Wednesday, May 27, 2026

Two Minnesota Residents Arrested for $21 Million Medicaid Fraud Scheme

 

The suspects face EIGHT counts of health care fraud and TWO counts of money laundering

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued the following statement after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) arrested two Minnesota residents on charges of health care fraud after stealing more than $21 million from American taxpayers.

On May 21, HSI St. Paul reported the arrest of Shamso Ahmed Hassan and Hanaan Mursal Yusuf on the charges of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, EIGHT counts of health care fraud, and TWO counts of money laundering.

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Shamso Ahmed Hassan

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Hanaan Mursal Yusuf

Hassan was a beneficial owner of Smart Therapy Center LLC and Star Autism Center LLC. She had enrolled as a provider of services for the Minnesota Early Intensive Development and Behavioral Intervention (EIDBI) Program, and was an employee and lead biller for Smart Therapy Center LLC, responsible for submitting claims to Medicaid.

Through both companies, the defendants carried out a scheme to defraud a health care benefit program of approximately $21.1 million by submitting false and fraudulent claims to Medicaid. This scheme took place over the course of more than four years, from May of 2020 to December of 2024.

“These Minnesota residents have been accused of stealing more than $21 million from the American taxpayer,” said Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis. “They now face charges of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, EIGHT counts of health care fraud, and TWO counts of money laundering. Their Medicaid fraud scheme started during the COVID pandemic and lasted for four years. ICE continues to zero in on the rampant fraud in Minnesota. Under Secretary Mullin, we will end the defrauding of the American people.”

Both women are United States citizens, with Hassan having been naturalized.

This investigation is led by the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) with HSI assistance. Both suspects will remain in federal custody pending judicial proceedings.

Google Employee Charged With Insider Trading

 

Using the Alias “AlphaRaccoon,” Google Employee Michele Spagnuolo Obtained More Than $1.2 Million Trading on Polymarket on the Basis of Confidential Business Information

United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, and Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), James C. Barnacle, Jr., announced today the unsealing of a complaint charging MICHELE SPAGNUOLO, a/k/a “AlphaRaccoon,” a software engineer at Google, with commodities fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering arising from his scheme to misappropriate confidential information from his employer and use that information to place a series of profitable Google-related trades on a prediction market platform.  SPAGNUOLO, who resides in Switzerland, was presented today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn in the Southern District of New York.

“Today’s charges reinforce a decades-old message: corporate insiders cannot use confidential business information to turn a profit in our markets,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton.  “As alleged, Spagnuolo violated the duties he owed to his employer and used Google’s confidential business information to make more than $1.2 million in trading profits on Polymarket.  Insider trading compromises the integrity of our markets, and the American people want this greed-driven conduct investigated and prosecuted.”

“Michele Spagnuolo allegedly abused his elevated access to confidential trends to place bets with nonpublic information and receive more than one million dollars in unlawful profits,” said FBI Assistant Director in Charge James C. Barnacle, Jr.  “The FBI remains dedicated to searching for fraudsters who betray their employer for personal financial gains.”

As alleged in the Complaint unsealed today in Manhattan federal court:(1)

SPAGNUOLO is a software engineer at Google.  In connection with his role, SPAGNUOLO had access to Google’s internal data systems, including an internal software tool that provided him with access to confidential, nonpublic data.  That software tool bore a banner that stated, in part, “Google Confidential” in red text.  Indeed, SPAGNUOLO certified his understanding of various Google confidentiality and ethics policies.  SPAGNUOLO created an account on Polymarket, which is a prediction marketplace, in May 2024.  That account was known as “AlphaRaccoon.”  Shortly after accessing Google’s internal information, SPAGNUOLO used the AlphaRaccoon account to place trades in various markets on Polymarket.  In total, from on or about October 15, 2025, through on or about December 4, 2025, SPAGNUOLO used the AlphaRaccoon account to risk approximately $2,754,092 on markets related to Google’s internal information.  Soon after Google’s information was publicly announced, and the markets resolved, SPAGNUOLO’s AlphaRaccoon account profited approximately $1.2 million based on his use of inside information in connection with bets placed on Polymarket. 

