White House. In this message, President Trump condemns domestic violence as an attack on families and pledges strong action to protect survivors. He highlights support for victims, urging anyone in danger to call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233. The statement outlines efforts to enforce the law, including arrests and prosecutions, strengthening border security, dismantling trafficking networks, and conducting large-scale deportations of violent offenders. It also notes the TAKE IT DOWN Act to protect children and families from online exploitation and deepfakes. The message closes with a promise to build safer homes and communities by holding abusers accountable and standing with survivors.
Presidential Message on National Domestic Violence Awareness Month
The shameful scourge of domestic violence is a direct assault on our Nation’s most sacred and fundamental institution: the family. For a family to be strong, all its members must feel safe. Domestic violence, which particularly affects women, who so often are the backbone of our families, and their vulnerable children, is particularly corrosive This National Domestic Violence Awareness month, my Administration renews its commitment to ending domestic violence by restoring the rule of law, cleaning up our Nation’s streets, and aggressively arresting and prosecuting every criminal who terrorizes our fellow citizens and their families.
From the quiet seclusion of our homes and workplaces to the bustling centers of our cities and towns, every year, the violent plague of domestic violence inflicts searing pain, trauma, and heartbreak upon as many as 10 million precious American lives. As President, I am steadfastly devoted to uplifting survivors of domestic violence and ensuring they know they are never alone, and that help and support are always within reach. For immediate and confidential support, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.
To further safeguard American communities and protect families from domestic violence, I am securing our southern border, dismantling human trafficking networks, and conducting the largest mass deportation operation in American history. We are removing dangerous illegal immigrants who have brought bloodshed and mayhem onto our streets—many of whom have been charged heinous crimes, including domestic abuse, against citizens of our Nation. I have also supported our law enforcement officers who so often must respond to and work to prevent domestic violence. And I signed into law the TAKE IT DOWN Act—a landmark step that strengthens protections for children and families against digital exploitation and deepfakes, which are far too often used by abusers to target their victims online.
This month, we affirm that the American Dream should be within reach for our fathers, mothers, daughters, and sons. Under my leadership, violent criminals are once again being deported and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law—and we are once again a Nation committed to the sacred principles of law, order, and justice. Together, we will foster safer homes and stronger communities by striving to eliminate domestic violence in all its horrific forms, holding perpetrators accountable, and empowering survivors with unwavering support.
U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan for the Eastern District of Virginia said a federal grand jury has indicted New York Attorney General Letitia James on bank fraud (18 U.S.C. §1344) and false-statement (18 U.S.C. §1014) charges, calling the alleged conduct a serious breach of public trust. If convicted, Ms. James faces up to 30 years in prison per count, fines of up to $1 million per count, and forfeiture; actual sentences typically fall below statutory maximums and will be set by a federal judge under the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
New York State Attorney General Letitia James Indicted
Lindsey Halligan, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, announced today that a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging New York State Attorney General Letitia James with Bank Fraud under 18 U.S.C. Section 1344 and False Statements to a Financial Institution under 18 U.S.C. Section 1014.
“No one is above the law. The charges as alleged in this case represent intentional, criminal acts and tremendous breaches of the public’s trust,” said U.S. Attorney Halligan. “The facts and the law in this case are clear, and we will continue following them to ensure that justice is served.”
If convicted, Letitia James faces penalties including up to 30 years in prison per count, up to a $1 million fine on each count, and forfeiture. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
An indictment is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
October 9, 2025Share
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Virginia
— New York City joined 73 other local governments in an Oct. 7, 2025 amicus brief backing Oregon in Oregon v. Trump, asking the Ninth Circuit to uphold a district court order blocking the Trump administration’s September deployment of National Guard troops to Portland. The coalition argues Washington overstepped its authority under 10 U.S.C. §12406, saying there was no invasion or rebellion to justify dispatching roughly 200 troops over local objections. City officials warn such deployments disrupt policing, chill commerce and shift costs to taxpayers—citing prior bills of $134 million in Los Angeles and an estimated $10 million in Oregon. The group frames Guard use as a last resort, not a tool for routine civil unrest, while the federal government seeks an immediate stay of the district court’s Oct. 4 temporary restraining order.
City of New York Takes New Action Opposing Federal Government’s Military Deployment in American Cities
– The City of New York — as part of a coalition of 74 localities from around the nation — has filed a new amicus brief supporting Oregon’s ongoing case against the federal government’s unlawful deployment of the National Guard in Portland. In the brief, the coalition urges the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit to affirm a district court ruling in Oregon v. Trump, which enjoined the federal government from deploying federal troops in Portland. The coalition warns against the Trump administration’s plans to deploy the National Guard at “anytime, anywhere, for any reason — based on nothing more than sporadic incidents of conflict or being a disfavored jurisdiction.” The coalition highlights the harms to local sovereignty, to local peace and tranquility, and to local economies from the federal government’s deployment of the National Guard to American cities on pretextual and political grounds.
