Monday, June 16, 2025

Attorney General James Secures $250,000 from MoneyGram for Violating Consumer Protection Laws

 

MoneyGram Failed to Deliver Funds or Provide Timely Refunds

New York Attorney General Letitia James today secured $250,000 from MoneyGram International, Inc., and MoneyGram Payment Systems, Inc., (MoneyGram) for failing to follow consumer protection laws and jeopardizing their customers’ money transfers. MoneyGram is an international money transfer provider that serves hundreds of thousands of customers in the United States every year. In April 2022, Attorney General James and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) sued MoneyGram for failing to either transfer funds on time or provide timely refunds, and for ignoring its legal requirements to swiftly and accurately investigate errors. After CFPB chose to end its participation in the lawsuit, Attorney General James secured a settlement with MoneyGram requiring it to pay a $250,000 penalty and follow all relevant consumer protection laws.

“New Yorkers who want to send funds to their loved ones abroad should be able to trust that the companies handling their hard-earned money are operating honestly,” said Attorney General James. “MoneyGram failed to follow the law for years, sometimes leaving its customers in the dark about where their money went. My office stopped MoneyGram’s illegal behavior and will continue to protect those who rely on MoneyGram to support their families.” 

MoneyGram is a non-bank financial services company that enables consumers to send money, known as remittances, from the United States to more than 200 countries and territories. The company has 440,000 locations in the U.S. and worldwide, and also operates through a digital platform. Hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers use MoneyGram every year for millions of transactions.

The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) and CFPB sued MoneyGram in April 2022, alleging that MoneyGram violated state and federal laws meant to protect its customers. For years, MoneyGram failed to make funds available to its customers on time, quickly resolve errors, or provide accurate information to its customers, in violation of the law.

The settlement with OAG ensures that MoneyGram does not escape accountability for its illegal actions impacting New Yorkers, despite CFPB’s decision to withdraw from the lawsuit. The settlement requires MoneyGram to comply with consumer protection laws by transferring funds and processing refunds on time. It also requires MoneyGram to ensure that disclosures to consumers are accurate and to investigate errors in a timely fashion. In addition, MoneyGram is prohibited from providing money senders with inaccurate disclosures and telling consumers that they are not liable for errors. In addition to complying with the law, MoneyGram must pay a penalty of $250,000.

BROOKLYN MAN INDICTED FOR SECOND-DEGREE MURDER IN SHOOTING OF TEEN OUTSIDE SCHOOL IN BROAD DAYLIGHT

 

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a Brooklyn man has been charged with second-degree Murder and other related charges for the fatal shooting of a 17- year-old high boy after an argument between two girls outside a school. 

District Attorney Clark said, “The defendant allegedly shot the victim multiple times in the back in broad daylight because of a fight between their girlfriends. This is another example of a dispute escalating to a senseless death, because a gun was handy.” 

District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Terrell Loyd, 19, of East New York Avenue, Brooklyn, was indicted on second-degree Murder, first-degree Manslaughter, two counts of second-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon and Criminal Possession of a Weapon on School Grounds. Loyd was arraigned on Friday, June 13, 2025, by Bronx Supreme Court Justice George Villegas and remanded. His next court date is September 22, 2025. 

According to the investigation, on Thursday, March 7, 2024, at approximately 4 p.m. on the grounds of P.S. 157 Grove Hill Elementary School in the Woodstock section, Loyd’s girlfriend was involved in a fight with the girlfriend of Laquai Dash, 17, a Legacy High School student and football player. Dash tried to break it up, and Loyd allegedly pulled out a semiautomatic 9mm pistol and fired six shots, hitting Dash twice in the back. The incident was recorded on a surveillance camera. Dash was taken to NYC Health +Hospitals Lincoln where he later died. Loyd was arrested on May 21, 2025, by members of NYPD Bronx Warrant Squad.