SPAGNUOLO, 36, an Italian citizen residing in Switzerland, is charged with one count of violating the Commodity Exchange Act, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison; one count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; and one count of money laundering, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding work of the FBI.  

This case is being handled by the Office’s Securities and Commodities Fraud Task Force.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas Burnett, Ryan B. Finkel, and Allison Nichols are in charge of the prosecution.

  1. ^

    As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint and the description of the Complaint set forth herein constitutes only allegations and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

Attorney General James and DEC Commissioner Lefton Deliver $1.34 Million for New York Farmers


Funding Secured from Illegal Pollution Settlement Will Support 35 Innovative Farming Projects Across 25 Farms

New York Attorney General Letitia James and Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton today awarded more than $1.34 million in grants to support farmers in Delaware and Sullivan Counties. The Agricultural Environmental Innovation Grant Program is funded by Attorney General James and DEC’s 2023 settlement with FrieslandCampina Ingredients North America, Inc. (Friesland) for repeated violations of state and federal environmental law at its Delhi, Delaware County facility. Administered by the Watershed Agricultural Council (WAC), the grant program will directly reinvest the settlement funds in the Catskills by providing 25 farms with access to innovative agricultural technologies and practices. The projects selected for funding will demonstrate innovations that can increase efficiency and promote sustainability on New York farms, boosting economic, health, and environmental outcomes across the Catskills region. 

“New York’s farmers work from sun-up to sun-down to put food on our tables,” said Attorney General James. “All too often, our farmers are the ones who feel the impacts of environmental degradation, toxic pollution, and climate change first. This new grant program will invest directly in New York’s farmers by helping them to adopt new technologies and practices to save money, reduce waste, and protect the clean air, water, and land that we all depend on.”

“DEC is proud to partner with the Office of the Attorney General for this significant investment benefiting more than two dozen farms in Delaware County at a time when farmers nationwide are facing a severe financial crisis due to high production costs and volatile federal trade policies," said DEC Commissioner Lefton. "A healthy farming industry benefits all New Yorkers by boosting local economies and providing nutritious food to our kitchen tables. These funds, secured from a settlement related to numerous violations of environmental laws by FrieslandCampina, serve as a reminder that New York State holds polluters accountable for the damages they cause to our environment and ensures payments made to settle penalties are poured back into impacted communities.”

“The Watershed Agricultural Council (WAC) thanks Attorney General James and Commissioner Lefton for establishing and awarding grant funding in direct support of the Catskill farming community. WAC is excited to build on our decades-long partnership with farmers to advance innovative, practical technologies that support both environmental stewardship and farm viability,” said Connor Young, Agricultural Program Manager at Watershed Agricultural Council. “Alongside producers and collaborators like Cornell Farmers DataLab, this grant program will demonstrate how applied research, precision agriculture, and local expertise can strengthen working farms across the New York City watershed.”

In August 2023, Attorney General James and DEC reached a $2.8 million settlement with Friesland for releasing dangerous air and water pollution from its manufacturing facility in Delhi. The consent decree required Friesland to come into full compliance with environmental protection laws and pay a $2,880,000 penalty. Half of that penalty was directed to improving public health and environmental protection in and around Delhi.

The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) subsequently contracted with WAC to administer a grant program benefiting Delaware and Sullivan County farms to demonstrate the efficacy, water and air quality benefits, and economic viability of innovative farming technologies and practices. The WAC was chosen to administer the grant program based on its strong, established relationships with the farming communities in the Delhi area and extensive experience administering grant programs for farmers.

Today, Attorney General James and Commissioner Lefton are awarding $1,347,681 across 35 projects to 25 farms, including dairy, cattle, and organic crop farms. Attorney General James’ grant program will provide farmers with up to $75,000, with the exact amount determined by each recipient’s proposal. Under the terms of Attorney General James’ settlement with Friesland, funding has been awarded only to projects that address existing pollution concerns and demonstrably improve public health or the environment in New York state. Grant recipients were also vetted to ensure they are in full compliance with environmental regulations.

