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New York Invests $550K in SUNY Community College Food Pantries to Fight Student Hunger
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced nearly $550,000 in emergency state funding to restock food pantries at SUNY’s 30 community colleges as students and families struggle with food insecurity tied to the nation’s longest federal government shutdown. The new money builds on more than $106 million the state has already fast-tracked to fight hunger, including $40 million for the Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program, $25 million for the Nourish NY farm-to-food-bank initiative, and $41 million for food banks, pantries and soup kitchens. Hochul’s administration has also mobilized SUNY’s Empire State Service Corps, hosted a statewide Day of Hunger Action, and required campuses to share basic-needs information with students. SUNY leaders praised the governor, saying the investment will help community colleges support students’ basic needs so they can stay in school and succeed.

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced an emergency investment of nearly $550,000 in assistance for SUNY community college food pantries and related efforts to help campuses address the ongoing food insecurity crisis as a result of the longest federal government shutdown in United States history. The emergency assistance announced by Governor Hochul will help the food pantries located at each of SUNY’s 30 community colleges restock supplies and support students in need.

“As the consequences of the longest federal government shutdown in history drag on, millions of New Yorkers are struggling to make ends meet and facing a food insecurity crisis,” Governor Hochul said. “My administration will continue to take action and use all of the tools and resources at our disposal to protect New Yorkers and ensure they receive the food support they need and deserve.”

As the nation faces the ongoing consequences of the longest federal government shutdown in history, millions of New Yorkers are struggling to make ends meet and enduring a food insecurity crisis. Governor Hochul has taken repeated action to address this crisis, including declaring a state of emergency and directing the SUNY Empire State Service Corps members to take action and help support New Yorkers experiencing food insecurity. Governor Hochul has allocated and fast-tracked the expenditure of more than $106 million to address the hunger crisis impacting New York State, including the allocation of:
- $40 million in new funding for the Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program, which provides emergency food relief and nutrition services to food-insecure populations. HPNAP works in partnership with a network of about 2,700 Emergency Food Providers (EFPs), including food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters.
- $25 million in new funding for Nourish NY, which supplies surplus agricultural products (e.g., milk, apples, cheese, yogurt, cabbage, squash) to populations who need them through the State’s network of food relief organizations (i.e., regional food banks, food pantries, soup kitchens, and community-based organizations that provide food for free to persons experiencing food insecurity).
- $41 million in state funds to support food banks, pantries, soup kitchens and more to provide emergency food assistance to New Yorkers.
To build on these efforts, Governor Hochul has now announced an additional nearly $550,000 in emergency state funding to support State University of New York (SUNY) community college food pantries.

SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. said, “SUNY thanks Governor Hochul for her continued commitment to helping New Yorkers address the hunger crisis facing our state. From our hundreds of Empire State Service Corps members who answered the call and stepped up to take action against food insecurity, to this investment in our community college food pantries throughout the state, SUNY is proud to support our students and all New Yorkers.”

The SUNY Board of Trustees said, “We have community colleges spread throughout New York State, and these engines of upward mobility recognize that meeting students’ basic needs is essential to student success. We have been proud to support every SUNY community college and their vital mission, and we are grateful to Governor Hochul for her continued investment in our campuses and in the New Yorkers who rely on them.”

The nearly $550,000 food support investment announced by Governor Hochul is part of SUNY’s ongoing efforts to take action against hunger and to support students struggling with food insecurity. These actions include:
- Deploying the SUNY Empire State Service Corps to support local food banks.
- Enacting a statewide Day of Hunger Action where all SUNY Empire State Service Corps students were encouraged to assist food pantries throughout the state.
- Allocating $1 million in ongoing operating expenses each year to support initiatives to address food insecurity on all State-operated campuses.
- Generating a guide to support adult students with children access to SNAP.
- Requiring, through SUNY Board of Trustee action, that information on how to access food and other basic needs resources be included at orientation and on websites for SUNY students, faculty, and staff. This includes encouraging SUNY faculty to voluntarily include basic needs statements on syllabi.
- Hosting a first-of-its-kind Basic Needs Summit, to improve access to essential resources.
About The State University of New York

