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New York. 30 Million Boost to Staten Island’s Parks, Culture, and Zoo

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella are teaming up to deliver nearly $30 million in upgrades to some of Staten Island’s favorite places to play and explore. The funding will revamp Bloomingdale Park’s playground with new equipment, water features, lighting, and landscaping; modernize Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden, along with key improvements for the Staten Island Museum and Noble Maritime Collection; and create a new interactive, sensory-friendly education center at the Staten Island Zoo. Together, these projects aim to make Staten Island’s parks, cultural hubs, and zoo more fun, accessible, and welcoming for families and visitors of all ages.

Mayor Adams, Staten Island Borough President Fossella Celebrate $30 Million in Funding for Parks, Open Space on Staten Island

– New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella today announced that they have partnered to invest nearly $30 million of capital funding in three parks and public recreation projects on Staten Island. Investments will improve quality-of-life for Staten Islanders by making upgrades at Bloomingdale Park playground, Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden, and the Staten Island Zoo. The investments were made in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Adopted Budget, which builds on Mayor Adams’ FY 2026 Executive Budget, often called the “Best Budget Ever.”

“Public space in our city is precious, and we cherish every inch of it — no matter where it is, no matter what borough it is in,” said Mayor Adams. “Under our administration, we have always made it a priority to take care of Staten Island and today’s announcement is just the latest example of how we are living up to that promise. In partnership with Staten Island Borough President Fossella, we are proud to celebrate nearly $30 million in investments in several parks and recreation projects throughout the borough invested through our ‘Best Budget Ever.’ This funding will upgrade Bloomingdale Park playground, the Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanic Garden, and the Staten Island Zoo — expanding access to these public spaces and improving quality of life for all Staten Islanders. We thank Borough President Fossella for his partnership and helping bring us closer to becoming a city that is the best place to raise a family.”

“We have some of the most scenic spaces and vibrant cultural institutions right here in Staten Island,” said Borough President Fossella. “We will continue to improve our parks and open spaces, and to support cultural institutions so they can continue to flourish and provide the best for our residents. We appreciate that we have a partner in Mayor Adams, who is committed to helping us to achieve our goals. We thank Mayor Adams for being a strong partner to make our parks and public spaces even better.”

“Bloomingdale Park is a thriving oasis of greenspace and recreation on Staten Island,” said New York City Department of Parks & Recreation Commissioner Iris Rodriguez-Rosa. “These new capital investments in Bloomingdale Playground will offer the community a revitalized place to gather and play, with all-new play equipment, an enhanced spray shower, improved lighting, and more plantings. We’re excited to watch this project come to fruition and are grateful to Mayor Adams and Borough President Fossella for funding improvements that will benefit Staten Islanders for years to come.”

“As my fellow Staten Islanders and I know, our cultural institutions contribute so much to making this borough an extraordinary place to visit, live, and raise a family,” said New York City Department of Cultural Affairs Commissioner Laurie Cumbo. “We’re proud of the city’s investments in the borough’s cultural infrastructure, which will enhance the incredible museums, cultural centers, and zoos that serve residents and attract visitors for years to come.”

As a result of a $5.6 million investment made by Mayor Adams and Borough President Fossella, Bloomingdale Park playground will see significant improvements resulting in a vibrant reconstructed play space for the community. The reconstruction project — led by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation — will include new play equipment, a spray play area, fencing, security lights, and an upgrade of electrical and water utilities. This project will also be supplemented with new landscape improvements. The renovations are the next major investment in this heavily utilized park, building on recent improvements, including installation of adult fitness equipment, as well as a shade structure at the bocce court. In 2021, the Bloomingdale Park athletic field project was completed, resulting in new multi-use and soccer synthetic turf fields to accommodate activities, including toss sports, free play, picnics, and more. The project is expected to begin design in the spring of 2026 following a community input meeting where members of the public will have the opportunity to share their vision for this space. 

The Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden received $6.5 million in funding from the Adams administration and Borough President Fossella to advance key infrastructure projects for the 83-acre campus and its cultural tenants. The site-wide improvements will upgrade the building management system and other infrastructure to improve the security, energy efficiency, and visitor experience across the campus. The project will modernize one of Snug Harbor’s key facilities, which provides the cultural center with programming space and revenue-generating rentals.

Several organizations located on the Snug Harbor campus also received new funding from Mayor Adams and Borough President Fossella in the FY 2026 Adopted Budget. The Staten Island Museum received $6 million for the next phase of the museum’s expansion project, which will transform the currently vacant Building B into a state-of-the-art STEAM education center, with additional public space for natural history collections and exhibitions, a lab classroom for hands-on STEAM learning, and a café. The project will also include exterior restoration of the historic, Greek revival building. The Noble Maritime Collection, located in Building D on the Snug Harbor campus received $3.8 million to replace the museum’s existing chiller and air conditioning system. The group has struggled to maintain its existing aging system to ensure the comfort for guests in hotter weather and to maintain the protection of their extensive collections of maritime history from Staten Island and beyond. The Noble Maritime Collection’s 20,600 square foot space is one of the anchor institutions for the Snug Harbor Cultural Center and contains the entirety of the museum’s administrative and programmatic space.

At the Staten Island Zoo, a combined $8 million in funding from Mayor Adams and Borough President Fossella will support the creation of a new interactive education center, which will provide a fun and enriching experience for children and visitors themed around sensory abilities in people and animals. The project will create a public purpose for special opportunities to have guests with sensory or developmental disabilities enjoy defined experiences for them, as well as a 1960’s-era children’s center with a modern, diverse and inclusive “Learn & Play Zone.”

