This week on Talking Politics, Anthony takes a vacation, but do we see peace in the Middle East, the State budget is two weeks late, how is the city budget dance going, Jeffrey Dinowitz has a primary challenge, how is Community Board 11 doing Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, and lot's more anytime on You Tube at the link below.
https://www.youtube.com/live/Y2xmwXN3fw4
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg Jr. announced the guilty plea of JASON SARGEANT, 29, for attacking a man without provocation in the Grand Central Subway Station on Christmas Eve in 2024. SARGEANT pleaded guilty in New York State Supreme Court to Assault in the First Degree in full satisfaction of an indictment that also charged a second assault. Under the terms of his plea, he is expected to be sentenced on May 7, 2026, to a promised term of 8 years in state prison with 5 years of post-release supervision.
“Millions of New Yorkers and tourists use our bustling subway system every day, and they deserve to feel safe while doing so. Jason Sargeant is facing time in state prison for his unprovoked attack in Grand Central Station,” said District Attorney Bragg. “We will continue to collaborate with our law enforcement partners to drive down transit crime.”
According to court documents and statements made on the record, and as admitted in the defendant’s guilty plea, on December 24, 2024, at approximately 10:10 p.m., SARGEANT was on the 4/5/6 subway platform inside of Grand Central Station waving a knife and scaring a large group of people who ran away from him. SARGEANT went up the stairs and into the mezzanine.
At the top of the staircase, a 42-year-old man was sitting and waiting for his girlfriend. SARGEANT slashed the man’s left wrist, causing profuse bleeding, a large laceration, and nerve and muscle damage.
The indictment that the plea satisfies includes allegations that SARGEANT also punched a 26-year-old woman exiting a turnstile in the back of her head. He then allegedly lunged at the woman’s neck with a knife, cutting her and causing some bleeding.
SARGEANT took the escalator up to the concourse when members of the MTA Police Department apprehended him and found a bloody knife in his jacket pocket.
D.A. Bragg thanked the NYPD, particularly Officers Abraham Bautista and Christopher Meyer of the Transit Division District 4, as well as Officers Czajkowski and Turriciano of the MTA Police Department.
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Shaniqua Fort was charged with arson, assault, reckless endangerment and other crimes for allegedly setting fires at several storefront locations along Flushing and Grand Avenues in Maspeth during the evening of April 13. The defendant allegedly started a blaze that destroyed a Chinese restaurant and the apartments above the business, which injured two occupants; set fire to an American flag in front of a funeral home; threw a brick through the window of an insurance office; and tossed an unknown object through the window of a Jewish center and then lit another fire.
DA Katz said: “As alleged, the defendant went on a deliberate fire-setting spree, endangering not only local businesses but countless residents in a quiet residential neighborhood. My office will pursue arson cases with the utmost urgency and do everything in our power to protect Queens communities from this dangerous and destructive crime. I thank the brave FDNY members for their immediate response and the NYPD for quickly apprehending the defendant.”
Fort, 36, of Chicago, was arraigned on a criminal complaint charging her with arson in the second degree, two counts of arson in the third degree, two counts of assault in the second degree, reckless endangerment in the first degree, criminal mischief in the second degree, two counts of assault in the third degree, three counts of criminal mischief in the fourth degree, two counts of arson in the fifth degree, petit larceny and criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree.
Criminal Court Judge Indira Khan remanded the defendant and ordered her to return to court May 13. If convicted, Fort faces up to 25 years in prison.
DA Katz said that, according to the charges and investigation, on April 13, at approximately 9 p.m., Fort approached 888 Chinese Restaurant at 60-92 Flushing Avenue and removed a black trash bag from a trash can in front of the building. She then placed the bag into an alcove leading to an entryway, set it on fire and walked away from the location.
An occupant of a second-floor apartment above the restaurant shattered a window with his arm to climb out and escape the fire. He sustained lacerations, bleeding and substantial pain to his arm. Another victim was inside a second-floor apartment at the location and jumped from the window to avoid being burned. She was transported to a local hospital where she underwent surgery for two broken heels and treatment for a finger fracture, burns to multiple fingers and legs and soot inside of her throat and nose.
