With people in storm-ravaged areas still shivering without electricity and the death toll in New York City at more than 40, many New Yorkers voiced their concern about this weekend's NYC Marathon. We finally, they finally they seemed to get through to Mayor Mike.

We felt terrible about the destruction wreaked by Hurricane Sandy, but also by the fact that all the runners were descending upon the city to run the world’s largest marathon this Sunday, Everyone with a half a brain agreed that it would be canceled, while the city is buried under an historic tragedy.

WHO OFFERS CHANGE? Candidate's Claims.
Governor Romney and President Obama make their closing arguments in an unpredictably close presidential race in the campaign's final weekend for the White House.

US ECONOMY. When Will It Ever Shine Again?
Economic reports show a brightening view with lower unemployment, less expensive gasoline, rising home prices, giving US consumers the confidence to spend more.

FRUSTRATION FOLLOWING DISASTER. Routine Returns Slowly.

Con Edison now expects to restore the vast majority of customers, some which are classified as entire buildings, before next weekend. However, the rest of the remaining customers could take an additional week?

ConEd says it expects to restore power to Lower Manhattan customers before Saturday.

900,000 customers lost power due to the storm in New York City and Westchester County. 250,000 now have power, with 650,000 to go.
More than 100,000 power lines were knocked down, according to ConEd.

In City Island, NY the electricity was back on and then quickly went off less than two hours earlier today. WARNING DRIVERS: Some City Islanders were lining up for hours at the pump to get gas. NYC officials are asking to please stay away from city beaches and waterways.

ConEdison says they are working on this and many other areas after many downed trees have cause power failures all over the area.

ConEd says the water damage to the substation on 14th Street and Avenue C in lower Manhattan dims the outlook for restoring power to areas that have lost it.

Photo: Y. Chen

COST OF SUPER STORM SANDY. Human Lives and Billions Lost.
US east coast began to clean up from super-storm Sandy but many are still without power, dealing with flooding and facing severe damages.Meanwhile, the most important tasks is to restore power to more than 8m people across and restarting those transportation services.

US ELECTION STRAINS. Dismay In Policies.
Hypocrisy and exaggerations have most longing for next Tuesday’s vote to finally be over and done with.

ASSAD FACE-OFF. Palestinians in Syria.

Notification issued 10/31/2012 PM. Due to flooding and power related shutdowns caused by Hurricane Sandy, waste-water treatment plants and pumping stations have discharged untreated waste-water into New York City waterways. The New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene advises that direct contact with the Hudson River, East River, New York Harbor, Jamaica Bay and the Kill Van Kull for recreational activities such as swimming, canoeing, kayaking, windsurfing, or any other water activity that would entail possible direct contact with the water should be avoided until further notice.