Tag: Mohegan

BRISTOL — Local teacher Dr. Karlene Richardson has published a book on “maintaining student engagement and empowerment.”

Superintendent of Schools Iris White shared the news of Richardson’s book being published as part of her Superintendent’s Weekly Update. Richardson’s 174-page book, “Bridging the Gap: Jaw-dropping Approaches In Maintaining Engagement” was independently published Sept. 12 and is available now for purchase on Amazon.

“I believe that my role as a teacher is meeting students where they are, challenging them to rise higher, preparing them for college, their trade, and their future, and most importantly, letting my students know that I genuinely care,” Richardson said. “I believe when students feel seen, supported, and believed in, they will exceed even their own expectations.”

White congratulated Richardson, who is a health occupations teacher at Bristol Central High School and Bristol Eastern High School. She said that the book details lessons that Richardson learned as she transitioned from a college professor to a high school teacher.

“(The book) chronicles her journey in learning to maintain student engagement and empowerment,” White said. “Student engagement and empowerment are at the heart of our mission to teach and learn with passion and purpose. Dr. Richardson’s achievement reflects both remarkable professional dedication and a deep commitment to ensuring that students have a voice and feel empowered in their learning. BPS is fortunate to have such passionate and innovative educators, and this publication will no doubt inspire colleagues and students alike.”

White thanked Richardson for “helping to lead the way.”

According to the summary on Amazon, “the purpose of this book is to offer insights, strategies, and a deepened understanding to educators.” It is geared toward those making a shift from higher education to secondary education. It is meant to be a guide on how to “foster inclusive, dynamic, and supportive learning environments that address the varied…

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Freedom Plaza, an $11 billion casino and entertainment project proposed along Manhattan’s East Side, was voted down Monday morning by its community advisory committee (CAC), ending the last remaining bid for a casino in Manhattan.

The six-member panel voted 4-2 against the proposal, falling short of the required two-thirds majority needed to advance the bid for state-level consideration. The rejection makes Freedom Plaza the third Manhattan-based casino project to be turned down within a week, officially eliminating the borough from contention for one of the three downstate casino licenses expected to be awarded later this year.

The Freedom Plaza project, led by Soloviev Group in partnership with Mohegan Gaming, would have transformed over six acres of land near the United Nations headquarters between East 38th and 41st Streets.The proposed development included a casino, two hotel towers, residential buildings, retail space, restaurants, public parkland, a community center, a daycare facility, and a Museum of Democracy.

Voting against the proposal were CAC chair Sandra McKee, along with Reshma Patel, Celeste Royo, and Jasmine Narula. Voting in favor were Nichols Silbersack and Jennifer Sta. Ines.

McKee offered a brief statement following the vote: “I’d like to thank everybody who participated in the process. It’s been a very robust review of all the work that’s been done by the community and the applicants. I vote nay.”

Despite submitting several last-minute revisions just days before the vote, including a commitment to making all 1,080 proposed residential units permanently affordable, the amendments did not sway the majority of the committee. The affordable housing pledge was described by some as the most significant concession yet among all casino applicants in the race.

Freedom Plaza now joins Caesars Palace Times Square and Avenir Hudson Yards, both of which…

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Local Advisory Committee Rejects Manhattan Casino Proposal

Manhattan’s hopes of hosting its first casino have been dashed after a key community group voted against the latest casino proposal for the borough. This decision effectively ends years of discussions about introducing a Las Vegas-style resort to one of New York City’s busiest business and tourist hubs.

Community Advisory Committee Blocks $11 Billion Casino Project Near United Nations

On September 22, the Community Advisory Committee turned down the “Freedom Plaza” project with a vote of 4-2. This ambitious $11 billion plan aimed to develop six acres just south of the United Nations headquarters. The bid was presented by the Soloviev Group alongside Connecticut-based gaming company Mohegan. Despite last-minute commitments to build more than 1,000 affordable housing units and promise community reinvestment, the proposal failed to win the committee’s approval.

This rejection came shortly after two other major Manhattan casino proposals were also dismissed. These included a Times Square casino backed by Caesars Entertainment and Jay-Z’s Roc Nation, and a Hudson Yards project from Related Companies and Wynn Resorts. With all three plans denied, Manhattan has been eliminated from the race for up to three downstate casino licenses.

Local officials and residents voiced strong opposition, citing concerns over increased traffic congestion, public safety, and potential declines in neighborhood quality of life. Many expressed that locating a casino so close to the UN complex would overwhelm infrastructure, particularly during large-scale events like the General Assembly.

Manhattan Falls Out of Casino License Competition, Focus Shifts to Other Boroughs

Michael Hershman, leader of the Soloviev Group, argued that Manhattan needed a casino resort of this scale to stimulate tourism and job growth while addressing community needs. Similarly, Ray Pineault from Mohegan expressed disappointment, feeling the evaluation overlooked the social and economic benefits their project could provide.

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Breaking news about deals, development, data and more.

