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  • New York. Mayor Adams Hosts “Hear From the Mayor” Radio Show on WBLS 107.5 FM

    New York. Mayor Adams Hosts “Hear From the Mayor” Radio Show on WBLS 107.5 FM

    On his monthly Hear From the Mayor segment on WBLS 107.5 FM, New York City Mayor Eric Adams honored fallen firefighter Patrick Brady before discussing major technology and affordability initiatives with Chief Technology Officer Matthew Fraser. They highlighted the new Emergency Alert System connecting schools directly to 911, efforts to expand broadband and provide hundreds of thousands of Chromebooks to students, digital literacy programs for seniors, and strengthened citywide cybersecurity through the Joint Security Operations Center. They also detailed cost-saving measures like discounted cell phone plans for city employees. Callers phoned in to thank Adams for his service as he reflected on his administration’s achievements—from expanding housing, internships, and financial literacy to improving public safety and digital access—while expressing gratitude and optimism as he nears the end of his term.

    Gary Byrd: Well, as you know, each and every [second] Sunday of the month, WBLS has been proud to welcome the 110th mayor of New York City, second mayor of color, and the first hip-hop mayor in the city’s history, we [were] talking about him just a few minutes ago. Well it’s time to Hear from the Mayor, Mayor Eric Adams joins us this morning from 107.5 WBLS. Mr. Mayor, good morning.

    Mayor Eric Adams: Hey Gary, how are you to all of the listeners? It’s great to be on this Sunday and I want to welcome you back to another episode of Hear from the Mayor. I’m your Mayor Eric Adams and really before we get started, I just want to take a moment to honor Firefighter Patrick Brady. He was responding to the scene of a fire on Kings Highway in Brooklyn last night and tragically passed away in the line of duty. Hearts go out to Patrick’s family, his wife, his brothers and uncles who are also firefighters. 

    The Brady family is a well-known firefighter community, and so we want to give them our deep condolences. He’s [given] his life to protect this city that we all love. And so today, we want to talk about things that I love around technology. And if this is your first time tuning in, really the show is just to hear from me and to interact in a dialogue. Listeners should give me a call and hear directly from me at (212) 545-1075. 

    You can also sign up to hear more from me by visiting nyc.gov/HearFromEric. Today’s guest is really, you know, one of my favorite commissioners. My brother, Matt Fraser is over at the Office of Technology. He’s the youngest and I believe the first person of color to hold that position. and what you have done has brought a level of innovation that’s unbelievable. You know, he’s my chief technology officer and we’re gonna talk about something that he introduced that really marriages public safety. 

    But I want to, before we get off the air, to talk about some of the other initiatives that you have brought as well, you know, as you’re rocking your God Speed hat. So, Matt, EAS, the acronym for Emergency Alert System, directly integrates New York City Public Schools with New York City 911 services and is capable of initiating 911 response in under 10 seconds. Give me the whole concept behind EAS.

    Matthew Fraser, Chief Technology Officer, New York City Office of Technology and Innovation: Yeah, so when we look at what happened, not just in New York City, what we saw on Park Avenue, what we saw across the global landscape, and what we see in terms of active shooter situations. Parents that have kids that are in school, they want to know that their students, their kids’ safety is paramount. They want to make sure that we provide the fastest support possible. 

    And the emergency alert system gives us the capability of doing that. Now, with the system, it’s more than just being able to put in a call into 911. It’s giving those that respond the contacts necessary to know where to respond to. So imagine being a student in a school and the school has you know a couple dozen classrooms, someone comes in, and then something occurs, when a teacher hits a button it gives the capability for 911 to know that there’s an incident happening in the school. 

    At the same time it gives school safety– which is located in the school the ability to know that something is occurring in a specific classroom and it also gives the school administration the capability of knowing where something is happening so it gives them a better capability of who to move kids how to lock down classrooms to minimize any impact that it could have.

    Mayor Adams: You know it’s unfortunate we even have to have this conversation about how to respond to active shooters but they’re real. We saw what happened at 345 Park Avenue. We see what’s playing out in schools across the country. Knock on wood we have not had a mass shooting inside our schools but it’s better to be proactive than just reactive and so if I understand you correctly when the button is hit it would identify and assist responding personnel and school personnel to move children to an area of safety.

    Fraser: Exactly, exactly. So when someone approaches the school and being able to have the school safety agent or someone that’s in the school administration know where in the school the incident is occurring, not just that something’s happening but the where is very important. And minimize times to respond to things that are actually happening, and if something is moving through the school, having the capability of tracking where it’s moving to. 

    So I think it’s one of those things that it’s an unfortunate circumstance that it’s something that we have to look at, but it’s a reality. And it’s one of those things that we’re the first school system in the nation, the first city in the nation to adapt this type of technology, and it will blaze the trail for many others to do the same. 

    Mayor Adams: How many schools are we starting out with? 

    Fraser: So we’re getting out into eight schools at this moment, and then we’re gonna expand much further beyond that. But right now, it’s to make sure that the first phase of the rollout was to prove the concept works out, and we’re at that phase, and the next look is expanding beyond that. 

    Mayor Adams: And our students must not only be safe, but they have to feel safe, and this technology is a way to do it. Is it a possibility that the next administration could expand this out to city buildings because we have many cases of shootings in city buildings, post offices. I mean, there’s a whole terminology of going postal because of that. What are your thoughts on that?

    Fraser: So I think that this sets the foundation at which point that the city could expand and take it further. Again, safety is the most important thing, making sure that people that enter buildings leave those buildings safely. And in the event that something happens, giving responders the capability in real time to get to the areas where it’s happening to minimize impact to human life. And I can’t stress that enough.

    Mayor Adams: I want to roll, I want to go into some of the other stuff you’ve done. You know, you’re sort of behind the scenes, but people don’t realize how you changed the game [by]  using technology in this city. Let’s talk about number one, the Chromebooks.

    Fraser: Yeah. 

    Mayor Adams: Give me an overview of that. 

    Fraser: Yeah, so when we stepped into office in 2022 and we came in, one of the first things that we tackled in terms of challenges was cybersecurity. Beyond cybersecurity, we looked at equity and access. And I was alarmed to see that we had a significant portion of those that lived in public housing that didn’t have access to basic things like broadband. 

    And then what frightened me a little bit more was looking at the fact that there are many students that participate in the school system that don’t have access to devices. So in this digital age where artificial intelligence is getting wings and moving at the speed of light, having those that participate in our school system have access to the basics, connectivity and devices, is one of those things that it shouldn’t be an option, it’s a necessity and we should treat it as such. 

    That’s why when we launched a program to deploy Chromebooks, we got about 350,000 Chromebooks. We gave it to New York City Public Schools to distribute, but in addition to that they already had about 400,000 devices in hand. So if you look at the numbers what we’re basically doing is we’re creating the foundation so that we can have anyone that participates in the public school system have a device with a connection so that schooling of the education experience can extend beyond the classroom and they can take it home.

    Mayor Adams: Excellent, and you know you touched on NYCHA. You did something else that was really innovative with high-speed broadband. Can you elaborate on that as well?

    Fraser: Yeah, so when we came in in ‘22, one of the things that we saw was that over 50 percent of the people that lived in public housing didn’t have access to broadband, which was, you know, a travesty, especially considering that we came in this administration off the heels of COVID. So what I like to tell people is imagine being a kid that got sent home to a unit in public housing, you got given a device, but you had no way to use that. 

    Now you have a significant amount of over a two-year span, there’s learning loss, there’s social dejection, because now you don’t have a way to maintain peership with your friends, because most of the folks that went home at that time, they had Chromebooks, iPads, they were playing Roblox, and like that, that was more than just an education tool with social peership. So when we saw that, there was a program when we came in called the Internet Master Plan. It was funded for $157 million, with a total projected cost of about $2 billion. 

    And across a multi-year span, they were going to provide broadband to public housing. But when we came in, out of that $157 million, not a single dollar had been spent and not a single connection had been issued. So from within one year of being in office, we brought all the cable providers together, Verizon, Altice, Charter Communications. We said, you guys have access to infrastructure. We have people that need it, and they need it now. 

