“Right-wing / far-right activist.” Wikipedia’s lead calls him an “American right-wing activist,” language many chatbots lift verbatim or paraphrase. Advocacy groups like People For the American Way explicitly label him “far-right.” Wikipedia+1
“Hard-right / extremist-adjacent organizer.” Watchdog write-ups and media monitors describe TPUSA as “hard right” and highlight appearances by extremist figures at some Turning Point events—phrasing that safety-tuned AIs often surface first. Southern Poverty Law Center+1
“Misinformation spreader.” Fact-checking tallies associated with his name (e.g., PolitiFact’s scorecard and FactCheck.org articles) prime models to warn about accuracy or to summarize him through a misinformation lens. PolitiFact+2FactCheck.org+2
“Christian nationalist” leader. Some major outlets have characterized his platform in those terms; models often repeat that phrasing. AP News
Why AIs default to those framings
They summarize high-authority sources. General-purpose assistants lean on Wikipedia and big outlets—so their wording (“right-wing,” “far-right,” “Christian nationalist,” etc.) shows up in AI summaries. Wikipedia+1
Safety layers and bias. Multiple studies find that popular LLMs skew left on political questions; safety policies also push risk-averse language about figures associated (rightly or wrongly) with “extremism” or “misinformation.” That mix nudges models toward negative or cautionary descriptors for actors seen as “far right.” Stanford News+2MIT News+2
Recent AI fiascos show how skew happens. Google’s Gemini produced widely criticized, historically inaccurate outputs (e.g., “diverse” WWII soldiers), illustrating how guardrails can overshoot and misframe context; such incidents demonstrate the mechanism that can also miscast public figures. The Guardian+1
AIs do sometimes defame. Meta’s chatbot falsely linked conservative activist Robby Starbuck to Jan. 6 and QAnon—Meta then brought him on as an AI-bias advisor after a settlement—showing that chatbots can smear public figures via faulty synthesis. The Verge
From original https://www.charliekirk.com/about-charlie-kirk site: Charlie Kirk is the Founder and CEO of Turning Point USA, a nonprofit organization dedicated to rallying, organizing, and empowering students to advocate for principles of freedom, free markets, and limited government.
With a presence on more than 3,500 high school and college campuses in all 50 states, and supported by over 350 full-time staff members, Turning Point USA stands as the nation’s largest and fastest-growing conservative youth activist organization. In addition to Turning Point USA’s on-campus presence, it also operates a massive online outreach initiative that garners billions of video views annually and reaches millions of Americans every day with conservative, pro-America content. In addition to his role at Turning Point USA, Charlie also serves as the CEO and founder of Turning Point Action, a related entity operating under a 501(c)(4) status. Turning Point Action’s mission is to embolden the conservative base through grassroots activism and to provide voters with the necessary resources to elect true conservative leaders. Turning Point Action has earned recognition as one of the leading grassroots forces in the country today.
He is a New York Times and Amazon best-selling author, and his writings include “Campus Battlefield,” “The MAGA Doctrine,” and, most recently, “The College Scam: How America’s Universities Are Bankrupting and Brainwashing Away The Future Of America’s Youth.”
Known for hosting “The Charlie Kirk Show,” a nationally-syndicated radio program on the Salem Radio Network, Charlie engages with his audience every weekday from 12:00 to 3:00 PM ET. His podcast consistently ranks among the top 10 news shows on Apple Podcasts. In 2023, The Charlie Kirk Show surpassed 130 million downloads. With a combined social media following exceeding 14 million followers, Charlie reaches more than 150 million individuals on a monthly basis.
Charlie is deeply involved in America’s cultural and ideological battles, offering a consistent, unapologetic perspective rooted in his conservative and freedom-oriented point of view.
On September 10, 2025, New York City announced its support for California Governor Gavin Newsom’s case challenging the federal government’s deployment of the National Guard in Los Angeles. Filing an amicus brief alongside 12 other cities and counties, New York argues that federal military involvement in local law enforcement is unlawful, undermines public safety, and threatens First Amendment rights. Mayor Eric Adams emphasized that New York is already the safest large city in America, crediting its precision policing strategies and effective collaboration with state and federal partners—not military intervention. The coalition calls the troop deployment an unprecedented federal overreach and urges the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to uphold a ruling blocking the action.
City of New York Takes Action Opposing Federal Government’s Military Deployment in American Cities
New York City and Coalition Support California’s Case Against Federal Administration . Brief Contends That Cities — Not the Military — Hold Lawful Expertise and Authority Over Domestic Law Enforcement, Are Better Suited to Ensure Public Safety While Protecting First Amendment Rights
The federal government has also sent troops to Washington, D.C. and has repeatedly made clear that New York, Chicago, Baltimore, Oakland, and other cities are next. The brief encourages the court to put an immediate end to this unchecked federal overreach and violation of the principles of federalism.
“New York City is the safest big city in America and home to the best police force in the world, and our results speak for themselves: crime is plummeting across the five boroughs, with major violent crimes reaching record lows,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “Collaboration with state and federal law enforcement has always been a key part of our public safety strategy. We do not need a deployment of the National Guard to our city. Instead, we hope to continue to work with the federal government to stop the flow of illegal guns to our city from other cities and states. We remain committed to keeping New Yorkers safe through smart, precision-driven policing.”
“This brief highlights the risks of allowing the National Guard to become President Trump’s personal police force,” said New York City Corporation Counsel Muriel Goode-Trufant. “An unlawful military presence trampling on the sovereign rights of cities and undermining local law enforcement efforts should not be tolerated in any of our communities.”
In June 2025, the Trump administration federalized the National Guard in Los Angeles in response to protests of immigration enforcement operations. On June 12, 2025, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California ruled that the deployment violated federal law because the president had exceeded the narrow authority granted to him by Congress and violated the Tenth Amendment. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit stayed the district court ruling while it considered the merits of the federal government’s appeal.
In the amicus brief — prepared by the City of Los Angeles — the coalition argues that the federal government’s appeal provides no legal justification for deploying federal troops in Los Angeles. The coalition asserts that there was no invasion or rebellion directed toward the federal government that would have allowed the federal government to lawfully deploy the National Guard under Title 10 of the U.S. Code (10 U.S.C. § 12406), nor did false claims of “lawless mob violence” permit the federal government’s extreme response.
Further, the brief highlights how the federal deployment of combat-trained soldiers to Los Angeles impeded the city’s ability to carry out policing activities, sowed chaos, and escalated violence at protests. The brief contends that cities — not the federal government — hold the lawful expertise and authority over domestic law enforcement and are better suited to ensuring public safety while protecting First Amendment rights.
Joining the City of New York and the City of Los Angeles are the cities of Bell Gardens, Long Beach, Monterey Park, Santa Ana, Santa Monica, Santa Paula, and West Hollywood, California; Chicago, Illinois; Boston, Massachusetts; and Baltimore, Maryland; as well as the County of Los Angeles, California.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said Monday that commuters have saved more than $100 million since the Metropolitan Transportation Authority expanded its CityTicket program in 2022 to cover all off-peak and later peak trains. The program, which has sold 37.2 million discounted tickets, has boosted ridership on the Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North to record levels while lifting customer satisfaction and on-time performance across both railroads.
Money in Your Pockets: Governor Hochul Announces MTA Customer Savings Surpasses $100 Million With Commuter Railroad Cityticket Expansion
MTA Sold 37.2 Million CityTickets Since March 2022 Following Expansion to All Off-Peak Trains and Further Expansion to Peak Trains in Late Summer 2023. CityTicket Provides NYC Residents Greater Access to Affordable Commuter Rail Travel Between the Outerboroughs and Manhattan. Milestone Reached as Railroads Experience Record Year of Ridership and Performance.
