Talking Politics returns with my guest Anthony Rivieccio to talk some Bronx Politics. The November election, looking ahead to 2026, and lots more Live at 12 PM or anytime at YouTube.
Sunday, December 7, 2025
Justice Department Requires Divestitures to Proceed with Constellation’s Proposed $26.6 Billion Acquisition of Calpine
Proposed Settlement Will Preserve Competition in Electricity Generation Through Divestiture of Six Power Plants
The Justice Department’s Antitrust Division, together with the Attorney General of Texas, announced that it will require divestiture of six power plants in Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Texas to resolve antitrust concerns arising from Constellation Energy Corporation, Inc.’s $26.6 billion acquisition of Calpine Corporation.
The Antitrust Division filed a civil antitrust lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to block the proposed acquisition. At the same time, the Division filed a proposed settlement that, if approved by the court, would resolve the Division’s competitive concerns.
“The price of electricity is a pocketbook issue to American consumers working hard to afford their monthly utility bills. When it comes to their electricity bills, Americans deserve the benefit of robust competition among electricity generators,” said Assistant Attorney General Abigail Slater of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “This settlement includes a six-plant divestiture to an acquisition that risked harming tens of millions of electricity consumers in the mid-Atlantic and Texas. I am appreciative of the partnership with our co-plaintiff, the State of Texas, to secure relief for consumers.”
As detailed in the complaint, the acquisition would create the largest wholesale power generator in the United States and increase the likelihood that the combined firm would profitably withhold electricity from one or more of its plants. The result would be higher electricity prices for customers in Texas, where the electricity grid is operated by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), and in New Jersey, Delaware, southeastern Pennsylvania, and the eastern shores of Maryland and Virginia, where the electricity grid is operated by PJM Interconnection LLC (PJM).
The divestitures resolve the Division’s concerns that the acquisition would harm competition and lead to higher prices on consumers reliant on the ERCOT and PJM electricity grids. Specifically, the settlement requires the companies to divest their ownership interests in four electricity plants serving PJM and two electricity plants serving ERCOT. The divested plants are:
- Bethlehem Energy Center, a natural gas combined cycle plant, located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania;
- York Energy Center (York 1 and York 2), a dual-fuel combined cycle plant, located southeast of the city of York, Pennsylvania;
- Hay Road Energy Center, a dual-fuel combined cycle plant, located in Wilmington, Delaware;
- Edge Moor Energy Center, a simple cycle natural gas plant, located in Wilmington, Delaware;
- Jack A. Fusco Energy Center, a natural gas combined cycle plant, located southwest of Houston, Texas; and
- Gregory Power Plant, a natural gas combined cycle plant, located northeast of Corpus Christi, Texas.
This is the first settlement consent decree that the Division has filed in an electricity merger in 14 years.
Constellation is a publicly traded Pennsylvania corporation headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland. It is one of the largest owners of electric generation assets in the United States. In 2024, the company earned $23.6 billion in revenue. It currently controls more than 20,000 megawatts of generating capacity in PJM and approximately 5,000 megawatts in ERCOT.
Calpine is a privately held Delaware corporation headquartered in Houston, Texas. Calpine is the largest generator of electricity from natural gas and geothermal in the United States. The company controls approximately 9,000 megawatts of generating capacity in ERCOT and 5,000 megawatts in PJM.
As required by the Tunney Act, the proposed settlement, along with a competitive impact statement, will be published in the Federal Register. Any person should submit written comments concerning the proposed settlement within 60 days following the publication to Patricia Corcoran, Acting Chief, Transportation, Energy & Agriculture Section, Antitrust Division, U.S. Department of Justice, 450 Fifth Street NW, Suite 8000, Washington, DC 20530. At the conclusion of the public comment period, the court may enter the final judgment upon finding it is in the public interest.