District Attorney Clark thanked NYPD Detectives Colin Higgins and Kyle Keiser of the Bronx Homicide Squad, Detective Rossi Mata of the 40th Precinct Detective Squad and Detective Gary Capellan of the Bronx Warrants Violent Felony Squad.

An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.  

Governor Hochul Announces $13.7 Million Awarded to 19 Farm and Food Organizations Through 2024 Partnership Agreement With U.S. Department of Agriculture

Skaneateles Lake

Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program Offers Competitive Grants for Projects Designed to Build Middle of Supply Chain

Equipment-Only Grant Funding To Open Soon

Governor Hochul today announced that 19 farm and food organizations are being awarded a total of $13.7 million through the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) Grant Program. The funding announced today is the first of two grant programs announced last year as part of a cooperative agreement between New York State and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service to expand middle of the supply chain work to create a more resilient food system in New York State.

“Farmers are our lifeblood – they nourish our families and fuel our economy, and it is more important than ever that we invest in projects that bolster our local food supply chain here in New York State,” Governor Hochul said. “The Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program provides critical funding to make our food systems at the local and state level more resilient for years to come by investing in projects that modernize agricultural facilities, improve training, and facilitate the purchase of new equipment. I’m proud to support this great work and shore up a strong future for New York State.”

First announced in May 2024, the RFSI Grant Program offers a total of over $14.7 million through two grant opportunities — Infrastructure Grants and Equipment-Only Grants — to provide capital and technical assistance to farmers and food businesses operating at the middle of the supply chain, helping to enhance coordination throughout the food system and improve access to markets for farmers. Grants of $13.7 million are being awarded to 19 projects across the state through the program’s Infrastructure Grants, which support projects focused on the aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storing, transporting, wholesaling, or distribution of agricultural food products. A list of the awarded projects is available here.

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets (AGM) has partnered with Farm and Food Growth Fund, Inc (FFGF) to administer the funding available through the program’s Infrastructure Grants as well as the Equipment-Only Grants, which will be open for applications soon.

As part of the RFSI Grant Program, AGM is also partnering with Tierra Viva Collective to provide technical assistance to producers to improve supply chain coordination activities. Additionally, the Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management at Cornell University and Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Harvest New York Program will conduct an updated assessment of New York State’s processing infrastructure to identify challenges and opportunities for growth, as well as an analysis of the State’s institutional purchasing to provide market information to New York State producers.

 Equipment-Only Grants

Applications for the RSFI’s Equipment-Only grants will open soon. Following USDA’s accelerated timeline for the execution of this program, the application for this opportunity will be open for a very limited time. The Department encourages all potential applicants to take advantage of the resources available below to be ready to apply promptly when the application opens.

Applications will be open to New York State entities and will provide awards ranging from $30,000 to $100,000. The funding may only be used for post-harvest equipment that will expand capacity for the aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storing, transporting, wholesaling, or distribution of locally and regionally produced food products, including value-added food products. Successful projects will focus on increasing the supply of New York-sourced food products available in New York markets. Competitive project applications will benefit multiple producers and multiple markets.

To help potential applicants prepare to apply, the FFGF has developed a quick reference sheet on the required documents and information needed to submit an application. Required documentation will include:

  • A letter of support
  • A letter of commitment
  • NEPA questionnaire
  • Budget quotes for each requested equipment item
  • Evidence of Critical Resources and Infrastructure
  • Evidence of permitting requirements
  • Any site plans/drawings
  • Other items as needed

View the full pre-application checklist here.

Complete information about how to apply for Equipment-Only Grants will be available on AGM’s website and FFGF’s website when applications open. In addition, potential applicants are encouraged to follow the Department on social media to hear the latest information, or sign up to receive the Department’s monthly newsletter at agriculture.ny.gov.

These investments build on the Governor’s commitment to boost demand for New York agricultural products, bolster New York's food supply chain, and ensure all New Yorkers can access fresh, local foods. This includes the Governor’s Executive Order 32 directing State agencies to increase the percentage of food sourced from New York farmers and producers to 30 percent of their total purchases within five years.