Governor Hochul today announced that Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) customers have saved more than $100 million since March 2022 by using CityTicket to travel within New York City on the Long Island Rail Road or Metro-North Railroad. The savings are measured against the cost of regular one-way peak and off-peak tickets. This milestone comes after Governor Hochul and the MTA expanded the CityTicket program from a weekend-only option to being available on all peak and off-peak trains in recent years.
“The results are in and it is clear: expanding CityTicket has been a huge affordability win for New Yorkers,” Governor Hochul said. “For years, residents of the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens had high-quality rail service right at their doorsteps, but the fare was just too high. Not anymore. By making LIRR and Metro-North service more affordable for city riders, we have welcomed millions of new customers, getting New Yorkers out of their cars and onto fast, reliable rail service in and out of Manhattan.”
MTA Chair and CEO Janno Liebersaid, “Thirty million customers can’t be wrong – the City Ticket is a smash success, saving New York City residents $100 million, plus a faster commute. It’s another proof point that low cost, reliable transit is one of our most important solutions to the affordability crisis, especially for folks outside Manhattan.”
The savings analysis is based on ticket sales from March 2022 through August 2025. Tickets are $5 off peak hours and $7 during peak hours anywhere within New York City on either LIRR or Metro-North, significantly less than the cost of point-to-point tickets prior to the start of the program. For the Long Island Rail Road, 30.4 million CityTickets were sold, totaling a cost savings of $83.2 million. For Metro-North Railroad, 6.8 million CityTickets were sold, totaling a cost savings of $17.6 million – achieving a combined $100.8 million in savings for customers.
Between March 2022 and August 2023, the MTA collectively sold 7.5 million CityTickets. When the program was expanded to include peak trains in August of 2023, 29.7 million CityTickets were sold between September 2022 and August 2025.
At a time of surging railroad ridership across the MTA network, CityTicket expansion has seen ridership grow at city stations faster than systemwide baselines. From 2021 to 2025, monthly average ridership across the LIRR has grown 179%, while ridership grew by 183% at Rosedale, 215% at Queens Village, and 224% at Jamaica. Over 766,000 monthly riders now travel to and from Jamaica Station on the LIRR, which includes connection to the JFK AirTrain and the 168 St Bus Terminal, with connections to 10 New York City Transit and five NICE bus routes.
Bronx riders are also benefitting from more affordable Metro-North service. While overall monthly average railroad ridership grew 126% from 2021 to 2025, ridership was up 163% at Tremont and 152% at Spuyten Duyvil.
Today’s announcement comes as the railroads continue to deliver strong performance and reliability, while breaking post pandemic ridership records. The ridership highs across both railroads reflect the increasing customer satisfaction rates and record-breaking on-time performance statistics.
For this year so far, 96.4% of LIRR trains reached their destination on time, the best rate in its history, even surpassing pandemic years. Customer satisfaction with the LIRR reached 81% in the spring of 2025, up five percentage points from the fall of 2024, when it reached 76%, which was itself a six-point increase from spring 2024’s rate of 70%.
On Metro-North, 98.0% of trains have reached their destination on time this year. Metro-North continues to be the MTA’s highest-rated service with 89% of customers reporting being very satisfied or satisfied with Metro-North overall, an increase from 85% in Fall 2024. Satisfaction increased across all lines, up four points to 90% on the Hudson Line, four points to 89% on the Harlem Line, and five points to 89% on the New Haven Line.b
New York City Mayor Eric Adams, speaking Sunday at Hope City Church, blended personal testimony with a defense of his record. He recounted his upbringing, his reliance on faith, and his recent struggles while outlining achievements such as expanded broadband for public-housing residents, reduced childcare costs, new foster care supports, and record declines in crime. Adams also highlighted job growth and minority business investment, framing the city’s progress as part of a broader message of resilience and divine guidance.
Mayor Adams Delivers Remarks at Hope City Church’s Sunday Service
Mayor Eric Adams: Please be seated. You don’t stand for me, I stand for you. You know, I started to tear up when I heard that story because I’m going through some stuff, folks. I’m going through some stuff. And, but God. But God. But God.
And I remember that day, as I was sitting there, I remember that day speaking to those young people. Always showed up. Always showed up. That has been my life, showing up for us. Because growing up in South Jamaica, Queens, mommy raising the six of us, no one showed up but God. But God.
And, pastor, you know, first of all, thank you for your friendship, your prayers. And we were coming in, I was in his office, and he was telling me that during COVID, I was supposed to come to service, and I got COVID, and Pastor Monrose said, no, “If Eric comes to church with COVID, they’re going to beat him up and write all sorts of things about him.”
And pastor said, you know, I started to read it and hear, and he said, Pastor Monrose was just right. No matter what Eric does, they are going to attack him. And you have to ask yourself why, you have to say to yourselves, why we don’t read about anything Eric has done in this city. Because, in your mind, I don’t blame you when you believe that this has been an administration of nothing but corruption.
I don’t blame you if you believe that I’m a puppet for Donald Trump. I don’t blame you if you believe that we have done nothing for people of color. I don’t blame you for believing that, because the people who are supposed to tell you the story of what we have done, have done just the opposite. So let me just take a moment to just give you a brief glimpse at what we have done in this city.
Who lives in NYCHA? Black and brown people. Do you know we have free high-speed broadband for NYCHA residents? $159-$160 a month now going back into their pockets. Do you know we have, for the first time, NYCHA land trusts because the federal government moved away from NYCHA. And we included NYCHA in our housing plan like no other administration has done before in the history.
And I have walked the halls of NYCHA to deal with real issues that’s in NYCHA. And when we did our summer youth jobs, we zeroed in on NYCHA residents and young people in particular. And do you know that crime in NYCHA has finally gone down in NYCHA residences under this administration.
Who is in foster care? Who is in foster care? Six to 700 age out every year and they slip through the cracks. Victims of crimes, homelessness, mental health issues. You know what we’ve done? Six to 700 that age out every year. Do you know we’re paying their college tuition and they’re no longer aging out at 18? They’re getting life coaches until they’re 21 years old and we’re giving them a stipend to move on.
Who needs childcare? Black and brown. Do you know we dropped the cost of childcare from $220 a month to less than $20 a month? Who needs after school programs? Who’s in the Department of Education? Black and brown students. Do you know we have universal after school programs? And we have expanded pre-K and 3K so that children with special needs, autism, now will have seats. They have been ignored for years, but we’re bringing them in.
When I became mayor, Black unemployment and brown unemployment was four times the rates of whites. We dropped unemployment by 20 percent in both areas. Black M/WBEs were not receiving any of the city procurement contracts. We put $19 billion into M/WBEs. Nowhere in the country is doing it.
And you know better than I, pastor, who’s the victims of shootings? Black and brown. We took 23,000 illegal guns off our streets. We have witnessed the lowest number of shootings and homicides in recorded history of this city. Who’s on our subway system going back and forth to work every day? Even swiping the metro card and jumping over the turnstile. Black and brown. Crime in our subway system is the lowest in recorded history, when you take out the two years from COVID.
More jobs in New York than in the history of this city. More small businesses are operating in the history of this city. Our young people— I have been on Rikers Island folks, more than any mayor in the history of this city. When I got re-baptized, I could have gone to any church in the city. You know where I went to get re-baptized? I went back on Rikers Island and got re-baptized with the inmates. With the inmates.
And so, when you talk about Donald Trump, do you know I took the president to court more than any mayor in this country? More than any mayor in the country. And the White House sued me several times. Think about it. They said, well, he had your charges dropped. Please go read my indictment. Please read it. When you read the indictment, you will say to yourself, what is this?