    And within one year of being in office, We launched a program, Big Apple Connect, under your leadership, and we were able to give every unit in public housing free access to broadband and basic TV. So the cool thing about that is now when someone enters public housing, they get access to those resources like they get access to running water, heat and hot water.

    Mayor Adams: Yeah, because access to the internet is a service that is just as important as heat and hot water and electricity. And you know, what’s interesting is that this free access allows children to go online when you’re doing remote learning, parents doing telemedicine. I saw that too when I was borough president that far too many NYCHA residents did not have access to this. And it fit into our overall plan. Many people talk about affordability, but these are ways that are within the power of the mayor to make life more affordable. 

    If you’re a NYCHA resident, now we’re going to expand into Section 8 housing. That’s $159, $160 a month you are no longer paying out of your pocket. That is part of the $30 billion we put back in the pocket of working class people, such as no income tax for low-income New Yorkers, paying off college tuition for our foster care children, dropping the cost of childcare. 

    When you start adding up how much money we put in the pockets of people, It’s not just talking about affordability, it’s making them affordable. But you also expanded a whole program around digital literacy training for our seniors. Can you talk about that a bit?

    Fraser: Yeah, so one of the things that we want to ensure is that as we continue to connect New Yorkers [that] no one got left behind. So building a set of programs so that those that were interested in increasing their skill sets using technology, could do that from the comfort of their home. So we have both programs that are available online where someone can take it at their own pace or they can go to one of our digital centers and they can pick up those programs and get skills. 

    And what that really does is it gives people the capability to see what’s beyond what they’re used to. When you look at today’s market space and you look at the job and employment space, technology is an underpinning or a significant part of how those sectors are underpinned. And being able to teach people how to leverage these things that they’re now being connected to is super important. 

    The way I like to think about it is if you look at broadband and you look at technology, you know the old proverb, you give a person a fish, they’ll eat for a day, you teach them how to fish, they’ll eat for a lifetime. Broadband is like access to water. A device is like access to a fishing pole. And skills training is like teaching them how to use that fishing pole to feed themselves. So the more that we can invest in that, not just into our seniors, but everywhere along the journey, the better that we will be as New Yorkers.

    Mayor Adams: Well said and as we look towards the future on using technology to allow people to access the goods and services of the government is so important when we think about that and you know you have really just changed the game. When I came into office one of the things that Mayor de Blasio shared with me was [that] the biggest threat was cyber security. It was a real concern. When people hear about cyber security, they think it’s esoteric, “Okay, that’s nothing to do with me,” but it does. And, you know, you have really heartened many of our soft locations. Tell us what you have done around cybersecurity.

    Fraser: Yeah, so for the first time in February ‘22, this is like one month since we’ve been in office, talk about moving at lightning pace. We created the Joint Security Operations Center. So for those of you that don’t know, in New York City, when we look at what we look like from a cybersecurity perspective, we see, on average, about 100 billion cyber security threats per week. And that number is 100 billion. And in order to combat that, we have a security operations center in New York City Cyber Command that runs 24/7 to monitor those types of threats to see how we respond to it. 

    In February of ‘22, one of the things that we did that took that to the next level is we created a partnership between [the] New York State [and] federal government in the private sector so that we could start to combat cyber security incidents as a collective versus doing it individually. So now the Joint Security Operations Center in real time has resources that are working 24/7 from the state, the federal government, and the city all working towards the same mission of keeping us safe.

    Mayor Adams: And the goal is to do what? What is our end result? What would we like to accomplish?

    Fraser: So our goal across the board is to minimize as many cybersecurity incidents as we can and also use the skills and the capabilities that we’ve built to reduce the amount of impacts that it has to the critical infrastructure sectors or our critical partners. If you think about what most people consider to be critical, 90 percent of it lives outside of what the government controls. 

    So by creating this cooperation that brings all levels of government together and brings the private sector and it makes our hospitals safer, our financial institutions better, more safe, and the things that people depend on like their grocery stores and things along that lines, it gives them the capability to partner with someone that has the resources that can help them.

    Mayor Adams: You know, you don’t appreciate things until they actually break and you’re preventing that breaking from happening. Speaking of break, we got to go on a break, you know, so we’ll talk with Brother Matt Fraser, chief technology officer on the other side of the break and we look forward to continuing this conversation and again you can reach me (212) 545-1075.

    Byrd: It’s Hear from the Mayor and of course more importantly, the mayor wants to hear from you,  (212) 545-1075, is the number to call. Stand by, we’ll come back right after these messages from 107.5 WBLS. 

    [Commercial Break.] 

    Byrd: (212) 545-1075 is the number to call. Let’s go back to our mayor and his special guest. 

    Mayor Adams: Thank you, thanks so much Gary and again I’m here with our Chief Technology Officer Matt Fraser going into many of the things that we’re doing and also when we look at affordability Matt, we also did a change in cell phone payment. What was that deal that we put together? Can you go into it?

    Fraser: Yeah sure, so one of the things that we could do better as a government is start using the power of government to work for the people. And one of the things that we did was we took a look at our cell phone services. Imagine if you work for a company, a private company like Pepsi, UPS, when you go in, and if they give you a corporate device, you don’t get to choose what the carrier is. You might be able to choose a device, but not the carrier. 

    So by consolidating all of the city’s buying power and by negotiating our telecom or mobile phone plans, we were able to get, not just save money as a government, but we were able to get an employee saver program. So now if you work for the city, do you have a program where you can get cell phone service for $10 a month, not just for you, but for you and up to four members of your household? 

    So imagine being a family that’s right above the poverty line or at the line, or a family that’s doing moderately better, and you’re paying $200 bucks a month for a phone, for four phones in a household, and all of a sudden that goes down to $40. Significant savings that impacts people in a real way.

    Mayor Adams: Excellent, excellent. So why don’t we go to the phones. Caller, you’re on the air.

    Question: Yes, good morning, Mayor Adams. I just wanna call you and thank you for all the great work that you did in providing us with jobs and opportunity to have a better life. Thank you very much.

    Mayor Adams: Thank you. Thank you. It was a great pleasure being the mayor of the City of New York as we finish up this last month and 20 days. I look forward to moving the board forward. We have more work to do. We’re not done yet. And we’re going to continue to move forward. And I thank you for being a constant caller and a real vision over the city. Thank you. Caller, you’re on the air.

    Question: My name is [Karen Brooke]. Mayor, as far as I’m concerned, I even voted for you this last time, but you didn’t make it. I mean, I know everybody got their thoughts, but you did a good job in a lot of things also. But sometimes we have to move on. But God’s gonna have over you like he’s gonna have all the rest of us. Everybody’s going through something, especially me for the past year. 

    But listen, my blessings finally came and I’m getting ready to go to church. Now I’m going to two churches. My main church is the Bronx, Catholic, but I’m going to first a [inaudible] church. I love the pastor, Black pastor that finally got her own church, because she was [inaudible]. So thank you Eric Adams, you helped out a lot. God bless you, have a beautiful day.

    Mayor Adams: Thank you, God has blessed me so much. I mean, when you go from a kid from South Jamaica, Queens, struggling with a learning disability, watching mommy struggle with those three jobs, raising six children, and she raised a mayor. And you know, I am blessed every day, and there’s only been 110 of us, and I’m 110, so my picture would be up in City Hall. 

    So I thank you, that’s a blessing, and hope all the young people out there that feel they hit a bend in the road, it’s not the end of the road, just make a turn and keep moving and reach your destiny.

    Caller, you’re on the air. 

    Question: Yes, I was hoping to speak to the mayor. 

    Mayor Adams: Yes, you are, you’re speaking to the mayor.

    Question: Yes, mayor, you know, it hurt my heart that you didn’t stay in the race. Because, you know, I believe you’re one of the most prolific. And you did a real great job for the people and the City of New York. And even the last initiative that you had where you wanted to open up the job roles to those who got terminated in the COVID was such a great initiative. 