The funded projects fall into three categories: 

  • Innovative Equipment and Precision Agriculture Technology, which increase efficiency and reduce the environmental impacts of farm operations through data-driven insights. Funded technologies include grazing collars that allow farmers to remotely manage and direct their cattle while protecting land from overgrazing, cow health-monitoring systems, precision corn planters, and other advanced equipment. These technologies help minimize waste, optimize water use, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 22 projects totaling $913,934.79 were awarded in this category.
     
  • Soil Health and Cover Crop Management, which help farms implement new crop management techniques to improve soil structure and minimize runoff. The equipment funded in this category will help reduce erosion, retain soil nutrients, and protect water quality. Six projects totaling $219,366 were awarded in this category.
     
  • Agricultural Drones, which give farmers an efficient way to survey their land while saving on fuel costs. Drones allow large and small farms alike to minimize pesticide use by identifying blights, pests, or other problems with greater precision. Seven projects totaling $214,380 were awarded in this category.

Keeping New Yorkers Safe: Governor Hochul Signs Legislation to Strengthen Public Safety and Make Our Streets and Subways Safer

Advances First-In-The-Nation Law To Crack Down on Illegal Homegrown 3D-Printed Guns

Protects New Yorkers’ Constitutional Rights and Religious Freedom

Continues Record Investments in Subway Safety by Funding Additional Patrols in the System, Expanding SCOUT Teams

Invests in Crime Fighting Measures, Enhances Law Enforcement and First Responder Support Programs

Safeguards New York’s Roads by Stopping New York City’s Super Speeders Through Intelligent Speed Assistance and Ensuring Safety in New York’s Work Zones

Improves New York’s Emergency and Disaster Response

Governor Kathy Hochul today signed legislation as part of the FY27 Enacted Budget to strengthen public safety across New York. Highlights of Governor Hochul’s public safety budget priorities include cracking down on the scourge of illegal 3D-printed ghost guns and DIY machine guns, investing in new crime-fighting technology, supporting law enforcement officers and first responders, safeguarding New York’s roads and subways, enhancing its emergency preparedness response systems, and protecting New Yorkers’ religious freedom and safety.

“Keeping New Yorkers safe is my top priority which is why I’m proud to deliver record investments in law enforcement to crack down on crime, strengthen critical protections for New Yorkers and keep communities across our state safe from harm,” Governor Hochul said. “Since taking office, we’ve made significant progress driving down crime, and with this budget, we continue to bolster those efforts to prevent violence and keep New York’s families safe.”

Since taking office, Governor Hochul has invested more than $3 billion in public safety initiatives. The funding has provided record support for local and state law enforcement that has contributed to gun violence reaching record lows, reduced subway crime and combatted pandemic-era surges in motor vehicle and retail thefts. This budget adds more than $900 million to those record investments. These efforts, along with common-sense changes to the state’s bail, discovery and gun laws that Governor Hochul obtained in previous state budgets, have helped make New York one of the safest large states in the country.

Stopping Illegal Homegrown Guns

Governor Hochul has passed the strongest gun laws in the nation and made record investments in gun violence prevention, resulting in New York having the fewest shooting incidents statewide in 2025 in recorded history. To build on this progress, Governor Hochul’s FY27 Enacted Budget will:

  • Require first-in-the-nation minimum safety standards for 3D printers sold in New York to be equipped with basic technology that prevents the unlicensed, illegal production of lethal firearms and firearm parts.
  • Require the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services to lead a task force of experts to recommend regulations that will ensure New Yorkers are protected from these dangerous weapons. Following the implementation of the resulting regulations, state law will allow for recourse against any actor who sells a 3D printer in New York without equipping it with such technology.
  • Criminalize the unlawful possession, sale, or distribution of blueprints that allow the printing of illegal guns and gun parts, and the manufacture of 3D-printed firearms.
  • Require all pistols sold in the state to private citizens be designed in such a way that ensures they cannot quickly and easily be turned into machine guns using common tools.