New York State continues to prioritize increasing access to food for all New Yorkers and providing new markets for farmers through a number of programs and initiatives supported in the New York State’s FY 2026 Budget, including Nourish New York, Farm to School Programs, the Farmers’ Market Nutrition Programs, the Urban Farms and Community Gardens Grants Programs, and more.

The Budget includes additional support in key areas to continue to strengthen the agricultural community, provide a boost to New York’s farmers, and create a stronger, more resilient food supply chain. This includes a record investment of over $90 million in agricultural stewardship programs that implement climate resilient and best management practices on farms, and help protect farmland. Additionally, building on last year's commitments to New York’s dairy industry, the state’s largest single agricultural sector, the Budget includes $10 million for the second round of the Dairy Modernization Grant Program and provides additional funding to research and implement climate-resilient practices on dairy farms.


New York State Parks Announces the Release of a Newly Redesigned Park and Historic Site System Map

 

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Updated map design provides new information on affordable recreation opportunities 

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) today announced the release of an updated New York State Parks and Historic Sites map highlighting affordable options for outdoor recreation and culturally enriching experiences. The first update to a statewide overview of facilities since 2017, new additions to the map include recently opened and renamed parks Sojourner Truth State Park in Ulster County and Shirley Chisholm State Park in Brooklyn, as well as the 750-mile Empire State Trail which spans the entire state. In addition to new facilities, more direct information about recreation opportunities like camping, wildlife encounters and swimming have been added, making it easier for New Yorkers to discover new ways to engage with state parks and state historic sites, recreational trails, golf courses, boat launches, and more.

“The statewide map continues to be a popular resource for our visitors to plan their next trip,” State Parks Commissioner Pro Tempore Randy Simons said. “As a public resource that informs our visitors on where they can find affordable recreation opportunities, and as an agency that continues to grow and evolve, it was essential to update the map to provide visitors with the most current information. Our hope is that this updated map will make it easier for New Yorkers to unplug from their devices, participate in activity that improves their mental and physical wellness and find the recreation and cultural destinations that matter to them.” 

Utilizing a modern minimalist design that presents important information more clearly, the map focuses on the details important to New Yorkers like the location of state parks, state historic sites, boat launches, DEC campgrounds, recreationways and their proximity to major routes of travel. These updates reaffirm the state park and historic site map as an important tool for New Yorkers and out-of-state and international visitors to plan their visits and discover exciting new ways to engage with all the agency has to offer.

In addition, the 2025 New York Camping Guide is now available online and in print. Filled with details about close-to-home campgrounds, the 2025 New York Camping guide features more than 100 photos, a comprehensive listing of all state sites, park descriptions, maps and information on fees, campground amenities and reservation instructions. The guide is also available on the NYS Parks website

Found at all state park and historic site visitor centers as well as many local and regional tourism centers across the state, the New York State Parks and Historic Sites map is a free publication available to all. Members of the public can request a map or camping guide by e-mailing notes@parks.ny.gov or by calling 518-474-0456. 

New York State Parks Explorer App 
Supplementing the new map, information about all state parks and historic sites can be found on the New York State Parks Explorer app. Available for iOS and Android, the Parks Explorer app acts as a digital atlas, featuring trail maps, real-time alerts, park contact information, hours of operations, and amenities for all State Park and Historic Site properties. The app also provides ideas for various thematic activities at state parks and historic sites by making use of the Discover section on the homescreen. 