    I hope you stay connected to the people because if you stayed in the race, my vote was definitely going for you and I know a lot of people were disappointed that you dropped out. But kudos to the great job that you did and Almighty God continues to bless you and surround you with grace and mercy for the next leg of your journey.

    Mayor Adams: So true, thank you brother. You know, it’s been 40 years, 40 committed years of doing this work, you know. And many people look at the glamor of having mayor in front of your name and they don’t realize the awesome responsibilities of taking care of 8.5 million people with 35 million opinions, you know. People will give you a thumbs up and they’ll give you the middle finger all in the same day in the same conversation. And you just have to be able to be committed to the work. And we’ve done that. 

    Something as simple as making sure there are benches at every bus stop, making sure that we have 11,000 internship programs for our young people, what we’re doing with financial literacy, teaching our young people how to manage their money by doing [in-school] banking, what we’re doing around universal afterschool program, making sure that we expanded the pre-K to children with special needs, breaking the record 11 times on more jobs in the city’s history, building more housing than the city’s history. 

    So we had one heck of a run. And so when I come to the end of the race, I’m looking for the next level of this journey. I am so excited that I can just enjoy life and just sit back and look over the real opportunities that are waiting for me. When you run the city, like New York, you can run anything and I’m ready for it. So thank you so much, great to be on the air with you and WBLS, thank you Gary and your entire crew.

    Byrd: Giving thanks my brother and thank you of course for the service that you brought to our city. 

    November 9, 2025 New York

    Sources: NYC.gov

  • Neuro-Marketing Sleep Script: How Calming Words Help You Fall Asleep Faster

    Neuro-Marketing Sleep Script: How Calming Words Help You Fall Asleep Faster

    In a world that never slows down—especially in big cities like New York—many people go to bed with a racing mind.
    Notifications, worries about tomorrow, and unfinished tasks all compete for attention just when we need rest the most.
    A neuro-marketing sleep script uses the same psychological principles that influence attention and emotion in marketing, but turns them toward something healthy: deep relaxation and better sleep.

    The idea is simple. Your brain responds strongly to words, images, and repetition. When you read or listen to a carefully structured sleep text, your mind starts to associate those phrases with safety, comfort, and “sleep time.” Phrases like “You are safe,” “The world can wait,” and “You are allowed to rest” signal to the nervous system that there is no threat, which helps lower stress levels and prepare the body for sleep. Over time, this becomes a powerful cue, just like a favorite lullaby or a nightly ritual.

    In the script, we combine slow breathing cues, gentle affirmations, and calming visualizations. Breathing more slowly tells the body to shift out of fight-or-flight mode. Affirmations such as “I am calm” and “I am allowed to rest” create a feeling of emotional safety. Visualizing yourself in a quiet bedroom above the soft nighttime hum of the city gives your mind something peaceful to focus on instead of anxious thoughts.

    To get the most from this neuro-marketing sleep text, use it as part of a consistent bedtime routine. Dim the lights, lower your screen brightness, and read the script slowly, ideally out loud or in a whisper. If a stressful thought appears, mentally say “Tomorrow” and gently return to the words. With practice, your brain will start linking this script to the experience of drifting off easily.

    Whether you live in New York or anywhere else, this neuro-marketing sleep script offers a simple, drug-free way to relax, quiet your mind, and fall asleep naturally. Use it every night for a week and notice how your body begins to respond more quickly, turning bedtime into a calm, predictable path toward deep, restorative sleep.

    Read it slowly, ideally while lying down.

    A Soft Descent Into Sleep

    New York night settles around you like a warm, quiet blanket.

    Take a quiet breath…
    and as you exhale, imagine the city’s sounds fading into a soft, distant hum—
    like someone slowly turning down a dial.

    Now let these words guide you gently:

    With every inhale, your body gathers calm…
    With every exhale, it releases the day—
    the noise, the speed, the thoughts that don’t matter anymore.

    There’s nothing you need to do now.
    Nothing you need to fix.
    Nothing you need to prepare for.
    This moment exists only for you,
    and your mind recognizes the invitation to rest.

    Imagine a slow warm light at the center of your chest—
    quiet, steady, comforting.
    It expands with each breath,
    flowing down your arms…
    smoothing the muscles of your neck…
    softening your jaw…
    loosening everything you carried today.

    Your thoughts drift like small clouds over the Hudson,
    but the sky behind them is vast, quiet, and peaceful.
    And you’re sinking gently into that peaceful sky,
    as if your whole body is exhaling at once.

    Your pillow is cool.
    Your blankets hold you with just the right weight.
    Your breath becomes smooth and slow,
    and a wave of heaviness settles into your legs…
    your arms…
    your chest…
    as if your body knows it’s finally safe to let go.

    You’re drifting now—
    softly, quietly, effortlessly.
    The night wraps around you with a promise:
    rest is already happening.
    All you have to do is allow it.

    Your eyelids grow heavier…
    your thoughts quieter…
    your breath deeper…

    And with the next gentle exhale,
    you begin to slide into that warm, velvety space
    where dreams start to form.

    Good night.
    You’re doing beautifully.
    Let sleep come.

    Sources: Midtown Tribune

    Midtown Tribune Independent USA news from New York

  • YouTube Gives Deadline for users to recover accounts banned for COVID-19, election speech

    YouTube Gives Deadline for users to recover accounts banned for COVID-19, election speech

    USA News Google Midtown Tribune

    IMPORTANT: As many of you know, thanks to our work, YouTube rolled back its Biden-era censorship policies on elections and COVID, and is allowing Americans banned under the now-defunct policies to return to the platform.

    If you’d like to get your old channel back with ALL subscribers, make sure to appeal to renew your account by NOVEMBER 9.

    Just log into your old account and start the appeals process.

    Dan Bongino’s team applied to get his old channels and nearly one million subscribers back and was totally successful.

    Don’t wait!

    Sources:

  • NY Governor Hochul Announces Additional $14.3 Million to Protect Nonprofit Organizations Against Terrorism – Why not Regular People? Corruption ?

    NY Governor Hochul Announces Additional $14.3 Million to Protect Nonprofit Organizations Against Terrorism – Why not Regular People? Corruption ?

    Supports Safety Enhancements for 57 At-Risk Nonprofits Across New York State. $44.8 Million Previously Awarded to Strengthen Security for Organizations Facing an Increased Risk of Terrorist Attacks

    Funding Secured Through Federal Nonprofit Security Grant Program – National Security Supplemental

    Governor Kathy Hochul today announced New York State has secured $14.3 million through the federal Nonprofit Security Grant Program – National Security Supplemental (NSGP-NSS), a program that supports organizations at-risk for terrorist attacks. This funding will be distributed between 57 nonprofits across the state to strengthen their physical and cyber security.

    “Keeping New Yorkers safe is my top priority. The Nonprofit Security Grant Program is a critical part of that strategy, providing essential funding to help thwart domestic terrorism,” Governor Hochul said. “This grant program will enable nonprofit organizations in high-risk areas of New York to prepare for and mitigate potential threats before they happen – a program that is now more important than ever to ensure the safety and security of every New Yorker.”

    In 2024, $274.5 million was disbursed to states through the annual Nonprofit Security Program, $44.8 million of which was secured for New York. Following that disbursement, additional funding was secured through the National Security Supplemental due to increased threats against nonprofit organizations and houses of worship. Nationwide, a total of $210 million is being provided through the supplemental program.

    Allowable costs include planning such as security risk management, continuity of operations, and response plans; equipment, including physical security enhancement and inspection/screening systems equipment; active shooter training and security training for employees or congregation members: response exercises, and contracted security personnel.

    Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI)-designated high-risk urban areas in New York include the New York City Metro Area – New York City, Westchester, Nassau and Suffolk Counties. New York is among the top states in the nation to receive funding through NSGP-NSS. $11.7 million in funding is being awarded to 51 organizations in the Metro Area, with $2.6 million awarded to six nonprofit organizations throughout the rest of the state.

    Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray said, “New York’s nonprofits play a critical role in the fabric of our state by delivering vital services to their communities every day. As leaders, we must do all we can to ensure they are protected against terror attacks, so they can fulfill their missions without fearing for the safety of their staff, facilities or the individuals they serve. With this funding in hand, these organizations will be able to bolster security and increase preparedness ahead of any future emergencies.”

    November 3, 2025

    Albany, NY

    Sources: Governor.ny.gov , Midtown Tribune

    Midtown Tribune Independent USA news from New York

  • NYC Mobilizes Public-Private Support as SNAP Halt Hits 1.8 Million, Adams Says

    NYC Mobilizes Public-Private Support as SNAP Halt Hits 1.8 Million, Adams Says

    New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced a business-backed relief plan to cushion SNAP recipients after a prolonged federal shutdown halted benefits for nearly 1.8 million residents. Leveraging partners including the New York Community Trust, United Way of New York City, the Partnership for New York City, City Harvest, Food Bank for NYC, Lemontree, and The Roundtable: Allies for Food Access, the effort builds on a $15 million city allocation and more than $820 million budgeted this fiscal year for food services. While two judges have ordered the federal government to deploy emergency funds for November, City Hall is coordinating stopgap distribution and outreach with nonprofit networks.
    The administration underscores the stakes for households and local commerce, citing USDA data that every $1 in SNAP generates $1.54 in economic activity across communities.

    New York News SNAP

    Mayor Adams Announces Public-Private Initiatives to Support NYC’s SNAP Recipients as Federal Government Shutdown Threatens to Cut Off Benefits for 1.8 Million New Yorkers

    — New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced that a slate of public-private initiatives will help Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients continue receiving a portion of their food benefits as the federal government shutdown enters into its second month and has halts SNAP benefits to some of the city’s most vulnerable New Yorkers. Effective today, nearly 1.8 million New Yorkers who rely on SNAP to put food on the table are no longer receiving the federally funded benefits to which they are entitled, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has not issued any contingency funds to sustain this critical lifeline during the protracted shutdown. These initiatives build on the city’s $15 million additional investment announced last month and the more than $820 million budgeted in this fiscal year for food services programs. Last week, two judges ordered the federal government to use emergency funds to cover food stamp benefits for Americans in November. Until the federal government complies, the Adams administration is working with partners across the city to support New Yorkers and ensure they receive the aid they need. 

    “When New Yorkers support one another in times of need, we become a better city. That’s why today, along with the New York Community Trust, the United Way, and the Partnership for New York City, we’re launching a slate of public-private initiatives to support SNAP recipients in our city who rely on these much-needed benefits to put food on their tables,” said Mayor Adams. “As a child, members of my church would drop off food for my siblings and me when times were hard; this type of generosity is what makes our city great. While we sadly can never provide as much support as our federal partners, our social services agencies are ready to help New Yorkers in need, and we’re calling on business leaders, philanthropic partners, faith leaders, and community members to join us in this effort.”

    “Local government and philanthropy cannot come close to replacing federally funded entitlement programs, but we can certainly help support the organizations that are collecting and distributing food during this emergency,” said Kathryn Wylde, president & CEO, Partnership for New York City. “We will encourage member companies and foundations to support the efforts of the mayor and governor to meet this crisis and to invest in the funds that New York Community Trust has designated.”

    “New York Community Trust is proud to stand with our partners and the City to ensure that no New Yorker goes hungry during this crisis,” said Amy Freitag, president and CEO, New York Community Trust. “Local nonprofit organizations on the frontlines of food insecurity are best positioned to swiftly mobilize financial resources to support those in need. This is what community looks like — neighbors helping neighbors.”

    In a demonstration of their commitment to helping city government address the challenges of food insecurity during the federal government shutdown, private donors and companies are contributing to the launch of these initiatives under the auspices of the New York Community Trust, including:

    The New York Community Trust’s Community Needs Fund

    The Community Needs Fund addresses the urgent needs of neighbors throughout New York City, Long Island, and Westchester. When an individual makes a one-time or recurring gift to the fund, every dollar is directed by an expert grantmaking team to trusted nonprofits across the region.    

    City Harvest

    City Harvest rescues food that would otherwise go to waste and delivers it to New Yorkers in need in response to the persistently high need for food assistance in New York City.

    Food Bank for NYC

    The Food Bank for NYC delivers food and resources across all five boroughs in collaboration with 800 community partners. 

    Lemontree

    For those in need of groceries or meals, Lemontree helps locate food pantries in their neighborhood. 

    The Roundtable: Allies for Food Access

    The Roundtable: Allies for Food Access isa network of nine of the largest food pantries and soup kitchens in New York City. It reduces costs through strategic purchasing, advocates for frontline providers, and provides support to smaller pantry partners. 

    United Way of New York City’s Emergency Assistance & Community Needs Fund

    The United Way of New York City’s Emergency Assistance & Community Needs Fund supports critical services that empower community-based organizations with resources while keeping the city afloat.  

    Other donors are encouraged to join this effort to support nonprofits on the front lines of this crisis and help New Yorkers affected by the shutdown. A contribution will not affect any business dealings with the city or provide special access to city officials.

    The pause in SNAP funding is devastating to the city’s overall safety net and also threatens New York’s local economy. The USDA estimates that every dollar of SNAP spending generates $1.54 back into the community, meaning that $1 billion in SNAP dollars spent increases the gross domestic product of the United States by $1.54 billion. 

    https://youtube.com/watch?v=f2oDNJDb9Bc%3Ffeature%3Doembed

    The city is deploying a comprehensive response to ensure at-risk New Yorkers have access to food through a variety of alternative programs and services, managing a comprehensive resource list for impacted SNAP recipients, and conducting outreach efforts in close collaboration with the city’s robust network of community-based organizations and food providers.  

    November 1, 2025

    NEW YORK 

    Sources: nyc.gov , Big New York news BigNY.com

    Midtown Tribune Independent USA news from New York

  • New York. Mayor Adams Calls In for Live Interview With WBLS 107.5 FM’s “Caribbean Fever”

    New York. Mayor Adams Calls In for Live Interview With WBLS 107.5 FM’s “Caribbean Fever”

    In a live interview on WBLS 107.5 FM’s “Caribbean Fever”, Mayor Eric Adams reflected on his tenure as New York City’s mayor and addressed recent rumors about leaving for a job in the Middle East, which he denied, calling such reports damaging to his reelection campaign. He expressed pride in his accomplishments, including crime reduction, housing development, pandemic management, and support for low-income residents, while criticizing the media for underreporting his successes. Adams discussed his reasons for endorsing Andrew Cuomo over newcomer Zohran, citing concerns about inexperience, gentrification, and policies he believes would harm communities of color. He emphasized the global relevance of his work, the challenges of public office, and his commitment to serving the city until the end of his term, while signaling a readiness to pursue international opportunities afterward.

    Dahved Levy: How are you doing, sir? How are you doing? 

    Mayor Adams: Well, very well, you know, just out. It’s marathon Sunday and so there are different events happening all over the city. 

    Levy: I’m very curious, sir. They said that you are going to be accepting a job somewhere in the Middle East. Is that factual? 

    Mayor Adams: No, it’s not. And, you know, there’s been so many rumors and really, Dahved, that’s what really undermined my ability to run the way the media kept putting out false rumors about me going to HUD, me going to the Middle East, me doing all these things. And it’s just really undermined the campaign. Many of my supporters and donors thought I left the race earlier. And it just made no sense.  

    And people don’t realize to run for office, you have to raise millions of dollars. I had the Campaign Finance Board take four million dollars from me. I had the media constantly reporting that I was leaving the race. And it was just– I probably am the first mayor that could not run for reelection because there were just so many forces that went after my attempt to show the success that I did in the city. 

    Levy: Wow. If you had to do it all over again, sir, would you do it? Would you go down the same road that you went down? If you had to do it all over again? 