“At the Noble Maritime Collection, our staff and Board of Trustees are deeply committed to ensuring that our landmarked building remains a welcoming, inclusive, and accessible space for all,” said Megan Beck, executive director, Noble Maritime Collection. “We are grateful to Mayor Adams, Commissioner Cumbo, and the Department of Cultural Affairs for their generous capital investment in a new chiller and air conditioning system — an essential upgrade that will help preserve our collections and historic building. We also appreciate their continued support for major capital improvements at the Snug Harbor Cultural Center and at the Botanical Garden, the beautiful and storied campus we are proud to call home.”

“The Staten Island Zoo staff and visitors are excited to launch our vision for an entirely new re-imagined experience in our popular Children’s Center at the Zoo,” said Ken Mitchell, executive director, Staten Island Zoo. “Thanks to the generosity and support of Mayor Adams and Borough President Fossella, as well as our Staten Island City Council delegation, the zoo can start to bring this vision into the planning stage and ultimately reality. With our expertise in animal care, education, and exhibit design, the zoo can provide a unique experience and special place for children of all backgrounds to connect with nature and animals.” 

“The Staten Island Museum’s board and staff are grateful to Mayor Adams, Cultural Affairs Commissioner Cumbo, and Borough President Fossella for their deep support of and investment in the STEAM Education Center expansion that will activate the adjoining historic building at Snug Harbor into a distinctive environment for exploring natural history while meeting professional standards for collections preservation,” said Janice Monger, president and CEO, Staten Island Museum.

“Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden is profoundly grateful to Mayor Adams, Commissioner Cumbo, our New York City councilmembers, and Borough President Fossella for their visionary investment in Staten Island culture,” said Jessica Vodoor, president and CEO, Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden. “This funding will support critical ongoing HVAC infrastructure projects in buildings that support a myriad of public activities at Snug Harbor.”

December 4, 2025 New York

Sources: NYC.gov , Big New York News BigNY.com
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December 4, 2025
White House Launches “Media Offenders” List to Call Out Anti-Trump Spin

MEDIA BIASES EXPOSED

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The White House has rolled out a new “Media Offenders” page on WhiteHouse.gov, branding it a running ledger of what it calls misleading, biased, and distorted coverage of President Donald J. Trump.
Under the banner “Misleading. Biased. Exposed.”(), the feature names outlets, reporters, and specific stories, and then places them in categories like Misrepresentation, Bias, Lie, and Omission of context. The marquee case this week targets CBS News, The Boston Globe, and The Independent, accusing them of twisting President Trump’s call for accountability into a sensational — and false — story that he demanded “execution” for Democrats in Congress.

According to the White House page, the controversy began after several Democratic officials appeared in a video urging U.S. service members to resist “illegal orders,” a message the site says was clearly aimed at President Trump and designed to suggest he was prepared to break the law. In response, Trump blasted the move as seditious, arguing that elected officials have no business encouraging insubordination in the ranks. The “Media Offender of the Week” entry says the press then jumped to an extreme narrative — claiming Trump had called for executions — instead of reporting his actual demand: that Members of Congress who incite sedition should be held responsible for their actions.

Beyond the headline case, the “Offender Hall of Shame” reads like a searchable database of what the site calls “false and misleading stories flagged by The White House.” Readers can scroll through claims, select publications such as ABC News, MSNBC, The Washington Post, or The New York Times, and filter by categories like Bias, Left-wing lunacy, Lie, and more. A “Leaderboard” highlights repeat offenders in what is described as a “race to the bottom,” and visitors are invited to sign up for weekly “Offender Alerts” to get new entries in their inbox.

Sources: The White House – “Media Offenders” page , Midtown Tribune news

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November 30, 2025
Trump Cancels Biden Autopen Orders, Pauses 3rd-World Immigration & Ukraine Peace Efforts Led by “Unsung Hero”

In this episode of Front Page with Scott Goulet, the host opens with President Trump’s sweeping announcement that he is rescinding and terminating all Biden-era executive actions signed via autopen, calling them legally void because they were not personally approved by Biden.
Trump also responds to the Washington, D.C. shooting of two West Virginia National Guard members by vowing to permanently pause migration from all third-world countries, cut off federal benefits and subsidies for non-citizens, and deport foreign nationals deemed security risks, public burdens, or “incompatible with Western civilization.”
The segment highlights the death of Guardsman Sarah Beckram, the suspect’s background as an Afghan national admitted under Operation Allies Welcome, and the push to treat the case as terrorism with the possibility of the death penalty.

Goulet then covers the major legal development in Georgia, where the 2020 election interference case against Trump and his allies was dismissed in its entirety due to insufficient evidence and problems with the racketeering theory and jurisdiction. With this, Trump no longer faces open criminal cases and celebrates the ruling as a victory for law and justice. The show also addresses a New York Times article questioning Trump’s age, stamina, and schedule; Trump fires back on Truth Social, listing his economic and political achievements, insisting he is in excellent physical and cognitive health, and branding the paper an “enemy of the people” engaged in deliberate smears.

The final part of the episode shifts to the war in Ukraine and global fallout. Goulet profiles Dan Driscoll, the 39-year-old Secretary of the Army and Trump ally, as an “unsung hero” behind a U.S.-backed peace plan that Putin now says could be the basis for ending the conflict. Driscoll’s background as a veteran, Yale-trained lawyer, and close friend of Vice President JD Vance is traced, along with his role as “Trump’s drone guy” and his quiet shuttle diplomacy with Kyiv.
The episode closes with an investigation into a Czech shell company allegedly re-selling Chinese drones to Ukraine at huge markups and funneling profits back to China, raising questions about war profiteering, tax evasion, and who in the Ukrainian system approved such deals.

