Monday, September 1, 2025

CBS Deceptively Edits Secretary Noem’s Answers, Cutting More than 23% of Footage from Face the Nation Interview

 

“CBS shamefully edited the interview to whitewash the truth”

CBS’ “Face the Nation” selectively edited answers by U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on August 31. In total, CBS cut nearly four minutes of her 16 minute and 40 second interview during its broadcast.  

In doing so CBS removed more than 23% of Secretary Noem’s answers exposing the truth about criminal illegal alien Kilmar Abrego Garcia, President Donald Trump’s lawful actions to protect the American people, and Secretary Noem’s commitment to fight on behalf of the American people and their tax dollars.

“This morning, I joined CBS to report the facts about Kilmar Abrego Garcia,”– Secretary Kristi Noem said in a statement“Instead, CBS shamefully edited the interview to whitewash the truth about this MS-13 gang member and the threat he poses to American public safety.”

COMPARE HERE: https://x.com/Sec_Noem/status/1962256536475926676

During the broadcast, CBS edits deprived the American people from hearing the truth about MS-13 gang member Kilmar Abrego Garcia. The following 25 seconds were cut from her answer:

“This individual was a known human smuggler, MS-13 gang member, an individual who was  a wife beater, and someone who was um so perverted that he solicited nude photos from minors. And even his fellow human traffickers told him to knock it off. He was so sick in what he was doing and how he was treating small children. So, uh, he needs to  never be in the United States of America and our administration is making sure we're doing all that we can to bring him to justice.”

During an answer to a question about Secretary Noem’s successful arrest of 5,000 illegal aliens in Los Angeles, CBS cut the following: 

“...And many of these individuals were people who have, you know, conducted horrific um horrific activities against American citizens, trafficking of children and pedophiles. And so that's uh one of the things that the people of a LA can be grateful for is that they don't have those bad actors, those people on their streets anymore because of the work of President Trump and his administration.”

CBS also edited out Secretary Noem’s answers explaining how she is fighting for the American people and ensuring taxpayer dollars are being spent correctly:

“...You know, in Washington, D.C., I rarely run into anybody who says, ‘I'm a lobbyist for the American taxpayer.’ Well, guess what, Kristi Noem is.  Every day I get up and I think the American people are paying for this. Should they? And are these dollars doing what the law says they should be doing? I'm going to make sure that they go there and they're spent what's appropriate according to the law and that the taxpayers understand that it's a worthwhile effort.”

CBS also thought it in the interest of their viewers to edit out Secretary Noem’s expectations for all employees of DHS to work on the American people’s behalf:

“...And my hope is that every single person within the Department of Homeland Security, but also in this government gets up every day wanting to make America safer, wanting to do their job and to contribute to that in a very productive way.”

Likewise, CBS cut an entire answer from Secretary Noem explaining how DHS is maintaining its standards as it hires 10,000 new agents to re-establish law and order by year’s end. 

O’KEEFE: “All right. So, Immigration and Customs Enforcement is aiming to hire another 10,000 officers by the end of this year, Nearly double the size of the current force. Basic training is being reduced from 13 weeks to 8 weeks in an attempt to accelerate the hiring and the onboarding of these officers. Uh there's signing bonuses. Some age caps have been lifted. Did the hiring standards get lowered in part to meet this daily quota of 3,000 arrests? 

NOEM: Oh, what we've done as far as recruitment, and again, Ed, we've got over 130,000 people that have applied to be a part of that 10,000 new hires within ICE, but we did not reduce any of the qualifications or time frames. What we did was that we made sure that we were being much more efficient in getting these officers out on the street and giving them more opportunity to get trained uh quickly and recognize the previous training that they had. if they were a previous law enforcement officer or someone that wanted to come back out of retirement, we facilitated that  where before the federal government had ignored  those individuals or put them through classes that they had already qualified for or become masters at. So, I think that streamlining is what needed to happen. And we're so grateful  that so many other retired law enforcement officers or those from different areas of the country say, "Listen, I want to be a part of what ICE is doing because these individuals are  out there making sure that they're going after dangerous criminals and bringing them to  justice and making sure that if they're here in this country and they've perpetuated these  crimes and violence that they have the opportunity to go home to their own home country and place consequences there as well."

CBS also cut out a minor transition from Ed O’Keefe : 

O’KEEFE: Well, you anticipated some of the questions we asked of him. So, as we say in this business, stay tuned for that. But we'll uh let's let's ask you a few more while we have you.

Sunday, August 31, 2025

Permits Filed for 623 East 178th Street in Tremont, The Bronx

 


Permits have been filed for a 12-story residential building at 623 East 178th Street in Tremont, The Bronx. Located between Hughes Avenue and Arthur Avenue, the lot is near the West Farms Square–East Tremont Avenue subway station, served by the 2 and 5 trains. Yonah Grunhut of Grun Group LLC is listed as the owner behind the applications, and is also responsible for the 11-story structure at the neighboring 621 East 178th Street.

