Bronx River Art Center (BRAC) - Join us Thursday July 30th for the opening of Magenta Lounge: “Persona / Non Persona”

 

Join us July 30th at 6pm

RSVP for Opening Reception & Artist Talk

BRAC is pleased to present Magenta Lounge: “Persona / Non Persona” a dynamic group exhibition by the queer art collective, Magenta Lounge, curated by its founder James Horner.

The exhibition brings together the work of eleven LGBTQ+ artists whose paintings, photographs, sculptures, videos, and multidisciplinary works reflect on queer identity, self-discovery, and the beauty of individuality. Through diverse creative practices, the artists explore the complexities of personal expression, belonging, and the ongoing process of self-recognition.

Growing up can be challenging for anyone. Our sense of self is shaped by childhood experiences, emerging sexuality, memories, and the dynamics of family and community. For those who are gay, lesbian, transgender, or other queer identities – this journey often includes additional obstacles – including struggles for visibility, fear of rejection, body image concerns, religious pressures, addiction, and conflicts with societal expectations. Together, the artworks in this exhibition offer nuanced reflections on these experiences, illuminating both the difficulties and the resilience that accompany the formation of queer identity.

Magenta Lounge is a queer art collective started by artist James Horner. Besides art exhibitions and special projects, the collective produces zines and posters, extending their practice beyond gallery walls and into accessible, community-oriented formats. Magenta Lounge channels today’s LGBTQ+ opinions on sexuality, politics, icons, tenderness, humor, and defiance – with a commitment to visibility, collaboration, and queer-led creative production. 

James Horner is a visual storyteller whose figurative works draw from queer culture, environmental psychology, and the emotional dynamics of social spaces. Horner's characters inhabit worlds that are humorous, muscular, intimate, and destabilizing. His work has been exhibited at the Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art and the Bronx Museum, and he is a current participant in the Bronx River Art Center Artist Studio program and a board member and artist member of the Amos Eno Gallery.

For more information, Visit jameshornerart.com or IG @jamesandthelovelies

Featured Artists include:

Tom Acevedo, Melanie Brewster, Marco Caridad, Ross Collab, James Horner, Kyle Quinn, Christopher Squier, Nathan Storey, Patrick Webb, Aaron Wilder, Michael Young

The exhibition will run from July 30 to August 30, 2026.

The opening reception will be held on July 30 from 6 - 8pm

Artist Talk will be August 13th from 6 - 8pm.

Gallery Hours:

Tuesday-Friday: 3-6pm

Saturday and Sunday: 12-5pm

DEC ANNOUNCES FORMATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE INTERAGENCY COORDINATING COUNCIL

 

Inaugural Meeting Tuesday, July 21, 2026

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton announced the first meeting of the Environmental Justice Interagency Coordinating Council (EJICC). The council’s first meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at 1 p.m. and will begin the process of establishing the workflow for the group. 

The EJICC, established in Environmental Conservation Law, is empowered to coordinate the activities of State agencies required to adopt an environmental justice policy in development and implementation of such policies. The council also serves as a clearinghouse for State agencies and the public for information about environmental justice policies, environmental justice coordinators in State agencies, and related activities. 

“Under the leadership of Governor Kathy Hochul, New York State continues to advance environmental justice as part of our mission to protect New York’s communities and natural resources,” Commissioner Lefton said. “Establishment of the Environmental Justice Interagency Coordinating Council further advances statewide efforts to improve outcomes for disadvantaged communities, and DEC is proud to convene this important group in coordination with our State agency partners.” 

Facilitated by DEC, membership of the council also includes representatives from the New York State Departments of Transportation and Public Service, Empire State Development, Environmental Facilities Corporation, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, and the New York Power Authority. The EJICC is required by law to meet a minimum of two times annually, with at least one meeting being jointly held with the Permanent Environmental Justice Advisory Group. 

The public can listen to the meeting via webcast or attend in person. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged. 

Webcast Meeting Information 

When: Tuesday, July 21, 2026; 1 p.m. 