Prioritizing Safety on the Subway

Subway crime reached its lowest level in 16 years in 2025, with a 14 percent reduction in major crimes in the transit system compared to 2019. Lower crime and higher ridership are the result of the hard work of dedicated police officers supported by Governor Hochul’s proactive investments in policing and mental health engagement strategies that promote order and public safety throughout the system. To ensure continued progress on subway safety, Governor Hochul:

  • Secured an additional $77 million to support the deployment of NYPD officers across the subway system to target areas of greatest need and to enhance rider safety.
  • Is expanding the Subway Co-Response Outreach Teams initiative, known as SCOUT, by 50 percent from 10 to 15, to reach more locations and operate with greater flexibility across the system. This will allow teams to respond more quickly to individuals in acute distress and focus resources where needs are greatest.

Protecting Safe Access to Worship

Governor Hochul signed protections into law to protect individuals' access to places of worship. The Governor’s bill creates a new crime for knowingly and intentionally interfering with a person seeking to enter or exit a place of religious worship or acting in a way within 50 feet of a place of worship that makes a person seeking to access a place of religious worship fear for their safety. The law balances the freedom of speech with the freedom to worship without harassment. Under this law, when there is a demonstration, police may set up a security perimeter beyond 50 feet, within which demonstrations are not permitted.

Combating Crime and Ensuring Justice

Governor Hochul’s FY27 Enacted Budget continues investments to support effective policing, combat crime, and ensure justice for victims and survivors. This year’s budget will help New York achieve these goals by:

  • Establishing a new Crime Analysis Center in Westchester County to complete statewide coverage of New York’s Crime Analysis Center Network. This center will provide local and regional law enforcement with real-time crime analysis, investigative support, and stronger information sharing with counties and State partners.
  • Investing in crime labs across the state, supporting upgrades to DNA and drug analysis technology, expanding forensic staffing, and strengthening statewide standards through accreditation and proficiency testing to ensure cases move forward efficiently and survivors are not left waiting years for resolution.
  • Strengthening police training by developing an accreditation program to ensure all agencies have equal access to standardized information around best practices that help provide high-quality instruction, particularly for smaller and underserved departments.
  • Passing nation-leading paid critical incident leave legislation for State Police members directly involved in justified qualifying uses of force to ensure Troopers have the time and support needed to recover, fully cooperate with investigations, and safely return to duty. Eligible Troopers will receive 20 days of critical incident leave if the incident involved death and 10 days for all other critical incidents.
  • Closing a loophole that allowed orders of protection — which can include stay-away provisions, no-contact requirements, and firearm surrender obligations — to lose their enforceability when defendants fail to appear in court. Now, courts will be required to automatically extend an order of protection when a defendant does not return to court, allowing the State to better protect victims and prevent dangerous gaps in enforcement.
  • Developing a new technical assistance initiative to support fiscally at-risk and survivor-led victim assistance programs. Participating organizations will be able to request targeted assistance, including financial management support, compliance guidance, and organizational planning, to stabilize programs, improve long-term sustainability, and increase access to victim services statewide.
  • Promoting awareness of victim compensation and related services, so survivors know help is available when they need it most, regardless of having reported the crime to law enforcement. Together, these improvements will help victims access financial support more quickly, reduce stress during recovery, and strengthen trust in the services designed to support them.