Video : Front Page with Scott Goulet

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November 29, 2025
New York. 70 NYCHA Employees Convicted in Massive Bribery and Corruption Scheme

Federal prosecutors have announced the conviction of 70 current and former New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) employees in a sweeping bribery and corruption case involving “micro-purchase” construction and repair contracts. Investigators found that staff routinely demanded cash kickbacks from contractors in exchange for awarding or speeding up small housing projects, diverting millions of dollars and further undermining public trust in New York City’s public housing system.

All 70 NYCHA Employees Charged In February 2024 Sweep Convicted Of Bribery, Fraud, Or Extortion Offenses

Less Than 22 Months After the Arrests—Which Were the Largest Number of Federal Bribery Charges on a Single Day in Department of Justice History—All 70 Charged Defendants Have Pled Guilty or Were Convicted at Trial for Accepting Cash Payments

United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Investigation (“DOI”), Jocelyn E. Strauber, Acting Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General (“HUD-OIG”), Brian D. Harrison, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), Ricky J. Patel, Special Agent in Charge of the Northeast Region of the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General (“DOL-OIG”), Jonathan Mellone, and Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation (“IRS-CI”), Harry T. Chavis, announced that all 70 employees of the New York City Housing Authority (“NYCHA”) who were arrested and charged in February 2024 have now been convicted of bribery, fraud, or extortion offenses.

Of the 70 defendants charged in February 2024 with accepting bribes in exchange for awarding NYCHA repair contracts, three defendants were convicted after jury trials, 56 defendants pled guilty to felony offenses, and 11 defendants pled guilty to misdemeanor offenses. Sentencings are ongoing, but sentences imposed to date range up to 48 months in prison. The defendants were collectively responsible for accepting over $2.1 million in bribes in exchange for awarding NYCHA contracts worth over $15 million. As a result of the convictions, the defendants will collectively pay over $2.1 million in restitution to NYCHA and will forfeit over $2 million in criminal proceeds.

“Today’s plea of the 70th and final NYCHA pay-for-play contracting scheme defendant marks an important milestone in one of the largest single-day corruption cases in the history of the Justice Department,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “All 70 charged defendants have now been convicted for attempting to criminally leverage the contracting process of work for affordable housing for New Yorkers to line their own pockets. NYCHA residents deserve better. New Yorkers deserve better. This broad and swift action demonstrates our Office’s commitment to combatting corruption in our nation’s largest public housing authority—home to 1 in every 17 New York City residents.”

“Today, the last of the 70 NYCHA employees charged with bribery and extortion in connection with the awarding of micro-purchase contracts pled guilty, closing the chapter on an investigation in which DOI and our federal partners exposed widespread corruption that touched almost one-third of NYCHA’s 365 developments in each of the five boroughs,” said DOI Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber. “All the defendants, many of them supervisors, now have taken responsibility for separate schemes that, in total, involved more than $15 million in no-bid contracts, awarded in exchange for the payment of more than $2.1 million in bribes to employees who chose to serve themselves instead of the residents of NYCHA, driving up costs of maintenance and improvements in a public housing system dependent on scarce resources. To date, approximately $2 million in restitution to NYCHA and nearly $2 million in forfeiture has been ordered. Equally important, DOI’s 14 recommendations to improve controls with respect to NYCHA’s micro-purchase contracting have been implemented – three of which were similar to DOI’s 2021 recommendations that were rejected by NYCHA. I thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and our federal law enforcement partners for their commitment to thwart corruption that drains public housing resources, and NYCHA for the implementation of much-needed contracting reforms.”

“Today’s final guilty plea is an important milestone in bringing to an end the egregious pay-to-play bribery scheme that wasted millions of dollars that should have benefited HUD tenants in New York and raised serious questions about the integrity of NYCHA operations,” said HUD-OIG Acting Inspector General Brian D. Harrison. “All 70 of the NYCHA employees who failed to uphold the basic duty of not stealing from public housing have now admitted guilt or been found guilty at trial within two years of indictment, a testament to the investigative excellence of HUD OIG and its law enforcement partners. We are grateful to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for its support and prosecutions in this case and know that this sends a clear signal to corrupt public officials that they will be held accountable.”

“Nearly two years ago, HSI New York and our law enforcement partners announced a sweeping investigation that uncovered a brazen corruption and extortion scheme that marked the largest number of federal bribery charges in a single day in history,” said HSI Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel. “Today’s guilty plea is the latest step in exposing a scheme that exploited NYCHA’s operations, shortchanged its communities, and siphoned trust and resources from NYCHA residents—New Yorkers who deserve better. Working in lockstep with our federal, state, and local law enforcement counterparts, HSI will keep pressing forward to protect New Yorkers and ensure that anyone who attempts to jeopardize their well-being faces decisive consequences.”

“An important part of the mission of DOL-OIG is to investigate fraud and other federal crimes involving matters within the jurisdiction of the Office of Inspector General,” said DOL-OIG Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Mellone. “The seventy convictions obtained in this investigation send a clear message that public corruption will not be tolerated. We are committed to working closely with our law enforcement partners to investigate those who exploit governmental programs and the American workers.”

“IRS-CI will continually use its unique expertise in tax and finance to find leverage in assisting with complex investigations,” said IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge Harry T. Chavis. “We are proud to build on our law enforcement partnerships to continue to bring criminals to justice.”

