Statement from NYGOP Chair Ed Cox on Tonight's Results

"While Republicans fielded one of the best statewide tickets in living memory, we were not able to overcome the national political environment. Midterm elections are historically difficult for the party holding the Presidency, especially in a second term.

"Bruce Blakeman ran a flawless, issues-based campaign, articulating the multitude of failures under Kathy Hochul and one-party Democrat rule.

"A political star was born in Saritha Komatireddy, who drew national attention to a State Attorney General race.

"Joseph Hernandez did more to shed light on Albany Democrats' squandering of taxpayer dollars on his X feed than Tom DiNapoli has done in 19 years in office.

"The people of Nassau County are fortunate to have an outstanding executive in Bruce Blakeman. Saritha Komatireddy and Joseph Hernandez have bright political futures ahead of them.

"I want to personally thank all of our Republican candidates for office around the state this year. You carried our banner with passion and distinction.

"Kathy Hochul and Albany Democrats have been put on notice. They were able to hide behind the national tide this cycle, but that will not be the case forever. They will have to answer for their record of New York leading the nation in outmigration as the most taxed, least affordable, least free state in America. Republicans will continue to fight for a New York that is affordable for families, friendly to businesses and puts the wellbeing of our citizens first."

HERNANDEZ STATEMENT ON ELECTION RESULTS

 

Joseph Hernandez, the Republican nominee for State Comptroller, released the following statement:

 

"Tonight, I called Tom DiNapoli to congratulate him. 

 

New Yorkers have spoken, and I respect their decision.

 

In 1776, George Washington lost New York. Seven years later, on Evacuation Day, he rode back down Broadway into a free city. 

 

Losing a battle is not the same as losing the cause.

 

Our cause hasn't changed: every dollar Albany spends belongs to the people who earned it.

 

To my family, our volunteers, and every voter who trusted us: thank you. 

I came here at seven on a fishing boat, and I learned that in America, you get back up.

 

This is not my last word."

New York State Parks Launches Park Ranger Recruitment Campaign Park Rangers Assist Visitors, Safeguard Landscapes, Protect Wildlife, and Preserve Cultural Sites

 Applications accepted through 12/31/26

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) today launched a recruitment campaign for Park Rangers to help preserve New York State’s beautiful landscapes, wildlife, cultural sites, and recreational spaces.

New York State Park Rangers serve as ambassadors and safety representatives for State Parks and Historic Sites. Responsibilities range from patrolling campgrounds, beaches, and trails to responding to calls for assistance and helping with general security.

“Park Rangers play an essential role in helping visitors safely enjoy everything our parks have to offer – whether they are hiking a trail, paddling on the water, or camping in the great outdoors,” said Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Kathy Moser. “We look forward to recruiting a new class of candidates who will work alongside our dedicated staff and Park Police across New York’s more than 250 state parks and historic sites. Our Park Rangers are vital to protecting the people, places, and experiences that make our state park system so extraordinary.”

OPRHP is seeking individuals who are committed to public service and ensuring parks and sites remain safe and welcoming for everyone. Park Rangers respond to calls for assistance and alert emergency responders as needed. In addition, Park Rangers may have other responsibilities including assisting with light duty maintenance at their assigned facilities and supporting public safety efforts and traffic control at large events. Park Rangers are not law enforcement officers and are not subject to the same requirements as peace or police officers. 

Park Rangers are generally hired to work seasonally from mid-May through Labor Day. Employment may be extended at select locations. Visit the Park Ranger webpage for more information.  

Park Rangers work closely with the public and are trained to respond to various emergencies including medical events, missing persons and property, traffic-related issues and various other safety issues or hazards. Park Rangers are usually on foot when interacting with visitors, but also navigate parks and sites in vehicles, UTVs, and on bikes.

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 parks, historic sites, recreational trails, golf courses, boat launches and more, and welcomes over 86 million visitors annually. For more information on any of these recreation areas, visit parks.ny.gov, download the free NY State Parks Explorer app or call 518.474.0456. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, the OPRHP Blog or via the OPRHP Newsroom.

Sioux City Woman to Federal Prison for Meth Distribution Conspiracy

Nikkel and another distributed meth near Fairmount City Park

April Nikkel, 37, from Sioux City, Iowa, was sentenced to 168 months’ imprisonment. Nikkel pled guilty on May 18, 2026, in federal court in Sioux City to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and one count of distributing methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a protected location.

Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings showed Nikkel was involved in a conspiracy from January 2025 through November 2025 that distributed more than three pounds of methamphetamine.  On at least three occasions Nikkel distributed and helped another distribute a total of over 190 grams of pure methamphetamine to individuals cooperating with law enforcement.  These distributions occurred within 1,000 feet of Fairmount City Park and Cecillia City Park in Sioux City.  

United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand sentenced Nikkel to 168 months’ imprisonment and eight years of supervised release.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Nikkel remains in custody of the United States Marshal until she can be transported to a federal prison. 

The case was investigated by the Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City, Iowa, that consists of law enforcement personnel from the Drug Enforcement Administration; Sioux City, Iowa, Police Department; Homeland Security Investigations; Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office; South Sioux City, Nebraska, Police Department; Nebraska State Patrol; Iowa National Guard; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; United States Marshals Service; South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation; and Woodbury County Attorney’s Office and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde.

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson - Community Resources & Information

 

Dear Neighbor,

Today is Election Day, and voters across our state are going to the polls to cast their vote. Over 67,000 Bronxites participated in early voting, and now is your chance to have your voice heard. 

Getting to the Polls

•     Give yourself extra travel time, especially during rush hour.
•    If you are taking public transit, check for service changes that could affect your route.
•    Dress for the weather since lines may form outside.
•    Click here to find your polling site.

Know Your Rights

•    Voters with disabilities can request accommodations and accessible voting options.
•    If you encounter problems, you can contact the NYC Board of Elections at their Bronx Location at 1-718-299-9017. 

While at the Polls 

•    Take your time reading the ballot. You can also visit NYC Votes for answers to frequently asked questions and to learn who and what will be on your ballot.
•    You have the right to vote in a general election or special election if you are a registered voter and you are inside or in line at your polling place between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. on Election Day.

Voting is a fundamental right in our democracy and a powerful tool for creating lasting and meaningful change. Every vote matters, and every voter has the power to make a difference.

Happy Election Day, Bronx! Let's get to the polls.

Warm Regards,

IN THE COMMUNITY

We proudly announced a $6 million joint investment in the expansion of Bronx Community College’s Nursing and Allied Health Program, strengthening opportunities for students and investing in the future of healthcare right here in the Bronx.

Our office committed $1.5 million, joined by an additional $1.5 million from our Bronx City Council Delegation, with the remaining $3 million matched by New York State through the support of State Senator Robert Jackson and Assemblywoman Yudelka Tapia.

This collective investment will help expand access to critical healthcare education and workforce training, prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals, and create greater pathways to careers in nursing and allied health.

A special thank you to our City Council Members, Speaker Julie Menin, our state leaders, and everyone whose advocacy, partnership, and support helped make this significant investment possible.

Our hearts are heavy as we gathered with Attorney General Letitia James, Mayor Zohran Mamdani, FDNY Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore, and Council Member Elsie Encarnacion in the wake of the devastating fire at the Patterson Houses caused by a lithium-ion battery.

We mourn the loss of a young boy and his family, who all tragically succumbed to their injuries.

Our borough has endured far too many fires caused by lithium‑ion batteries, each one leaving behind grieving families, displaced neighbors, and communities forever changed.

Thank you to the FDNY, EMS, the American Red Cross, NYPD, and all first responders and healthcare workers for their swift and courageous response, ensuring the safety of residents throughout this tragedy.

We celebrated the ribbon-cutting and unveiling of “Un Mar de Gente / From Every Shore,” the tallest mural in the United States, standing over 300 feet tall in the Melrose community at the Morrisania Air Rights building.

Unveiled by ArtBridge and the Public Housing Fund in partnership with local community members and artists, this extraordinary work was created by Dominican-born artist and Bronx resident Nestor García, known as Angurria.

More than a mural, From Every Shore celebrates the cultures, stories, and people who make the Bronx one of the most vibrant and diverse communities in the world. 

A powerful addition to our borough’s cultural landscape, this landmark reminds us that our stories deserve to be seen, celebrated, and shared.

Celebrating Hispanic influence, impact, and innovation through fashion, art, and culture!

During Hispanic Heritage Month, Borough Hall in partnership with Bronx Fashion Week and Monta Flores, we hosted 'Cultura and Couture', bringing together local artists, fashion designers, and creatives to showcase their work and celebrate the rich cultural heritage that continues to shape the fashion world.

From bold designs to unique expressions of identity, the event highlighted the creativity, talent, and lasting contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities here in the Bronx and beyond.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani's announcement of 10,000 additional 2-K seats across New York City is great news for Bronx families. 

With the expansion including every Bronx school district, this brings us one step closer to achieving universal child care. 