“New York City is proud to — once again — partner with a multitude of localities to assert local control over our own domain: public safety,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “Our administration has been unrelenting in driving down crime, rooting out violent criminals, and protecting New Yorkers, and we have had record drops in crime thanks to our commitment to public safety and the precision policing of the NYPD. Collaboration with state and federal law enforcement has always been a key part of our public safety strategy, but we do not need a deployment of the National Guard to our city. Instead, we plan to continue to work with the federal government on areas where collaboration is warranted, such as stopping the flow of illegal guns to our city from the Iron Belt. We remain committed to keeping New Yorkers safe while upholding our constitutional rights.”
“As highlighted in this brief, the president is continuing to treat American cities as military ‘training grounds’ based on pretext and misinformation that is contrary to the facts on the ground,” said New York City Corporation Counsel Muriel Goode-Trufant. “Federalizing and domestically deploying the National Guard can sow chaos in local communities and should be a last resort, not a primary tactic, reserved for exceedingly rare circumstances. The district court ruling enjoining the federal government should be upheld.”
In September 2025, the Trump administration deployed members of the National Guard to Portland, citing protests of immigration enforcement operations. On October 4, 2025, the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon ruled that the deployment likely violated federal law because plaintiffs submitted evidence that the cited protests were not significantly violent or disruptive in the days or weeks leading up to the president’s directive. The federal government filed an application in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit seeking an immediate stay of the district court’s temporary restraining order.
In the amicus brief, the coalition argues that the federal government has overreached its authority and that the lower court’s injunction should remain in place, based on longstanding federal laws prohibiting the National Guard from engaging in domestic law enforcement. The brief asserts that the federal government has provided no factual basis or legal justification for deploying 200 federal troops in Portland over the objection of local officials. The coalition states that there was no invasion or rebellion directed toward the federal government that would have allowed it to lawfully deploy the National Guard under 10 U.S.C. 12406, and that this pretext dramatically increases the risk of irreparable injury by inflaming community tensions and interfering with local law enforcement personnel which is better trained to manage situations such as protests and crowd control.
Further, the brief cites the chilling effect that National Guard deployments have on the local economy and taxpayers — as more customers stay inside and local businesses lose customers. Also, taxpayers are stuck paying the bill for these deployments: $134 million for Los Angeles alone and, potentially, at least $10 million for Oregon.
Joining the City of New York and Portland, Oregon are the cities of Tucson, Arizona; Alameda, Anaheim, Berkeley, Culver, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Oakland, Sacramento, San Diego, San José, San Leandro, Santa Ana, Santa Monica, San Francisco, and West Hollywood, California; Denver and Ridgway, Colorado; New Haven, Connecticut; Tallahassee, Florida; Bloomington, Chicago, and Evanston, Illinois; Indianapolis, Indiana; Baltimore, Maryland; Boston, Cambridge, and Lawrence, Massachusetts; Ann Arbor, Bellevue, and Exeter, Michigan; Hopkins, Minneapolis, and St. Paul, Minnesota; Hoboken and Newark, New Jersey, Albuquerque, New Mexico; Hudson, Rochester, and Brighton, New York; Cleveland, Ohio; Pittsburgh and Norristown, Pennsylvania; Providence, Rhode Island; Knoxville and Nashville, Tennessee; Austin, El Paso, Iowa Colony, and San Marcos, Texas; Burlington, Vermont; Alexandria and Norfolk, Virginia; Tacoma, Washington; Madison and Exeter, Wisconsin; as well as the counties of Pima, Arizona; Alameda, Los Angeles, Monterey, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Sonoma, California; Denver and Ouray, Colorado; Montgomery, Maryland; Ingham and Bellevue, Michigan; Columbia, Cortland, and Monroe, New York; Multnomah, Oregon; Allegheny, Bucks, Clarion, Dauphin, and Montgomery, Pennsylvania; Davidson and Shelby, Tennessee; Harris and Travis, Texas; Kings and Pierce, Washington; Dan and Exeter, Wisconsin.
NEW YORK—Oct. 5, 2025—Mayor Eric Adams signed Emergency Executive Order 867, extending a key provision of Order 865 for five days to address persistent crises in the city’s Department of Correction, including at Rikers Island. The move prioritizes compliance with the federal Nunez use-of-force case and the 2022 Nunez Action Plan, citing ongoing attrition-driven staffing shortages that threaten sanitation, showers, meals, visitation, religious services, commissary, and recreation. The jail system’s state of emergency, first declared in 2021, remains in effect; the extension is effective immediately and may be modified or terminated earlier.