According to information contained in court filings and public court proceedings, including as proven at trial:

NYCHA is the largest public housing authority in the country, providing housing to 1 in 17 New Yorkers in 335 developments across the City and receiving over $1.5 billion in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development every year. When repairs or construction work require the use of outside contractors, services must typically be purchased via a bidding process. However, at all times relevant to the cases referenced above, when the value of a contract was under a certain threshold (up to $10,000), designated staff at NYCHA developments could hire a contractor of their choosing without soliciting multiple bids. This “no-bid” process was faster than the general NYCHA procurement process, and selection of the contractor required approval of only the designated staff at the development where the work was to be performed.

The defendants, all of whom were NYCHA employees during the time of the relevant conduct, demanded and received cash in exchange for NYCHA contracts by either requiring contractors to pay up front in order to be awarded the contracts or requiring payment after the contractor finished the work and needed a NYCHA employee to sign off on the completed job so the contractor could receive payment from NYCHA. The defendants typically demanded approximately 10% to 20% of the contract value—between $500 and $2,000 depending on the size of the contract—but some defendants demanded even higher amounts.

*   *   *

Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding investigative work of DOI, HUD-OIG, HSI, DOL-OIG, and IRS-CI, which work together collaboratively as part of the HSI Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force, as well as the special agents and task force officers of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. Mr. Clayton also expressed appreciation for the cooperation and support of NYCHA’s senior executive leadership.

These cases are handled by the Office’s Public Corruption Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jerry J. Fang, Jacob R. Fiddelman, Meredith Foster, Catherine Ghosh, and Justin Horton are in charge of the prosecutions, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Emily Deininger, Jane Kim, Benjamin Burkett, Matthew J. King, and Amanda C. Weingarten also handled individual cases.

Contact

Nicholas Biase, Shelby Wratchford
(212) 637-2600

U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of New York
Public Corruption Press Release Number: 25-244

Sources: Justice.gov , Big New York news BigNY.com
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#NYCHA #BriberyCase #NewYorkCity

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November 29, 2025
Trump DOJ Moves to Strike Down Biden’s 2024 EPA Particulate Matter Rule in D.C. Circuit Court

On November 26, 2025, the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division filed a brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit conceding that the EPA’s 2024 air quality standard for particulate matter—issued under the Biden administration—violated the Clean Air Act by bypassing the required thorough scientific review and using an unlawful regulatory shortcut. The Trump administration argues that vacating the costly and restrictive rule will restore legal compliance, protect Americans from burdensome regulations that may cause more economic harm than environmental benefit, and reaffirm the EPA’s obligation to base air-quality decisions on complete science rather than expedited procedures.

Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division Highlights
to D.C. Appeals Court the Illegality of 2024 EPA RuleShare

For Immediate Release

Earlier this week, the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD) urged the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit to void the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s 2024 air quality standard for particulate matter, because EPA recognizes that it took an unlawful regulatory shortcut in imposing the rule.

The Clean Air Act requires the EPA to conduct a thorough review of the underlying science before revising an air quality standard. Under the previous administration, the EPA decided it could not be bothered to do the science, so it took an illegal regulatory shortcut to adopt a stifling and costly national air quality standard for particulate matter through a truncated reconsideration process.

Under President Donald J. Trump’s Administration, the EPA has renewed its commitment to following the law. ENRD’s filing this week concedes the illegality of the 2024 rule. During the Biden Administration, EPA violated the Clean Air Act by issuing its rule without a thorough review of the science and without considering the costs of its shortcut. Discarding the rule would bring EPA back into compliance with the Clean Air Act and protect Americans from burdensome environmental standards that may ultimately do more harm than good.

November 26, 2025 Office of Public Affairs

Environment and Natural Resources Division

Press Release Number: 25-1118

Sources: Justice.gov , Midtown Tribune News

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November 28, 2025
New York. Governor Hochul Celebrates Grand Opening of Queen One’s New Headquarters in Brooklyn: The Rise and Fly Vision Centre

Company’s Global Headquarters at 25 Kent Avenue Represents $10 Million Capital Investment and 600 New High-Tech Jobs in Williamsburg. New Facility Will Drive $67 Million in R&D Spending To Advance AI, Personalization, and E-Commerce Innovation

Governor Kathy Hochul celebrated the grand opening of Queen One’s new global headquarters — the Rise and Fly Vision Centre — in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Spanning more than 30,000 square feet at 25 Kent Avenue, the facility will serve as the company’s central hub for innovation, community collaboration, and next-generation e-commerce development. The project represents a more than $10 million capital investment and is expected to create 600 full-time, high-tech jobs in New York City over the next five years, alongside an estimated $67 million in research and development investment.

“New York’s tech sector is thriving, and Queen One’s expansion in Brooklyn is proof that innovation and opportunity continue to rise here in the Empire State,” Governor Hochul said. “The Rise and Fly Vision Centre represents the next chapter of New York’s e-commerce leadership — blending technology, creativity, and community to create hundreds of high-quality jobs and cutting-edge solutions that will shape the digital economy for years to come.”

The company’s expansion is supported by up to $6 million in performance-based Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits from Empire State Development (ESD) in exchange for the job creation commitments.

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “Queen One’s investment in Williamsburg is a powerful example of how New York continues to attract and grow world-class technology companies. This project strengthens Brooklyn’s position as a hub for innovation while bringing hundreds of good-paying jobs to the city. We are proud to support Queen One’s vision for the future of e-commerce through our Excelsior Jobs Program.”

Queen One Founder and CEO Ryan Urban said, “The Time is Now. Time to Work. Time of Your Life. Queen One is officially in process. We’re honored to be part of the bedrock of innovation in Brooklyn. Thank you to the state of New York and the best city in the world for this special partnership and incredible opportunity. There are so many vibrant success stories in New York right now and we’re pulsing with excitement with what’s to come in the next 10 years.”