Where: Virtual - WebEx meeting and registration link [https://meetny-gov.webex.com/weblink/register/r3d2030df683b47f3433eb6fa11833817] 

Webinar password: welcome7.21.26 (93526637 from phones) 

Audio: Dial 1-929-251-9612 (New York City); Dial 1-415-527-5035 

Access code: 2822 217 6200 

In-Person: Event locations, times, and partners include:

• DEC Central Office, Conference Room 919, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233 

Additional Information: This meeting will also be recorded and posted on the EJICC webpage within three days, or as soon as practicable.

NYC Council Approves Land Use Projects Resulting in Nearly 3,250 New Homes for New Yorkers, Over Half of Which Are Affordable

 

Council also passes legislation to provide workforce stabilization payments for school paraprofessionals

Today, the New York City Council voted to approve major land use projects that will collectively deliver nearly 3,250 homes, more than half of which are affordable. Amid a housing shortage driving the City’s affordability crisis, the Council has taken decisive action by approving housing proposals with community benefits in all five boroughs. The land use projects approved by the Council include Monitor Point rezoning in Brooklyn and the Dewitt Clinton Park North project in Manhattan.

“Today, this Council is taking essential action to address our city’s housing affordability crisis by approving land use applications that together will facilitate nearly 3,250 units of new housing,” said Speaker Julie Menin. “These applications span all five boroughs, and the Council’s negotiations prioritized adding and deepening affordable housing, especially at Monitor Point. This Council will continue to proactively work to deliver new homes and community benefits for New Yorkers as we move forward this term.”

Legislation:

Workforce Stabilization Payments for School Paraprofessionals

New York City employs about 26,000 paraprofessionals who work alongside teachers to provide instructional, behavioral, and physical support to students with disabilities. According to the United Federation of Teachers (UFT), there were at least 1,600 paraprofessional vacancies  during the last school year. The starting salary for paraprofessionals is $32,098, with a maximum salary of $53,841. Paraprofessionals testified during a City Council hearing in November 2025 that they face eviction due to difficulty paying rent, have gone hungry, and work multiple jobs to survive. To address emergency retention concerns and support paraprofessionals, the Council passed the following legislation.

Introduction 692-A, would require the Department of Education (DOE) to provide a workforce stabilization payment, totaling up to $10,000, to each eligible school paraprofessional for work performed during the 2026-2027 school year. The workforce stabilization payment would be prorated according to the number of days an eligible school paraprofessional was on payroll in the relevant payment period during the 2026-2027 school year. Such workforce stabilization payment would be paid to eligible school paraprofessionals in four separate installments.

Adjusting the Salaries of New York City’s Elected Officials

With the exception of District Attorneys, no elected official in the City has seen a salary adjustment since 2016, when the Council raised their salaries to the current levels while simultaneously making Council Members’ positions a full-time job. Despite needing to be convened every four years, no independent commission to review the compensation levels of the City’s elected officials had been convened since 2015 until this year. That commission, known as the Quadrennial Commission, made recommendations regarding its own structure and the compensation levels of New York City elected officials. The Council is acting on most of those recommendations.

Preconsidered Introduction-A, would increase the salaries of the Mayor, Public Advocate, Comptroller, Council Members, Borough Presidents, and District Attorneys by 18.2% since the last time their salaries were adjusted by local law, as recommended by the recently released Report of the New York City Quadrennial Advisory Commission for the Review of Compensation Levels of Elected Officials. It would change the timing of future commissions to the third year of a term of office, rather than the first year, and provide each commission with 120 days to complete their work.

Amending the Annual Disclosure Law

Introduction 398, would amend the annual disclosure law to affect the bands a New York City officer, employee, candidate for office, or political party official selects when disclosing anything with a monetary value or amount. There are currently seven bands one may choose from when it comes to disclosure. The bill would set these bands to $1000 to $5000, $5000 to $64,000, $64,000 to $150,000, $150,000 to $250,000, $250,000 to $500,000, $500,000 to $1,000,000, and any amount over $1,000,000.

Red Tape Relief Act

Introduction 955-A, would require the Mayor to establish a program that would coordinate inspections and plan reviews among agencies to cut down on the time for new businesses to open. Eligibility requirements for this program will be up to the discretion of the Mayor.

Ensuring Wellness Checks on Older Adults During Extreme Weather Events

Introduction 812-A, would require the Commissioner of the Department for the Aging (DFTA) to develop a protocol in collaboration with NYC Emergency Management (NYCEM) and relevant agencies to conduct wellness checks during cold weather alerts, extreme heat warnings, and heat-related emergencies. Wellness checks would include a set of questions developed by DFTA to gauge an older adult’s well-being, a determination of their apparent well-being, and a report on the conditions in the older adult’s place of residence.