Emergency Executive Order 867
WHEREAS, on September 2, 2021, the federal monitor in the Nunez use-of-force class action stated that steps must be taken immediately to address the conditions in the New York City jails; and
WHEREAS, on June 14, 2022, the federal court in Nunez approved the Nunez Action Plan, which “represents a way to move forward with concrete measures now to address the ongoing crisis at Rikers Island”; and
WHEREAS, although there has been improvement in excessive staff absenteeism, extraordinarily high rates of attrition due to staff retirements and other departures continue to seriously affect the Department of Correction’s (DOC’s) staffing levels and create a serious risk to DOC’s ability to carry out the safety and security measures required for the maintenance of sanitary conditions; and access to basic services, including showers, meals, visitation, religious services, commissary, and recreation; and
WHEREAS, this Order is given to prioritize compliance with the Nunez Action Plan and to address the effects of DOC’s staffing levels, the conditions at DOC facilities, and health operations; and
WHEREAS, additional reasons for requiring the measures continued in this Order are set forth in Emergency Executive Order No. 140 of 2022, Emergency Executive Order No. 579 of 2024, and Emergency Executive Order 623 of 2024; and
WHEREAS, the state of emergency existing within DOC facilities, first declared in Emergency Executive Order No. 241, dated September 15, 2021, and extended by subsequent orders, remains in effect;
NOW, THEREFORE, pursuant to the powers vested in me by the laws of the State of New York and the City of New York, including but not limited to the New York Executive Law, the New York City Charter and the Administrative Code of the City of New York, and the common law authority to protect the public in the event of an emergency:
Section 1. I hereby direct that section 1 of Emergency Executive Order No. 865, dated September 30, 2025, is extended for five (5) days.
§ 2. This Emergency Executive Order shall take effect immediately and shall remain in effect for five (5) days unless it is terminated or modified at an earlier date.
The chairmen of the House and Senate Judiciary Committees sent letters Wednesday to two consulting firms — along with the College Board, Oracle and a company called Ellucian — seeking information about any tuition pricing algorithms they have built and the college applicants’ data that feeds them.
The consulting companies, with names like EAB and Ruffalo Noel Levitz, may be unfamiliar to college applicants and their families. But colleges know the consultants well, since most schools hire one of the two firms, or smaller consulting companies, to help them attract students and plot financial aid offers.
“Colleges that agree to use a common pricing formula or algorithm, or knowingly do so through a third-party company, are likely violating the antitrust laws,” said the letters, which were signed by Representatives Jim Jordan and Scott Fitzgerald and Senators Charles Grassley and Mike Lee, all Republicans. The demands cite reporting in The New York Times in May, which pointed to past comments by an EAB executive who had described its work as “a form of arbitrage” and added that its financial aid optimization strategies were “like working in the financial markets.”
EAB boasts of up to 200 variables that colleges and universities can use when setting an individual admitted student’s price, drawing from data on over 350 clients and 1.5 billion “student interactions.” Ruffalo Noel Levitz has over 1,900 clients feeding its software models for everything from financial aid to fund-raising.
Ruffalo Noel Levitz did not comment immediately upon receipt of the letter. An EAB spokeswoman said the company was still reviewing it.
In those letters, the lawmakers are seeking descriptions of all products and services and their capabilities; explanations of the purpose of any pricing and financial aid algorithms and the data that the algorithms train on; and the names of the higher education institutions that use each product or service.
Violations of antitrust law could occur, the letters said, even if competitors were not discussing pricing with one another if “they are delegating their decision making to a software or algorithm” that results in the exchange of confidential pricing information. Spokeswomen for both the College Board — which licenses a need-based aid calculation tool called the CSS Profile to colleges — and Ellucian said they were still reviewing the letters. Oracle, which has a higher education technology unit, declined to comment.
The peculiar college pricing system — in which the list price is often not the real price, and different administrators handle need-based aid and merit aid — has drawn much scrutiny from regulators and politicians in recent years.
Earlier this year, this same group of politicians asked for an enormous amount of information from Ivy League schools, citing “apparent collusion to raise tuition prices.” The breadth of the inquiry included communications among the schools and the Common App and U.S. News, which publishes school rankings, as well as information about early decision practices.
In 2019, the Department of Justice announced an antitrust settlement with the National Association for College Admission Counseling. Association rules had effectively prevented schools from poaching students after May 1. Those rules went away, and now schools like Syracuse make six-figure discount offers to teenagers who have already committed to other colleges.
And in 2013, the department investigated discussions between college presidents about whether there was anything school officials could do to stop giving so much merit aid to students who didn’t need it. Later that year, the government dropped the inquiry, but not before scaring many higher education leaders away from discussing the matter.
In the current investigation, lawyers who work on antitrust cases say that crucial questions about the “common pricing formulas” could include the following: If EAB and Ruffalo Noel Levitz have access to dozens of pieces of data from tens of thousands of applicants from several hundred schools (including who responded, how they responded, and to what sort of financial aid offers), how do the firms feed that into the algorithms that help client colleges set prices and discounts?