Get Offline, Get Outside: Governor Hochul Invites New Yorkers to Celebrate the Start of 2026 With First Day Hikes
Free Events at More Than 115 State Parks, Historic Sites, DEC Natural Areas and Environmental Education Centers, Canal Trails and Other Public Lands on New Year's Day
For the 15th Year in a Row, Outdoor Hikes Make Mental and Physical Wellness Part of New Yorkers’ New Year’s Tradition
For More Information or To Register for Events, Visit the State Parks, DEC and Canals Websites
Governor Kathy Hochul encouraged New Yorkers to start their year off with wellness at the forefront by participating in a First Day Hike for free. New Yorkers will have an opportunity to “Get Offline, and Get Outside” this holiday season, by celebrating the New Year at state parks, historic sites, natural areas, canal trails, environmental education centers and various other public lands across the Empire State on January 1, 2026. The 15th annual First Day Hikes program offers varied hike options for people of all experience levels at 117 locations across the state.
“Kick off the New Year in the great outdoors and put your mental and physical wellness first by joining our fellow New Yorkers for First Day Hikes,” Governor Hochul said. “A fantastic and affordable tradition, this special event allows us to find comfort in the winter beauty of our public lands while also creating opportunities to connect with our communities, friends, and families, distraction free.”
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Canal Corporation are partnering to host the many walks and hikes taking place throughout the state as part of the 15th annual First Day Hikes program. To keep the event affordable for families in the holiday season, the normal parking fee at state parks and sites will be waived on January 1.
The First Day Hikes program advances Governor Hochul’s Get Offline, Get Outside initiative which encourages New York kids and families to log off of their phones and put their mental and physical health first as they head outside to get fresh air, play sports, enjoy nature, and see everything else our state has to offer. First Day Hikes is an important component of this initiative as it showcases the various winter recreation opportunities afforded to New Yorkers of all ages.
Most hikes are beginner and family friendly, typically ranging from one to five miles depending on the location and trail conditions. This year, there are more than 125 individual hikes being offered at state parks, historic sites, DEC natural areas and environmental education centers, canal trails, and other public lands.
Hiking is one of the many ways children can participate in DEC’s “Get Offline, Get Outside Challenge” to help address the youth mental health crisis by encouraging teens to engage in interesting and exciting outdoor activities. For more information about the challenge, including suggested locations to help complete activities, upcoming events, resources and associated recommendations, visit the DEC’s Get Offline, Get Outside Challenge webpage.
Many First Day Hikes are led in partnership with ‘Friends’ groups who are stewards on State lands, as well as other partners across the state. This year, DEC and State Parks are partnering with the New York State Outdoor Guides Association (NYSOGA) on the event, to offer even more hiking opportunities to the public with several First Day Hikes led by New York State licensed guide professionals. NYSOGA represents guides from every part of New York State and helps provide opportunities for the public to engage with the outdoors and try something new via fun and educational guided recreation experiences.
A list of all New York State First Day Hikes, location details, format, pre-registration requirements, and additional information can be found online for State Parks, DEC and Canals sites. Interested participants are encouraged to check the details of their preferred host site in advance and register if required.
Starting in Massachusetts in 1992, First Day Hikes is now a national event taking place in all 50 states. While the following locations offer organized activities, most of New York’s public lands are accessible on New Year’s Day and throughout the entire winter season.