New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) President & CEO Andrew Kimball said, “Queen One’s decision to open its global headquarters in Brooklyn underscores the strength of New York City’s tech sector and the diverse talent that continues to draw world-class innovators to the five boroughs. Bridging modern e-commerce innovation with AI and community collaboration, Queen One joins a growing list of companies choosing NYC to scale and NYCEDC is proud to work with Queen One as they build a home in the Applied AI capital of the world.”

State Senator Kristen Gonzalez said, “I’m grateful to Governor Hochul for her commitment to fostering an innovation economy that creates real opportunity for New Yorkers, and I’m proud that the State Legislature has worked alongside her to champion investments that keep cutting-edge companies right here in our communities. The opening of Queen One’s Rise and Fly Vision Centre is a powerful reminder that when we invest in the talent, creativity, and diversity of New York City, we fuel the kind of technological growth that delivers good jobs, strengthens our neighborhoods, and builds a more inclusive future for the tech sector.”

Assemblymember Steve Otis said, “Congratulations to Queen One on their exciting vision for a new technology business concept and for doing what so many high-tech innovators have done, choose New York State to start and grow their business. Governor Hochul and our team at Empire State Development have made attracting and expanding technology success stories a major part of New York’s economic growth. Technology companies repeatedly choose New York because of our educated workforce and the science and technology focus of Empire State Development.”

Queen One’s headquarters opening in Brooklyn marks another milestone in New York City’s evolution as a premier destination for tech innovation and entrepreneurship. The city’s combination of diverse talent, substantial capital resources, world-class academic institutions, and creative energy continues to draw both industry leaders and emerging companies. Strategic expansions from firms like OpenAI, Duolingo, and StubHub, alongside investments from high-growth companies such as Figma, Rippling, Rokt, and Quadrature, demonstrate the momentum behind New York’s tech sector. With Queen One now operational in Brooklyn, the company joins a thriving ecosystem driving breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, e-commerce, and digital infrastructure. Through these strategic investments and expansions, New York positions itself as the premier market where technology companies build, scale, and drive lasting impact.

Since 2021, New York State’s tech sector has added nearly 35,000 new jobs and New York City is now home to more than 2,000 AI start-ups. The number of tech businesses in the state has increased by 30 percent to more than 31,400 businesses, and New York City’s tech sector has added jobs at nearly 10 times the rate of the city’s overall economy.

About Empire State Development

Empire State Development is New York’s chief economic development agency, and promotes business growth, job creation, and greater economic opportunity throughout the state. With offices in each of the state’s 10 regions, ESD oversees the Regional Economic Development Councils, supports broadband equity through the ConnectALL office, and is growing the workforce of tomorrow through the Office of Strategic Workforce Development. The agency engages with emerging and next generation industries like clean energy and semiconductor manufacturing looking to grow in New York State, operates a network of assistance centers to help small businesses grow and succeed, and promotes the state’s world class tourism destinations through I LOVE NY. For more information, please visit esd.ny.gov, and connect with ESD on LinkedIn, Facebook and X.

About Queen One

Queen One is the brand technology platform bringing life, energy, and guaranteed revenue to websites and communication programs. Guided by the belief that every product has a story, Queen One is building a platform that helps communicate their value and drive real revenue for Commerce brands worldwide. The company’s headquarters, The Rise and Fly Vision Centre, brings together technical and commercial teams that strengthen New York’s innovation corridor and support job creation in the city’s technology sector.

November 26, 2025

Albany, NY

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

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November 26, 2025
THANKSGIVING DAY, 2025

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

In 1789, just years after America’s triumph over tyranny in the Revolutionary War, President George Washington established the first National Day of Thanksgiving, declaring “the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor.” Decades later, in the midst of the bloody Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln implored the Nation to join in unity for “a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.” In every generation since, this spirit of reverence, trust, and gratitude has preserved our way of life and made America the strongest, greatest, and most resilient Nation the world has ever known.

From the pilgrims who settled our continent and the patriots who won our independence on the battlefield to the pioneers who tamed the west and the warriors who have preserved our freedom in distant lands, the spirit of gratitude and grit embodied by those who celebrated the first Thanksgiving more than 400 years ago have stood at the very heart of what it means to be an American.

This year, God has bestowed abundant blessings all across our land and indeed the entire world. As we give thanks to Him, we continue to advance our Nation through strong leadership and commonsense policy. As a result, the American economy is roaring back, we are making progress on lowering the cost of living, a new era of peace is sweeping around the world, our sovereignty is being swiftly restored, and the American spirit is coming back greater and more powerful than ever before.

As we prepare to celebrate 250 glorious years of American independence, this Thanksgiving, we summon the faith, resolve, and unflinching fortitude of the giants of American history who came before us. We vow to build a future that echoes their sacrifice. Above all, we offer our endless gratitude to Almighty God for His love, grace, and infinite blessings.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim Thursday, November 27, 2025, as a National Day of Thanksgiving. I encourage all Americans to gather, in homes and places of worship, to offer a prayer of thanks to God for our many blessings.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-fifth day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fiftieth.

DONALD J. TRUMP

Proclamations

November 25, 2025

Sources: WH.gov , Midtown Tribune News
Big New York news BigNY.com

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November 26, 2025
White House. 72 Arrests Wasn’t Enough — Democrats Let Him Burn Her Alive

How many more innocent Americans have to be victimized before Democrat politicians admit their sick, soft-on-crime insanity is a blood-soaked catastrophe?