    Mayor Adams: Hell yes. You know, 35 years ago, I said I wanted to be the mayor of the City of New York and I became the mayor of the most important city on the globe. And when you look at the sacrifices my mother made, you know, you had a woman with a third-grade education, she raised a son that became the mayor of the most important city on the globe.  

    And yes, I would have done it all over. Everything that I went through from COVID to the lawfare coming after me by the federal government, all of that. I would still do it all over again, because no matter what happens, I am the mayor. I accomplished what I wanted to do. And now there’s other things to do in life. 

    Levy: So, what does a mayor do after? What does the mayor do after being— you have until tomorrow to be the mayor, right?  

    Mayor Adams: No, no, until December 31st. I go until the end of the year. 

    Levy: December 31st. So, you go to the end of the year. So, what? I mean, you might have to do something different like– okay, so let me ask you this way. What is the best thing that you’ve learned by being the mayor in New York? I was the worst thing that you’ve learned or had to deal with being the mayor of New York. 

    Mayor Adams: The best thing is dealing with crises. And now I’m getting calls from all over the globe. People saw my success here in the city. And now global, international leaders have reached out to me to do things in their country. People have to deal with issues in their country.  

    The issue of education is impacting the whole globe. The issue of public safety is a global concern. The issue of cybersecurity is a global concern. The issue of building housing, global concern.  

    And so, people saw what I did in this city, building more housing than any other mayor, dealing with cybersecurity, dealing with crises. And now people are asking me to come to their countries and look at how to assist them. That’s what I’m taking away.  

    The worst thing that has happened is how you saw a media in this city that actively refused to report the success that we’ve done in the city. And really, one day I’m going to do a show with you, Dahved, just on the permanent government in the city that they have no desire to see communities that have been left behind moving forward.  

    Why are Black and brown people weeding at the levels that they’re doing so, year after year with all the money that we’re spending. Why are we seeing crime and guns only in our community? Why are we seeing mental health issues only in our community?  

    There’s a permanent government that has no desire of turning around the conditions that are impacting communities of color and working-class people throughout the city. And one day we’re just going to sit down and have a long conversation about that. 

    Levy: Sir, what changed your mind for you to come out and back Mr. Cuomo? 

    Mayor Adams: Zohran, and it’s not only Zohran, people talk about Zohran’s lack of experience, which is a real issue. I mean, you can’t go from being a rapper to an assemblyman, and now you want to be the mayor of the most complicated city. That’s a real problem of his lack of experience.  

    But it’s more than that, Zohran’s supporters are gentrifiers. That’s the foundation. He’s the king of the gentrifiers. And all of us know what gentrification– 

    Levy: I never heard it put like that. The king of the gentrifiers.  

    Mayor Adams: Yes, go look who’s around him. Go look at who’s supporting him. Go look at his election day victory and look who’s in the room. Those are the same folks who have been arrogant, disrespectful to our communities. They gentrified Harlem. They gentrified Bed-Stuy. They gentrified Flatbush. They won’t patronize our restaurants and our other events in our city. They move into the schools and want to be disrespectful in the school system. That is his base.  

    And when you have Black and brown people that really have not been motivated and they’re staying home, they’re making a big mistake. You can’t allow the people who came into your communities and disrespected you now put up who they want to be the mayor. And we’re staying home. We’ve got to get off our asses and get out and vote. If we don’t, we’re going to be extremely sorry for what happens later.  

    The DSA, Democratic Socialists of America, is made up of a bunch of gentrifiers that have really went into our communities and have taken over our community. They’re going to go after every person of color that’s in office. We better realize how serious this election is. And that’s why I said, since I didn’t have the resources to run, I’m going to put my name behind Andrew.  

    We don’t agree on everything. Matter of fact, we disagree on a lot. But I know one thing for sure, we agree that this guy cannot be the mayor of the City of New York. He and his gentrifiers are going to hurt our communities and their policies are harmful to our community. 

    Levy: Sir, before you go, why is this election the most important election in New York’s history? Why? 

    Mayor Adams: Look at the policies that people are leaning on. Here you have a person that wants to decriminalize prostitution. I see what it does to little boys and little girls selling their bodies on corners. Releasing 3,000 people from Rikers Island right back into the community that they preyed on.  

    Lying and saying he’s going to freeze rent. Mayors can’t freeze rent, folks. Let’s be clear on that. Mayors cannot freeze rent. So, for a mayor to say they want to freeze rent, you’re saying anything that people want to hear to get elected. Free buses. Mayors can’t give free buses.  

    So, the things he’s saying, he knows he can’t do, but he doesn’t care. He’s saying anything to be elected and the policies that he can do, such as defunding our Police Department is going to hurt public safety, which communities talk about all the time. Going after small businesses like free grocery or government grocery stores are going to hurt our small businesses.  

    So, his policies are harmful to communities of color. Socialism is not some nice, fancy term. It has failed everywhere. And really, Black, brown communities of color, working class [white people], we can’t go backwards. This election is going to have a major impact on our city if Zohran and his DSA gentrifiers take control of our city. 

    Levy: Last words sir, so what is the final thing you want New Yorkers to know? 

    Mayor Adams: Hey, it’s been a great run, man. I’ve had so much fun being the mayor of the City of New York. I did what I set out to do. A record decrease in crime, 24,000 guns removed off of our streets. I built more housing than any mayor. And actually, I zoned the city for more housing than 12 years of Bloomberg. Eight years of de Blasio combined. I did it in three and a half years.  

    I got us through COVID. I got us through migrants and asylum seekers. Our children are outpacing the state in reading and math. We have free broadband for NYCHA. Low-income New Yorkers are no longer paying income tax because of me. Dropped the cost of child care from $220 a month to less than $20 a month. Paying off the college tuition for foster care children, excusing billions of dollars in medical debt for low-income New Yorkers.  

    I mean, what I set out to do, I did. Working class people have benefited under me. And it’s going to take some time, reflection and review that people are going to realize that we were one of the greatest administrations the city has ever heard.  

    Now, hey, people are going to say, “Well, you know what, Eric? You’re too pompous. You’re too arrogant. Eric, you’re too this, you’re too that. You go out at night in nightclubs.” Yeah, because I want our nightlife business to stay open. 

    So, there’s going to be critiques. But at the end of the day, I was a darn good mayor and have no regrets. I’m looking forward for my life after and I could enjoy that life. And I hope the next mayor continues the success that I put in place. 

    Levy: Thank you very much. I do appreciate it. Thank you.  

    Mayor Adams: Thank you. Rocking you. Rocking you.  

    Levy: Rocking you. Rocking you. 

    November 2, 2025 New York

    Sources: NYC.gov

    Midtown Tribune Independent USA news from New York

  • Hochul Urges Release of SNAP Aid After Court Rulings Back New York

    Hochul Urges Release of SNAP Aid After Court Rulings Back New York

    Gov. Kathy Hochul said court rulings confirm the Trump administration must release emergency nutrition assistance to protect roughly 3 million New Yorkers from losing SNAP benefits. The governor criticized Washington Republicans for inaction, noting New York sued to secure relief while preparing contingency measures, including fast-tracking more than $100 million for food banks and declaring a state of emergency. With the decisions in hand, Ms. Hochul said the federal government can fully fund SNAP and called for immediate disbursement to support the state’s efforts to keep residents fed during the shutdown.

    Statement from Governor Kathy Hochul

    NY news Statement from Governor Kathy Hochul

    “Today’s rulings confirm that the Trump administration must release emergency nutrition assistance for the 3 million New Yorkers set to lose their SNAP benefits tomorrow.

    “No state should have to sue the federal government to ensure families can put food on the table. But when Washington Republicans refused to act, New York took them to court to mitigate this crisis.

    “My administration remains prepared for the worst — fast-tracking over $100 million for food banks and pantries and declaring a state of emergency. With these rulings, it is clear the Trump administration can fully fund the SNAP program. We’re calling on the administration to immediately release these funds and support our efforts to keep New Yorkers fed during the shutdown.”