List of First Day Hikes by region:
Western New York
Allegany State Park - Quaker Area, Salamanca; 716.354.2182
Boutwell Hill State Forest (DEC), Cherry Creek; 716.680.1865
Darien Lake State Park, Darien Center; 585.547.9242
Elkdale State Forest (DEC), Little Valley; 716.689.4177
Evangola State Park, Irving; 716.549.1802
Fort Niagara State Park, Youngstown; 716.218.7904
Genesee Valley Greenway State Park, Belfast; 585.493.3614 (2 Hikes)
Genesee Valley Greenway State Park, Cuba; 585.493.3614
Genesee Valley Greenway State Park, Fillmore; 585.493.3614
Genesee Valley Greenway State Park, Hinsdale; 585.493.3614
Harris Hill State Forest (DEC), Gerry; 716.753.0266
Knox Farm State Park, East Aurora; 716.652.0786
Niagara Falls State Park, Niagara Falls; 716.278.1794
Phillips Creek State Forest (DEC), West Almond; impactfriendsgroup@gmail.com (4 hikes)
Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center (DEC), Depew; 716.683.5959
Whirlpool State Park, Niagara Falls; 716.284.5778
Wilson Tuscarora State Park, Wilson; 716.751.6361
Zoar Valley Multiple Use Area – Holcomb Pond (DEC), Collins; 440.983.0023
Finger Lakes and Central New York
Bowman Lake State Park / McDonough State Forest (DEC), Oxford; 607.251.3477 (multiple hikes)
Catharine Valley Trail, Watkins Glen; 607.535.4511
Chenango Valley State Park, Chenango Forks; 607.648.5251
Clark Reservation State Park, Jamesville; 315.492.1756
Delta Lake State Park, Rome; 315.337.4670
Erie Canal - Palmyra, Palmyra
Erie Canal - Macedon, Macedon
Fillmore Glen State Park, Moravia; 315.497.0130
Fort Ontario State Historic Site, Oswego; 315.343.4711
Genesee Valley Greenway State Park, Avon; 585.493.3614
Genesee Valley Greenway State Park, Fowlerville; 585.493.3614
Genesee Valley Greenway State Park, Mt Morris; 585.493.3614
Genesee Valley Greenway State Park, Nunda; 585.493.3614
Genesee Valley Greenway State Park, Piffard; 585.493.3614
Genesee Valley Greenway State Park, Rochester; 585.493.3614
Genesee Valley Greenway State Park, Scottsville; 585.493.3614
Genesee Valley Greenway State Park, York Landing; 585.493.3614
Gilbert Lake State Park, Laurens; 607.432.2114
Glimmerglass State Park, Cooperstown; 607.547.8662
Green Lakes State Park, Fayetteville; 315.637.6111
Hamlin Beach State Park, Hamlin; 585.258.8937 Hemlock-Canadice State Forest (DEC), Canadice; 585.374.8366 (2 hikes)
Herkimer Home State Historic Site, Little Falls; 315.823.0398
Italy Hill State Forest (DEC), Italy; 585.358.6301 (2 hikes)
Letchworth State Park - Humphrey Nature Center, Castile; 585.493.3600 (4 hikes)
Letchworth State Park - South Highbanks Shelter, Mt. Morris; 585.493.3600 (2 hikes)
Montezuma Audubon Center, Savannah; 315-365-3588, register here
Newtown Battlefield State Park, Elmira; 607.732.6067
Rogers Environmental Education Center, DEC’s Friends Support Group, Sherburne; 607.674.4733 (2 hikes)
Selkirk Shores State Park, Pulaski; 315.298.5737
Seneca Lake State Park, Geneva; 315.789.2331
Sugar Hill State Forest (DEC), Watkins Glen; 607.372.1646
Taughannock Falls State Park, Trumansburg; 607.539.4078 (2 hikes)
Two Rivers State Park Recreation Area, Waverly; 607.732.6287
Utica Marsh Wildlife Management Area (DEC), Marcy; 315.866.6330 ext. 132
North Country/Adirondacks
Adirondack Rail Trail (DEC), Saranac Lake; julia@adirondackrailtrail.org
Cat Mountain, DEC’s Lake George Wild Forest, Bolton Landing; 518.338.8173
Crown Point State Historic Site, Crown Point; 518.597.3666
John Brown Farm State Historic Site, Lake Placid; 518.523.3900
Lake Colby Conservation Education Camp (DEC), Saranac Lake; 518.897.1207
Lost Pond (DEC), Ticonderoga; 518.681.2232
Mount Arab (DEC), Piercefield; 315.265.3621
Paul Smith's College Visitor Interpretive Center (VIC) – Heron Marsh Trail, Paul Smiths; 315.832.2695
Point Au Roche State Park, Plattsburgh; 518.563.0369
Robert G Wehle State Park, Henderson; 315.938.5302
Silver Lake Mountain (DEC), Black Brook; 607.422.9409
Wellesley Island State Park, Fineview; 315.482.2722