Safeguarding New York’s Roads

To reduce risks and make New York’s roadways safer, Governor Hochul’s FY27 Enacted budget includes:

  • Authorization for New York City to establish a pilot program requiring the installation of Intelligent Speed Assistance devices in the vehicles of so-called “super speeders” – drivers with a documented pattern of flouting speeding laws and putting New Yorkers at risk. The pilot will directly target this dangerous driving behavior by preventing these drivers from driving over the posted speed limit, helping to avert tragedies before they happen and making city streets safer for everyone. Based on the results from this pilot initiative, New York will explore allowing other interested communities around the state to opt into an Intelligent Speed Assistance program.
  • Legislation to expand the use of automated work zone speed enforcement systems to additional State roadways, increasing eligible State DOT roadway miles by more than 40%.
  • Authorization to establish Traffic Camera Violation Bureaus in jurisdictions with stop-arm camera programs that will help ensure the timely processing of tickets for motorists who illegally pass stopped school buses and ensure drivers who endanger children by passing school buses with the stop-arm out are held accountable.

Improving Emergency and Disaster Response

Governor Hochul continues to expand New York’s capabilities to prepare and respond to emergencies and threats, and provide higher standards of care for the first responders who step up when New York needs them most. The FY27 Enacted Budget includes new measures that will:

  • Strengthen the State’s readiness for mass violence events by directing a statewide training initiative to equip community-based Victim Assistance Programs with the skills needed to respond effectively to large-scale incidents. Governor Hochul has also directed the Mass Violence Advisory Council to establish shared response protocols that clarify roles and streamline support.
  • Establish a new Urban Search and Rescue capability through a partnership between the Office of Fire Prevention and Control at the state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) and local first responders. The team will meet the federal Type 1 Urban Search and Rescue standard, allowing it to deploy quickly and sustain large-scale rescue operations during major disasters, and expand access to advanced rescue capabilities that are currently concentrated in New York City.
  • Advance a comprehensive approach to both prohibit risky drone use and expand responsible use of drones as first responders by creating a crime for dangerous drone use and flying in and around restricted areas, and authorizing the use of detection and mitigation efforts by qualified law enforcement officers. This approach will also further limit where drones may fly, expand law enforcement authority to respond to credible drone threats and support safe testing of counter-drone technologies.
  • Establishing a First Responder Behavioral Health Center of Excellence to serve as a statewide training and technical assistance hub to break down barriers to care and ensure that people who protect our communities have the mental health and addiction resources they need to stay safe and healthy on the job.

Governor Hochul’s Public Safety Record

During her time in office, Governor Hochul has made public safety her top priority, championing a number of key initiatives including:

  • Signing landmark gun safety laws: strengthening New York’s Red Flag law, increasing the protections of the background check system, tightening restrictions on concealed carry weapons, codifying the Office of Gun Violence Prevention in state law, and cracking down on illegal firearms.
  • Achieving a 60 percent decline in shooting incidents with injury in communities participating in the state’s Gun Involved Violence Elimination initiative, with shooting incidents reaching the lowest level on record and resulting in the removal of more than 10,000 illegal guns from New York streets.
  • Delivering historic subway safety investments, driving down transit crime below pre-pandemic levels and to the second-lowest level in recorded history.
  • Strengthening New York’s bail and discovery laws to keep dangerous criminals off our streets while better protecting victims.
  • Taking decisive action against retail theft, expanding worker protections, adding new criminal charges that target organized retail theft rings, and providing security funding for small businesses; as of December 2025, retail theft is down 14 percent year-over-year in New York City.
  • Responding to the rise in hate crimes by expanding hate crime-eligible offenses and securing funding to protect at-risk sites.

Together, these efforts reflect Governor Hochul’s vision of a safer, stronger and more secure state for all New Yorkers.


ICE Lodges Arrest Detainer Asking Oklahoma Officials to Not Release Illegal Alien Who Killed Four in Drunk-Driving Crash

 

The suspect now faces FOUR counts of second-degree murder and other charges

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released the following statement after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) issued a detainer asking officials in Oklahoma to not release an illegal alien who killed four people in a drunk-driving car crash.

On May 22, 2026, at half past midnight, Michael Salomon Rosario-Cruz, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, was driving the wrong way on the I-40 in Canadian County when he collided head-on with another vehicle.

