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Good Morning, New York! A former CVS clerk is blasting Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg for prosecuting him in what was publicized as a self defense case, the majority of NY school districts have not submitted plans to ban phones as required by state laws, and likely incoming comptroller Mark Levine says he will reinvest NYC funds in Israeli bonds. This is your Tammany Times AM Briefing for Tuesday, July 29th, 2025.

WHERE’S KATHY: In Albany and New York, making a transportation announcement.

WHERE’s ERIC: No public schedule available.

TIPS? Email me: [email protected]

Front Pages

Hall Monitors

A "crazed" gunman turned a Midtown skyscraper into a scene of carnage, leaving 5 dead and many injured before taking his own life. Shane Tamura, 27, stormed the building housing Blackstone and the NFL HQ, fatally shooting an NYPD officer and others in a seemingly random attack. The shooter, who had a history of mental health issues, used an AR-15 rifle, firing on multiple floors before ending his own life on the 33rd floor. (NY Post)

Tensions are high at 26 Federal Plaza as ICE agents are routinely detaining immigrants after court hearings, sparking protests. Activists, including a reverend, are decrying the practice and the reported inhumane conditions of the building's detention facility. The demonstrations mark the start of a nationwide campaign of nonviolent resistance against Trump's immigration policies. (amNY)

Fresh off his acquittal, a former CVS clerk is blasting Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg for prosecuting him in what he says was a clear case of self-defense against a violent shoplifter. Scotty Enoe argues that Bragg should be protecting hardworking New Yorkers instead of targeting them. Enoe, who was initially charged with murder, says the shoplifter never should have been on the streets in the first place and that the legal battle turned his life into a two-year nightmare. (NY Post)

Capitol Gains

New York schools better get moving! With an August 1st deadline looming, most districts haven't submitted their plans for the statewide cell phone ban taking effect in September. While Gov. Hochul has allocated funds for storage solutions, the details of how the ban will work—lockers, pouches, or other methods—are up to each district, leading to logistical concerns. (Times Herald-Record)

New York's ambitious climate goals might be harder to reach than initially thought. The state is reportedly slowing down its transition to renewable energy, raising concerns about meeting its targets. Cuomo's targets were considered ambitious for the time, and it seems Hochul doesn't want to deal with keeping to them. (The Buffalo News)

New York's cannabis regulators might have been a little too relaxed when measuring distances to schools. Due to a measurement goof-up, 152 pot shops – including 88 in NYC – could be forced to close or relocate. While some call it a disaster, Hochul's office says they're working to fix the "unacceptable oversight" and protect the state's cannabis market, and have offered a 15 million dollar fund to help relocate. (NY Post)

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Trail Mix

A Brooklyn council race result is on hold because of a ballot fraud investigation, with a mere 32 votes separating the two Republican candidates. The probe involves absentee ballots cast in the names of deceased individuals and at least one voter who says he didn't vote. While one candidate holds a Board of Elections appointment position, a rival candidate's campaign found the discrepancy and alerted officials. (The City)

Andrew Cuomo is reigniting an old feud by claiming he, not de Blasio, was the driving force behind NYC's universal pre-K program. De Blasio's allies are furious, calling Cuomo's claim a rewrite of history, especially as Cuomo campaigns for mayor. Cuomo's camp insists he launched a similar pilot program before de Blasio took office, and that de Blasio pushed for a "tax increase for the sake of a tax increase." (NY Daily News)

After current Comptroller Brad Lander divested city pension funds from Israeli bonds, likely next comptroller Mark Levine vows to reinvest in them if elected. Levine argues Israeli bonds are globally diversified and have solid dividends. Lander defends his decision, claiming previous investments were politically motivated, while his predecessor calls his claim "BDS'ing" the pension system. (NY Post)