The proposed 110-foot-tall development will yield 118,157 square feet designated for residential space. The building will have 99 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 682 square feet. The concrete-based structure will also have 25 enclosed parking spaces.

Nikolai Katz Architect is listed as the architect of record.

Demolition permits have not been filed yet. An estimated completion date has not been announced.

State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli's Weekly News - Happy Labor Day

 

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CSEA Group at Fair

Happy Labor Day

As we celebrate Labor Day, we honor the contributions of labor unions and the dedicated workers of New York. This day is for the people who serve, protect, build, educate, and care for our great state and its communities. Happy Labor Day!

Watch Comptroller DiNapoli's Labor Day Message


People with unclaimed funds checks

From Funnel Cakes to Found Funds

There is a long to-do list at The Great New York State Fair. Part of my day included returning over $50,000 in unclaimed funds to organizations in Central New York, including non-profits, that will support their important efforts.

Make sure to stop by the Office of Unclaimed Fund's booth in the Center for Progress to see if you have money owed to you or click on the button below.

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Federal employees in NYS

Federal Employees in New York State

According to the U.S. Bureaus of Labor Statistics and Economic Analysis, there were more than 116,000 federal civilian employees working in New York in 2024, earning $11.2 billion in wages. Employment has decreased significantly since 2000, when there were more than 147,000 federal government employees working in New York, and is likely to decrease in 2025 as a result of federal actions to downsize the federal workforce.

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Day at the NYS Fair

Van Cortlandt Park Alliance - Get your hands dirty in VCP

 

Tuesday, September 2 - Meet at 9am
Nice holiday weekends bring lots of visitors to the park. Lots of visitors make a mess! Volunteers are needed to help keep the park tidy.
Meet at Van Cortlandt Golf House

 

Woodlawn Wednesdays
Wednesdays, September 3, 10, 17, 24 - Meet at 9am
We are moving Wednesdays back to Woodlawn! Tackle harmful plants like multiflora rose, bush honeysuckle, bittersweet, and Japanese angelica trees that threaten our native biodiversity in the northeast forest.
Meet at Woodlawn Playground

 

Trail Work Thursdays
Thursdays, September 4, 11, 18, 25 - Meet at 9am
Blaze trails with us! Whether you’re an experienced trailblazer or new to trail maintenance, your help will make a significant impact to ensure trail safety for runners and hikers.
Meet at Van Cortlandt Golf House 

 

Forest Fridays

Fridays, September 5, 12, 19, 26 - Meet at 9am
Help restore Van Cortlandt Park’s vital northwest forest by removing invasive plants like multiflora rose, bittersweet, and porcelain berry. Your efforts will create space for native plants to thrive and support long-term forest health.
Meet at VCPA Garden & Compost Site

 

Saturday Trail Volunteer Day

Saturday, September 6- meet at 10am
Get a different kind of workout! Bend, stretch, and lift when you fill holes, rake gravel, and move wheelbarrows to keep our beloved trails in shape. 

Meet at VCPA Garden & Compost Site


Tune Up Tuesdays
Tuesdays, September 9 and 23 - 10am to 1pm

Turnip to volunteer! Volunteers will help care for our garden, maintain compost bins, weed, water, and harvest produce. No gardening experience needed – just show up in clothing that can get dirty! 

Meet at VCPA Garden & Compost Site

Support Our Work in Van Cortlandt Park

 

Make a Donation
The park is really big. Our staff is really small. Only with your help can we grow our capacity, hire more staff, and take on projects to improve Van Cortlandt Park… for YOU!  Please consider a gift to Van Cortlandt Park Alliance today.

VCPA Merch Shop!
Show your love for Van Cortlandt Park while supporting the Alliance!

Become a Member
Members get VCPA merch and invitations to member only hikes while supporting their favorite park!

Governor Hochul Announces Expansion of Successful GoGoGrandparent Transportation Partnership for Older Adults

An elderly man getting onto a bus

NY State-GoGo Partnership Adds 24,000 Rides for Older Adults

Builds on Transportation Models for Older Adults with Local Offices for the Aging

Expands Commitment to State’s Master Plan for Aging


Governor Kathy Hochul announced the expansion of New York’s innovative transportation partnership with the ride-and-delivery service GoGoGrandparent, further bridging a gap in the delivery of no-cost rides for older adults across the state. The program is administered by the New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) and local offices for the aging.

“Our unique and innovative transportation models will build on our commitment to ensuring that every New Yorker — regardless of age or mobility — can live with independence, dignity, and connection,” Governor Hochul said. “By expanding our partnership with GoGoGrandparent, we are delivering real solutions that break down barriers, reduce isolation, and empower older adults to stay active in their communities.”