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The aftermath of the crash

According to local reports, the crash killed four people in the other vehicle. The victims, all of whom were between the ages of 18 and 20, were:

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Kiercy Hickson, 20

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Haliegh Salazar, 18

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Quincy Jones, 19

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Brad Palmer, 18

Rosario-Cruz was taken to the hospital in critical condition. On May 24, he was released from the hospital and booked into the Canadian County Jail.

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The suspect: Michael Salomon Rosario-Cruz

He now faces charges that include FOUR counts of second-degree murder, TWO counts of DUI causing great bodily injury, transporting an open container, possession of a firearm with an altered identification during the commission of a felony, carrying firearms while under the influence, and wrong way on a one-way road.

“Four young Americans had their lives taken in Oklahoma by a criminal illegal alien who recklessly drove drunk. The illegal alien struck the victims’ vehicle head-on, causing the car to catch fire. He now faces criminal charges for murder, driving under the influence, and unlawful possession of a firearm,” said DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin. “These young men and women had their whole lives ahead of them. This tragedy was completely preventable. This illegal alien should have never been in our country. Join me in praying for the families, friends, and loved ones of these victims.”

Rosario-Cruz entered the country illegally at an unknown date and time.

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Man Indicted and Arrested for Drug Trafficking

 

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Caribbean Division, in coordination with the Puerto Rico Police Bureau (PRPB), announced the indictment of Bárbaro José Del Valle-De Paula, 64, following a narcotics and firearms investigation targeting drug trafficking activity in Puerto Rico.

On May 21, 2026, a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned an indictment charging Del Valle-De Paula with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and firearms offenses.

According to court documents, between April 29, 2026, and May 13, 2026, Del Valle-De Paula allegedly conspired with others to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, cocaine base (commonly known as crack), heroin, cocaine, marijuana, and oxycodone (commonly known as Percocet) at the Las Gardenias Public Housing Project and within 1,000 feet of schools and playgrounds.

Del Valle-De Paula was arrested on May 13, 2026, and was allegedly found in possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.

“This case reflects the dangerous reality we continue to confront in Puerto Rico, individuals who choose to poison communities through drug trafficking while arming themselves with illegal weapons,” said Michael Mayer, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Caribbean Division. “The presence of fentanyl, crack, heroin, and illegal firearms operating near places where children live, learn, and play represents a direct threat to public safety. DEA and our law enforcement partners remain committed to identifying these individuals, dismantling their networks, and protecting our communities. This investigation demonstrates what can be accomplished when federal and local agencies operate as one team with a shared mission.”

The defendant made his initial appearance on May 14, 2026, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Marcos E. López of the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico.

If convicted, Del Valle-De Paula faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

DEA Caribbean Division Special Agent in Charge Michael Mayer acknowledged the support and close coordination with the Puerto Rico Police Bureau and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico in advancing this investigation and prosecution.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Puerto Rico Police Bureau investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney José A. Contreras is prosecuting the case.

An indictment contains allegations only, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Mayor Mamdani and NYC Public Schools Announce Continued Investment in Birth-to-2 Programming Through 2026–27 School Year

 

Continued funding will support more than 120 infant and toddler seats across 10 participating community-based early childhood programs during the 2026–27 school year       

Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and Chancellor Kamar Samuels today announced that New York City will continue funding the Birth-to-2 (B-2) Initiative through the 2026–27 school year, building on the program’s launch earlier this year and the Mamdani administration’s broader commitment to strengthening early childhood care and education services for families across the five boroughs.

Launched in January 2026, the City-funded initiative expanded access to free, high-quality infant and toddler care in communities with limited affordable care options. This fall, the program will serve more than 120 children across 10 community-based programs.

"Reliable and affordable child care changes lives. It means more money in parents’ pockets, more freedom to pursue the work they love and fewer families being pushed out of New York City because they can no longer afford to stay,” said Mayor Mamdani. “By continuing to fund these seats, we are investing in our very youngest New Yorkers and taking another step toward universal child care for every family in New York City.”

“The earliest years of a child’s life are critical to a child’s development and future success,” said Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels. “Through this programming, we are helping more families access high-quality early care and education services while strengthening a more connected early childhood system for children and families across New York City. This continued investment reflects our shared commitment to supporting children from the very start.”