I was facing 33 years in prison. For calling the Fire Department, as the borough president, telling them, go do a building inspection. And if you can’t do it, let me know and I’ll manage their expectations. When you read through the indictment and you align it with the fact that I told the federal government, you can’t continue to send 237,000 people into our city at a price tag of $7 billion, I was not a good Democrat. But you know what I was? I was a good mayor for the people of this city.
I couldn’t stop the buses from coming in. That was against federal law. I couldn’t allow people to work who came into the city. That was against federal law. City law required me to house, feed, clean and clothe. Everything possible, I had to do according to city law.
And when I went to Washington, I said that $7 billion is coming out of my housing dollars. It’s coming out of the money that should be going to my children. It’s coming out of the money that’s going to my seniors. It’s coming out of the money that should be going to ensure that I can decrease unemployment. They turned a deaf ear. They said, Eric, it’s like a goldstone. You’re feeling pain now, but it was the past.
This is what I was fighting against. And so, I want you to know, God is in charge. God is in charge. And I want to end with this. Back when I was a little boy, mommy was struggling to hold on to our house. And every once in a while, she would hit the number. And I would say, mommy, you know, you’re a Christian. You’re not supposed to be playing numbers. And mommy would say, “Baby, God uses who he uses.” God uses who he uses.
And so, I don’t know about you. If you knew, you wouldn’t do anything wrong. And if someone comes along and says, on the campaign trail, that’s wrong what they’re doing to that mayor. And made the determination to have their Justice Department look over the case and see what they were saying among each other about me in that Justice Department. And they come along and say, you are not going to face 33 years in prison. And people come up to me on the street and say, well, you should not have allowed that to happen. I tell them, God uses who he uses. That’s what God uses.
And so, all I know is that Hope City is the city that I’m the mayor of. And there’s hope in this city. Because your pastor is the pastor of Hope City. And you know what? I’m going to ask every pastor I meet from now on. Do you have Cash App? And I’m not even going to tell them why. I’m just going to say, do you have Cash App? And I’m going to drop the mic. Thank you, church.
On September 7, 2025, Governor Kathy Hochul delivered remarks at True Bethel Baptist Church in Buffalo, warning that federal Medicaid cuts could force hospital closures and cost New Yorkers their health care jobs. She vowed to protect families from rising costs by enacting the largest middle-class tax cut in 70 years, providing inflation rebates, and expanding free school meals statewide. Hochul also highlighted new policies banning cell phones in classrooms to improve learning, while emphasizing her commitment to unity, community investment, and protecting New Yorkers from divisive politics.
Rush Transcript: Governor Hochul Delivers Remarks at True Bethel Baptist Church’s Sunday Service
Governor Hochul: “He is taking away health care from our families. He’s taking away food from our babies. He’s eliminating education opportunities here in this country. The pathway out of your circumstances… When we have people who want us divided… I have to stand up as the Governor and say, ‘I’m not letting the people of my state crash out. You’re not going to divide us. We will be stronger in the face of what you are doing to us, Mr. President.’”
Hochul: “There are hospitals all across New York that are going to end up closing because of these huge cuts in Medicaid — people will lose their health care jobs and I don’t want to see that happen. So I’m putting more money back in people’s pockets. The largest middle class tax cut rate in 70 years. An inflation rebate because you all paid so much in inflation. We collected more in sales tax. I said, ‘That’s not my money. That’s their money,’ you people across the State of New York. Checks are coming out soon. Watch the mail.” Earlier today, Governor Kathy Hochul delivered remarks at True Bethel Baptist Church’s Sunday Service in Buffalo.
A rush transcript of the Governor’s remarks is available below:
Good morning, church.
[…]
Oh, I feel some energy. I have a question, Reverend– Bishop Pridgen.
[…]
Bishop. No, he’s got the big title — you deserve it. Can I go before you next time? Because I mean, I have to give a lot of speeches, but I have to go after something like that — people are like, “Okay, we’re just walking out the door now,” because how do you top that? But as I think about the message, it is so powerful — I’m trying to process so much of what you said and how it affects my life as your Governor. But also, I just come to church always with a heart full of gratitude and love, especially here. You have embraced me and lifted me up sometimes when life was a little harsh.
[…]
A few years ago — and I try not to remember it, but I lost an important seat in Congress. I loved that job. I thought I would never be able to do something as exciting and impactful for people as I was in Congress. And I came here right after I lost that election, and you embraced me, and you reminded me that perhaps God has another plan. Thank you, Bishop Pridgen, for being the spiritual advisor I needed during the tough times — and, of course, now during the good times. He is one of the leaders of a statewide leadership conference I put together of the top clergy in the State. So he is out there helping shape policy all across New York. So thank you for what you do here, but all across New York.
Your son, Pastor Craig Pridgen, has become a dear friend of mine as well. He’s a wonderful family. I want to welcome them here as well, but also his passion for building housing, and lifting up people and what we’re doing is truly making a difference — I want to thank him for years of friendship.
But speaking of years of friendship, there’s a guy who’s been my friend for about 45 years, married for 41 — give a round applause to your very first First Gentleman, my husband, Bill Hochul. Your former United States attorney who worked so hard with the violence disruptors and tried to reduce crime and make sure that you could be safe again. So that is part of his legacy. But I cherish this man, and I just can never tell him enough how much I love him, and certainly in the presence of God, I want to do that today. And we signed up for another 41, so we’re good.
Also Commissioner Timothy Hogues. I stole him out of Buffalo, but he is a champion of civil service. So I used to be able to give out jobs when I was a county clerk, this guy has jobs across the whole state, so you want to get him on speed dial — you know somebody who needs a job, hard workers, talk to our Civil Service Commissioner as well.
Also, it’s funny about the word “majority,” “majority leader.” How can one church produce the most powerful people in the entire state? One church, one church. Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes. One church. Crystal Peoples-Stokes — been a friend of mine since she ran for Congress a long time ago. I think she’s doing better off here because she influences the entire state. And I just love our friendship, Crystal and everyone here. Your name is synonymous with us doing really impactful things for a community — a community that sometimes suffers a lot. And I understand that because I was there during the depths of the worst pain we could have endured on that fateful day in May of 2022.
I will never forget that, but I’ll never forget how this community rose up and stood together. Oh, the resiliency, the strength, the determination to rebuild and never forget those whose lives were shattered on that day, but also to say, “We will come back stronger.” And so we have been strongly investing — into this community — over $50 million to the East Side in the aftermath of that, for people to be able to fix up their homes, and to be able to live where they want to live and just to give them the dignity of a roof over their heads. Since I’ve been Governor, we’ve invested over $250 million in the East Side of Buffalo alone and just another $10 million this year as well.
So I want to thank Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes for her leadership there, but also to have a Majority Leader who’s got a beautiful voice, by the way, in the City Council. Our City Councilmember, Leah Halton-Pope. I mean, my gosh, she must have a direct line to God with that voice. You want something done? I would just ask Leah — beautiful. And Rasheed Wyatt is here as well.
So I really appreciate all the elected officials, but I was thinking about many things you said. If you just give me a couple minutes, I want to share what’s in my heart. We are under siege, my friends. This country is under attack, and I think about what you’re talking about, Bishop, about crashing out, and sometimes there’s people who want us to crash out to divide us — right?
And I’m pained to say this, but I actually believe there’s someone sitting in the White House who wants us to crash out because he is taking away health care from our families. He’s taking away food from our babies. He’s eliminating education opportunities here in this country. The pathway out of your circumstances — like the reason my mom and dad could leave a trailer park minutes from here when my dad worked hard at the steel plant where his father and brothers worked, he got out of that circumstance because of an education. So I value that tremendously.
But, when we have people who want us divided — and even recently saying, no more vaccines, no more COVID shots — I have to stand up as the Governor and say, “I’m not letting the people of my state crash out. You’re not going to divide us. We will be stronger in the face of what you are doing to us, Mr. President.” And don’t underestimate a woman from Buffalo who gets really– and I’m not going to say the word, but I am–
[…]
I’m not going to say it. Alright. Forgive me. Who gets really pissed off about what you’re doing to my people, okay?