Through programs administered by NYSOFA, local Area Agencies on Aging (also known as Offices for the Aging) provide about 1.7 million rides annually to older adults in the community, but a great need still exists. The GoGo partnership adds another option to enhance services. Since its inception in 2022, the GoGo partnership has provided older adults with 24,000 additional rides through local offices, helping to bridge a high-priority need at a time when lack of transportation affects older adults and their families in many ways — by jeopardizing independence, worsening social isolation, and impacting health and mental health.

GoGoGrandparent is the first on-demand ride, delivery and care service designed to help aging adults continue to live independently. Through GoGo’s partnership with NYSOFA, 32 county-based offices for the aging across the state are now providing this service at no cost for older adults. The program is one of over 20 public-private partnerships administered by NYSOFA using technology to expand service access, keep older adults engaged, overcome social isolation, support family caregivers, and more.

The New York State program — the first of its kind in the country — began in three counties and has since expanded, providing older adults in New York State with rides to grocery stores, medical appointments, dialysis, VA appointments, church, family visits and more. The median trip is 2.76 miles, indicating that most trips are local.

The rides are organized and overseen by participating offices for the aging within county governments who are structuring program delivery and eligibility based on identified needs. The service is typically available to residents ages 60 and older who register with their local office for the aging. The cost of the program is supported through the enacted New York State budget, ensuring that services remain free of charge for older adults, based on the availability of limited funding.

Several factors are driving the need for on-demand transportation services, including:

  • Older adults are one of the fastest-growing groups in the U.S. By 2030, all Baby Boomers will be 65+.
  • Older Americans are healthier overall — as of 2022, the average 65-year-old was expected to live another 18.9 years.
  • Families are having fewer children, and those children are living farther away from their parents, affecting the availability of unpaid family caregivers to help with day-to-day needs like transportation.

GoGo works with local transportation providers to provide services and, importantly, screens drivers ahead of time to make sure their vehicles are accessible, and drivers are willing to assist riders as needed (for instance, with walkers or wheelchairs). Drivers can opt out of participating, though seven out of ten opt in. 

Participating Counties
The following counties are currently participating in the program and are at varying stages of implementation.

  • Albany
  • Allegany
  • Cayuga
  • Chemung
  • Chenango
  • Clinton
  • Columbia
  • Cortland
  • Dutchess
  • Herkimer
  • Lewis
  • Livingston
  • Madison
  • Monroe
  • Montgomery
  • Nassau
  • Oneida
  • Onondaga
  • Ontario
  • Orange
  • Oswego
  • Putnam
  • Rensselaer
  • Rockland
  • Schuyler
  • Steuben
  • Suffolk
  • Tompkins
  • Ulster
  • Washington
  • Westchester
  • Yates

Partnerships for Parks - Start off the Fall with Free Horticulture Workshops

 



Tree Stewardship Part 1: Getting Involved with Tree Care


Fall is the perfect season to care for New York City's trees. If you appreciate our urban canopy, join this virtual workshop to understand current efforts across the boroughs to connect community members to the trees that surround us. You’ll walk away empowered to plug into various stewardship opportunities. Featured speakers will include staff from NYC Parks Tree Time

Interested in a hands-on opportunity to get even more involved? On Saturday, Sept. 27, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m, we’ll be hosting an in-person street tree care workshop in partnership with Trees New York. Email academy@cityparksfoundation.org to learn more and sign up.


Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.



Integrating Native Plants into Local Parks


Are you interested in starting a native plant garden in a park near you? Join this workshop to learn how to design native plantings and work with NYC Parks to advocate for and implement your design. Community partners will also share tips for sustaining these important plants on public land. Featured speakers include Anil Chandrakumar, Brooklyn horticulture supervisor at NYC Parks.


Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025, from 6:30 to 8 p.m.




Vital Parks Explorer


Want to connect with your neighbors to support local parks? Vital Parks for All is NYC Parks’ plan to improve the health, environment, and well-being of all New Yorkers through a strong and equitable park system. With an initial $3.2B investment, the initiative focuses on making parks cleaner, safer, greener, and more resilient.

A key part of this effort is the Vital Parks Explorer — a tool that helps New Yorkers see how park resources and amenities are distributed across communities. Whether you're new to the Explorer or need a refresher, now is a great time to check it out: Vital Parks Explorer.

NYC Parks has created a new handout that explains how to use the Explorer and encourages action based on its insights. Help spread the word by sharing this tool with your community — through email, at events, or wherever you connect with others. Together, we can expand awareness, increase transparency, and promote a park system that works for everyone.


Partnerships for Parks is a joint program of City Parks Foundation and NYC Parks that supports and champions a growing network of leaders caring and advocating for neighborhood parks and green spaces. We equip people and organizations with the skills and tools needed to ensure these spaces are dynamic community assets.