The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive system of higher education in the United States, and more than 95 percent of all New Yorkers live within 30 miles of any one of SUNY’s 64 colleges and universities. Across the system, SUNY has four academic health centers, five hospitals, four medical schools, two dental schools, a law school, the country’s oldest school of maritime, the state’s only college of optometry, and manages one US Department of Energy National Laboratory. In total, SUNY serves about 1.4 million students amongst its entire portfolio of credit- and non-credit-bearing courses and programs, continuing education, and community outreach programs. SUNY oversees nearly a quarter of academic research in New York. Research expenditures system-wide are nearly $1.16 billion in fiscal year 2024, including significant contributions from students and faculty. There are more than three million SUNY alumni worldwide, and one in three New Yorkers with a college degree is a SUNY alum. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunities, visit www.suny.edu.

Sources: Governor.ny.gov Big New York news BigNY.com
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November 12, 2025
City of New York Urges Court to Free Student Detained After Immigration Check-In

The City of New York on Tuesday filed an amicus brief in federal court backing the immediate release of E.J.C.C., a 16-year-old Bronx public school student detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement after a routine Oct. 23 check-in, arguing that detention should be a last resort for children who pose no flight or safety risk. The brief, submitted in the Southern District of New York, says the student—who lives with a family member, attends Gotham Collaborative High School with perfect attendance, and is described by teachers as responsible and engaged—has already missed three weeks of classes and faces irreparable educational harm. Mayor Eric Adams called public schools “safe, nurturing places” and said the city is “proud to support his petition for justice,” while Corporation Counsel Muriel Goode-Trufant contended that the Trump administration had not met the “very high bar” for detaining the minor. The filing asserts that if the government intended to deport the teen despite his Special Immigrant Juvenile status and deferred application, it could have allowed legal challenges while leaving him in family care; instead, it detained him without warning at an appointment he “faithfully attended.” City officials said they have taken similar legal steps for other detained students in recent years.

– The City of New York today took action in support of E.J.C.C., a New York City Public Schools student who was detained on October 23, 2025, after attending a mandatory, routine immigration check-in with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, by filing an amicus brief in support of E.J.C.C.’s petition for immediate release from custody.

E.J.C.C., a 16-year-old who lives with a relative chosen by his mother, is a student at Gotham Collaborative High School in the Bronx. An average of 93 percent of students graduate from Gotham Collaborative High, and E.J.C.C., who has a 100 percent attendance record, is described by his teachers as a committed and responsible student. He is a leader in his college and career readiness class, showing his dedication to building a successful future.

“Our public schools should be safe, nurturing places where any child can get the best education and the tools they need to succeed,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “E.J.C.C. is a hard-working student, dedicated to his school work and future, who followed the proper immigration process. We are proud to support his petition for justice, just like we have done with the many other New York City Public School students who have been detained during routine immigration proceedings.”

“As detailed in this brief, the unnecessary detainment of children who pose no flight or safety risk causes irreparable harm to their schooling and to the educational system as a whole,” said New York City Corporation Counsel Muriel Goode-Trufant. “The Trump administration has not met the very high bar for detaining this minor student who is better served remaining in the community with his family.”

The brief — filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York — argues that “detention should always be a last resort. In cases like this, where the child has been living with a family member and undisputedly poses no flight or safety risk, children should remain in their communities, allowing them to access city schools and services while their immigration issues are being resolved.” E.J.C.C. has already missed three weeks of class as a result of his detention.

The detainment will only further derail his education, and “given the passage of so much time, E.J.C.C.’s release will not be ‘prompt,’ as the law requires. Only his immediate release can prevent further harm.”