Several minutes after allegedly setting the fire at the Chinese restaurant, Fort approached D’Angelo’s Funeral Home at 64-18 Grand Avenue and lit on fire an American flag hanging from the front of the building. She removed a second flag hanging from the front of the location and walked away.
Shortly afterward, Fort allegedly picked up a brick and threw it through the glass window of an Allstate insurance company office located at 65-02 Grand Avenue.
After that, Fort allegedly approached the Maspeth Jewish Center at 66-64 Grand Avenue, picked up an unknown object and threw it at a glass window, shattering it. The defendant then walked toward several objects along the side of the Jewish Center building and lit them on fire. Fort then went through her belongings, grabbed an unknown object and placed it into the fire, causing the fire to grow in intensity.
Fort was apprehended shortly afterward by members of the 104th Police Precinct.
In federal court in Brooklyn, Charles Powell, also known as “Payback,” and Musah Coward, also known as “General Mecka,” “Red” and “General Red,” were sentenced by United States District Judge Eric Komitee for the firearm-related murder of Rodney Maxwell, discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, Hobbs Act robbery conspiracy and Hobbs Act robbery. Powell and Coward were sentenced to 42 years’ imprisonment and 45 years’ imprisonment respectively. Co-defendant Brian Castro, also known as “Morenaje,” was previously sentenced to 45 years’ imprisonment by Judge Komitee in December 2025. The defendants were convicted in January 2025 following a three-week trial. As part of their sentences, the defendants were also ordered to pay restitution, including in the amount of $26,730 to Maxwell’s daughter.
Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; James C. Barnacle, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI); and Jessica S. Tisch, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced the sentences.
“This was a senseless, premediated, and brutal act of gun violence that took the life of a security guard who was simply doing his job,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “These sentencings severely punish the defendants for this cold-blooded killing, and will protect the community from them for many years. It is my sincere hope these sentencings will bring some relief to the family of the victim.”
"These defendants brutally murdered a security guard, a father of three children, during an armed robbery. May this significant sentences reflect the FBI Safe Streets Task Force’s commitment to working with our local law enforcement partners to crush violent crime and protect New Yorkers from senseless violence," stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Barnacle.
“The defendants in this case orchestrated an armed robbery that resulted in one man’s death and three other victims being shot,” stated NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch. “They showed a complete disregard for human life, and these sentencings reflect the severity and shocking brutality of their crimes. I thank the NYPD detectives, our partners at the FBI, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York for their hard work to deliver justice in this case.”
As proven at trial, Powell, Castro and Coward planned and carried out an armed robbery of an illegal gambling location in Brownsville on October 7, 2020. Coward drove the co-defendants from New Jersey, and Powell and Castro entered the location while Coward waited outside in the car. During the robbery, Powell and Castro each shot Rodney Maxwell, the father of three children, who had been providing security for the location and was also a longtime employee at Bellevue Hospital. Castro shot Maxwell once at close range in the back with a 9-millimeter pistol and Powell also shot him once at close range in the chest with a .380 caliber pistol. Maxwell later died from his gunshot wounds. Powell also fired into a crowd of individuals at the location as they desperately attempted to escape the violence. Three additional victims were shot that evening, all of whom survived their wounds.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Office of General Services (OGS) today reminded New Yorkers to take action to protect migrating birds as they navigate night skies by participating in the ‘Lights Out’ initiative. Joining national and international efforts, State buildings participating in Lights Out will keep non-essential outdoor lighting from affecting the ability of birds to migrate successfully throughout New York.
“The national Lights Out initiative is a simple way we can help make the spring migration more successful in caring for the long-term well-being of our avian visitors and the important roles all birds play in healthy ecosystems,” said DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton. “All New Yorkers can take actions large and small to protect migratory birds and other wildlife that depend on our state’s abundant natural resources.”
New York State Office of General Services Commissioner Jeanette Moy said, “New York State is central to some of the most vital migratory bird corridors in the nation, serving as a critical highway for hundreds of species each year. As stewards of over 20 million square feet of state office space, Team OGS is proud to join the national Lights Out initiative to ensure safe passage through our skies.”