Let me just put that out. That’s okay.
[…]
Okay. But, I don’t want to crash and burn over this guy. No, I don’t want to, I don’t want to crash out, so I’m going to get calm, take a breath. I’m going to my calm, happy place. But it just makes your blood boil what they’re doing to our people. So I’m going to do what I can as your Governor. I’m going to fight like heck. But when they’re taking more money out of your pockets — I mean, didn’t they promise lower prices day one? Wasn’t day one back in January? Didn’t they promise lower utility prices day one? Any of your bills going down?
[…]
I mean, this is the line that they fed us, and I’m keeping track of all the promises that have all been broken and I have to clean up the mess.
And again, women, we know how to clean up the mess, okay? Been doing this a lot, okay? So that’s what I’m doing. We’re going to do COVID shots without a prescription because I want our children and our families to be safe. We’re going to find a path to help people have their health care so we don’t have to have our emergency rooms as the first place you go when you get a small illness, right?
I love our health – I love ECMC. We have great hospitals here, but come on, the system can’t hold up under that weight. There are hospitals all across New York that are going to end up closing because of these huge cuts in Medicaid — people will lose their health care jobs, and I don’t want to see that happen.
So I’m putting more money back in people’s pockets. The largest middle class tax cut rate in 70 years. An inflation rebate because you all paid so much in inflation. We collected more in sales tax. I said, “That’s not my money. That’s their money,” you people across the State of New York. Checks are coming out soon. Watch the mail, okay? Okay? Don’t spend it all one day. Get something you really need, okay? Don’t stop by the liquor store, okay? Buy something for the kids — buy them some food.
Sometimes I have to stop by the liquor store too. I understand. It’s alright. It’s alright. But listen, the inflation rebate, the middle class tax cut, a thousand dollar tax credit for everyone who has a child under the age of four — all your grand babies. Let’s take care of the grand babies that we know — $500 for older kids. We’re putting up to $5,000 back in people’s pockets. And also, because I’m a mom, New York’s first Mom Governor, I don’t want any child’s tummy to be growling when they’re in school. Free breakfast, free lunches for every child in the State of New York. These kids are going to learn, not sit there and be hungry.
And speaking of our kids in schools, I actually want them to learn something while they’re sitting there. I want them to pay attention to the teachers and not TikTok dance videos. No more cell phones in our schools. We’re taking our kids back. We’re taking our children back, letting them have a childhood again, letting our teachers be able to teach once and for all.
So as a result of our policy this week — and I’ll tell you, a lot of people didn’t want to go there. “Oh no, you can’t tell us what to do.” Well then do it yourself. Nobody did. Nobody did. I said, “I’ll be the heavy.” I’m a mom. I’m used to getting blamed for everything anyhow. So we did this, and I’m going to tell you this is going to be one of the most impactful policies I ever could have done — it is bipartisan. How often do you hear that? Not very often. People support this. People understand our kids deserve the best in life. And I now have 3 million school-aged children in the State of New York that I know are going to be smarter than the kids in the other states because they’re going to be learning. They’re learning, and our teachers won’t be so frustrated that they’re trying to compete all day long.
So I just wanted to come here and tell you — I have one more thing to say because you told this story about sons, and it brought back this feeling that I was having. And I wasn’t going to talk about this, but about four weeks ago, we had a very serious diagnosis for our only son, and it was scary. He has a 3-year-old daughter and everybody was just really worried and we prayed a lot — my husband’s here, we prayed a lot. We prayed so much, and he had some very serious surgery just a week ago, and the doctors told us that he’s completely healed. And they call it a miracle, they call it a miracle.
And I’m here to thank God for looking out for my little boy. So I know the power of prayer, my friends. God will listen to you. He listened to me in my time of great need and pain.
And I want to thank all of you for being my friends, my hometown — I’m so proud of you. I brag about being from Buffalo all the time. And everybody knows my favorite football team — Go Bills.
Let’s bring it home, everybody. Go Bills. Thank you.
On September 6, 2025, in Albany, Governor Kathy Hochul signed a sweeping package of labor protection bills to safeguard workers across New York State. The legislation strengthens collective bargaining rights, expands apprenticeship programs for renewable energy projects, and creates pathways to good-paying union jobs, while also addressing federal gaps left by the weakened National Labor Relations Board. Signed ahead of New York City’s annual Labor Day Parade, the measures reinforce New York’s commitment to workers, unions, and the clean energy transition, ensuring stronger job security, fair treatment, and safer workplaces for thousands of New Yorkers.
Governor Hochul Signs Legislation to Strengthen and Expand Worker and Labor Protections
Bill Package Includes Measure To Ensure Protections for New York Workers in Midst of Federal Uncertainty
Bills Would Lead to Creation of New Union Jobs
Governor Hochul Signs Bills To Protect Workers Ahead of New York City’s Labor Day Parade
Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation to strengthen and expand labor protections statewide. The package of bills will help create good paying union jobs and strengthen protections for workers across the state. In the absence of a functional National Labor Relations Board under the Trump Administration, the package of bills also includes legislation that seeks to preserve worker rights here in New York. The Governor highlighted the bill signings ahead of New York City’s famous Labor Day Parade.
“Our union laborers are the lifeblood of New York, working tirelessly to continue to build and uplift this great state,” Governor Hochul said. “While the Trump Administration has failed to prioritize a strong National Labor Relations Board and is dismantling unions left and right, here in New York we are taking strong action to protect worker rights and sending a clear message that we will always have the backs of New York’s workers.”
The package of bills includes:
Legislation S.8034A/A8590A which authorizes the New York State Public Employment Relations Board to assert jurisdiction over disputes between employers and recognized employee organizations if the National Labor Relations Board is unable to successfully assert jurisdiction.
Legislation S.5254/A.6612 which protects public unions from a wage reduction due to their involvement in the investigation of a violation of a workplace violence protection program.
Legislation S.12/A.779 which amends the Civil Service Law to strengthen protections for public unions during times of suspensions and workforce layoffs.
Legislation S.2457B/A3999B which establishes the Mechanical Insulation Energy Savings Program to provide grants for qualified mechanical insulation expenditures to school districts.
Legislation A.2730A requires contractors and subcontractors performing construction work for covered renewable energy systems to have apprenticeship agreements. This legislation also requires thermal energy networks to require contractors and subcontractors to have pre-apprenticeship direct entry providers registered with the New York State Department of Labor.
Public Employee Relations Board Chair Timothy Connick said, “As the current administration continues to sideline longstanding labor institutions like the National Labor Relations Board, it is more important than ever that New York State step up to defend the rights of workers and create fair venues to resolve labor disputes. PERB stands ready to fill the void left by Trump’s NLRB and protect the rights of workers and organized labor across the state.”
State Senator Robert Jacksonsaid, “Today marks a victory for the backbone of our public workforce. With the signing of my bill, S12, New York sends a clear message: collective bargaining agreements are not fair-weather promises — they are binding commitments that must endure through every challenge. This law ensures that layoffs or suspensions cannot be used to discard the rights won at the bargaining table. I thank Governor Hochul for signing this bill into law and standing with us. I am also proud to co-sponsor the companion measures signed today — together, these laws strengthen the voice of labor and uphold the dignity of every worker across our state.”
State Senator Jessica Ramossaid, “I’m so grateful to Governor Hochul for signing my bills to protect federal workers when federal safeguards fall short and to expand union apprenticeships that build the greener future we urgently need. That’s how we honor workers in New York.”