The brief further argues that “if the federal government wished to deport [E.J.C.C.] and believed his Special Immigrant Juvenile status and deferred application were no obstacle, it could have informed him that it planned to do so, allowed his lawyer to make any relevant legal challenges, and left him in the care of his family and school in the meantime. Instead, it chose to detain him without warning at the appointment he faithfully attended. The City of New York has a strong interest in ensuring that immigrant minors are not unnecessarily detained, and the city prides itself on offering a free and robust education to all children regardless of immigration status, ensuring that the city’s schoolchildren grow up prepared for civic life.”

The City of New York has taken similar legal action in support of other New York City Public School students, including Dylan Lopez Contreras, Jose Luis, and Derlis Snaider, who were all arrested in Manhattan courthouses after attending mandatory, routine immigration hearings.

November 11, 2025 NEW YORK CITY HALL

SOURCES: NYC.gov , Big New York news BigNY.com

Midtown Tribune Independent USA news from New York

November 11, 2025
NOVEMBER 11 VETERANS DAY
Quick facts for November 11:
- What it is: A U.S. federal holiday honoring all who served in the Armed Forces. It marks the Armistice ending WWI (11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month).
- Today’s date: Tuesday, November 11, 2025 (observed the same day since it’s not a weekend).
- What’s open/closed:
  • Federal offices & USPS: Closed; no regular mail delivery.
  • Banks: Generally closed.
  • Schools/DMV: Often closed (varies locally).
  • Markets: U.S. stock markets open; bond markets closed.
- Flag etiquette: Fly the U.S. flag at full staff (Memorial Day is the half-staff one until noon).
- Ways to observe (simple & meaningful):
  • 11:00 a.m. moment of silence.
  • Thank a veteran directly or donate to a reputable veterans’ charity.
  • Attend a local parade or ceremony.
  • Support veteran-owned businesses.
Here’s what’s happening in New York City for Veterans Day (Tue, Nov 11, 2025):
- NYC Veterans Day Parade (America’s Parade)
  • Opening ceremony: ~11:00 a.m. at Madison Square Park (Eternal Light Flagstaff) with wreath-laying. Madison Square Park Conservancy
  • Step-off: 12:30 p.m. on 5th Ave at 26th St, marching up to 47th/48th St; runs to about 3:30 p.m. New York Post+2CBS News+2
  • Grand marshals (2025): Suni Williams (Navy), Clinton Romesha (Army), Stephen Peck (USMC). UWVC
  • How to watch: Livestream/TV via local outlets (e.g., ABC7). ABC7 New York
- Street closures (Manhattan, at NYPD discretion):
  • Route: 5th Ave 25th–48th St.
  • Formation/Dispersal & misc. closures: Broadway (Flatiron area), cross streets around 23rd–29th, 45th St between 6th Ave & Madison Ave, and nearby segments. Plan for delays in Flatiron–Midtown. FOX 5 New York+2CBS News+2
- Transit notes:
  • PATH runs a weekday schedule on Veterans Day. Port Authority NY-NJ
  • MTA subways/buses generally run normal weekday service; allow extra time near the parade zone due to detours. (City traffic advisories note event-related closures along 5th Ave.) New York City Government
- What’s open/closed locally:
  • NYC government offices & courts: Closed today. New York City Government+1
  • USPS: Closed; no regular mail. (Private carriers may operate.) NBC New York+1
Today and everyday, we’re grateful to the men and women who have put on the uniform of our great country. To those who have served in the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Space Force, and U.S. Coast Guard, thank you, you are the best of us.

Sources : House Republicans , Midtowm Tribune news ,

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November 11, 2025
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.