    October 31, 2025

    Albany, NY

    Sources:  governor.ny.gov , Big New York news BigNY.com
    Midtown Tribune news

    Midtown Tribune Independent USA news from New York

  • New York. Keep Your SNAP Benefits

    New York. Keep Your SNAP Benefits

    Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
    The Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) time limit rules for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants are in effect as of November 2025. Due to federal law changes, New York State’s waiver of work requirements for certain able-bodied adults without dependent children (ABAWD) will end as of November 2025. As a result of this federal action, as of November 2025, those subject to ABAWD time limit – including new groups of individuals subject to these rules – must comply with certain work requirements to keep SNAP benefits for more than 3 months. The information below explains who is subject to these work requirements and how they can meet the requirement to maintain SNAP benefits. SNAP recipients will be notified by their local social services district if they are subject to these requirements. If you believe you should be exempt from these requirements based on program rules or if you are meeting the work requirement, you should inform your local district worker.

    Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) Work Rules

    Who is an ABAWD?

    An ABAWD is a person who is:

    • Aged 18 to 64,
    • Not living with a child under 14, and
    • Able to work.

    Does everyone need to follow the ABAWD work rules?

    No. You might not have to follow the ABAWD work rules, if:

    • You are younger than age 18, or age 65 or older,
    • Someone in your household is younger than age 14,
    • You receive disability benefits from a public or private source, such as Veterans Affairs or New York State disability benefits,
    • You are pregnant,
    • You are unable to work at least 80 hours per month because of a physical or mental health reason,
    • You are an Indian, Urban Indian, California Indian, or other Indian eligible for the Indian Health Services, or
    • You are excused from the General SNAP Work Rules because you are:
      • A 16 or 17-year-old who is not the head of the household or who is in school or in an employment program at least half-time,
      • Unable to work because of a mental or physical health reason,
      • Taking care of a child younger than age 6,
      • Taking care of an incapacitated person,
      • Meeting the work rules under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program,
      • Receiving or applying for unemployment benefits,
      • Participating in a drug or alcohol addiction treatment program,
      • Enrolled in a school, training program, or college at least half-time (students may be subject to other eligibility rules),
      • Already working at least 30 hours per week,
      • Already earning $217.50 (30 times the federal minimum wage) or more per week, OR
      • An SSI applicant or recipient.
    NY SNAP news

    Call your Local District Contact Number as soon as possible if you think you or someone in your household should be excused from following the ABAWD rules.What is the ABAWD time limit?

    If you are an ABAWD, you must meet the ABAWD work rules to continue receiving SNAP benefits for more than 3 months in a 3-year period. This is also known as the ABAWD time limit. Once you use up the 3 months and you are not meeting the ABAWD work rules, you will lose your SNAP benefits. In New York, the current 3-year period started on October 1, 2023, and will end on September 30, 2026.How can you meet the ABAWD work rules?

    1. Paid or unpaid work for 20 hours per week (80 hours per month)Examples include:
      • Having a job where you work at least 20 hours per week or earn at least $217.50 per week, even if you work less than 20 hours per week.
      • Doing in-kind work by exchanging your services for something other than money for at least 80 hours per month (for example, doing building maintenance in exchange for a reduction in rent).
    2. Learn job skills, approved by the social services district for 20 hours per week (80 hours per month), that can help you earn more money.Examples include:
      • Doing job searches, workshops on resumé writing, or other training approved by your local district. Some of these activities can be done online at websites like JobZone and Virtual Career Center.
      • Job skills training programs, English language instruction, or educational activities – including college courses, certifications, or credential programs – that help you prepare for work.
    3. Community Service/Volunteer
      • The number of hours you would need to participate in community service or volunteer work is based on your SNAP benefit divided by the state minimum wage. For example, if you get $300 in SNAP and the state minimum wage in your area is $16.50, then you have to complete 18 hours of community service or volunteer work each month. ($300 ÷ $16.50 = 18 hours).
      • Volunteer or do a Work Experience Program assignment with local nonprofit or public service organizations (such as food pantries, parks, or libraries).

    Keep Your SNAP Benefits Fact Sheet – This flyer helps SNAP recipients and organizations that work with them. It raises awareness and promotes compliance with ABAWD work rules.

    Helping ABAWDs Can Help Your Community Organization Fact Sheet — This flyer helps community organizations learn about the ABAWD time limit and how they can help SNAP recipients meet the ABAWD work rules.

    Additional ABAWD Resources:

    Call your Local District Contact Number as soon as possible if you are already doing one of these things. Also, if your work hours including paid and unpaid work drop below 80 hours per month, you must let the local district know within 10 days after the end of the month.

    Remember: Tell your local district if you earn more than $217.50/week before taxes (even if it is less than 20 hours/week of work). If you do, you are exempt from the ABAWD work rules.What if you have a good reason for not following these ABAWD work rules?

    You may receive SNAP benefits beyond the 3-month time limit if you have a good cause reason for not following the ABAWD work rules or you show that you should be excused from following the ABAWD work rules because you meet one or more of the conditions to be excused. Good cause reasons for not following the rules include issues that a person cannot control, such as getting sick or having a household emergency. These are some examples of good cause reasons but there are others, too. If you claim to have a good cause reason for not following the ABAWD work rules or believe you should be excused from following the rules, you must provide proof if the district asks you to do so. If you believe that you have a good cause reason for not meeting the ABAWD rules, you should call the Local District Contact Number to provide proof.If you lose your SNAP benefits, how can you get them back?

    If you lose your SNAP benefits, because you did not meet the ABAWD work rules, you should call your Local District Contact Number. The district will explain what you need to do to start getting SNAP benefits again. The district must offer you help in meeting the ABAWD work rules to start receiving SNAP benefits again.

    General Work Rules for SNAP Recipients

    Some people getting SNAP age 16 to 59 must follow the general SNAP work rules. Some adults getting SNAP age 18 to age 64 must also meet the Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) rules. SNAP work rules and ABAWD rules can be met by participating in SNAP Employment & Training (SNAP E&T) work activities. Many people do not have to meet the SNAP work rules because they are excused. Below, you can learn if you are excused from the general SNAP work rules and the ABAWD rules or how to meet them if you are not excused.

    General SNAP Work Rules

    What do you need to do to follow the general SNAP work rules?

    You must follow these general SNAP work rules to keep your SNAP benefits:

    1. Accept any job offer you receive, unless there is a good reason you can’t.
    2. If you have a job, don’t quit your job or choose to work less than 30 hours each week without having a good reason, such as getting sick, being discriminated against, or not getting paid.Note: You will not lose your SNAP benefits if your hours fall below 30 hours per week and you are still earning $217.50 per week (30 times the federal minimum wage).
    3. Tell us about your job and how much you are working.
    4. Participate in SNAP E&T work activities if assigned by the district.

    Does everyone need to follow these General SNAP Work Rules?

    No. You may not have to follow these rules if you are:

    • Younger than age 16, or age 60 years or older (Please read the important note below about people aged 60 to 64),
    • A 16 or 17-year-old who is not the head of the household or who is in school or in an employment program at least half-time,
    • Unable to work because of a mental or physical health reason,
    • Taking care of a child younger than age 6,
    • Taking care of an incapacitated person,
    • Meeting the work rules under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program,
    • Receiving or applying for unemployment benefits,
    • Participating in a drug or alcohol addiction treatment program,
    • Enrolled in a school, training program, or college at least half-time (students may be subject to other eligibility rules),
    • Already working at least 30 hours per week,
    • Already earning $217.50 (30 times the federal minimum wage) or more per week, OR
    • An SSI applicant or recipient.

    Important: If you are between 60 and 64, you don’t have to follow the general SNAP work rules. However, if none of the other conditions listed above apply to you, you may still have to follow the ABAWD rules. Find out if you are excused from the ABAWD rules.What if you think you should be excused from the general SNAP work rules?

    Call your Local District Contact Number as soon as possible if you think you or someone in your household should be excused from following the work rules.What if you have a good cause reason for not following the general SNAP work rules?