State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton said, “Thank you to Governor Hochul for signing my bill that requires contractors and subcontractors performing construction work for renewable energy systems to use apprenticeship agreements. Apprenticeship requirements will ensure workers are adequately trained in a skilled, safe, timely and efficient way. These programs provide New Yorkers with opportunities to gain access to career-track jobs, supporting families and local economies.”
State Senator Chris Ryansaid, “Today’s actions by Governor Hochul represent another strong step forward in protecting working people across New York State. From ensuring fair treatment of public sector workers during investigations or layoffs, to strengthening apprenticeship and training opportunities, this package of legislation makes clear that New York will always stand with workers. I’m grateful to Governor Hochul for including my legislation, S5254, as part of this package. As a lifelong labor leader and advocate, I’m proud to advance measures that safeguard collective bargaining rights, strengthen workplace protections, and create pathways to good-paying careers for our families and communities.”
Assemblymember Harry Bronsonsaid, “As Chair of the Assembly Labor Committee, I am committed to always fighting for the protections which New York workers have earned and deserve — good wages, the right to safe workplaces, the right to organize and select who will represent them, and the right to take action when their worker rights are threatened. With the signing of these bills, the leadership and partnership of Governor Hochul, and the support of organized labor, we are demonstrating our unwavering commitment to the hardworking families of New York and achieving meaningful protections against the Trump administration’s attack on workers. In addition, by enacting the Mechanical Insulation Energy Savings Program bill, we will increase the energy efficiency of public buildings and create workforce development opportunities through apprenticeships.”
Assemblymember Didi Barrettsaid, “By establishing apprenticeship programs across all renewable energy projects, we are ensuring New York State has the skilled workforce for our clean energy transition, while laying the groundwork for good-paying, union careers in this growing energy sector for working women and men. This is a win for our state, our planet, our working families, and our economy! I thank Governor Hochul for signing this important bill into law.”
Assemblymember Stacey Pheffer Amato said, “New York has always stood up for our workforce. Through this legislation, and the tremendous work of Governor Hochul, New York continues to strengthen protections for unions and their employees during layoffs. We will always be a proud pro-union and pro-worker State.”
New York State AFL-CIO President Mario Cilento said, “By signing these bills into law, Governor Hochul has once again demonstrated her commitment to addressing the real needs and concerns of working people. Partnering with the Governor, I know we will continue to lead when it comes to achieving meaningful progress toward improving the lives of hardworking New Yorkers. I also want to thank Senate Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins and Speaker Heastie for their vital roles in passing these critical pieces of legislation.”
New York State Building Trades President Gary LaBarbera said, “We thank Governor Hochul for standing with the Labor movement today and signing this very important legislation. The Building Trades are proud to advocate for policies that will benefit the entire construction workforce and ensure more projects are creating pathways for individuals to earn a middle-class family sustaining job and career in a union trade. Both the Renewable Energy Apprenticeship and Mechanical Insulation Incentives legislation have been priorities for our members this year as they will produce more job opportunities throughout the industry, while providing a positive impact to New York’s economy that will help the State in lowering its carbon footprint. We applaud the Governor, Legislative leadership and the bill sponsors for their commitment and support for our unions and these respective policies.”
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) President Mary E. Sullivan said, “We are grateful to Governor Hochul for continuing her commitment to working people by signing these bills into law. Public employees deserve to know their negotiated rights will be respected and that they can speak up to make their workplaces safer without fear of losing pay. These new protections mean stronger job security, safer workplaces and a stronger future for the people who keep New York and our communities running every day.”
New York State Public Employees Federation President Wayne Spence said, “The 54,000 members of the New York State Public Employees Federation appreciate Governor Hochul’s continued leadership and support to adjust and correct issues with the state’s Workplace Violence Law. This law ensures that both workers and employers are able to engage in the process of making all public workplaces safer. We look forward to continuing this work in the coming year as we work collectively to enhance the safety and security of all public employees.”
LiUNA Vice President and New England Regional Manager Donato A. Bianco, Jr. said, “The bright future of New York State will be powered by renewable energy, and the men and women of LIUNA stand ready to continue building this critical infrastructure that will benefit generations of New Yorkers. We applaud Governor Kathy Hochul for recognizing the resounding impact the unionized workforce has on building clean energy projects from the ground up, and the importance of the career opportunities apprenticeship provides. This legislation ensures the highest quality workforce will get the job done safely, efficiently and expeditiously, and paves pathways for New Yorkers to make their mark on the energy landscape while earning a solid, family-sustaining wage. At a time when Washington’s targeted assault on working families and the construction industry shows no sign of letting up, we express deep gratitude to bill sponsors Assembly Member Didi Barrett and Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton for showing New York will fight for both.”
NY/NE Conference of Mechanical Insulators President Thomas LeCount and Financial Secretary John Jovic said, “We thank Governor Hochul for her leadership in signing legislation to implement the Mechanical Insulation Energy Savings Program. This new program will make public buildings more energy efficient across the State, while creating access to top tier apprenticeship programs and good paying jobs. We truly appreciate the commitment to Labor and hardworking New Yorkers that the Governor, Legislative Leadership and our sponsors have demonstrated in creating this program.”
On September 5, 2025, Governor Kathy Hochul announced a landmark settlement with the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe, concluding more than four decades of litigation that began in 1982. The agreement restores over 14,000 acres of land in Franklin and St. Lawrence counties to tribal control, secures $70 million in payments and long-term power access from the New York Power Authority, and provides tuition assistance for Akwesasne Mohawk students at SUNY colleges. It also grants the tribe renewed access to the islands of Croil, Long Sault, and Barnhart on the St. Lawrence River. The deal underscores New York’s commitment to justice, reconciliation, and stronger partnerships with Indigenous communities statewide.
Governor Hochul Announces Agreement Reached with Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe, Ending Decades-Long Dispute
Returns Land Back to Tribal Control With Payments From the New York Power Authority For Use of the Land and Access to Power
Ends Litigation That First Commenced in 1982; Includes Restoration of Islands Access Along St. Lawrence River to Akwesasne Mohawks as Well as Tuition Assistance to SUNY Facilities and Community Colleges
Continues Governor’s Commitment To Strengthen and Restore Relationships With Indigenous Peoples Across New York State
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that New York State has reached a settlement agreement with the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe, bringing an end to a decades-long dispute that first commenced in 1982 over litigation regarding land purchases. The agreement includes land restitution to the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe — approximately 9,500 acres in Franklin County and 4,800 acres in St. Lawrence County — in addition to payments from the New York Power Authority for use of the land and the provision of power. The settlement also included tuition assistance for tribal members to SUNY facilities and community colleges, and restored access to the islands of Croil, Long Sault and Barnhart on the St. Lawrence River.
“In order to pave a way forward, we must acknowledge the mistakes of the past — and I am grateful that the agreement between New York State and the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe has allowed us to do just that,” Governor Hochul said. “While New York’s history was stained with a tragic history, its future will be of justice, reconciliation, accountability and healing — as Governor, I am committed to supporting all Indigenous Peoples in our State and taking the necessary steps to strengthen and restore relations with the State.”
Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council said, “Our land claim has spanned approximately 43 years. Getting our land back has been a goal of ours and our ancestors — we would not be here without the perseverance and courage from everyone who worked on the claim and negotiations since 1982. The Settlement is not perfect, as it does not restore all Mohawk lands that we historically lost. However, the settlement provides us the opportunity to add, restore, and acquire lands, as well as to remove property taxes, provide funding for Akwesasne Mohawk students at SUNY, in addition to acquiring power at a preferred rate.”
Settlement Agreement With the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe
The agreement settled disputes over land in addition to power usage, education benefits, and access to the islands of Croil, Long Sault and Barnhart on the St. Lawrence River.
