After students were caught smuggling in contraband items like cellphones into class, a Pennsylvania middle school has banned Uggs—or other "outdoor, open top boots." The Pottstown Mercury reports, 'In a letter sent home with students Wednesday, Principal Gail Cooper announced the ban, saying “we have been experiencing problems with some students wearing open top boots and carrying items in their boots that are prohibited in school.'" more ›

It's been nearly two years since New York State banned texting-while-driving and two months since Governor Cuomo signed a stricter law that categorized texting as a "primary traffic offense," making it easier for the police to pull over drivers for texting (and especially—we hope—sexting). Not only does the offense carry a penalty of two points on a driving record and a $150 fine, it also causes worried drivers to send mistaken texts while trying to conceal their phones from the cops (which, obviously, causes actual accidents). more ›

In the wake of the brutal murder and dismemberment of 8-year-old Hasidic boy Leiby Kletzky this week, lawmakers are pushing for a new initiative to give incentives to businesses to install more security cameras on their properties. Assemblymans Dov Hikind and Peter Abbate and State Sen. Diane Savino will introduce the bill called “Leiby’s Initiative,” which would give a $500 annual tax credit to any NYC property owner who installs and maintains surveillance cameras. “If we had more surveillance cameras, we could have traced Leiby literally within minutes — his tracks. So this is one of many initiatives that will come forward to try to do more to protect our children. The more cameras you have, the safer your community,” Hikind told 1010 WINS. more ›

In 2007, Brooklyn Sen. Carl Kruger proposed a ban on talking on cell phones, texting or listening to music through headphones while crossing the street. And though for three years most people have thought the idea is crazy, he's using the recent tragic case of Jason King as an example. King was hit by a truck on the Upper East Side, and investigators believe he was listening to his iPod while crossing the street. Kruger said, "We have people who are literally dying in the street." However, he has lost some support. more ›

New York's ban on texting while driving went into effect last November, with drivers facing up to a $150 fine for what is considered a secondary offense. However, that hasn't stopped drivers from hitting up their phones behind the wheel, as numerous accidents have shown. Now, the Highway Loss Data Institute is saying texting bans may be making texting-related accidents increase. more ›

Yesterday's new statewide crackdown on cell phone use among taxi drivers had city cabs very very quiet. The expensive new penalty for use of a mobile phone (even with a hands-free attachment) or other personal electronic gadget including a gaming device and music player is $200. Most weren’t willing to risk it; by Friday afternoon traffic cops had dispensed just 13 summonses and passengers were pleased about the quiet new riding environment. But city cabbies were saying it was a bad call. more ›

The fight over the right for school children to bear cell phones in schools moved to the Appellate Court, where lawyers for NYC and public school students' parents appeared before a five-judge panel. This comes after the City Council passed a bill allowing cell phones in schools, which the Mayor vetoed. more ›