Many species of shorebirds and songbirds rely on constellations to help them navigate to and from their summer breeding grounds throughout the state. Excessive outdoor lighting, especially in adverse weather conditions, can disorient migrating birds, a phenomenon known as fatal light attraction. Reducing excessive outdoor lighting helps reduce the number of birds that die each year in the U.S. from collisions related to fatal light attraction with windows, walls, floodlights, and the ground.
NYC Bird Alliance Director of Conservation and Science, Dr. Dustin Patridge said, “NYC Bird Alliance research shows artificial light contributes to hundreds of thousands of bird deaths in New York City every year. Turning off lights saves birds, saves money, and makes New York a more livable environment for people. We're proud to see New York State leading by example and protecting birds across its incredible environments.”
Michael Burger, Vice President, National Audubon Society in New York said, “Every spring, an incredible phenomenon unfolds above us — millions of birds navigating invisible flyways through New York's night skies. Yet for many, that journey ends tragically due to something all-too visible: light pollution. A single building can disorient and kill hundreds of birds in one night, but the fix is remarkably straightforward. By turning off lights between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m., we can dramatically reduce the number of birds lost to collisions each year. Audubon is proud to stand alongside New York State in championing this effort, and we're calling on homeowners, businesses, and building managers across the region to join us.”
Lights Out directs State-owned and managed buildings to turn off non-essential outdoor lighting from 11 p.m. to dawn during the spring migration, April 15 through May 31, and during the peak fall migration, Aug. 15 through Nov. 15. State agencies are also encouraged to draw blinds, when possible, and turn off non-essential indoor lighting during Lights Out times. In addition to benefiting migrating birds, Lights Out promotes sustainability and provides cost-savings to the state.
New Yorkers can assist with this effort by minimizing overnight lighting at their homes or on their properties. DEC encourages New Yorkers to take steps to protect bird and wildlife habitat on their property by planting native plants and trees, removing invasive plants, and making windows more visible to birds to minimize bird collisions.
Birding enthusiasts can visit I BIRD NY for more information on where and how to observe birds, upcoming bird walks, a downloadable Beginner's Guide to Birding (available in Spanish), information on the annual I BIRD NY Challenge, and additional educational resources. The New York State Birding Trail map is also available online and provides valuable information on each site, such as location, available amenities, species likely to be seen, directions, and more. Digital information on the Birding Trail is updated periodically, so budding outdoor enthusiasts are encouraged to check back often.
DEC manages and oversees five million acres of public lands and conservation easements and plays a vital role in both protecting New York’s natural resources and providing opportunities for people to enjoy the outdoors. From fishing on scenic streams, hiking and rock climbing, swimming and boating, birding, and nature study, or simply relaxing in a tent under the stars, there are endless adventures to be found.
Under President Trump and Secretary Mullin, DHS is putting America FIRST
U.S. Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) arrested criminal illegal aliens convicted for child cruelty with possible injury or death, battery against spouse, kidnapping, and other horrific crimes.
“ICE arrested criminal illegal aliens across the country convicted for despicable crimes, including a Fullerton Tokers Town gang member,” said Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis. “Every day, DHS law enforcement is risking their lives to protect American communities. Nearly 70% of ICE arrests are of illegal aliens charged or convicted of a crime in the U.S. We will not sit and allow criminals to terrorize American citizens.”
Arrests include:
Dara Nin, a criminal illegal alien from Cambodia, convicted for child cruelty with possible injury or death in Long Beach, California.
Fabricio Ruiz-Higareda, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico and Fullerton Tokers Town gang member, convicted for battery against spouse in the Superior Court of California, County of Fullerton.
Debaba Raymond Alimasi, a criminal illegal alien from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, convicted for kidnapping in Ada County, Idaho.
Manuel Ordonez-Chitic, a criminal illegal alien from Guatemala, convicted for robbery-inflicting threating imminent bodily injury in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.
Kelbin Edgardo Castillo-Aguilera, a criminal illegal alien from Honduras, convicted for aggravated robbery in Dallas County, Texas.
Americans can see more public safety threats arrested in their communities on our webpage WOW.DHS.Gov.
Forrest Alan Price, 31, of Tallahassee, Fla., has been indicted in federal court for possession with intent to distribute synthetic cathinone and five grams or more of methamphetamine, carrying a firearm during a drug-trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida announced the charge.