    Good cause reasons for not following the general SNAP work rules include things that you cannot control such as getting sick, facing a household emergency, or not having childcare. These are some examples of good cause reasons but there are others, too. You must provide proof of any good cause reason when asked by the local district. If you believe you should be excused from following the general SNAP work rules, you must also provide proof, if asked by the district. For example, the district might ask for a statement from your doctor or other documents showing you had a good cause reason for not following the rules or should be excused.

    Call your Local District Contact Number as soon as possible if you think you or someone in your household has a good cause reason for not following the work rules.

    SNAP Employment & Training (SNAP E&T) Assignments

    What are SNAP E&T assignments?

    The SNAP E&T program can help you and people in your household gain skills and find work. If you are assigned to SNAP E&T, you may be required to participate in supervised job search, job readiness activities, work experience, job skills training, vocational training, educational training, or other work activities. SNAP E&T participants receive case management services to help them reach their employment goals. If the district assigns you or someone in your household to participate in SNAP E&T, they cannot ask you to participate in work activities and/or employment to meet the SNAP work rules for more than 30 hours per week (no more than 120 hours per month). A person may choose to participate in work activities for more than 30 hours per week but cannot be required to do so.

    Note: People who are also receiving Temporary Assistance (TA) benefits may be required to participate in work activities for up to 40 hours per week. The assigned work activity for these people is generally a combined TA and SNAP work assignment. A person who receives TA and SNAP and does not comply with assigned work activities willfully and without a good cause reason may be subject to a TA work sanction. However, if the person participates in the assigned work activities for at least 30 hours per week (120 hours per month), the household’s SNAP benefits will not be affected.What if you have costs from participating in the SNAP E&T program?

    Your local district will pay costs for you or people in your household that are necessary and reasonable to participate in a SNAP E&T activity. These costs may include:

    • Transportation
    • Childcare
    • Personal safety items or equipment
    • Other reasonable required costs, such as tools, books, and uniforms

    If the district cannot pay your costs to participate in a SNAP E&T assignment, you will be excused from participating. If the district tells you or someone in your household that you must participate in a SNAP E&T work activity, the person must participate. If you do not participate in the SNAP E&T assignment or you quit a job willfully and without a good cause reason, you may lose your SNAP benefits.What happens if you don’t follow these general SNAP work rules?

    You may lose your SNAP benefits if you don’t follow these work rules and you don’t have a good cause reason. If you do not follow the general SNAP work rules or you do not participate in a SNAP E&T assignment, you will be sent a Conciliation Notification. You will be offered a meeting with the district to explain why you did not follow the rules.

    If you receive a Conciliation Notification, you must contact the local district by the date on the Conciliation Notification to explain why you did not follow the work rules. If the district decides you had a good cause reason, your household’s SNAP benefits will stay the same. If you did not have a good cause reason, the district will offer you a chance to participate in the same activity you did not complete in order to not lose SNAP benefits. If the district decides that the same activity is not available or is no longer a good fit for you, you may be asked to complete another activity. If you do not complete the activity or prove they had a good cause reason, your household’s SNAP benefits may go down or stop.How long will you lose your SNAP benefits if you don’t follow these general SNAP work rules or do not complete a SNAP E&T assignment?

    • The first time you do not follow these rules, you can’t get SNAP benefits for one month.
    • The second time you do not follow these rules, you can’t get SNAP benefits for three months.
    • The third time, and any additional time after that, you do not follow these rules, you can’t get SNAP benefits for six months.

    If you lose your SNAP benefits because you did not follow the general SNAP work rules or did not complete a SNAP E&T assignment, you must be allowed to start receiving SNAP benefits before the end of the time period noted above if you prove you should be excused from following the general SNAP work rules.Where can you find additional resources?

    For additional resources, visit:

    Source: otda.ny.gov , Big New York news BigNY.com

    Midtown Tribune Independent USA news from New York

  • New York. Hochul Orders Statewide Police Training Overhaul on Domestic Violence, Starting 2026

    New York. Hochul Orders Statewide Police Training Overhaul on Domestic Violence, Starting 2026

    New York Gov. Kathy Hochul highlighted a statewide push to strengthen law enforcement’s response to domestic violence, anchored by a new 16-hour “Domestic Incident Response” module that will be mandatory for all police recruits beginning Jan. 1, 2026. Developed by DCJS with the Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and approved by the Municipal Police Training Council, the curriculum adds lethality assessment, trauma-informed interviewing, reality-based scenarios, guidance on tech-facilitated abuse, and use of digital evidence to the 700-plus-hour Basic Course for Police Officers. The initiative complements STRIVE, where nearly 1,000 professionals across 17 counties have received training in the past six months, backed by a record $20.2 million investment and more than $300,000 for technical assistance—measures Hochul says are designed to protect survivors, support families, and improve investigations and prosecutions.

    Governor Kathy Hochul Highlights Statewide Progress in Strengthening Law Enforcement Response to Domestic Violence and Better Protecting Survivors and Families

    Governor Kathy Hochul today highlighted progress in strengthening the law enforcement response to domestic violence and better protecting survivors and families through significant improvements to training for police recruits and current law enforcement professionals. Beginning January 1, 2026, all recruits must complete a new Domestic Incident Response section of the required Basic Course for Police Officers, a major step forward in how new officers are trained to respond to intimate partner and gender-based violence. In the past six months, nearly 1,000 professionals representing law enforcement agencies, district attorney offices, and probation departments in each of the 17 counties participating in STRIVE (Statewide Targeted Reductions in Intimate Partner Violence) have received training to implement trauma-informed, survivor-centered strategies.

    “As the daughter of a domestic violence survivor, I know firsthand that the scars of domestic violence run deep; that’s why I’m committed to strengthening resources from law enforcement to support services so we can better protect survivors,” Governor Hochul said. “We’ve made significant progress — allocating record levels of funding for victim services and law enforcement, and empowering district attorneys to take on violent offenders — but our work is far from finished. I’ll never stop fighting to protect families and ensure every New Yorker is safe.”

    The 16-hour Domestic Incident Response curriculum incorporates the latest research and practices in domestic violence response. It emphasizes survivor-centered, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed policing, reflecting the principles that guide New York’s statewide approach to preventing and responding to domestic and gender-based violence. The curriculum also:

    • introduces lethality assessment training to help officers recognize indicators of escalating or potentially lethal violence;
    • features interactive exercises, decision-based exercises and reality-based scenarios that prepare recruits for the complex nature of domestic incident calls;
    • teaches trauma-informed interviewing techniques to help officers understand how trauma can affect survivors;
    • addresses technology-facilitated abuse, such as cyberstalking and GPS tracking; and
    • provides guidance on documenting and using digital evidence to strengthen investigations and prosecutions.

    Developed by the State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) in partnership with the state Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence, the curriculum was approved by the State’s Municipal Police Training Council last month. Among other responsibilities, the Council sets basic training requirements for police, peace, and correction officers. The Basic Course for Police Officers consists of more than 700 hours of training on topics ranging from cultural diversity to crisis intervention, and recruits must successfully complete it within one year of appointment.

    New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services Commissioner Rossana Rosado said, “The new Domestic Incident Response curriculum and our growing STRIVE initiative reflect a clear evolution in how New York approaches domestic violence. Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, we’re equipping officers with the tools to respond with empathy and awareness, and helping communities build survivor-centered systems that protect families and promote long-term change.”

    New York State Office of Victim Services Director Bea Hanson said, “Our goal is to make sure everyone impacted by violence has access to the resources they need and deserve no matter who they reach out to for help. For survivors of domestic violence and intimate partner abuse who choose to report to law enforcement, we need to do everything we can to ensure that the criminal justice system has the training and resources needed to respond appropriately. This project is part of the Governor’s continued commitment to support the safety and healing of those impacted by domestic violence.”