Restoring Land Rights:
Disputed land in Franklin and St. Lawrence counties will become Indian Land upon the effective date of the Settlement Agreement. Approximately 9,200 acres in Franklin County and 3,200 acres in St. Lawrence County will be returned to the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe (SRMT), with an immediate restoration of 3,400 acres in Franklin County and 1,300 acres in St. Lawrence County
The State will make recurring payments: a $2 million annual payment to Franklin County — with an additional $1 million annual payment to Franklin County out of money received from the exclusivity payment — and a $4 million annual payment to St. Lawrence County out of money received from the exclusivity payment
The agreement will establish a process for Akwesasne Mohawks to convert certain parcels to Indian Land should the right conditions be met
Power Usage and Payments:
The New York Power Authority (NYPA) will pay SRMT $2 million every year for 35 years, totaling $70 million
NYPA will provide SRMT with up to 9 mWh of lowest cost power that can be used to grow the SRMT’s economy or by members for personal use. The power provided cannot be resold on the open market and can only be transmitted into Canada if the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne obtains all the necessary permits and approvals
Access to Education:
The State will waive tuition and mandatory fees for up to eight full-time semesters for any enrolled Akwesasne Mohawk at any SUNY facility or community college
Members of the SRMT applying to Cornell or Alfred will receive a reduction equivalent to the SUNY undergraduate resident tuition rate
An income requirement is not attached to these benefits
Access to Land:
The SRMT can access the islands of Croil, Long Sault and Barnhart on the St. Lawrence River for hunting, fishing, trapping and gathering with certain limited restrictions. Hunting standards for the SRMT will be equal to, or more stringent than, regulations for licensed hunters in New York State
No fees will be issued for the SRMT to use the boat launch at Robert Moses State Park – Thousand Islands
The SRMT can conduct environmental monitoring on the islands with the provision of at least 10 days advanced notice to the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and no damage during the monitoring period
The SRMT has a right of first refusal if the State ever wishes to alienate any of the islands
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said, “The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe and the people of Akwesasne have long sought justice and the return of their rightful land,” said Senator Gillibrand. “I’m so grateful that, after decades of unceasing advocacy from tribal leaders, Governor Hochul has signed the agreement to return thousands of acres to the Tribe. I will continue working to ensure this agreement is ratified by Congress and remain a committed partner to Native communities across our state.”
Assemblymember Billy Jones said, “Although I’ve been involved with the land claim settlement discussions for over 15 years, most of the credit goes to the Franklin County legislators past and present, the County Managers, the town officials, and the members of the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe who worked tirelessly to come to this agreement. I have been involved in these talks since my time as chair of the Franklin County Legislature, so I know firsthand how challenging it was to get to this point. After years of tedious negotiations, this agreement ensures a fair settlement for all parties. I want to thank the Governor and everyone involved for finalizing this important and historic agreement.”
Franklin County Board of Legislators Chair Ed Lockwood said, “After decades of negotiations among Franklin County, the Mohawk Tribe, and the State of New York, the three parties have reached a consensus to advance the final Land Claim Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to the Federal Government for review and approval. Franklin County, along with representatives from the Towns of Bombay and Fort Covington, has worked diligently and collaboratively to help bring this agreement to fruition. On behalf of the Franklin County Legislature, we look forward to the finalization of the Land Claim Agreement and the opportunities it represents for all parties involved.”
St. Lawrence County Board of Legislators Chair David Forsythe said, “This Settlement will provide the opportunity to return land to the Tribe while improving opportunities for the surrounding counties of Franklin and St. Lawrence. This litigation has been active for over 43 years and concludes with an agreement that recognizes the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of all the parties. The interested parties at the local and state level have all signed off in agreement, with the approval of Congress and the President it will finally be settled. Since 2014, the County has been urging conciliation that would result in settlement. This historic settlement is a testament for the shared interest of all involved to live in peace with one another for generations to come. Thank you to the Governor and all signatories for resolving this long standing challenge. The County looks forward to the implementation of the tenets of the Settlement.”
Commitment To Strengthen Relationships
Governor Hochul is committed to supporting and strengthening relationships with Indigenous peoples and tribes across New York State. The Governor’s previous steps to build on her actions are highlighted below:
Visited the Cattaraugus Territory of the Seneca Nation of Indians on May 20 and issued a formal apology regarding New York State’s role in the operation of the Thomas Indian School
Visited the Onondaga Nation Longhouse. Governor Kathy Hochul made a historic visit to the Onondaga Longhouse — the first visit by a sitting Governor in more than half a century – for a conversation with Onondaga Nation leaders, including Tadodaho Sid Hill, representatives of the Council of Chiefs, and Clan Mothers
Proposed to strengthen the stability of Indigenous Families by directing Deputy Secretary Rule to advance, in consultation with Nation leadership and stakeholders, strategies to strengthen the objectives of the Indian Child Welfare Act, underscoring New York’s commitment to redressing injustices inflicted upon Indigenous communities
Ensured dental care access for Indigenous Nations including $2.5 million in funding for Indigenous Nations dental health care, with the aim of addressing gaps in access
Responded to offensive representations by commencing a comprehensive review of artistic representation of Indigenous peoples in the Capitol, with invited participation from representatives from each of the nine Indigenous Nations to ensure that all New Yorkers are welcomed in the State Capitol
Summary: On September 5, 2025, President Donald J. Trump issued an executive order restoring the historic name “Department of War” to the U.S. military’s top civilian agency, replacing the modern title “Department of Defense” in official correspondence, public communications, and ceremonial contexts. The order emphasizes that the original 1789 name better reflects America’s strength, readiness, and willingness to wage war to defend national interests, echoing the legacy of victories in the War of 1812, World War I, and World War II. While statutory references to the Department of Defense remain legally binding until changed by Congress, the order authorizes secondary use of titles such as “Secretary of War” and requires a formal recommendation within 60 days on actions needed for a permanent renaming.
RESTORING THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF WAR
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:
Section 1. Purpose. On August 7, 1789, 236 years ago, President George Washington signed into law a bill establishing the United States Department of War to oversee the operation and maintenance of military and naval affairs. It was under this name that the Department of War, along with the later formed Department of the Navy, won the War of 1812, World War I, and World War II, inspiring awe and confidence in our Nation’s military, and ensuring freedom and prosperity for all Americans. The Founders chose this name to signal our strength and resolve to the world. The name “Department of War,” more than the current “Department of Defense,” ensures peace through strength, as it demonstrates our ability and willingness to fight and win wars on behalf of our Nation at a moment’s notice, not just to defend. This name sharpens the Department’s focus on our own national interest and our adversaries’ focus on our willingness and availability to wage war to secure what is ours. I have therefore determined that this Department should once again be known as the Department of War and the Secretary should be known as the Secretary of War.
Sec. 2. Implementation. (a) The Secretary of Defense is authorized the use of this additional secondary title — the Secretary of War — and may be recognized by that title in official correspondence, public communications, ceremonial contexts, and non-statutory documents within the executive branch.
(b) The Department of Defense and the Office of the Secretary of Defense may be referred to as the Department of War and the Office of the Secretary of War, respectively, in the contexts described in subsection (a) of this section.
(c) The provisions of this section shall also apply, as appropriate, to subordinate officials within the Department of Defense, who may use corresponding secondary titles such as Deputy Secretary of War or Under Secretary of War in the contexts described in subsection (a) of this section.
(d) All executive departments and agencies shall recognize and accommodate the use of such secondary titles in internal and external communications, provided that the use of such titles does not create confusion with respect to legal, statutory, or international obligations.
(e) Statutory references to the Department of Defense, Secretary of Defense, and subordinate officers and components shall remain controlling until changed subsequently by the law.
(f) Within 30 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of War shall submit to the President, through the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, a notification for transmittal to the Congress of any office, executive department or agency, component, or command that begins using a secondary Department of War designation.