Another question, lawyers say: Do they do it in real time, on an ongoing basis, in the middle of application season?
And once the algorithms are trained, do clients that compete with one another ultimately end up drawing on collective data to set prices?
“It is about time that policymakers are scrutinizing the enrollment management industry,” said Stephen Burd, a senior writer and editor on education policy at the think tank New America and the editor of a book about enrollment management. “If policymakers have any hope of solving the problems of college access, affordability, equity and indebtedness, they are going to have to finally acknowledge the industry behind the curtain.”
Georgia Nugent, a former president of Kenyon College and Illinois Wesleyan University, was one of the higher education leaders questioned by the Justice Department in 2013. She said the language in Wednesday’s letters presumes that colleges accept advice unquestioningly.
“In my experience, we didn’t just blindly take what the algorithm said,” she said, adding that she had worked at institutions that were clients of both EAB and Ruffalo Noel Levitz.
“An algorithm might have suggested X, Y or Z, and that did not accord with our values and objectives,” said Ms. Nugent, who is now the president in residence at the American Academic Leadership Institute. “To assume that colleges are just automata and do what consultants tell us to do, at least in my experience, would not be true.”
“I’m sending a copy of this letter to the Secretary General, and I demand an immediate investigation. No wonder the United Nations hasn’t been able to do the job that they were put in existence to do…” – President Donald J. Trump
Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump
A REAL DISGRACE took place at the United Nations yesterday — Not one, not two, but three very sinister events! First, the escalator going up to the Main Speaking Floor came to a screeching halt. It stopped on a dime. It’s amazing that Melania and I didn’t fall forward onto the sharp edges of these steel steps, face first. It was only that we were each holding the handrail tightly or, it would have been a disaster. This was absolutely sabotage, as noted by a day’s earlier “post” in The London Times that said UN workers “joked about turning off an escalator.” The people that did it should be arrested! Then, as I stood before a Television crowd of millions of people all over the World, and important Leaders in the Hall, my teleprompter didn’t work. It was stone cold dark. I immediately thought to myself, “Wow, first the escalator event, and now a bad teleprompter. What kind of a place is this?” I then proceeded to make a Speech without a teleprompter, which kicked in about 15 minutes later. The good news is the Speech has gotten fantastic reviews. Maybe they appreciated the fact that very few people could have done what I did. And third, after making the Speech, I was told that the sound was completely off in the Auditorium where the Speech was made, that World Leaders, unless they used the interpreters’ earpieces, couldn’t hear a thing. The first person I saw at the conclusion of the Speech was Melania, who was sitting right up front. I said, “How did I do?” And she said, “I couldn’t hear a word you said.” This wasn’t a coincidence, this was triple sabotage at the UN. They ought to be ashamed of themselves. I’m sending a copy of this letter to the Secretary General, and I demand an immediate investigation. No wonder the United Nations hasn’t been able to do the job that they were put in existence to do. All security tapes at the escalator should be saved, especially the emergency stop button. The Secret Service is involved. Thank you for your attention to this matter!
Two Zuni men were sentenced to 33 months in prison each for a violent armed assault involving four victims.
There is no parole in the federal system.
According to court documents, on April 8, 2023, Kamron Kallestewa, 25, and Kaden Panteah, 20, both enrolled members of the Zuni Pueblo, assaulted four individuals at a residence on the Pueblo using firearms. Kallestewa hit two victims in the head and face with his weapon and pointed it at two of the victims. Panteah, meanwhile, aimed and fired his weapon toward the victims.
Upon their release from prison, Kallestewa will be subject to two years of supervised release and Panteah will be subject to three years of supervised release.
Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.
The Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Zuni Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Jesse Pecoraro is prosecuting the case.
Governor Kathy Hochul has confirmed that MTA Metro-North Railroad will launch its new super-express service on the Hudson Line ahead of schedule, beginning October 6, 2025. Originally slated for 2026, the accelerated implementation will reduce travel times between Poughkeepsie and Grand Central Terminal to 90 minutes, and to under 75 minutes from Beacon—delivering a significant efficiency boost for Hudson Valley commuters. Supported by $26 million in capital investments, the initiative includes infrastructure upgrades, advanced train control systems, and new diesel-electric locomotives. The service enhancement aligns with the Governor’s broader transportation strategy to improve reliability, reduce congestion, and increase public transit adoption statewide.
New York. Governor Hochul Announces MTA Metro-North Railroad ‘Super-Express’ Trips Between Poughkeepsie and New York City to Launch Ahead of Schedule on Oct. 6
Governor Hochul: “These super-express trains will take you from Poughkeepsie to Grand Central in 90 minutes, and from Beacon to Grand Central in less than one hour and 15 minutes… When there is a need and when our commuters need something — they ask for improvement, enhancements, more reliability, faster speeds — we are committed to getting it done. That is my undying commitment to what is known as the lifeblood of this region.”