Last week in Democrat-run Chicago, a 26-year-old woman was riding the ‘L’ train when a career criminal with 72 prior arrests — including eight felony convictions and seven misdemeanors — doused her in gasoline, chased her screaming through the train car, and set her on fire in broad daylight. She’s now fighting for her life with horrific burns because the predator who did this was walking free.

This animal was walking free because of the radical, dangerous “no cash bail” law proudly signed by Governor JB Pritzker and celebrated by Chicago’s defund-the-police Mayor Brandon Johnson. Just three months ago, after this same monster was arrested for another violent crime, a county judge cut him loose on electronic monitoring — a condition he repeatedly violated with zero consequences right up to the day he lit an innocent woman on fire.

While President Trump fights tooth and nail to make America’s cities safe again — crushing these reckless Democrat policy disasters, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with police, and surging federal resources into the neighborhoods Democrats have abandoned — delusional politicians like Pritzker and Johnson arrogantly double down on the same failed policies that handed a violent thug a can of gasoline and a match.

Enough is enough. President Trump is taking our streets back from the savages who terrorize them and from the Democrats who keep setting them free.

The White House

November 25, 2025

Sources: WhiteHouse.gov , Midtown Tribune news

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November 26, 2025
Mayor Adams Signs $7 Billion Project Labor Agreements to Expand Union Jobs, Apprenticeships, and Critical Infrastructure in New York City

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and NYC Talent Executive Director Doug Lipari announced two major Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) with the Building & Construction Trades Council of Greater New York and Vicinity, covering more than $7 billion in city capital projects to build and renovate libraries, recreation centers, clean energy systems, water treatment facilities, and other critical infrastructure. The PLAs lock in fair wages, union benefits, and strong safety standards while including community hiring requirements that prioritize residents of NYCHA housing and low-income neighborhoods, helping connect underserved New Yorkers to good-paying union careers. Nearly 100 city procurements totaling over $7.5 billion have already been released with community hiring goals, and a new memorandum of understanding with BCTC and the Building Trade Employers’ Association will recruit 700 pre-apprentices from public housing and disadvantaged communities into free pre-apprenticeship programs that feed directly into union apprenticeships. This initiative advances Mayor Adams’ “moonshot” goal of connecting 30,000 New Yorkers to apprenticeships by 2030, strengthens the city’s construction workforce pipeline, and ensures that New Yorkers who build the city’s future infrastructure also gain long-term pathways to the middle class.

Mayor Adams Announces New Project Labor Agreements Covering More Than $7 Billion in City Projects to Build Critical Infrastructure and Deliver Good-Paying, Union Careers

– New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Office of Talent and Workforce Development (NYC Talent) Executive Director Doug Lipari today announced two Project Labor Agreements (PLA) with the Building & Construction Trades Council of Greater New York and Vicinity (BCTC). These PLAs — which cover more than $7 billion in city capital projects — establish fair wages, union benefits, and safety protections for workers on city projects. They will help connect more underserved New Yorkers to quality union careers and apprenticeship opportunities through community hiring requirements and allow the city to complete capital projects more effectively and efficiently through the use of standardized work rules.

“Under our administration, we haven’t just talked about creating opportunities, we’ve put our money where our mouth is and invested real dollars in real projects and delivered the good-paying jobs New Yorkers need,” said Mayor Adams. “If the city is going to build a new library or recreation center, we want to make sure those jobs pay well during the day and get workers home safe at night. With more than $7 billion labor agreements, we’ll do both — all while hiring from the local community and completing critical projects faster. That’s a win for everyone involved.”

“Project Labor Agreements are a proven tool for delivering capital projects efficiently, establishing fair wages and working conditions, and creating robust career pathways for New Yorkers,” said Mayor’s Office of Talent and Workforce Development Executive Director Doug Lipari. “These new PLAs reflect the city’s strong partnership with the Building and Construction Trades Council and solidify the city’s dedication to the future construction workforce through Community Hiring.”

The newly signed PLAs announced today will serve a broad range of city capital projects. The Citywide Renovation and New Construction PLA will apply to new construction, renovation, and rehabilitation of city-owned buildings and structures; for instance, this PLA will apply to projects like construction of recreation centers and solar photovoltaic systems for public schools, as well as renovation of water treatment facilities and libraries like the recently announced renovation of Baisley Park Library in Jamaica, Queens. The PLAs follow last year’s announcement of a new infrastructure design-build PLA and furthers the Adams administration’s commitment to establish work standards for family-sustaining wages and benefits, industry-specific safety standards, and training opportunities.

The PLAs announced today also include community hiring requirements, which allows the city to use its purchasing power to set workforce and hiring goals on city contracts and provide hardworking New Yorkers good-paying union career opportunities that pave a path to the middle class. Since launching, nearly 100 city procurements — totaling more than$7.5 billion — have been released with community hiring goals. These include construction and building services contracts that require a significant portion of labor hours be performed by people who live in New York City Housing Authority housing or in a ZIP code where at least 15 percent of the population lives below the federal poverty threshold.

Today’s announcement will also create additional apprenticeship opportunities in the construction sector through community hiring requirements and advance Mayor Adams’ 2023 State of the City moonshot goal of connecting 30,000 New Yorkers to apprenticeships by 2030. Through a new memorandum of understanding (MOU), the city, BCTC and the Building Trade Employers’ Association of New York City (BTEA) will work collectively to recruit and fill 700 pre-apprenticeship positions with residents of NYCHA housing and low-income communities. These pre-apprenticeship programs provide free skills and training and offer individuals direct entry into unionized apprenticeship programs. These efforts demonstrate the commitment to invest in the next generation of the City’s construction workforce and provide a pathway for career advancement.