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

November 3, 2025
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

November 2, 2025
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

“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

November 1, 2025
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.
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.
- Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, French, Haitian Creole, Italian, Korean, Polish, Russian, Spanish, Urdu, Yiddish
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:
- ABAWD Medical Statement — This form will help SNAP recipients document that they are exempt from the ABAWD time limit because of a physical or mental health reason, pregnancy, or participation in substance use treatment
- Monthly WIOA Job Search Activity Record — Fillable — This fillable form will help ABAWDs keep track of their job search activities under WIOA
- Monthly WIOA Job Search Activity Record — Print Ready — This form will help ABAWDs keep track of their job search activities under WIOA (Use this form if you are completing the record by hand.)
- Monthly ABAWD Education and Training Participation Record — This form will help ABAWDs keep track of their participation in an education and training program.
- Monthly ABAWD Volunteer Participation Record — This form will help ABAWDs keep track of their volunteering in a community service program.
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
October 30, 2025
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
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October 29, 2025
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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October 28, 2025
Member of Violent Extremist Network ‘764’ Charged with Animal Crushing, Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, Cyberstalking and Interstate Threats

A federal grand jury in the Eastern District of California has returned a six-count indictment against Tony Christopher Long, also known as Inactive, Inactivee0, and inactivecvx, 19, of Porterville, California, charging him with animal crushing (two counts), sexual exploitation of a minor, possession of material involving the sexual exploitation of a minor, cyberstalking, and transmitting an interstate threat. Long is currently in state custody on related charges.

“This defendant allegedly engaged in acts of extreme cruelty by exploiting a child, abusing animals, and threatening violence — his conduct reflects the depravity of ‘764,’” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “These networks seek to terrorize and destabilize our communities by preying on the most vulnerable, and the Justice Department will stop at nothing to dismantle this network and bring offenders to justice.”

“The FBI has no tolerance for anyone who preys on children or other vulnerable members of society,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “This defendant allegedly targeted juveniles, took part in animal crushing, and was part of a violent online network which seeks to sow chaos and destabilize our society. The FBI will work with our law enforcement partners to investigate and hold accountable anyone who engages in such reprehensible and illegal activity.”

“This indictment charges a constellation of offenses related to the troubling emergence of NVEs like ‘764’ and related groups,” said U.S. Attorney Eric Grant for the Eastern District of California. “My office will vigorously investigate and prosecute offenses committed by NVE groups, including those alleged to have been committed by Long against young and vulnerable victims,” he added.

According to court documents, Long was a member and associate of “764,” a criminal organization of Nihilistic Violent Extremists (NVEs). NVEs are individuals who engage in criminal conduct within the United States and abroad in furtherance of political, social, or religious goals that derive primarily from a hatred of society and a desire to bring about its collapse via chaos, destruction, and social instability. NVEs work individually or as part of a network with the goal of destroying civilized society through the corruption and exploitation of vulnerable populations, which often include minors.

The indictment, returned by the grand jury on Oct. 23, alleges that in late 2024, Long purposely engaged in animal crushing, sexually exploited a juvenile victim living in Washington state, and committed cyberstalking and made online threats against a juvenile victim living in Kern County, California.

If convicted, Long faces a maximum penalty of seven years in prison on each of the two counts charging animal crushing; a minimum mandatory penalty of 15 years in prison up to a maximum of 30 years in prison for sexual exploitation of a minor; a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for possession of material involving the sexual exploitation of a minor; a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for cyberstalking; and a maximum statutory penalty of two years in prison for making an interstate threat. Each count of the indictment also carries a fine of up to $250,000. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The FBI is investigating the case, with assistance from the Porterville Police Department.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

The Justice Department remains vigilant against the threat of Nihilistic Violent Extremist (NVE) networks, like 764, that operate within the United States and around the globe. NVEs often target vulnerable individuals, including minors, using social media platforms to share child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and gore material, and groom victims toward committing acts of violence. Victims are often extorted, coerced, compelled, and blackmailed into complying with NVE demands, including self-mutilation, online and in-person sexual acts, harm to animals, sexual exploitation of siblings and others, acts of violence, threats of violence, suicide, and murder. For more information on how to protect children and others, read about the online risks here: Parents, Caregivers, Teachers — FBI and the FBI’s March 2025 public service announcement.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Updated October 27, 2025

Office of Public Affairs
U.S. Department of Justice

Sources: justice.gov , Midtown Tribune News

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October 27, 2025

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