Winona State Forest (DEC), Lorraine; 315.376.3521
Greater Capital District
Five Rivers Environmental Education Center (DEC), Delmar; 518.475.0291 (3 hikes)
Grafton Lakes State Park, Grafton; 518.279.1155
Mine Kill State Park, North Blenheim; 518.827.6111
Moreau Lake State Park, Gansevoort; 518.793.0511
Peebles Island State Park, Cohoes; 518.268.2188 (2 hikes)
Saratoga Spa State Park, Saratoga Springs; 518.584.2000
Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site, Fort Hunter; 518.829.7516
Thacher State Park, Voorheesville; 518.872.1237 (2 hikes)
Hudson Valley/Catskills
Balsam Mountain (DEC), Pine Hill; peter@catskillmountainclub.org
Bear Mountain State Park, Bear Mountain; 845.786.2701
Catskills Visitor Center – Interpretive Loop and Upper Esopus Fire Tower, Mount Tremper; 845.688.3369
Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park, Yorktown Heights; 914.245.4434
Giant Ledge and Panther Mountain (DEC), Big Indian; smbelectric72@yahoo.com
Huckleberry Point (DEC), Elka Park; hoakhill@gmail.com
Hudson Highlands State Park / Little Stony Point, Cold Spring; 845.265.3175
Kaaterskill Rail Trail, DEC’s Kaaterskill Wild Forest, Haines Falls; mthsdirector@mths.org
Minnewaska State Park Preserve, Kerhonkson; 845.255.0752
Minnewaska State Park Preserve - Sam's Point Area, Cragsmoor; 845.647.7989
Neversink River Unique Area – Mullet Falls (DEC), Forestburgh; 908.447.8725
North-South Lake Campground, DEC’s Kaaterskill Wild Forest, Haines Falls; 480.381.9405
Olana State Historic Site, Hudson; 518.751.0344 (2 hikes)
Old Croton Aqueduct State Historic Park - Croton Gorge Park, Cortlandt; 914.693.5259
Philipse Manor Hall State Historic Site, Yonkers; 914.965.4027
Red Hill Fire Tower (DEC), Claryville; 518.810.8977
Rockefeller State Park Preserve - Rockwood Hall, Sleepy Hollow; 914.631.1470
Schunnemunk State Park, New Windsor; 845.351.5907
Staatsburgh State Historic Site, Staatsburg; 845.889.8851
Sterling Forest State Park, Tuxedo; 845.351.5907
Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center, DEC’s Friends Support Group, Wappingers Falls; 845.831.3800, register here
Taconic State Park - Copake Falls Area, Copake Falls; 518.329.3993
Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park, Highland; 845.834.2867
Willowemoc Wild Forest – Frick Pond (DEC), Rockland; 845.693.4181
New York City and Long Island
Bayard Cutting Arboretum State Park, Great River; 631.581.1002
Belmont Lake State Park, North Babylon; 631.667.5055
Bethpage State Park, Farmingdale; 516.249.0701
Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve, Huntington; 631.423.1770
Clay Pit Ponds State Park, Staten Island; 718.967.1976
Connetquot River State Park Preserve, Oakdale; 631.581.1005
Gantry Plaza State Park, Queens; 347.935.3039
Hallock State Park Preserve, Riverhead; 631.315.5475
Heckscher State Park, East Islip; 631.581.2100
Hempstead Lake State Park, West Hempstead; 516.766.1029
Jones Beach State Park, Wantagh; 516.785.1600
Montauk Point State Park, Montauk; 631.668.3781
Mount Loretto Unique Area (DEC), Staten Island; ppow@siprotectors.org
Nissequogue River State Park, Kings Park; 631.269.4927
Orient Beach State Park, Orient; 631.323.2440
Ridge Conservation Area (DEC), Ridge; bill.fonda@dec.ny.gov
Robert Moses State Park, Babylon; 631.669.0449
Shirley Chisholm State Park, Brooklyn; 718.277.2420
Sunken Meadow State Park, Kings Park; 631.269.4333
Wildwood State Park, Wading River; 631.929.4314
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 88 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.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation manages five million acres of public lands, including three million acres in the Adirondack and Catskill Forest Preserve, 55 campgrounds and day-use areas, more than 5,000 miles of formal trails and hundreds of trailheads, boat launches, and fishing piers. Plan your next outdoor adventure and connect with us @NYSDEC on social media.