Assurance acquires 3 in Colorado. Salt Lake City, Utah-based Assurance Hospitality and Affiliates has acquired three Marriott hotels in Longmont, Colorado: the 78-key Courtyard Boulder Longmont, the 90-key SpringHill Suites Boulder Longmont and the 84-key Residence Inn Boulder Longmont, along with The Meeting Place, a 1,860-square-foot meeting and event space, from an institutional seller for an undisclosed amount. The financing included two conventional loans totaling $10.2 million and a $6.2 million SBA-backed loan, according to Hunter Hotel Advisors, which facilitated the transaction.

NYC casino plans rejected. Plans to build New York City’s first full-service casino in Manhattan may have been put on hold for good as a local panel on Monday rejected the last of three Manhattan proposals that had been among those vying for a new state license to operate a Las Vegas-style casino in the lucrative New York City market. The proposal, a six-acre project near the United Nations headquarters dubbed “Freedom Plaza” and operated by Mohegan, the gaming company run by Connecticut’s Mohegan Tribe, was denied by a state-commissioned community advisory committee on a 4-2 vote. Five proposals remain in the race for up to three gaming licenses. Among them is a proposed Bally’s casino on a Bronx public golf course once run by President Donald Trump’s company, a gambling hall envisioned for Coney Island’s boardwalk in Brooklyn, and a Hard Rock casino proposed next to Citi Field in Queens, where the New York Mets play.

ESA sells 3 in the Philadelphia area. Extended Stay America has sold three Philadelphia-area hotels for more than $18.7 million combined, according to a story in the Philadelphia Business Journal. Newark, Delaware-based Niti Group purchased the 101-key Extended Stay America Suites Philadelphia Exton for more than…

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Soloviev Group and Mohegan amend application to deliver an unprecedented response to the housing crisis facing New York City residents.

NEW YORK, Sept. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Freedom Plaza, the bold $11.2 billion civic and cultural vision for Manhattan’s East Side led by Soloviev Group and Mohegan, today announced a landmark commitment to make 1,080 residential units on site permanently affordable. Reinforced by a legally binding restrictive declaration, this positions Freedom Plaza to deliver the largest number of newly constructed affordable homes in Manhattan’s Central Core in more than a decade.

“We are prepared to answer the call from elected officials that New York City is in desperate need of affordable housing. The heartfelt testimony of neighbors – particularly young people – and the thoughtful input of community and civic leaders reinforces this decision,” said Michael Hershman, CEO of Soloviev Group. “Soloviev and Mohegan believe a gaming license is a privilege and an opportunity to leverage its full economic power to deliver social, civic, and community benefits that would not otherwise be possible.”

According to Ray Pineault, CEO of Mohegan, “Housing is the foundation of stability, and this commitment represents our unwavering investment in New York’s future. Honoring our values and culture, we are proud to join Soloviev Group in delivering a fully affordable, inclusive community that will enrich Manhattan’s East Side for generations to come.”

“By making every single home affordable, Soloviev and Mohegan are addressing New York City’s housing crisis with meaningful action,” said Jamie A. Smarr, President of the NYC Housing Partnership. “I have spent my career advocating for affordable housing, and I did not think I would ever see this type of commitment from private development. This will ensure that working families, seniors, and future generations will have access to quality…

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Eric Clapton Concludes 2025 Tour at Mohegan Sun Arena

20 Sep 25

Eric Clapton brought his 7-date U.S. Tour to a close on Saturday, 13 September, with a sold-out performance at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. The concert marked not only the final stop of his U.S. run, but also his last appearance of 2025.

He launched the year’s concerts in April with a sold-out eight-night residency at Tokyo’s Nippon Budokan, followed in May by a string of shows in England, including three nights at London’s historic Royal Albert Hall. Summer dates in Italy and France followed before the U.S. leg began on 5 September with a benefit performance for Crossroads Centre Antigua at Mershon Auditorium in Columbus, Ohio.

On 13 September, Eric returned to Mohegan Sun  for the fourth time since 2006, performing before an enthusiastic crowd of 10,000. Fans traveled from across New England, New York, and New Jersey to be part of the final night, underscoring both the regional draw of the venue and his enduring appeal.

The evening’s set list featured a mix of blues standards and songs from Eric’s own iconic catalogue:
01. White Room
02. Key To The Highway
03. Hoochie Coochie Man
04. Sunshine Of Your Love
05.Nobody Knows You When You’re Down And Out
06.Kind Hearted Woman
07. The Call
08. Layla
09.Can’t Find My Way Home (Nathan East – vocals)
10. Tears In Heaven
11. Tearing Us Apart
12. Old Love
13. Crossroads
14. Little Queen Of Spades
15. Cocaine

Highlights included “The Call,” during the acoustic set, “Sunshine Of Your Love,” “Crossroads” and a show-stopping rendition of “Old Love” from his 1989 album, Journeyman.

Special guests The Wallflowers provided support for the evening, having joined the tour for all dates except the opener…

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