Increasing NYPD Recruitment by Raising Maximum Age for Civil Service Exam

Introduction 913-A, would raise the maximum age at which someone can take the civil service exam to become a police officer from 35 years of age to 43 years of age. This legislation would align local eligibility standards with those established pursuant to State law, which was similarly amended in 2025 to increase the maximum age of police officer applicants.

Studying the Potential to Install Structures on the Draft Riots of 1863

Introduction 496-A, would require the Commissioner of Cultural Affairs to conduct a study and provide a report to the Mayor and the Council on the potential installation of structures acknowledging the Draft Riots of 1863. The Commissioner would have to consult with other relevant agencies, community stakeholders, and experts.

Declaring August 6 Annually as Fatman Scoop Recognition Day

Resolution 371, would declare August 6 annually as Fatman Scoop Recognition Day in the City of New York and celebrating the signature style that he brought to every musical collaboration and the inimitable energy he brought to every audience.

Land Use:

Monitor Point – an application to facilitate the development of two new mixed-use buildings with approximately 1,324 residential units, 50% of which will be affordable under MIH and an HPD term sheet, as well as a new museum honoring the legacy of the U.S.S. Monitor and publicly accessible open space in Council Member Lincoln Restler’s district. The applicant team has committed to contributing $300,000 annually to the long-term maintenance of Bushwick Inlet Park and facilitating the relocation of two MTA facilities. The Council is modifying the application to expand the waterfront public open space and facilitate an increase in the size of the 100% affordable building.

Dewitt Clinton Park North – Two related applications in Council Member Gale Brewer’s district:

•   801 Eleventh Avenue – an application to facilitate the development of a new mixed-use building with approximately 447 residential units, 125 of which will be affordable under MIH Option 1.
•   629 West 54th Street – an application to facilitate the development of a new mixed-use building with approximately 617 residential units, 161 of which will be permanently affordable under MIH Option 1.
•   As part of the applications, the developers will also be purchasing air rights from Hudson River Park, helping to generate important funding for waterfront open space. The Council is modifying the applications to modestly reduce the height and adjust the street-level design.

2950 West 24th Street Rezoning – an application to facilitate the development of an 18-story mixed-use building with 408 units, all of which will be income-restricted pursuant to HPD’s ELLA program, as well as two superintendent units and commercial and community facility space in Council Member Kayla Santosuosso’s district.

1166 Bedford Avenue Rezoning – an application to facilitate the development of a 12-story mixed-use building with approximately 144 affordable independent residences for seniors, as well as ground floor retail and community facility space in Council Member Chi Osse’s district.

198-208 Richmond Terrace – an application to facilitate the development of a 14-story mixed-use building with 118 residential units, 35 of which will be permanently affordable under MIH, as well as community facility space and off-street accessory parking in Majority Whip Kamillah Hanks’ district.

1160 Pugsley Avenue Rezoning – an application to facilitate the development of a new eight-story mixed-use building with approximately 104 residential units and ground floor supermarket space in Council Member Amanda Farias’ district.

164th Street Rezoning – an application to facilitate the development of a new six-story mixed-use building with 80 residential units, 24 of which will be affordable under MIH, and community facility space in Council Member James F. Gennaro’s district.

Landmarks Preservation Commission designation of three individual landmarks linked to New York City’s immigration history:

•   The Public School 15 Annex, located in Council Member Lincoln Restler’s district, was originally built in 1889 to serve Brooklyn’s growing immigrant community. During the Great Depression, the Annex became a continuation school for young women, many of whom were first- and second-generation immigrants. After the 1940s, the building was used as a specialized business school and then became the first English-Arabic public school in the United States.
•   The Church of Saint Mary in Council Member Christopher Marte’s district is the third-oldest Roman Catholic church in New York City. When it was constructed in 1833, the church was a haven for New York’s earliest Catholics, many of whom immigrated from Ireland and Germany. The church began to attract parish members from various Latin American communities in the early 20th century and first introduced Spanish-language masses in the 1950s, which continue to accommodate the Spanish-speaking communities who make up the majority of the church’s parish today.
•   The Lithuanian Alliance Building in Council Member Carl Wilson’s district has served as a home for the Lithuanian Alliance of America since 1910. The Alliance was formed to support Lithuanian immigrants and the Lithuanian American community, and is now the nation’s oldest continually operating Lithuanian organization.