“We are thrilled that city-funded projects are being produced with union labor, safer work requirements, and community hiring that will bring good job opportunities to the underserved while upgrading libraries, recreational centers, and other public works,” said New York City Councilmember Carmen De La Rosa.

“Thank you to President LaBarbera, Paul O’Connor and Santos Rodriguez along with Deputy Mayor Carrion Jr. and the whole mayoral team who worked on this project labor agreement,” said New York City Councilmember Julie Won. “As the representative of the council district that is home to UA Local 1 Plumbers, I am always happy to support apprenticeships and the expansion of PLAs in the City, and I will work to make it priority that we get new PLAs all future projects in my district.”

“In order for capital projects to reach their true economic potential, it is critical that they generate family-sustaining careers for hardworking New Yorkers,” said Gary LaBarbera, president, Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York. “PLAs like the ones signed help them to do just that and more by establishing fair wages, safety standards, and community hiring initiatives that boost apprenticeship opportunities and open up more pathways to the middle class. We are happy to collaborate with the Mayor’s Office and NYC Talent on these agreements and our members look forward to being catalysts for these important projects that will improve the lives of countless New Yorkers.”

“It is great that New York City and the Building Trades continue their great relationship with the signing of these Project Labor Agreements. These city capital projects will create more opportunities for men and women to become apprentices in our programs. It will provide them with fair wages and union benefits, making their lives better and providing the pathway to the middle class,” said John Jovic, business manager/FST, Local 12 Heat and Frost Insulators. “I would like to thank Building Trades President Gary LaBarbera and his staff, as well as Mayor Adams and his staff for all their hard work in putting these Project Labor Agreements together.”

“Plumbers Local 1 and its 6,000 members are honored to host the signing of this historic PLA with NYC. The phrase ‘The great multiplier is defined as a factor or effect that causes a relatively small initial change to have a larger, widespread impact.’This project labor agreement is exactly that, the great multiplier. It is by no means a small change, it is significant, but its impact on the future of New York City will be even more significant. It will not only upgrade critical infrastructure; it will also build a better New York City and continue to build for years to come.This future will be built by residents of New York City who will be given access into our great labor organizations,” said Paul O’Connor, business manager, United Association of Plumbers Local 1. “To quote George Meany ‘the basic goal of labor will not change. It is-as it has always been, and I’m sure always will be, to better the standards of life for all who work for wages, and to seek decency and justice and dignity for all Americans.’ This quote is as accurate today as it has always been. I want to thank Gary LaBarbera, the mayor, and his staff for securing not only this PLA but a prosperous future for New Yorkers.”

“This Project Labor Agreement is a win for New York City’s working families. It means more good-paying union jobs, stronger apprenticeship opportunities for the next generation, and a commitment to building our city the right way with skill, safety, and dignity,” said Joseph Azzopardi, business manager and secretary-treasurer, District Council No. 9, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades. “I want to thank President Gary LaBarbera for his leadership and partnership, and Mayor Eric Adams for recognizing the value that union labor brings to every project. Together, we’re creating pathways into the trades and ensuring New York’s future is built by the very people who call it home.”

“More than $7 billion in Project Labor Agreements is the kind of big, bold commitment New York needs right now, and continues to prove that building labor in New York City is a solid investment in our future. This deal means faster projects, safer jobs, and fairer wages for the union trades who build our city every day,” said Carlo A. Scissura, Esq., president and CEO, New York Building Congress. “It opens the door for thousands of apprentices to earn and learn on real projects, from recreation centers and libraries to clean energy systems. This is how you grow middle-class careers, modernize critical infrastructure, and prove that public investment and union labor move New York forward together.”

“The 200+ members of the Building Contractors Association have long found that project labor agreements can benefit all parties involved in a construction project,” said John O’Hare, managing director, Building Contractors Association. “When these PLA’s provide training and opportunities for the next generation of building trades tradesmen and tradeswomen, it adds another valuable component to the agreement. We look forward to working with city officials, the affiliated unions of the Building Trades and the communities who will benefit from this massive and important project.”

November 24, 2025 NEW YORK

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November 25, 2025
White House. Thanksgiving 2025: Lower Gas Prices and Cheaper Dinners as Trump Administration’s Inflation Fight Brings Relief

As Americans prepare for Thanksgiving 2025, families across the country are seeing signs of economic relief that the Trump Administration credits to its efforts to unleash American energy, cut regulations, and fight inflation, following what it describes as the worst inflation crisis in 40 years under Joe Biden and the Democrats. Local reports from states including Colorado, Texas, Indiana, Ohio, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and others show gas prices falling—often below $3 per gallon and in some places nearing $2—just in time for holiday travel, while multiple Farm Bureau surveys reveal that the cost of a classic 10-person Thanksgiving meal has dropped, with notable savings on turkeys and other staples and some states like Louisiana and Michigan coming in well below the national average. While emphasizing that this is not “mission accomplished” and that Americans are still paying too much after years of what it calls reckless Democrat spending and regulation, the Trump Administration frames these lower gas and grocery prices as early evidence that its push for bold, structural economic changes is beginning to deliver tangible savings for American families.

More Relief on the Way as Economic Wins Bring Savings to Gas Pump, Thanksgiving Table

As millions of American families prepare to gather for Thanksgiving, they’re seeing a dose of the economic relief President Donald J. Trump is fighting to deliver. After inheriting the worst inflation crisis in 40 years from Joe Biden and Democrats, the Trump Administration’s actions to unleash American energy, slash regulations, and crush inflation are translating into lower gas prices in many states and a decrease in the cost of Thanksgiving dinner.