    New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence General Counsel Jara Traina said, “When survivors call the police for assistance during a domestic violence incident, they deserve a response that is survivor-centered and trauma-informed. Be it through programs like STRIVE, revamping trainings for law enforcement, or improvements to gun and discovery reform laws, Governor Hochul has made it clear that New York is committed to combating domestic violence and holding those who harm accountable. OPDV is proud to have taken the lead in writing and training first responders on this new curriculum. We are thankful for the Governor’s leadership, and for collaborations like this one with DCJS that further our mission.”

    This updated training complements the STRIVE initiative, in which Governor Hochul has invested a record $20.2 million to improve how communities address domestic violence by fostering collaboration among police, prosecutors, probation departments, and service providers. In the last six months, nearly 1,000 professionals have been trained by subject-matter experts supported by more than $300,000 in STRIVE funding. That technical assistance training is ongoing, and DCJS field advisors are working directly with STRIVE-funded agencies and organizations to strengthen local implementation and build sustainable, coordinated community responses.

    October 29, 2025

    Albany, NY

    Sources: Governor.ny.gov , New York news BigNY.com
    Midtown Tribune news

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  • Mayor Adams Says NYC Opioid Overdose Deaths Fell 28% in 2024, First Decline in a Decade

    Mayor Adams Says NYC Opioid Overdose Deaths Fell 28% in 2024, First Decline in a Decade

    New York City recorded 2,192 overdose deaths in 2024, down 28% from 3,056 in 2023—the first substantial drop after nearly 10 years of increases, Mayor Eric Adams and DOHMH Acting Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse said Tuesday. Declines were seen across all five boroughs, with Staten Island down about 49%. Black and Latino New Yorkers saw 29% reductions yet still died at roughly twice the rate of white residents, and the Bronx remains the hardest-hit borough. City, state, and federal investments—backed by nearly $190 million in opioid-settlement funds to date and projected to reach $550 million by 2041—have expanded prevention, treatment, and harm-reduction services, including Overdose Prevention Centers and wider access to methadone and buprenorphine. The city budgeted $41 million in FY2025 for overdose response. New Yorkers can call or text 988 for 24/7 support.

    Mayor Adams Announces Opioid Overdose Deaths in City Drop Significantly for First Time in Past Decade

    – New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) Acting Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse today announced new data released by DOHMH that shows a significant decrease in overdose deaths in New York City in 2024 — marking the first substantial decrease following a nearly 10-year period of increasing overdose deaths in the five boroughs. There were 2,192 deaths last year, down from 3,056 in 2023, mirroring national trends, and overdose deaths decreased almost universally across demographic groups and neighborhoods in 2024. Additionally, residents of all five boroughs saw decreases in overdose deaths and, for the first time since 2018, overdose deaths decreased among Black and Latino New Yorkers; however, significant racial and geographic inequities persist.

    “The data we are releasing today represents a major shift in a decades-long overdose crises that has claimed the lives of so many New Yorkers and Americans across the nation. Progress on reducing opioid overdoses will never make up for the families that have been devastated and the communities torn apart by these drugs, but it gives us hope that brighter days are ahead,” said Mayor Adams. “I am proud of the work our administration has done to stay focused on this issue by pursuing litigation and using funds from opioid settlements proactively, strategically, and forcefully to support those who are struggling. We will continue to make the right investments in programs and treatments that help keep New Yorkers safe and healthy.”

    “While we are finally seeing the needle move on fatal overdoses across the city, too many New Yorkers still continue to die from preventable deaths,” said DOHMH Acting Commissioner Dr. Morse. “As city leaders, we must be steadfast in our support of programs that save lives, while we continue to address historic disinvestment and other forms of structural racism. I am grateful for the tireless dedication of advocates, local providers, Health Department staff, and partners inside and outside government as we work to keep our communities and neighbors safe and connected to care.”

    Earlier this summer, Mayor Adams announced that New York City saw the lowest quarter in five years for opioid overdose deaths while making further investments to drive down opioid overdoses. In 2023, New York City saw a slight decline for the first time since 2018 in overdose deaths.

    Despite seeing promising decreases, inequities in overdose deaths still persist in New York City. Black and Latino New Yorkers each saw a 29 percent reduction in overdose deaths but died at twice the rate of their white counterparts. While the rate of fatal overdose decreased 24 percent among Bronx residents, the borough continues to have the highest rate of overdose deaths — at more than double the rate of Manhattan, the borough with the second-highest rate. The rate of overdose deaths among Staten Island residents decreased by about 49 percent. Residents of Hunts Point-Mott Haven, Highbridge-Morrisania, Crotona-Tremont, East Harlem, and Fordham-Bronx Park continued to bear the greatest burden of overdose deaths in 2024.

    Securing Opioid Settlement Funds

    Today’s announcement builds on the work the city has done to bring justice to the victims and families of the opioid epidemic, including just last month, when the city announced steps toward recovering approximately $48 million from a new proposed settlement with Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family. In January 2018, the City of New York sued manufacturers and distributors of prescription opioids to remedy the harms caused within the city by the misleading marketing and improper distribution of these drugs. New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a similar lawsuit in March 2019. Settlements reached by both the city and the state, as well as a court victory by Attorney General James, have provided the City of New York alone with nearly $190 million as of the end of Fiscal Year (FY) 2025, which, with the most recent settlement, is expected to grow to a total of more than $550 million by 2041. In April 2022, Mayor Adams and Attorney General James announced allocations for the first of hundreds of millions of dollars coming to New York City to combat the opioid crisis. In September 2024, Mayor Adams announced city funding will ramp up to an annual $50 million for opioid prevention and treatment.

    Investing in Treatment and Supports

    To address the continued need for comprehensive services, the city continues to invest in evidence-based practices and partner with local providers to reach the communities most in need. In FY 2025 alone, the city allocated $41 million across DOHMH, NYC Health + Hospitals, and the Office of the New York City Chief Medical Examiner to support the expansion of services around the city and enhance the existing network of care.

    Ongoing funds from opioid settlements through DOHMH have supported wraparound services for syringe service programs, including on-site medical care, connections to health care and social services, and support for basic needs. In FY 2025, syringe service programs that operate Overdose Prevention Centers provided approximately 39,000 harm reduction services to more than 8,000 participants, reducing the risk of overdose and infectious disease and providing referrals to treatment and other health and social services. In 2023, the Adams administration also allocated $3 million to eight providers on Staten Island through a request for proposal to directly support the expansion of buprenorphine treatment, outreach and engagement, and care navigation services in the borough. This past July, the city announced $4 million in annual funding for nine outpatient and opioid treatment programs citywide to increase access to methadone and buprenorphine. Contracting for the expansion of the number of hospitals participating in DOHMH’s emergency department-based nonfatal opioid overdose response program called Relay remains ongoing.

    Since beginning to receive funding through opioid settlements, NYC Health + Hospitals has had over 9,700 patient engagements with expanded substance use services at Street Health Outreach and Wellness vans, nearly 83,000 encounters with patients in emergency departments with addiction services provided by the Emergency Department Leads program, and has successfully launched a cutting-edge addiction simulation training for emergency department prescribers. Additionally, NYC Health + Hospitals has provided comprehensive addiction consultations at over 24,700 inpatient admissions through the Consult for Addiction Treatment and Care in Hospitals program. 

    Further, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner’s Drug Intelligence and Intervention Group program has offered support services to more than 4,000 individuals following the death of a loved one from an overdose. 

    All actions taken by Mayor Adams and the Adams administration to prevent overdose deaths also underscore the administration’s efforts to improve and extend the average lifespan of all New Yorkers through “HealthyNYC” to 83 years by 2030. HealthyNYC sets ambitious targets to address the greatest drivers of premature death, including chronic and diet-related diseases, screenable cancers, overdose, suicide, maternal mortality, violence, and COVID-19.

    New Yorkers looking to access substance use services can call or text 988 for free, confidential support 24/7. Resources can also be found on the “NYC HealthMap” and on DOHMH’s website.

    October 28, 2025 NEW YORK 

    Sources: NYC.gov , Midtown Tribune news

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