Price appeared in federal court for his arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Charles A. Stampelos in Tallahassee, Florida. Jury trial is scheduled for June 2, 2026, at 8:30 am before Chief District Court Judge Allen C. Winsor in Tallahassee, Florida.
Price faces a minimum mandatory prison sentence of five years’ imprisonment, and up to 40 years, on the drug possession count, and a consecutive five years’ imprisonment, up to life, for carrying a firearm during a drug-trafficking crime. He also faces up to 15 years’ imprisonment if convicted of possession of a firearm by a felon.
The case is being jointly investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Tallahassee Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James A. McCain.
An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Today, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and former President Barack Obama visited an early childhood education center in the South Bronx, where they read a children’s book to a group of toddlers and met with families.
In between singing wheels on the bus, the two leaders discussed the Mayor’s
New York Attorney General Letitia James and a coalition of seven other attorneys general secured a court order halting the merger of Nexstar Media Group (Nexstar) and Tegna, Inc. (Tegna). Attorney General James and the coalition filed a lawsuit on March 19 to block the merger, alleging it would violate federal antitrust law by creating the largest broadcast station group in the country, controlling over 250 local TV stations that reach 80 percent of the country’s population. The United States District Court for the Eastern District of California today granted a motion for a preliminary injunction, preventing Nexstar and Tegna from combining their assets.
“Consolidating hundreds of local TV stations under one corporate owner would mean higher prices and lower quality programming for consumers,” said Attorney General James. “Nexstar’s merger with Tegna illegally eliminates competition, and we won a critical victory in our effort to enforce the law and stop this merger from moving forward. We will keep fighting our case to ensure fair competition among local TV stations that serve communities across the country.”
Nexstar is currently the country’s largest local television broadcasting group, controlling more than 200 stations in 116 U.S. markets reaching 220 million people. Tegna is the nation’s fourth-largest broadcasting group, controlling 64 television stations in 51 different media markets. If the merger is completed, 31 media markets across the country where Nexstar and Tegna each own competing stations – including Buffalo, New York – would see diminished competition.
Attorney General James and the coalition argue in their lawsuit that the Nexstar-Tegna merger would significantly eliminate competition among local affiliates of the “Big Four” networks – ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX. Nexstar’s size would give it unprecedented power to raise fees it charges cable providers to retransmit its stations’ content to their subscribers – fees that would be passed on to consumers in the form of higher cable bills. Nexstar could also black out channels for providers that refuse to pay higher fees, depriving consumers of channels they rely on for news, sports, and primetime coverage.
The lawsuit also alleges that the merger would degrade the quality of local news, as Nexstar would likely eliminate newsrooms in media markets where it owns multiple stations. Newsroom consolidation and Nexstar’s notorious practice of airing identical programming across local news channels would eliminate the diverse perspectives that viewers count on to stay informed.
The court previously granted a motion for a temporary restraining order filed by DirecTV in a separate lawsuit. That case has been combined with the lawsuit filed by the states. The United States District Court for the Eastern District of California today granted Attorney General James and the coalition’s motion for a preliminary injunction, preventing Nexstar and Tegna from integrating and consolidating their assets as part of the merger.
Joining Attorney General James in filing this lawsuit are the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, North Carolina, Oregon, and Virginia.
Governor Kathy Hochul announced that Canalside in Buffalo will host three free community watch parties for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ group stage. Soccer fans are invited to gather at the waterfront to support the U.S. Men’s National Team in their highly anticipated matches against Paraguay, Australia and Türkiye. These events are brought to the public through a partnership between the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation (ECHDC), Visit Buffalo and Buffalo Waterfront.
“New York is excited to be able to host visitors from across the globe and also give New Yorkers the opportunity to tune in to the world’s biggest sporting event,” Governor Hochul said. “The State is proud to play a major role in the FIFA World Cup and now communities across New York will be able to share in the experience.”
The USA Soccer Watch Parties will take place on:
The matches will be shown on a giant video board, with attendees able to enjoy drinks, food trucks, a live DJ, giveaways and family-friendly activities.