Thank you to Governor Kathy Hochul, Mayor Zohran Mamdani, NYC Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels, and all the advocates and education leaders making this vision a reality.

UPCOMING EVENTS

MAKING AMERICA SAFE AGAIN: Under President Trump, DHS Delivered the Most Secure Border in History and is Removing Criminal Illegal Aliens at a Record Pace

 

Through the Department of Homeland Security, President Trump and Secretary Markwayne Mullin are Making America Safe Again

Under the leadership of President Donald J. Trump and Secretary Markwayne Mullin, the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is restoring the rule of law, delivering the most secure border ever, deporting dangerous criminal illegal aliens, creating safer communities, and making America safer for generations to come. 

“Less than two years after President Trump returned to office, he has fulfilled his signature promise to secure our border, arrest and deport illegal aliens, and Make America Safe Again,” said Secretary Mullin. “Under President Trump’s leadership, more than 3 million migrants have left the U.S. We have had 17 consecutive months with ZERO illegal aliens released into our country. Some people tried to say that our immigration system was broken. But we didn’t need new laws or a new system; we just needed a new president.” 

Thanks to DHS, the United States of America are freer, safer, and more prosperous. Below are some of the Department’s victories for the American people: 

The Most Secure American Border EVER 

President Trump ran on securing the border and fixing the border crisis that took place under his predecessor Joe Biden.

The border under Joe Biden

Since his return to office, President Trump has delivered the most secure border in U.S. history. 

• Border enforcement: For the first time in American history, there have been ZERO releases at the border during a fiscal year, thanks to the end of catch-and-release, consistent use of detention and removal authorities, and a clear message that illegal entry into the United States will not be rewarded or tolerated.  
• Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has recorded 17 consecutive months of ZERO releases at the border.  
• DHS recently announced preliminary Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 data showcasing that total FY26 apprehensions (98,708) were 60% lower than the Biden Administration’s single highest month alone (249,740).   
• Additionally, preliminary data shows total nationwide encounters in FY26 were the lowest in agency history at 379,243, compared with 2.7 million per year under Biden (seven times higher). FY26 encounters were 88% lower than FY23 under Biden, which was the highest fiscal year ever.  
• Smart Wall Construction: CBP and DHS are working to seal the border by finishing the border wall with funds from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.  
• From the beginning of this Administration through October 30, 2026, CBP has completed ~330 miles of new border barriers, including ~139.5 miles of primary wall, ~73.9 miles of waterborne barrier, and ~116.2 miles of secondary wall.  
• To date, CBP has obligated $34.6B (75%) of the Working Families Tax Cut Act funding for border wall. 
• Drug Seizures: As the nation’s frontline border security agency, CBP utilizes cutting-edge nonintrusive inspection technology and intelligence-driven strategies to seize deadly drugs, targeting not just finished products but precursor chemicals, tools, and pill presses. 
• As a result, preliminary data shows CBP’s drug seizures in FY26 totaled nearly 1 million pounds – 63% higher than the 600,000-pound annual average of the last four years. 

The border under President Trump

Protecting Americans from the Worst of the Worst Illegal Aliens and Criminals 

Under Secretary Mullin's leadership, DHS has arrested and deported millions of illegal aliens across the country, including gang members, rapists, kidnappers, and drug traffickers, thanks to the brave men and women of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), CBP, and other law enforcement and immigration enforcement agencies. 

• Under President Trump’s leadership, more than 3 million migrants have left the U.S. As of October, we have now deported nearly 1.2 million illegal aliens and arrested over 1.25 million illegal aliens.  
• ICE has been instrumental in preventing terror threats, with over 2,288 known or suspected terrorists (KSTs) being arrested, and 2,143 KSTs removed. 
• ICE and CBP have conducted operations in cities nationwide, resulting in more than a million arrests.  
• Since President Trump returned to office, ICE has made 12,018 gang-related administrative arrests. This includes 1,965 MS-13 affiliates and 1,553 Tren de Aragua (TDA) affiliates.

In President Trump’s first year, DHS also launched the critically acclaimed, groundbreaking new webpage, “Worst of the Worst” (wow.dhs.gov), which allows visitors to search through some of the hundreds of thousands of criminal illegal aliens arrested during enforcement operations since the start of the Trump Administration. 