(g) Within 60 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of War shall submit to the President, through the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, a recommendation on the actions required to permanently change the name of the Department of Defense to the Department of War. This recommendation shall include the proposed legislative and executive actions necessary to accomplish this renaming.
Sec. 3. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or
(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
(d) The costs for publication of this order shall be borne by the Department of War.
Mayor Eric Adams, Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos, and Delaware State University President Dr. Tony Allen cut the ribbon on New York City’s first Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Early College Prep High School as students returned for the 2025–2026 school year. Located in Queens, the new school offers a tuition-free early college program where students can earn up to 64 college credits toward an associate degree while celebrating HBCU traditions. The opening comes as part of the Adams administration’s launch of seven new schools across the city, alongside expanded literacy and math initiatives, stricter classroom technology policies, new after-school programs, and major investments in student success across all five boroughs.
Mayor Adams, Chancellor Aviles-Ramos Cut Ribbon at City’s First HBCU Early College Prep High School, Welcome Students Back at First Day of 2025–2026 School Year
Adams Administration Opens Seven New Schools for 2025-2026 School Year. New Technology Policies, Investments in Student Success Build on Administration’s Commitment to Student Achievement Across All Five Boroughs.
– New York City Mayor Eric Adams, New York City Public Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos, and Delaware State University (DSU) President Dr. Tony Allen today celebrated the return to school of approximately 1 million public-school students and staff and cut the ribbon at the Historically Black Colleges Universities (HBCU) Early College Prep High School in Queens. The HBCU Early College Prep High School — the first-of-its-kind for New York City Public Schools — will bring an innovative, tuition-free, early college high school experience to students, where they can earn up to 64 college credits for an associate degree in Liberal Arts from DSU, an HBCU. The event welcomed the first cohort of students with performances and words of encouragement while marking the beginning of a transformative school year, which will include the expansion of signature initiatives in NYC Reads and NYC Solves, the internet-enabled device policy designed to limit distractions in the classrooms, and significant investments in hiring more teachers, among other major announcements.
“We are ringing in the school year with more investments to prepare our students for bold futures. Today, we are opening seven new public schools across the five boroughs, including the first ever HBCU Early College Prep High School, expanding programs for students with autism, rolling out our first batch of 5,000 new after-school seats, and so much more as we invest in our students and families,” said Mayor Adams. “We are thrilled to start the school year with these new investments, offering schools that honor our students’ rich backgrounds and histories and meet local needs, provide rigorous instruction, and prepare all of our students for the future. Our administration is laser focused on making New York the best place to raise a family, and that starts with providing our kids with a quality education.”
“The first day of school is my favorite day of the year. As I watched my own daughter prepare for her first day of middle school, I was reminded of the tremendous trust families across the city place in us with their most precious gifts: their children. That is why we are committed to delivering on our promise to provide a world-class education that prepares every single student for success,” said Public Schools Chancellor Aviles-Ramos. “This year, we’ve opened seven brand-new, innovative schools, launched a device policy that will create more focused learning environments, and expanded our incredibly successful NYC Reads and NYC Solves programs to 186 additional schools across our system. I am beyond proud to lead New York City Public Schools in this groundbreaking work, and I can’t wait to see our students thrive throughout this new school year.”
HBCU Early College Prep High School today opened its doors for over 100 ninth-grade scholars as part of its historic first day. Led by founding principal and HBCU alumnus Dr. Asya Johnson, HBCU Early College Prep provides students with the world-class education of a New York City Public School while preparing them for life beyond high school and success in college. The school’s structure is rooted in the rich legacy of HBCUs and offers students a comprehensive experience that includes college courses, Greek life, Founder’s Day activities, Mr. and Miss Freshman competitions, Homecoming celebrations, and more.
As the school year begins, New York City Public Schools opened the doors to seven new schools in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and on Staten Island, bringing world class education, accelerated programming, and career readiness to over 500 students. With more than 1,600 schools serving diverse communities across the five boroughs, New York City Public Schools remains dedicated to reflecting these communities while upholding excellence and preparing students for success in college, career, and life, including by opening of two new FutureReadyNYC schools, bringing a reimagined high school experience to students so they can plan for a bright future with good careers.
Today also kicked off the New York City Public Schools’ new cell phone and electronic device policy, in line with the New York state mandate passed this year by the state Legislature. While more than half of the city’s public schools already had a cell phone restriction policy in place, under the revised policy, starting this school year, personal internet-enabled devices — such as smartphones, tablets, and smart watches — cannot be used during the school day by students. This work comes on the heels of multi-year consultations with school communities and alongside the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to develop well-rounded policies that meet the needs of students enrolled in New York City Public Schools.
Additionally, 186 schools across 14 districts will implement Mayor Adams’ signature curricula, NYC Reads and NYC Solves, for the first time this year, which will bring high-quality, evidence-based foundational reading and math curricula to middle school students across the five boroughs. These comprehensive programs also provide targeted resources, professional development, and curriculum enhancements for educators. The Adams administration and New York City Public Schools recently celebrated the release of new state test data revealing a substantial increase in reading and math scores for public school children in the city, between grades 3 through 8 in the 2024-2025 school year.
“As an advocate for educational equity and opportunity, I am proud to celebrate the opening of New York City’s first HBCU Early College Prep High School in partnership with Delaware State University,” said New York City Councilmember Kevin C. Riley. “This model not only prepares students for academic success but also honors the cultural pride and excellence of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. By offering tuition-free college credits, we are breaking barriers and creating opportunities for our Black and Brown youth, an investment in the next generation of leaders who will shape our city and beyond.”
September 4, 2025 HBCU Early Prep 88-15 182 Street Jamaica, NY 11423 City Hall Manhattan, New York
Mayor Eric Adams and CUNY Chancellor Félix Matos Rodríguez are pumping $12.3 million into a new life sciences center at Hostos Community College — turning part of the old Bronx General Post Office into a high-tech training ground for future nurses, therapists, and health pros. The $70 million makeover will bring sleek labs, classrooms, and student hangouts to the South Bronx, serving up to 5,000 students a year. City Hall says the project will boost enrollment, create faculty jobs, and give locals a pipeline to high-paying healthcare gigs. Construction kicks off in 2026, with doors set to open in 2028.
Mayor Adams, Cuny Chancellor Matos Rodríguez Celebrate Funding for New Life Science Facility at Hostos Community College (Video)
What you should know
New State-of-the-Art Life Sciences Facility Will Offer Hands-on Training in High-Demand Health Care Programs, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Home Health Care, and More
Facility Expected to Drive Enrollment Growth, Create Demand for Additional Faculty Jobs, Increase Research Capacity, Help Students Enter High-Paying Careers in Health and Science
Builds on Investments Made in Mayor Adams’ “Best Budget Ever” to Protect $1.4 Billion in Critical Programs Previously Facing Spending Cliffs; Maintain Funding to CUNY, Cultural Institutions, Libraries, and More
– New York City Mayor Eric Adams and The City University of New York (CUNY) Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez today announced $12.3 million in funding to lease a new space that will serve as a life sciences facility for Hostos Community College in the Bronx. With $12.3 million in baselined funding from the city, developer BPO Owner LLC will embark on an approximately $70-million renovation of a portion of the historic Bronx General Post Office to develop a state-of-the-art facility for health care programs. The city’s investment was made in conjunction with the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Adopted Budget, which builds on Mayor Adams’ FY 2026 Executive Budget, often called the “Best Budget Ever.”
