SEIU and the United Federation of Teachers." @cityandstateny.bsky.social

25.06.2025 16:36 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Mark Levine’s winning, diverse New York City comptroller coalition The Manhattan borough president got nearly 50% of the first-place votes.

β€œLadies and gentlemen, welcome to my bar mitzvah.” @cityandstateny.bsky.social @sophiekrichevsky.bsky.social

25.06.2025 16:31 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0