DHS is just getting started under President Donald Trump and Secretary Mullin. The return to America’s Golden Age is only just beginning.                                                                                                                                                     

Attorney General James Reminds New Yorkers of Election Protection Hotline on Election Day

 

OAG Hotline Available Today from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. to Help Voters Resolve Election-Related Issues

New York Attorney General Letitia James today reminded New Yorkers that the Office of the Attorney General’s (OAG) Election Protection Hotline is available to assist voters experiencing problems at the polls, voting by mail, or accessing their right to vote in today’s general election. The hotline will be available from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. today and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. tomorrow to troubleshoot and resolve a range of issues encountered by voters. A guide addressing frequently asked questions is also available to assist voters with any problems encountered at the polls.

“Today is your opportunity to make your voice heard, and every eligible New Yorker deserves to cast their ballot without fear or intimidation,” said Attorney General James. “My office is here to help New Yorkers navigate any problems they encounter at the polls and ensure their voices are heard. If you experience an issue while voting today, call our Election Protection Hotline. We are ready to help.”

Attorney General James urges voters experiencing election-related problems to call the OAG hotline at (866) 390-2992 or submit a complaint online. The telephone hotline will be open today between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. and tomorrow between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., and requests for assistance may be submitted at any time through the online complaint form. OAG attorneys and staff process all hotline calls and written requests for assistance.

The OAG has operated its Election Protection Hotline since November 2012. During previous elections, the office has fielded hundreds and sometimes thousands of complaints from voters across the state and worked with local election officials and other partners to address issues. The OAG has also taken legal action to protect against voter registration purges and ensure voters have adequate and equitable access to vote early, as required by law.

All registered voters have the right to accessible elections. On Election Day, polls must be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., and voters in line before polls close must be allowed to vote. In addition, all registered voters have the right to vote free from coercion or intimidation, whether by election officials or anyone else. The OAG will receive and respond to election complaints related to any statutes OAG enforces, including the New York Voting Rights Act.

Today is also the last day to return mail-in ballots. All ballots must be postmarked by today and received by the Board of Elections within seven days of Election Day. Due to recent changes in how the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) applies postmarks, a ballot dropped in a mailbox will likely not be postmarked until the next day or later. Attorney General James therefore urges voters who have yet to return their ballots to instead drop them off at any open poll site in their county or at their local Board of Elections.

Attorney General James Secures $147,000 From Pelham Man Who Stole Deceased New York Teacher’s Pension Benefits

 

Danilo Pesce Pocketed Nearly $142,000 in Pension Benefits from His Deceased Neighbor for Years After His Death 

New York Attorney General Letitia James announced the guilty plea of Danilo Pesce, 60, of Pelham, for stealing nearly $142,000 in pension benefits issued by the New York State Teachers’ Retirement System (NYSTRS) to his deceased neighbor, Jack Lee Morgan. An investigation by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) found that Pesce was acting as Morgan’s caretaker before his death in March 2020. After Morgan’s death, Pesce made numerous withdrawals from Morgan’s bank account, which was funded by NYSTRS pension payments that improperly continued after his death. In total, Pesce stole $141,968 of Morgan’s pension benefits. Pesce was arrested on July 30, 2026, and pleaded guilty to Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree before Judge Andra Ackerman in Albany County Court. Pesce paid $147,000 in restitution to the New York State Teachers Retirement Fund, including $6,000 in interest. 

“Danilo Pesce took advantage of the retirement system that thousands of hard-working New York teachers rely on,” said Attorney General James. “This heartless theft should serve as a reminder that my office will not tolerate anyone who breaks the law to steal from their neighbors. We will continue to hold anyone accountable who attempts to take advantage of our retirement systems and steal from the New Yorkers who depend on it.” 

Morgan was a NYSTRS pensioner who retired from the Pelham school district in 1991. At the time of his death in 2020, Morgan had no living beneficiary for his pension, and therefore NYSTRS payments should have ceased. However, NYSTRS was never notified of Morgan’s death and continued to make monthly payments of $3,497 to Morgan’s bank account.  

Prior to Morgan’s death, Pesce allegedly acted as his caretaker. In his position as caretaker, Pesce was added to Morgan’s bank account and the deed to Morgan’s home in Pelham. The OAG’s investigation found that beginning on March 17, 2020, less than a month after Morgan’s death, Pesce regularly withdrew funds from Morgan’s bank account, which he controlled. Pesce spent the money on maintenance and renovation of Morgan’s home, where Pesce and his wife were living part-time. The total amount of withdrawals from Morgan’s account totaled nearly $142,000. 

Pesce pleaded guilty before Judge Andra Ackerman in Albany County Court to Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree, a Class E felony, and paid $147,000 in restitution, including $6,000 in interest. 

Attorney General James thanks the New York State Police’s Financial Crimes Unit for assisting in this investigation.