Hochul: “Golf’s biggest event is just about to tee off at Bethpage… It’s revered around the world for the accommodations and what we offer people, and we’re expecting another 20,000 people to literally be taking the train out to Farmingdale, which is going to put a strain on the system as they watch the U.S. take on the golf teams from Europe during the Ryder Cup. I want to make sure they all have a good experience — our locals and our visitors. And so today through Friday, we’re running eight more eastbound trains every day. And on Saturday, we’ll be adding nine more trains.”
Earlier today, Governor Kathy Hochul announced the launch of faster super-express trains on the Hudson Line between Poughkeepsie and New York City with the upcoming MTA Metro-North Railroad schedule effective Sunday, Oct. 5. The first super-express trains will run on Monday, Oct. 6. These new trips were announced in the Governor’s 2025 State of the State address and will cut travel times between Poughkeepsie and Grand Central Terminal to less than 90 minutes each way. Initially projected to launch in 2026, work was completed ahead of schedule, allowing for faster service to begin in October.
A rush transcript of the Governor’s remarks is available below:
First, I want to acknowledge some of the individuals you’ll be hearing from momentarily. Justin Vonashek, our President of Metro-North Rail — we’re going to have some announcements about Metro-North. Robert Free, the President of the Long Island Rail Road. I want to thank both of them for their tireless advocacy on behalf of not just the railroads, but, more importantly, our commuters. We also are joined by Mayor Kyriacou, the City of Beacon Mayor — he’s got some important announcements to make as well. And Anthony Simon, the union representing SMART, the thousands of Long Island Rail Road employees.
So let’s talk about Metro-North. Metro-North is more than just a train route. It is an incredible gateway between two worlds — and one is between the bustling streets of this great city, but also the charming hamlets up along the beautiful Hudson River. So you can have your morning run along the Hudson Line and then also end up at lunch time walking the streets of Manhattan and back home in a place like Beacon for dinner. So that’s the beauty of this connectivity, this extraordinary rail line, as well as its connectivity to other lines as well.
But — what I know as a New Yorker and as a mom — there’s nothing more precious in our lives than time. You know, how we get time back in our lives. And in my State of the State address, I address specifically the people who live along these rail lines, and said, “I want to give you some time back in your lives, and let’s be bold and ambitious about how we do that.” So we secured over $26 million in our State Budget for critical rail improvements along the Hudson Line.
First of all, we outfitted trains with state-of-the-art GPS and train simulation software. We also had to make significant investments in our signaling infrastructure to boost the train speeds — that was important — and adding brand new diesel-electric locomotives that are also faster and greener. And this was all supposed to happen in 2026. I said, “No. It’s going to happen in 2025.” Well, it’s 2025 and we are literally two weeks away from the start. We accelerated our timeline. We got the work done ahead of schedule. So two weeks from now, we’re going to have the super-express service along the Hudson Line begin.
So, listen to this: Starting October 6, these super-express trains will take you from Poughkeepsie to Grand Central in 90 minutes, and from Beacon to Grand Central in less than one hour and 15 minutes. How does that sound, Mayor? Pretty good for your residents of Beacon? For our daily commuters, we’re saving 14 minutes off your trip, 70 minutes a week. It’s a game changer for people. And so, if you really want to add it up, I did — four and a half hours extra a month back in your lives, and we’re just getting started.
But this is what I really love and cherish about infrastructure and transit. It’s not just about — as I said — the rails, and the bridges, the stations, it’s about connecting people in their lives and getting them home in time for their kids’ sporting event, or to help with the homework or to just kiss the little ones goodnight before they go to bed.
And this is part of fulfilling a promise I made when we finally launched congestion pricing. We said, “If we want more people to take our trains, we have to make it faster and more efficient for them to make that decision.” And so, we want to make it easier to get into Manhattan without a car, so this is part of that. If you give them reliable alternatives, this is the idea that they will embrace. And we’ve seen that incredibly, if you look at all the data associated with congestion pricing and how train ridership is up, traffic is down in the city. And so, all the results that we had hoped for are actually happening. So people told us they’d like to take the train, but they want it faster, they want it more efficient, and we delivered on that.
So these super-express trains are the latest in a long line of mass transit wins. As you know, we figured out a path, although it seemed insurmountable about a year ago, that we could fully fund the MTA capital plan — $68.4 billion. And we advanced long-stalled generational projects like the Second Avenue Subway and the Interborough Express. Again, those are my favorite ones — the ones that say “long-stalled.” Nobody could get it done. Not enough ambition or interest. And I say, “Bring those ones to me.”