About New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation 
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, which saw a record 88 million visits in 2024. 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


Three day Early Voting Numbers


 

Early Voting Check-Ins

Primary Election 2025

 

June 14, 2025 - Day 1

 

  • Manhattan - 10,003
  • Bronx - 2,698
  • Brooklyn - 10,244
  • Queens - 6,470
  • Staten Island - 1,138

 

*Unofficial as of Close of Polls 30,553


June 15, 2025 - Day 2

 

  • Manhattan - 21,565
  • Bronx -5,170
  • Brooklyn - 23,637
  • Queens - 13,823
  • Staten Island - 2,166

 

*As of Close of Polls – Unofficial and Cumulative 66,361


June 16, 2025 - Day 3

 

  • Manhattan - 31,036
  • Bronx - 7,551
  • Brooklyn - 33,185
  • Queens - 19,186
  • Staten Island - 3,154

 

*As of Close of Polls – Unofficial and Cumulative 94,112

BRONXWORKS TO HOST ‘CELEBRATION OF PRIDE’ INCLUSIVE HIRING EVENT

 

The BronxWorks Jobs Plus program will host a "Celebration of Pride" Hiring Event on Thursday, June 26, 2025. The event, which is open to all, will offer job seekers an opportunity to connect with affirming employers, explore inclusive job openings, and build careers in a safe, welcoming space. 

The event will feature dozens of companies seeking employees and offer job seekers an opportunity to network and participate in on-the-spot interviews. 

The hiring fair will take place at BronxWorks offices at 550 East 142nd Street, The Bronx, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. 

“Part of our mission at BronxWorks is to support vulnerable communities, and this hiring event is an opportunity to support their efforts to find gainful employment with supportive organizations,” said Eileen Torres, Chief Executive Officer of BronxWorks. “We encourage everyone to join us for this important event and take advantage of a wonderful opportunity to network with potential employers, learn about career opportunities, or even to get a new job–all while celebrating Pride.” 

A flyer for the event can be downloaded at https://bit.ly/4kwSABj. Job seekers can RSVP for the event at https://bit.ly/3ZnULyS. 

The BronxWorks Jobs Plus Program is a free workforce development pilot program that supports NYCHA residents in the Bronx. Jobs Plus combines employment-related services, financial incentives, community support for work (opportunities for residents to promote work among their neighbors), and financial counseling. Based on an innovative national workforce development model, the Jobs Plus Program has already helped more than a thousand public housing residents secure meaningful employment, increase their earnings, advance employment outcomes through work readiness, and build wealth. 


Talking Politics News and Primary Candidates and Predictions

 

Today, Isreal attacks Iran, ICE arrests and protests, NYPD cars set on fire at Brooklyn precinct, Tourism is down and so may be th enumber of cows on a farm, a recap of the second mayor's debate and the race for City hall and other races, Mayor steps in to allow city council to bend th erules for Bally's, and lots more live at 12 PM or anytime on YouTube at the link above or below.

Talking Politics

MAYOR ADAMS, NYPD COMMISSIONER TISCH EXPAND QUALITY OF LIFE DIVISION TO CONTINUE ENHANCING PUBLIC SAFETY, COMMUNITY TRUST

 

Expansion Includes All NYPD Precincts Across Five Boroughs, Starting in July and Continuing Through August

 

Pilot Precincts Yielded 7,500 Quality of Life Calls, Over 6,100 Summonses, and 357 Arrests in First 60 Days

 

Expansion Continues Effort to Strengthen Public Confidence by Addressing New Yorkers’ Everyday Concerns 


New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Police Department (NYPD) Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch today announced a citywide expansion of the NYPD’s Quality of Life Division — a strategic public safety initiative Mayor Adams and Commissioner Tisch launched in April 2025 to address everyday issues that impact New Yorkers’ sense of safety and well-being.

In the first 60 days of the pilot program — launched in the 13th, 40th, 60th, 75th, and 101st precincts, along with Police Service Area 1 — the NYPD responded to more than 7,500 emergency 911 and 311 quality-of-life calls, issued over 6,100 summonses, and made 357 arrests. During the same period, average 311 response times in those areas improved by more than 16 minutes. Building on those results, the NYPD will now expand Quality of Life Teams — or Q-Teams — to every precinct and public housing command in the five boroughs. The rollout will occur in two phases, beginning in July and continuing in August.