Criminal Illegal Alien Kills 8-Year-Old Girl in Suspected Drunk Driving Crash in Newsom’s Sanctuary California
In less than a week, a second child is killed in the San Diego area by a criminal illegal alien
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) lodged an arrest detainer for Brayan Alva-Rodriguez, a criminal illegal alien from Guatemala, suspected of driving under the influence and causing a deadly collision that killed an 8-year-old girl in the San Diego, CA area.
According to local reports, Alva-Rodriguez was driving a 2005 Toyota Tacoma with a 24-year-old passenger when he recklessly crossed over the solid double-yellow line into oncoming traffic and collided head-on with a 2018 Toyota Camry. Five victims were transported to area hospitals by helicopter while three others were taken by ambulance. Tragically, an 8-year-old girl died.
Image courtesy of San Diego Union-Tribune
This criminal illegal alien has a history of driving under the influence. In 2020, he was arrested for driving under the influence. Then in 2021, he was arrested again for driving under the influence and charged with hit and run.
“How many deaths of children at the hands of criminal illegal aliens need to happen before Governor Newsom and sanctuary politicians will prioritize the safety and security of American families? This serial drunk driver should have never been allowed back onto California roads,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “We are praying for the family of this child who will be grieving this holiday season. Secretary Noem is calling on Governor Newsom to honor this ICE arrest detainer for this illegal alien.”
Earlier this week, ICE announced they lodged an immigration detainer with the San Diego Sheriff’s Office for Hector Balderas-Aheelor, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, after his arrest for a felony hit-and-run that killed Aiden Antonio Torres De Paz, an 11-year-old boy on Thanksgiving morning. California REJECTED the ICE detainer.
DHS law enforcement is committed to protecting American communities every day from another senseless tragedy like this taking place in another town, to another family. Victims of illegal alien crime may receive support from the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE) Office by contacting 1-855-488-6423.
NYC Council Releases Agency Report Card for the Department of Youth and Community Development, Urging Stronger Support from City Hall and Strategic Direction
Council issues “D” Rating for the agency, citing City Hall impediments
The New York City Council released its agency report card for the Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD), the third in a series of evaluations on how effectively city agencies serve New Yorkers and identify opportunities for improvements to operations and service delivery. DYCD received an overall letter grade of D, reflecting issues of City Hall management that continue to limit the agency’s ability to fulfill its mission of supporting young New Yorkers and communities.
While the agency plays a critical role in expanding opportunities for young people, ongoing challenges and impediments caused by the mayoral administration have led to the agency’s chronic understaffing, limited program expansion, and insufficient communication with providers. The Council’s evaluation was hampered by the mayoral administration, which withheld key information needed to provide a comprehensive assessment and recommendations.
This agency report card initiative stems from Speaker Adrienne Adams’ 2024 State of the City address, in which she called for enhanced oversight and accountability for city government agencies. The Council previously released evaluations of the Department of Veterans’ Services (DVS) and the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR).
The full report can be viewed here.