And we also finished up our beautiful upgrades to Grand Central Madison in the Long Island Third Track. So we’ve proven over and over we can get it done. And these investments, not just in the systems, but also in our “Cops, Cameras, and Care” initiative we launched a couple of years ago.
Again, you’ve heard me say this, but it’s still holding. We just came off the safest summer in 10 years, the safest two month period — July and August — in recorded history. The crime rates are down. And just last week alone — last week compared to the same week a year ago — crime was down 66 percent. So, we’re making progress. I’ll say it for the 100th time: We are not declaring mission accomplished or victorious efforts here. We’re not done. But, those are numbers that cannot be challenged and they’re extraordinary, particularly considering the trajectory that we were once on.
But before we go, I have one more transit-related announcement about our sports fans, particularly our golf aficionados. Golf’s biggest event is just about to tee off at Bethpage. I was just out there last week. It’s an extraordinary, extraordinary part of our State Park system. It’s revered around the world for the accommodations and what we offer people, and we’re expecting another 20,000 people to literally be taking the train out to Farmingdale, which is going to put a strain on the system as they watch the U.S. take on the golf teams from Europe during the Ryder Cup.
So, I want to make sure they all have a good experience — our locals and our visitors. And so today through Friday, we’re running eight more eastbound trains every day. And on Saturday, we’ll be adding nine more trains. So make sure that our golf fans can get out to Bethpage without any difficulty.
So let me just say this: Today’s announcements in the scheme of all the complicating factors that are going on in the world may not seem significant to those who are not riders. But if you’re a rider, and you’ve been waiting for this, talking about it and it just never got done; people have been saying we can go faster someday, somehow — my friends, we got it done. It’s a commitment of all of our friends at the MTA, the Metro-North as well as the Long Island Rail Road.
When there is a need and when our commuters need something — they ask for improvement, enhancements, more reliability, faster speeds — we are committed to getting it done. That is my undying commitment to what is known as the lifeblood of this region. We do not function at all as the city we are without it, the region we are. And so I just want to say that we listen to the riders, and again, those are the most important voices out there in this entire system.
I know they’re going to be excited to start living the experience of having more time back in their lives. So let me talk about someone who’s very involved in this. Our next speaker, Metro-North President Justin Vonashek. And I want to thank him for finding the path to shave off a tremendous amount of time that would otherwise not have been happening until next year — we’re getting it done in 2025.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams has announced his formal support for Ryder’s Law, urging the City Council to pass legislation that would phase out horse-drawn carriages in favor of electric alternatives. To facilitate this transition, Mayor Adams signed Executive Order 56, which enhances regulatory oversight, initiates planning for the industry’s phase-out, and directs city agencies to support affected workers with job placement and voluntary license return programs. The move comes amid growing safety and animal welfare concerns following multiple high-profile incidents. By taking this step, the Adams administration is aligning city policy with modern urban standards while seeking to preserve tourism experiences through cleaner, safer alternatives.
Mayor Adams Calls on City Council to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages, Signs Executive Order Strengthening Oversight and Enforcement of Industry and Ensuring City Agencies Are Preparing for Eventual City Council Ban
– New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced his support to end the use of horse-drawn carriages in Central Park. First, Mayor Adams called on the New York City Council to pass Ryder’s Law, legislation to phase out horse-drawn carriages and replace them with electric alternatives, which has languished in the Council for over a year. Additionally, Mayor Adams signed Executive Order 56 to prepare for the end of the horse carriage industry in New York, strengthen oversight and enforcement over the industry until the Council passes the bill, create a process for voluntary return of licenses, and identify new employment opportunities for those in this industry. Finally, Mayor Adams sent a letter of necessity to the City Council, which grants the Council the authority to expedite the passage of this legislation by waiving the aging period, and urges them to promptly pass comprehensive reform given safety concerns for everyday New Yorkers.
“New York City is a place where history and progress live side by side, but as long as I am mayor, we will always put public safety first. While horse-drawn carriages have long been an iconic fixture of Central Park, they are increasingly incompatible with the conditions of a modern, heavily-used urban green space. A series of incidents over the last few years have raised concerns about the welfare of the horses, as well as the safety of pedestrians, cyclists, drivers, and carriage operators themselves. To understand all points of view on this complex issue, our administration convened all stakeholders, from driver representatives to community advocates, and it has become abundantly clear that these horse-drawn carriages no longer work for our city. While many talk about change, our administration has always been about real, meaningful action — and this issue is no different. That’s why today, I’m calling on the City Council to do what they should have done long ago: end the horse carriage industry in New York City and help keep all New Yorkers — including our animals — safe,” said Mayor Adams. “I’m also signing an executive order to ensure city agencies are doing everything in their power to prepare for a City Council ban on the horse carriage industry and to strengthen oversight and enforcement in the meantime. To be clear, we will not abandon the drivers themselves, who are honest, hard-working New Yorkers. Through today’s executive order, I have directed our agencies to identify new employment opportunities for those in this industry and create a process for voluntary return of licenses. We are also open to exploring a new program for electric carriages so New Yorkers and visitors can continue to enjoy the majesty of Central Park. Despite the changes we’re announcing today, we understand that this executive order can only go so far, as real, long-term change requires legislation. We need the Council to do their job, step up, and work with us on comprehensive reform. This is not about eliminating this tradition — it’s about honoring our traditions in a way that aligns with who we are today. New Yorkers care deeply about animals, about fairness, and about doing what’s right. The Adams administration hears those concerns loud and clear, and we’re taking action, but we need the Council to meet us at the table. We can preserve what makes New York unique while also ensuring we’re not leaving anyone — human or animal — behind.”