Make no mistake: this is not “mission accomplished.” Americans are still paying far too much after four years of reckless Democrat spending and regulation — and that’s why the Trump Administration is relentlessly fighting to deliver the bold, structural changes that will bring lasting relief to all American families.

Here’s what local news outlets are reporting as those signs of change start to appear:

KDVR-TV (Denver, CO): Cheapest gas prices in Denver hit less than $2 Sunday ahead of Thanksgiving weekend
Gas prices in Denver are trending down just in time for the busy Thanksgiving travel weekend, with one station in the city even hitting less than $2 on Sunday, according to GasBuddy. Just in the last week, gas prices in Denver have fallen 14.5 cents per gallon, hitting a $2.47 per gallon average Monday morning, GasBuddy reported. That number is lower than the national average of $3.03 per gallon, and it is even nearly 30 cents lower than Denver’s average prices a year ago.

KIMT-TV (Des Moines, IA): Lower Turkey Prices Bring Thanksgiving Savings to Iowa
Iowans can look forward to saving on their Thanksgiving meals this year. The American Farm Bureau Federation’s survey reveals the average cost of a classic 10-serving holiday meal is $55.18, down 5% from last year. In the Midwest, the average is slightly lower at $54.38. The survey highlights a decrease in frozen turkey prices as a major factor in the overall savings. Items like a 16-pound turkey, fresh cranberries, and dinner rolls have all seen price drops, attributed to lower wheat prices.

KSAT-TV (San Antonio, TX): San Antonio gas prices set to hit pandemic-era lows for Thanksgiving
San Antonio drivers may have noticed some interesting movement at the pump this week… Thanksgiving travelers are still expected to see cheaper gas at the pump compared to last year.

The Detroit Free Press (Detroit, MI): Ingredients that go into Preparing a Thanksgiving Meal to Cost Less this Year
In Michigan, those making the holiday meal will pay even less, $51.80 for a meal serving 10 people, Theresa Sisung, industry relations specialist for the Michigan Farm Bureau, told the Free Press.

WBIW Radio (Bloomington, IN): Indiana gas prices drop sharply ahead of holiday travel
Hoosier drivers are getting a break at the pump just in time for the busy holiday travel season, with average gasoline prices in Indiana falling 12.3 cents per gallon in the last week.

WGRZ-TV (Buffalo, New York): The Cost of Thanksgiving Dinner is Down for the Third Year in a Row
The American Farm Bureau Federation says the average price for a 16-pound turkey in the U.S. is $21.50. That’s down more than 16 percent from last year.

WKYC-TV (Cleveland, OH): Gas prices plummet in Northeast Ohio
Gas prices have gone down in Northeast Ohio within the last week, bringing the average cost in Akron and Cleveland below $3 per gallon. Akron saw the biggest drop, falling 38.1 cents within the last week.

WMUR-TV (Manchester, NH): Lower gas prices expected for Thanksgiving travelers this year
Anyone who plans to hit the roads for Thanksgiving travel this year will likely see the cheapest gas prices in the past few years. According to GasBuddy, gas prices in New Hampshire are expected to be the lowest they have been for the Thanksgiving holiday since 2021.

KDKA-TV (Pittsburgh, PA): Gas prices in the Pittsburgh area on the decline ahead of Thanksgiving travel
One small consolation for your trip is the price of gas… We are on a downward trajectory. We should see some solid relief in Pittsburgh over the next few weeks in terms of falling gas prices.

WLUK-TV (Green Bay, WI): Gas prices drop ahead of busy travel week
Average gasoline prices in Green Bay have fallen 5 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $2.75/g today, according to GasBuddy… GasBuddy forecasts a national average price of gas of $3.02 per gallon on Thanksgiving Day, matching last year and marking one of the cheapest holiday averages since 2021.

The Shreveport Times (Shreveport, LA): Thanksgiving Dinner with Turkey is Bargain in Louisiana, Where Costs Are Below U.S. Average
A Thanksgiving family feast to feed 10 people in Louisiana this year is more affordable than any other state in the U.S. except for Arkansas, according to the annual American Farm Bureau cost survey. The cost for 11 market basket items including a whole frozen turkey in Louisiana in 2025 is $44.70. That’s more than $10 cheaper than the national average of $55.18.

WAND-TV (Decatur, IL): Illinois Farm Bureau: Turkey Prices have Dropped Around 16%
Thanksgiving dinner prices in Illinois are going down. The Illinois Farm Bureau said that turkey prices have dropped around 16%, just over a dollar per pound. Other Thanksgiving staples like stuffing and pie crusts are also getting cheaper.

KJZZ Radio (Phoenix, AZ): Arizona Thanksgiving Meal Prices are Down 21 Cents from Last Year, Farm Bureau Says
If you’re already preparing for next week’s Thanksgiving celebration, you might have noticed slightly lower food costs. A traditional Thanksgiving — we’re talking turkey and all the fixings plus desert for an Arizona family of 10 — will cost $53.17 or roughly $5.31 per person, according to the Arizona Farm Bureau.That’s down 21 cents from last year.

WXMI-TV (Grand Rapids, MI): Thanksgiving Dinner Will Cost Less This Year With Michigan Families Getting Bigger Savings
Good news is coming to Michigan dinner tables this Thanksgiving as families will spend less on their holiday feast compared to last year. According to the Michigan Farm Bureau’s annual Thanksgiving dinner survey, the average cost for a traditional meal serving 10 people has dropped to $51.80 in Michigan — nearly $4 below the national average of $55.12.

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November 24, 2025

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November 24, 2025

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