“Young people in our city deserve support, enrichment, and greater access to opportunity,” said Speaker Adrienne Adams. “While the Department of Youth and Community Development plays a pivotal role, their success is hampered by inadequate support from the mayoral administration. Nearly half a million young New Yorkers benefit from DYCD’s diverse programs, and our city should strengthen the agency’s ability to serve them. I thank Council staff for their work on this report card initiative to comprehensively evaluate the operations and performance of important city agencies that serve New Yorkers.”
DYCD is responsible for most of the City’s youth programming outside of regular school hours, serving more than 432,000 young New Yorkers annually through educational enrichment, leadership development, workforce pathways, and services for runaway and homeless youth. Yet, as demand for services grows, the agency’s staffing, systems, and resources have not kept pace, creating barriers for youth and families.
Among the Council’s key recommendations to improve services are:
- Develop and publicly release a strategic plan to guide long-term priorities and outcomes.
- Strengthen communication and collaboration with providers, including adopting clear standards for responsiveness.
- Improve the contracting process with timely payments and more regular updates to program models and RFPs.
- Expand accessibility, mental health and legal supports, and language access for youth and families.
- Modernize digital platforms and referral tools, including real-time tracking of shelter availability.
- Increase staffing and compensation to better support programs, providers, and youth participants.
The Council is a co-equal branch of city government and has a City Charter mandate to conduct oversight of city agencies. While the Mayor’s Management Report (MMR) provides important data about the performance of city agencies and the outcomes they produce for New Yorkers, its metrics don’t always show the full picture. To provide further insight into agency performance, the Council has begun to conduct its own evaluations of city agencies and will issue report cards for individual agencies on their delivery of services to New Yorkers with recommended action steps to remedy underperformance. There is great talent within the agency and this report represents a fresh opportunity for the mayoral administration to empower DYCD to better serve and improve the lives of New York’s young people.
Office of the New York State Comptroller - Addressing Housing Discrimination Complaints
Housing Discrimination Complaints Languish at NYC Commission on Human Rights
The New York City Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) allowed some housing discrimination cases to sit at times for years without resolution, according to an audit released by Comptroller DiNapoli. The audit found CCHR lacked clear timelines and oversight to ensure cases were reviewed and investigated timely, leading to substantial delays.
“New Yorkers who experience housing discrimination need timely action and clear answers,” DiNapoli said. “Our audit found that inadequate case tracking at the New York City Commission on Human Rights left too many people waiting too long. The commission must improve their policies and controls to ensure that people who may be facing housing discrimination get the attention and prompt resolution they deserve.”
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New Yorkers Deserve a Transparent Hiring Process When Artificial Intelligence Is Used to Vet Their Job Applications
New York City’s Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) is falling short in enforcing Local Law 144 which regulates the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in employment decisions, according to an audit released this week by Comptroller DiNapoli. The audit found that DCWP had trouble identifying non-compliance with the law, particularly when employers did not disclose AI use or post bias audits. As a result, job applicants are often unaware when AI tools are used to screen them. Additionally, DCWP’s complaint handling and enforcement are inadequate.
“Job seekers deserve a fair and transparent process when they apply for work, and that includes knowing if a company is using artificial intelligence to evaluate their resumes or video interviews, and whether the technology was vetted to eliminate biases,” DiNapoli said. “When New Yorkers have concerns about employers using AI in hiring, it’s not easy to get help. New York City’s Department of Consumer and Worker Protection must do more to ensure that employers follow the law and give complaints the attention they rightfully deserve.”
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Comptroller DiNapoli Explains How New Yorkers Can Claim Their Unclaimed Funds
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Comptroller DiNapoli joined Ebro in the Morning on Hot 97 to discuss the state’s Unclaimed Funds program and the financial outlook for New York, encouraging New Yorkers to search for and claim their lost money.
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Rochester Woman Pleads Guilty to Stealing Deceased Mother’s Pension Payments
Comptroller DiNapoli, Monroe County District Attorney Brian Green and New York State Police Superintendent Steven James announced that a Rochester woman pleaded guilty to stealing $12,973 in state pension payments sent to her mother, whose death had not been reported to the pension system.
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