In the past few years, a number of troubling incidents have raised the alarm on this critical issue, including:
In August 2022, a carriage horse named Ryder fell and collapsed at the intersection of West 45th Street and 9th Avenue. The New York City Police Department intervened to help Ryder get back on his feet, and Ryder later died that October.
Just last month, another carriage horse named Lady collapsed and died at West 51st Street and 11th Avenue, bringing proposals for reform or closure of the carriage industry back into the spotlight.
This month also marked the third time this year alone where a carriage horse took off running in Central Park when a horse named Bambi ran out with no person at the reins, frightening visitors and causing three horse carriage passengers to jump out of the speeding buggy. Earlier this year, in May, a similar incident occurred when a pair of runaway carriage horses broke a driver’s wrist and injured others in Central Park after they bolted.
ALBANY, N.Y.—On Sept. 15, 2025, Gov. Kathy Hochul highlighted more than $6.7 million in state funding to upgrade law-enforcement technology across Central New York—part of a $127 million statewide package—as Syracuse officials reported crime down nearly 28% year to date. The Syracuse Police Department received about $1.3 million for LED hot-spot lighting, drones and a Spot robot to handle risky situations; additional grants through the Division of Criminal Justice Services and the GIVE initiative are supporting agencies across the region, and from January through August 2025 shootings with injury in Syracuse fell 15% from a year earlier.
Safer Streets: Governor Hochul Highlights $6.7 Million Investment in Law Enforcement Technology Across Central New York
Crime in Syracuse Is Down Nearly 28 Percent Year to Date
$127 Million in Funding Enabling Local Police Departments and Sheriffs’ Offices Across the State To Modernize Operations, Improve Officer Safety and Protect New Yorkers
$1.3 Million to Syracuse Police Invested in Spot Robot Dog, Drones, and LED Lighting for Crime Hot Spots
Public Safety Investments Are Delivering Results with Significant Declines in Gun Violence Across Central New York
Governor Kathy Hochul today visited the Syracuse Public Safety Building to highlight more than $6.7 million in state investments that are modernizing law enforcement technology and equipment across Central New York. Governor Hochul and local officials also highlighted that crime in Syracuse is down nearly 28 percent year to date, according to Syracuse city officials. The visit included a briefing with elected officials, law enforcement and public safety leaders from across the region, followed by a technology demonstration featuring state-of-the-art technology. Distributed to 378 police departments and sheriffs’ offices statewide, the $127 million is delivering results by improving officer safety, protecting New Yorkers, and strengthening operations.
“Keeping New Yorkers safe is my highest priority. That is why I have funded investments in the technology and equipment necessary to stand up to 21st Century threats,” Governor Hochul said. “These investments are showing real results and making communities safer up and down the state. I remain committed to supporting local police departments, sheriffs’ offices and their law enforcement partners to keep New Yorkers protected.”
The Syracuse Police Department received nearly $1.3 million, allowing the agency to purchase LED lighting for crime hot spots, drones, and the Spot robot dog to assist in potentially dangerous situations without putting officers in harm’s way. Other agencies in Central New York that received significant grant awards include Oswego County Emergency Management, which used $650,000 to invest in new equipment, including its own Spot robot dog, and the Cortland Police Department, which received more than $575,000. The State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) provided funding to a total of 33 agencies throughout Central New York to strengthen operations, expand investigative capacity and modernize equipment. A full rundown of statewide funding by agency is available online.
The Governor also highlighted the latest statistics reported by 28 police departments participating in the state’s Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) initiative, which supports coordinated gun violence reduction efforts in 21 counties. Onondaga County and the City of Syracuse are among the GIVE jurisdictions that have seen significant declines in gun violence this year. When comparing January through August 2025 to the same period last year, shooting incidents with injury and the number of shooting victims were down 15 percent in Syracuse.
New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services Commissioner Rossana Rosado said, “Governor Hochul’s commitment to investing in cutting-edge tools is helping agencies across Central New York respond more effectively and keep communities safe. These resources not only improve officer safety but also strengthen the partnerships that are essential to reducing crime and protecting New Yorkers.”