Initially supported through a $10 million City investment in partnership with the City Council, the program strengthens New York City’s broader Birth-to-Five early childhood continuum. Through partnerships with trusted community-based providers, the initiative supports working families while expanding access to safe, nurturing and developmentally rich early learning environments for infants and toddlers. Participating programs will continue receiving operational support and resources through existing New York City Public School funding.

Like the City’s 2-K, 3-K and Pre-K programs, the B-2 Initiative is open to all New York City families. Families interested in enrolling can learn more about participating programs and connect directly with providers regarding available seats and enrollment requirements.

The program’s continued funding builds on the Mamdani administration’s historic effort to deliver universal child care across New York City, including the roll out of the very first 2-K seats this fall, which will provide full-day, full-year quality child care to 2,000 two-year-olds, and the recent expansion of 3-K seats in communities with the greatest need. This work is supported by a $1.2 billion investment from Governor Kathy Hochul announced on day eight of this administration

Mayor Mamdani Announces Start of Construction to Complete McGuinness Boulevard Redesign to Improve Safety for All


Project will deliver parking-protected bike lanes along the full length of McGuinness Boulevard, from Meeker Avenue to the Pulaski Bridge    

  

Comprehensive redesign will improve safety for everyone by shortening crossing distances, reducing reckless driving and slowing turning drivers     

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Mayor Mamdani joins NYC DOT Commissioner Flynn, advocates and elected officials days after his inauguration in January to commit to completing the original redesign of McGuinness Boulevard. Credit: NYC DOT  


Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Mike Flynn today announced the start of construction to complete the redesign of McGuinness Boulevard. The project will deliver parking-protected bike lanes along the entire corridor, from Meeker Avenue to the Pulaski Bridge, while making the street safer for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers alike.  

  

Mayor Mamdani joined community leaders and safe street advocates on Jan. 3, just days after his inauguration, to announce that the City would move forward with the long-delayed redesign. Today, Commissioner Flynn returned to the community near the foot of the Pulaski Bridge to break ground on the project. NYC DOT expects to complete construction by early fall.  

  

Days into our administration, we made clear that this new era for New York City would be anchored in the well-being of working people, not the whims of the wealthy and well-connected,” said Mayor Mamdani. “Now that spring is here and the ground has thawed, NYC DOT can get to work delivering safe streets for all New Yorkers. As construction begins, Greenpoint is finally getting the safer McGuinness Boulevard its residents have long fought for.”  

  

“Every New Yorker should feel safe on New York City streets, and after tireless advocacy from the Greenpoint community, we will finally be delivering a McGuinness Boulevard that helps stitch the neighborhood together, rather than dividing it in half with long, high-traffic crossings,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn. “This was the administration’s first street safety announcement because we wanted to signal that are ushing in a new era of local government that works for its people — instead of making backroom deals to prevent the installation life-saving street safety upgrades.”  

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The redesigned section of the southern portion of McGuinness Boulevard featuring one parking lane, one travel lane and a curbside bike lane in each direction. As part of NYC DOT’s upcoming work, it will extend this design to the northern section of the corridor. Credit: NYC DOT  


McGuinness Boulevard is a critical cycling connection between Brooklyn and Queens and serves more than 4,000 daily riders during the summer months. NYC DOT will install parking-protected bike lanes along the entirety of the corridor to improve safety and reduce deadly speeding.   

  

The redesign will extend the existing parking-protected bike lanes between Meeker Avenue and Calyer Street northbound to the Pulaski Bridge. Once complete, McGuinness Boulevard will feature one travel lane in each direction, one parking-protected bike lane in each direction and one curbside parking and loading lane in each direction.   

  

The redesign will also improve safety benefits for pedestrians and drivers by shortening crossing distances, slowing turning vehicles and reducing reckless driving behavior. Similar street redesigns across the New York City have reduced traffic deaths and serious injuries by 30%.