“Keeping New Yorkers safe and tackling quality-of-life issues has been our North Star since day one — that is why we launched the NYPD Quality of Life Division, and it’s why we’re expanding it across the city today,” said Mayor Adams. “The first 60 days of this pilot has been a resounding success; in just the six pilot commands, the Quality of Life Division has answered the call from our communities more than 7,500 times — handling thousands of 911 and 311 complaints, issuing over 6,100 summonses, making more than 350 arrests, and removing hundreds of illegally parked vehicles, illegal mopeds, and scooters. Today, we are continuing to sweep out crime and deliver on safety by expanding this program citywide because every New Yorker deserves to live in a neighborhood that is safe from gun violence, that has clean streets, and that is free from illegal activities — and we are delivering that to them every day, everywhere.”

“In just two months, the Quality of Life Division has done exactly what we set out to do: respond quickly, stay focused, and address the issues New Yorkers are calling about,” said NYPD Commissioner Tisch. “Now, we’re scaling that success citywide. From illegal smoke shops to abandoned vehicles to reckless mopeds, these are the problems people see every day and expect action on. This expansion is about bringing that same responsiveness to every neighborhood in every borough. And thanks to Mayor Adams’ support, we’re making sure New Yorkers not only are safe, but feel safe — on their block, on their train, and outside their front door.”

Pilot Program Results

Since April , pilot Q-Teams have conducted 92 targeted operations and responded to over 7,500 911 and 311 quality-of-life calls. Their results include:

  • 6,114 summonses issued (2,750 parking, 1,560 moving, 932 Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings, 872 criminal court)
  • 492 vehicles towed for violations
  • 357 arrests
  • 28 e-bikes and 157 mopeds/scooters seized

In addition to Q-Team operations, the following NYPD units also contributed to addressing quality-of-life conditions during the pilot period in the pilot commands, with the following additional results:

  • Vehicle Response Team: 994 vehicles towed
  • Smoke Shop Task Force: 42 inspections and eight padlocks
  • Encampment Team: 105 site visits, 59 cleanings, and one successful placement into shelter
  • Community Link: 71 operations yielding 526 summonses, 384 towed vehicles, 90 seized scooters, seven arrests, and one successful placement of an undomiciled individual

The Quality of Life Division brings together specially trained officers from across the NYPD — including neighborhood coordination officers, youth coordination officers, and traffic safety officers — into focused Q-Teams dedicated to resolving chronic conditions in neighborhoods. These teams operate at the precinct level, led by a Quality of Life Division sergeant and reporting directly to precinct leadership.

Officers will continue to receive specialized training in addressing non-emergency issues like noise complaints, derelict vehicles, illegal vending, outdoor drug use, reckless scooter riding, and encampments. In addition to enforcement tools, Q-Teams are trained in discretionary responses and alternative solutions tailored to specific conditions.

Each Q-Team is backed by the division’s Analytics and Support Unit, which monitors trends and 311 data to assist direct operations. Monthly Q-Stat meetings — modeled after CompStat — review outcomes, identify areas of concern, and drive accountability across precincts.

The citywide expansion will also deepen collaboration between the Quality of Life Division and the NYPD’s Community Affairs Bureau, ensuring more responsive engagement with residents and businesses. The goal is to make sure every New Yorker feels seen, heard, and safe in their community.

NYC311 is a non-emergency service that allows residents to report issues and request city services. This latest phase of the NYPD Quality of Life Division supports the department’s mission of keeping every New Yorker in every borough safe through police and community partnership. As seen through the pilot program, the expanded Quality of Life Division will continue to work with precinct personnel and the Community Affairs Bureau, allowing for the direct deployment of resources to specific needs within their communities.

In case of an emergency, New Yorkers should locate a police officer, head to the nearest police facility, or dial 911.