State Senator Rachel May said, “The state has made real progress in reducing gun violence, and with these investments in technology, we can continue to build on that success. Using this funding for policing technology, the Syracuse Police Department will better support our communities where gun violence remains a concern. Thank you to Governor Hochul for her leadership and to my colleagues in the legislature for their commitment to lowering gun violence in New York State.”
State Senator Chris Ryan said, “Keeping our neighborhoods safe requires both strong community partnerships and the tools law enforcement needs to do their jobs effectively. This investment ensures that police departments across Central New York, including Oswego County Emergency Management, can deploy modern technology that protects officers, prevents crime, and builds safer streets for our families. I’m grateful to Governor Hochul for prioritizing public safety and making these resources available so we can continue driving down gun violence and strengthening trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve.”
“Keeping New Yorkers safe is my highest priority. That is why I have funded investments in the technology and equipment necessary to stand up to 21st Century threats.”
Governor Kathy Hochul
Assemblymember William Magnarelli said, “Law enforcement has the never ending task of combatting crime. By utilizing advancements in technology, law enforcement is able to continue protecting our neighborhoods and communities, while increasing officer safety and efficiency.”
Assemblymember Pamela Hunter said, “Public safety requires both innovation and collaboration, and these investments deliver on both fronts. By equipping law enforcement with modern tools and supporting community programs, New York is reducing violence, protecting officers, and building stronger, safer communities across Central New York.
City of Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh said, “Crime is down nearly 28 percent this year in the City of Syracuse, and the partnership with Governor Hochul and New York State is making a positive difference in our city. Whenever Syracuse has needed help in addressing crime trends or investing in preventive safety measures, Governor Hochul and her team have been there to help. Syracuse is safer, but there is much work still to be done. I’m confident with the Governor’s leadership, New York will continue to be a strong and effective partner to Syracuse.”
Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon said, “Ensuring the safety of our community is one of the most important responsibilities we have as elected officials. From day one, my administration has worked tirelessly to support and invest in critical public safety initiatives to help make our community as safe as possible. Truly effective public safety, however, requires partnerships at all levels and today’s announcement illustrates those partnerships. I want to thank all those who made today possible and I look forward to continuing to work with all of our public safety partners for the betterment of our community.”
Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick said, “I applaud Governor Hochul for her unwavering commitment to support law enforcement and keep New Yorkers safe. Be it her recent tenacious support for Discovery reform or her financial investment in new technology to help track violent criminals she has been a true leader for public safety.”
Onondaga County Sheriff Toby Shelley said, “Crime continually becomes more sophisticated and the criminals that commit those crimes border less, which makes crime fighting efforts more costly and law enforcement collaboration more important. Governor Hochul recognizes these challenges and has made and continues to make the necessary investments, whether it be technology or programs to keep people safe. The results speak for themselves”. Sheriff Toby Shelley Onondaga County.”
Governor Hochul noted the critical role of the Central New York Crime Analysis Center in supporting law enforcement throughout the region. Co-located in the Syracuse Public Safety Building with the Syracuse Police Department, the center serves Cayuga, Madison, Onondaga, and Oswego counties. Through August, it handled 10,217 requests for service this year, including 6,421 from the Syracuse Police Department. In 2024, the 11 centers that comprise the state’s Crime Analysis Center Network handled nearly 131,000 requests, with the Central New York Center accounting for 22,920.
These technology investments build on other state-supported efforts in Syracuse, including $2.28 million for the SNUG Street Outreach Program and $2 million for Project RISE, which provides young people at risk of gun violence with intensive mentoring, job training, and other supports to help them succeed and avoid involvement in the justice system. Last fall, Governor Hochul also announced an additional $2.5 million through DCJS, including $1.5 million to launch a new Syracuse program connecting justice-involved youth with classes, mentoring, and internships, and $1 million to expand youth diversion services at the Onondaga County Probation Department. This funding comes as the Central New York region faces nearly $400,000 in funding cuts to public safety emergency preparedness from the Federal government.
The FY26 Enacted Budget maintained $347 million in unprecedented funding secured by Governor Hochul for gun violence prevention programs, including GIVE, and supports additional initiatives to improve public safety, expand support for victims and survivors of crime and strengthen communities.
The Division of Criminal Justice Services provides critical support to all facets of the state’s criminal justice system, including, but not limited to: training law enforcement and other criminal justice professionals; overseeing a law enforcement accreditation program; ensuring Breathalyzer and speed enforcement equipment used by local law enforcement operate correctly; managing criminal justice grant funding; analyzing statewide crime and program data; providing research support; overseeing county probation departments and alternatives to incarceration programs; and coordinating youth justice policy. Follow DCJS on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter).
