*More than 200 residents were left homeless after a fire ripped through their Harlem apartment building Friday evening. The address of the fire was 560 West 144th Street (near Amsterdam Avenue) – and the FDNY placed the fire under control after a 4th alarm assignment (150 firefighters) was dispatched.

*Consolidated Edison (“Con-Ed”) is asking state utility regulators to allow a rate increase that will enable the New York-based power company to raise $654 million.

*The cost of mailing a letter goes up a penny to 42 cents on Monday, the latest in what are expected to be annual price adjustments by the Postal Service.

*A train struck two 15-year-old boys at 6:30PM on Friday afternoon, in Nanuet, Rockland County, near the New York Thruway. The two male victims were possibly walking along the tracks when a NJ Transit train bound for Spring Valley from Nanuet hit them. One was pronounced dead on the scene, while the other was flown by medevac to Westchester trauma center. [Hatzolah of Rockland County was not called.]

*News Corp has withdrawn its bid to purchase the Long Island daily paper “Newsday”.

*A white NYPD officer was disciplined after he stopped and questioned a black motorist – who turned out to be one of the highest ranking commanders in the NYPD. The officer’s badge and gun have reportedly taken away, and he has been placed on modified duty.

*The jackpot in the multistate Mega Millions lottery drawing grew to $166 million Saturday.

*Government records obtained by The Associated Press indicate that Al Sharpton and his business entities owe nearly $1.5 million in overdue taxes and associated penalties, and the US attorney is investigating his nonprofit group.

*Residents in New Jersey may soon pay as much as 20 cents extra when buying beverages in bottles and cans as part of an effort to boost recycling and combat litter. On Monday, the Assembly Environment Committee is scheduled to discuss a 10-cent deposit for bottles and cans less than 24 ounces and 20 cents for larger ones up to 3 liters.