Part of Governor Hochul and Empire State Development’s effort to bring the world’s biggest sporting event to communities across New York, these free public watch parties are supported by the New York State Community World Cup Grant Program. The Governor recently announced that 12 community-based projects across seven regions of New York State have been selected as awardees through the grant program. In addition to the Community World Cup Grant Program, New York State is supporting several initiatives designed to ensure communities across the state can participate in the excitement surrounding the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Governor Hochul also announced two free, large-scale community viewing events at Stony Brook University on Long Island and Kensico Dam Plaza in the Mid-Hudson Region as part of a coordinated effort to maximize the statewide and economic impact of the 2026 World Cup into communities across the state. Learn more about the large-scale community viewing events here. The Long Island and Mid-Hudson events will feature live match broadcasts alongside community-developed programming designed to authentically reflect each region and celebrate New York’s passion for the world’s game. Designed as outdoor experiences capable of welcoming thousands of attendees, each event will reflect the unique character of its region while promoting community engagement, small business participation and inclusive access. Additional event details will be announced at a later date. For more information, including how to sign up to be notified of future New York State World Cup announcements, visit the I LOVE NY website.
As part of the FY27 Budget, the Governor has also advanced NY Kicks, a new initiative aimed at expanding youth soccer access by investing in new soccer facilities and community programming in disadvantaged communities across the state. NY Kicks also advances Governor Hochul’s Get Offline, Get Outside initiative, which encourages New Yorkers to unplug from devices and spend time outdoors in their communities, by activating public spaces across the state and creating shared, active experiences for families.
These efforts also build on the State’s broader strategy to maximize the economic, tourism and community benefits associated with hosting matches during the tournament.
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P.S. When you sign up, you’re not just logging miles! You’re supporting free community programs, kids environmental education, and the volunteers who make Van Cortlandt Park a place for everyone.
Our Contact Information
Van Cortlandt Park Alliance
80 Van Cortlandt Park South, Ste. E1
Bronx, NY 10463
718-601-1460
http://vancortlandt.org
Weekend ridership recovery across Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) services has risen faster than weekdays since the pandemic ended, with average ridership near 2019 levels and even exceeding it at times according to a report released by Comptroller DiNapoli.
“Weekend ridership recovery has been a bright spot for the country’s largest transportation system,” DiNapoli said. “The MTA should continue to focus on increasing the reliability and frequency of service on weekends to meet the ongoing rise in demand. The authority can also work with its partners in government to address fare evasion’s impact on fare revenue, and focus on improvements in those areas where ridership recovery continues to fall short.”
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The New York State Common Retirement Fund and Comptroller DiNapoli, trustee of the fund, is urging investors to vote against a measure to reincorporate eXp World Holdings Inc., the cloud-based real estate brokerage, from Delaware to Texas and against all company directors after a Delaware judge ruled that a lawsuit be allowed to proceed against certain company officers and directors, including its founder and CEO Glenn Sanford, for allegedly concealing a pervasive “rape culture” at the company. Texas law limits shareholders’ rights to hold companies accountable.
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According to data released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in February 2026, New York lost 500 farms and 100,000 acres of farmland between 2024 and 2025. While the U.S. also experienced losses in this time period, the 1.6 percent loss of farms in New York was double the national rate of 0.8 percent, and the 1.5 percent decline in farmland was five times the national rate.
Comptroller DiNapoli has recommended in a prior report that State policymakers consider additional support for direct-to-customer and direct-to-institution marketing, helping farmers increase the share of New York-produced food that is sold in the state; continued research and services for climate mitigation measures and climate change resistant crops; and supporting new farmers by providing training, access to land and other necessary inputs.
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Tax collections for State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2025-26 totaled $127.5 billion, $2.3 billion higher than estimates made by the Division of the Budget in the 30-day amendments to the SFY 2026-27 Executive Budget financial plan, according to the March State Cash Report released by Comptroller DiNapoli.
“The state’s tax collections exhibited strong growth in the last fiscal year but economic growth, particularly employment, is projected to slow,” DiNapoli said. “Federal actions and geopolitical conflicts are injecting volatility into the economy that may affect future tax collections. State policymakers should utilize caution and ensure that the enacted budget for this fiscal year accounts for these risks.”
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