Monday, September 1, 2025

On Labor Day, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem Celebrates the 2.5 Million American Workers Who Joined the Workforce Since Trump Took Office

 

Thanks to President Trump and Secretary Noem’s leadership, DHS is getting U.S. citizens back to work, saving their hard-earned money, and ensuring America works for Americans again

This Labor Day, Secretary Noem is celebrating the 2.5 million American workers who joined the U.S. workforce since President Trump took office. In comparison, 88% of jobs created during the same period under Biden went to foreign-born workers. New jobs created under President Trump are going to American workers. 

Additionally, the U.S. has seen an estimated decline of approximately 1.6 million illegal aliens across the country.

“This Labor Day, America works for Americans again. 100% of all new job gains have gone to U.S. citizens, and 2.5 million Americans are back at work since January. Under Biden, 88% of all jobs went to foreign born workers. Meanwhile DHS reforms have saved taxpayers over $13.2 billion,” said Secretary Noem“President Trump and I are putting the American worker FIRST. Happy Labor Day!” 

The U.S. economy continues to surge because it is safer to do business here. Under this administration, 70% of arrests by Immigration and Customs Enforcement involve illegal aliens who have been convicted or charged with a crime in the U.S.—this doesn’t even count foreign fugitives, gang members, or terrorists who don’t have a rap sheet in the U.S.

In addition to helping put Americans back to work, Secretary Noem is saving U.S. taxpayers their hard-earned money. Secretary Noem saved U.S. taxpayers $13.2 billion.  All of these savings were achieved without cuts to key law enforcement, border security, national security, immigration enforcement and positions with a public safety responsibility.

For years, unelected bureaucrats rubber-stamped hundreds of millions of dollars in contracts, fueling a culture of waste, fraud, and abuse. Under Secretary Noem, that era is over.

Joint Labor Day Statement on Offshore Wind From Governor Kathy Hochul, Governor Maura Healey, Governor Ned Lamont, Governor Dan McKee, and Governor Phil Murphy

New York's first offshore wind turbine is installed in the waters of South Fork near Long Island

“On Labor Day, we honor the strength, skill, and determination of America’s workers. From construction sites and factories to ports and power plants, working people are the backbone of our economy and the foundation of our shared prosperity.

“Nowhere is that clearer than in the offshore wind industry, where labor is on the front lines. Today, more than 5,000 workers—many of them proud union members—are directly engaged with building this new American industry, with many thousands more manufacturing products across 40 States that will help lead to a new era of U.S. energy independence. These projects represent years of planning, billions of dollars in private investment, and the promise of tens of thousands of additional jobs. They are revitalizing our ports, strengthening our supply chains, and ensuring that America—not our competitors—leads in clean energy manufacturing and innovation.

“We are looking for the Trump Administration to uphold all offshore wind permits already granted and allow these projects to be constructed. Efforts to walk back these commitments jeopardize hardworking families, wasting years of progress and ceding leadership to foreign competitors. Workers, businesses, and communities need certainty, not reversals that would cost tens of thousands of American jobs and critical investment. Sudden reversals would also impact countless other workers and taxpayers on scores of non-energy public projects. The U.S. markets operate on certainty. Canceling projects that have already been fully permitted--including some near completion—sends the worrisome message to investors that the work can be stopped on a whim, which could lead them to decide to either not finance different projects or impose higher interest rates that would ultimately place a bigger burden on taxpayers.

“At the same time, we remain committed to ensuring that the electric grid is reliable, resilient and affordable. Offshore wind and other renewables are central to that effort, but it must be complemented by a diverse mix of resources—including nuclear power, natural gas, hydropower, and other technologies—that together keep our system strong and our energy sources secure. Doing so will also help us attract major economic development projects that will offer economic security for American workers and transform communities as we move to a 21st century economy. As Governors, we are committed to delivering on this energy system for our states and working with the Trump Administration to advance projects that meet these objectives.

“On this Labor Day, we reaffirm our unwavering support for working people and the unions that represent them. We stand with America’s workers and strongly urge the Trump Administration to keep these projects on track—for our jobs, our families, our competitiveness, our energy security, and our future.”

 

Talking Politics Friday August 30, 2025

 

On Talking Politics this week, where are Trump national guard troops going next, Ukraine latest where's the peace, Hochul gearing up for 2026, the mayor's race and Mayor Adams visits Haffen Park promising 1,000 more police officers to the Bronx, how about another police precinct, who may be the next speaker of the council, and lots more live anytime on YouTube at the link above. 

Talking Politics

Permits Filed for 3728 Bronx Boulevard in Olinville, The Bronx


 

Permits have been filed for a six-story residential building at 3728 Bronx Boulevard in Olinville, The Bronx. Located between East 216th Street and East 219th Street, the lot is a short walk to the East 219th Street subway station, served by the 2 and 5 trains. Erenik Nezaj is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 76-foot-tall development will yield 19,012 square feet designated for residential space. The building will have 28 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 679 square feet. The masonry-based structure will also have a 32-foot-long rear yard.

Jakov Saric of Node Architecture, Engineering, Consulting is listed as the architect of record.

Demolition permits were filed in early August for the three-story residential building on the site. An estimated completion date has not been announced.

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!