“If it’s good enough for Cornell, it should be good enough for CUNY. There’s no reason our CUNY schools shouldn’t have the same level of resources and access to hands-on learning as their peers across the nation, and our administration is proud to help make that happen,” said Mayor Adams. “Today, we are helping CUNY develop further into a world-class institution with the announcement of a brand new life sciences facility at Hostos Community College in the Bronx, which will feature modern instructional labs, classrooms, and student spaces, and serve up to 5,000 students per year. Building on our ‘Best Budget Ever,’ we are investing over $12 million more annually in Hostos to support the college’s growth, expand high-demand programs, and replace outdated labs — all which will drive enrollment, create demand for additional faculty, and give our students the skills they need to enter high-demand careers.”
“My story began at CUNY — more specifically, at Hostos Community College. CUNY opened the doors to opportunities and gave me the foundation to pursue my dreams in this city,” said Deputy Mayor for Strategic Initiatives Ana J. Almanzar. “Now, in my role as deputy mayor and as the city’s liaison to CUNY, it is deeply meaningful to be part of this moment. Supporting my alma mater and contributing to its growth means helping thousands of New Yorkers have access to the same opportunities I once had. This new life sciences facility at Hostos is both an investment in the infrastructure of this institution and a commitment to our students — to their future, and to the next generation of health care leaders who will serve our fellow New Yorkers.”
“The transformation of the historic Bronx Central Post Office into a state-of-the art science facility for Hostos Community College is the realization of a decade-long ambition shared by the Bronx and Hostos communities,” said CUNY Chancellor Matos Rodríguez. “With more space, we will double the number of students eligible for meaningful careers as medical professionals, creating more avenues to New York’s thriving health care industry and improving access to health services for communities throughout the Bronx. I want to thank Mayor Adams and the City Council for giving this storied building a new lease on life while honoring its identity as a public good.”
“Today is a great day for Hostos and for our students,” said Hostos Community College President Dr. Daisy Cocco De Filippis. “We have been planning for years to build a new Allied Health Building to meet the increasing needs of our community, as more and more students are enrolling in pursuit of careers in health care and various STEM fields. We are so excited to start renovating the building, developing new programs and creating new opportunities for our students to progress socioeconomically. Mil gracias to Mayor Adams, CUNY, and BPO Owner for making this possible.”
“I have been working with Hostos for nearly a decade, and I am truly proud to have played a role in making this program and building a reality for Hostos and CUNY,” said Jorge Madruga, partner, BPO Owner LLC. “Bringing a revered Bronx institution like Hostos Community College into the Bronx General Post Office reflects our long-term vision to revitalize this historic landmark for the benefit of the community. We are honored to house their new life sciences facility here, which will open doors for more students to pursue critical education opportunities and higher paying jobs. I want to thank Mayor Adams and CUNY for their support in shaping the future of this important project, and everyone involved in making it a reality.”
The new facility — located at 558 Grand Concourse in the South Bronx — is the historic and landmarked former Bronx General Post Office building. Approximately 10,000 square feet will continue operating as a post office, with the remaining approximately 190,000 square feet to be used by Hostos Community College. The new ‘Allied Health and Natural Sciences Life Sciences Center’ will feature modern instructional labs, lab support areas, faculty offices, general classrooms, student spaces, and campus services. It consolidates the allied health and natural sciences departments, improving proximity between faculty and classrooms and fostering greater interaction between students and faculty. With increased capacity, Hostos Community College can introduce additional high-demand health care programs, such as surgical nursing, surgical technology, occupational therapy, and home health care.
Currently, over 2,400 students are enrolled in allied health programs, including dental hygiene, nursing, and radiologic technology; and nearly all Hostos Community College students, regardless of their major, are required to complete at least one natural science course as part of the pathways general education requirements. As a result, the new facility is expected to serve up to 5,000 students per semester. Construction is expected to begin in the fall of 2026, with the program slated for opening in the fall of 2028.
The Adams administration is delivering on realizing plans for Hostos Community College that are over a decade in the making. The inspiration for the facility stems from the 2012 Master Plan Amendment, which identified a significant space shortage at Hostos Community College. The approved plan called for a new allied health and natural sciences building to support the college’s growth and expand high-demand programs. Outdated labs and instructional spaces have limited students’ academic growth and hindered the preparation for success in an increasingly competitive job market.
Today’s announcement builds on the significant investments Mayor Adams has made in CUNY and the advancement of career-oriented learning. In 2024, Mayor Adams and CUNY Chancellor Matos Rodríguez announced a nearly $12 million expansion towards the CUNY Inclusive Economy Initiative, which leverages CUNY campus resources to create college-to-career pipelines for CUNY students and now exceeds $14 million. In 2023, Mayor Adams announced “Pathways to an Inclusive Economy: An Action Plan for Young Adult Career Success,” a $600-million, forward-thinking roadmap to build inclusive pathways for the city’s young people to discover their passion, receive hands-on career experience, and ultimately enter the workforce.
In June 2023, together with CUNY and New York City Public Schools, Mayor Adams announced a partnership with Google as the first tech-anchor employer partner for the FutureReadyNYC initiative that provides meaningful career-connected learning opportunities, including career discovery programming, paid work-based learning experiences, and mentorship from tech professionals. Google is also serving as an inaugural partner for the CUNY Tech Equity Initiative, which expands tech-focused career awareness from the first day on campus, advances curriculum innovation, increases the number of paid internships, and grows employer engagement with campuses. And, established as part of Mayor Adams’ expanded Summer Youth Employment Program, CUNY Career Launch is a paid summer internship program designed to provide students with no prior paid internship experience an opportunity to strengthen their professional skills in key industries, such as health, technology, social services, and education.
Under Mayor Adams’ leadership, the city also expanded College Choice, which provides college students in foster care with greater support systems, including financial support so they can attend the college of their dreams without having to worry about a hefty price tag. Through the program, foster care students can attend any college of their choice, including CUNY universities.
“Repurposing a part of the historic Bronx General Post Office into a center for learning and exploration shows how we’re reimagining space to empower our Bronx scholars,”said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. “In these new labs and classrooms, students will gain the hands-on training they need to enter careers in health and science that are not only high-demand, but life-sustaining for their families. This means more nurses, radiology technicians, dental hygienists, and soon, new programs in surgical nursing, occupational therapy, surgical technology, and home health care. I want to thank Mayor Eric Adams, CUNY Chancellor Félix Matos Rodríguez, Hostos President Dr. Daisy Cocco De Filippis, and BPO Owner team for their investment in our scholars and our borough.”
State Senator said: “The newly announced life science facility is an exciting achievement for Hostos Community College and a welcome addition to the South Bronx,” said New York State SenatorJosé M. Serrano. “With state-of-the-art instructional labs, classrooms, and faculty offices all under one roof, this expansion will foster greater learning and collaboration between students and faculty. Expanding high-demand healthcare programs will help to prepare students for successful careers that meet the growing healthcare needs of our community.”
“With this new state-of-the-art life science facility at Hostos — which will expand Hostos enrollment, create jobs, and grow research capacity — Hostos is preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals at a time when our hospitals and healthcare workers are most in need —right here in the Bronx,” said New York City Councilmember Eric Dinowitz. “As the City Council’s Chair of Higher Education, I will continue to fight for sustained funding for CUNY and Hostos to ensure our city’s higher education institutions can continue opening doors for students and families across our community and build facilities like this one.”
“When we advocate for ‘Rebuilding the Bronx,’ it is exactly moments like the opening of the Hostos Life Sciences Facility at Hostos Community College that we envisioned – It was my pleasure to celebrate this $12.3 million investment towards Bronx education and workforce development alongside Mayor Adams and CUNY Chancellor Matos Rodriguez,” said New York City Councilmember Rafael Salamanca, Jr. “With the increase in research capacity that this facility will offer, we are setting students up for success and perfectly aligning our borough to be at the forefront of healthcare innovation. I am immensely grateful to our city’s leaders for their continued belief, and investment, in this great borough that I’ve been blessed to call my home for my entire life.”
