NEW YORK (AP) — TV weatherman Al Roker and New York City’s mayor made up Monday after a spat over snow and school closings.
Mayor Bill de Blasio and the meteorologist met cordially on camera on NBC’S “Today” show about two weeks after Roker lambasted de Blasio on Twitter for keeping schools open during a storm that left nearly 10 inches of snow; most other schools in the region were closed. Roker had suggested that the city’s “goofball policy” could endanger children.
On Monday, Roker said the two had chatted about snow and schools, “and we both want the best for the school kids and our city.” Both have children attending the city’s public schools.
De Blasio said letting people know about weather hazards is “something we do together,” and he jovially invited Roker to make it even more of a joint effort.
The mayor gave Roker a city Sanitation Department baseball cap and invited him to join in next time the city needs to plow.
“If you’d like to come out and join us for snow clearance, this could be a new part of your career,” de Blasio said.
“I’d love to do it,” Roker responded, adding that his father was a city bus driver.
That opportunity could come soon. The National Weather Service is forecasting snow in the city Wednesday and Saturday.
Roker had apologized earlier for one aspect of the snowflake flap: his tweet forecasting one term for the new mayor.
De Blasio has said the city was right to keep schools open during the Feb. 13 storm. He’s noted that many parents depend on schools to watch over their children while they are at work.
He was on “Today” on Monday to help cut the ribbon on the show’s new outdoor plaza.
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