New High School for Staten Island – A school siting in Majority Whip Kamillah Hanks’ district for a new, approximately 801-seat high school at 25 Wall Street. 

HPD applications to facilitate the preservation of existing affordable housing:

•   511 West 171 Street ANCP Cluster – to facilitate the rehabilitation of three city-owned buildings with 50 units under the Affordable Neighborhood Cooperative Program, in Council Member Carmen De La Rosa’s district.
•   East Harlem/El Barrio Article XI Amendment – an amendment to a project previously approved by the Council in 2019 to allow commercial spaces to be occupied by community facility uses, in Deputy Whip Elsie Encarnacion’s and Council Member Yusef Salaam’s districts.

“Today’s vote demonstrates what is possible when we pair ambitious housing production with thoughtful community planning,” said Council Member Kevin C. Riley, Chair of the Committee on Land Use. “By approving projects that will deliver nearly 3,250 new homes, with more than half designated as affordable, the Council is taking meaningful action to address New York City’s housing shortage while ensuring every development reflects the priorities of the communities it will serve. As Chair of the Committee on Land Use, I am proud that we continue to advance responsible, equitable development that creates housing, strengthens neighborhoods, and delivers lasting benefits for New Yorkers across all five boroughs.”

Two Key Members of Chinese Money Laundering Network Charged with Laundering $43 Million in Investment Fraud Proceeds

 

A New York man and woman made an initial appearance today in Brooklyn, New York on charges of conspiracy to launder money derived from cyber investment fraud scams.

According to the indictment unsealed today, between 2020 and 2022, Zhuoying Chen, 27, of Brooklyn, New York and Haojie Zhang, 38, of Queens, New York managed a network of more than a dozen individuals based in Queens and Brooklyn, who opened 140 bank accounts in the name of approximately 45 shell companies to launder at least $43 million in proceeds of investment scams. Then, Chen and Zhang allegedly conspired with China-based co-conspirators to transfer the funds involved in the fraud schemes abroad.  

According to the indictment, the fraud schemes consist of perpetrators contacting victims via messaging services or social media applications. The perpetrators would initiate relationships with the victims and gain their trust, convincing victims to send money for lucrative investment opportunities. The perpetrators would show the victims fake profits on the purported investment and encourage the victims to invest more. The perpetrators would then steal the victim’s funds. 

“As alleged in the indictment, the defendants laundered fraud proceeds, enabling scammers to continue to victimize Americans and deprive them of their hard earned money,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Dismantling Chinese money laundering networks that support investment fraud schemes is critical to protecting Americans. The Criminal Division will relentlessly pursue the financial networks that fuel and profit from these fraud schemes.” 

“As alleged, the defendants were key members of a sophisticated money laundering network that funneled over $40 million in victim funds to bank accounts in China,” said U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. for the Eastern District of New York. “Our Office will continue in its strong tradition of holding accountable anyone who seeks to prey on vulnerable victims with investment fraud schemes.” 

“The defendants’ alleged operation laundered more than $40 million from American victims and deposited them directly in Chinese accounts overseas,” said Assistant Director in Charge James C. Barnacle Jr. of the FBI’s New York Field Office. “The FBI is committed to working alongside our federal partners to dismantle scam compounds that seek to steal the hard-earned money of our citizens.”

“For nearly two years, these two Chinese nationals allegedly ran a sophisticated, illicit network that laundered funds stolen from unsuspecting victims’ life savings,” said Acting Executive Associate Director John A. Condon of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). “Thanks to the dedicated efforts of HSI and our partners on the Homeland Security Task Force, this dangerous criminal enterprise has been exposed. HSI special agents remain relentless in their pursuit to dismantle money laundering networks and bring to justice anyone who seeks to profit from defrauding hard-working Americans.”

“Today’s indictment shows we’re not backing down against fraudsters who target innocent people — justice is coming for those who steal from hardworking Americans,” said Special Agent in Charge Harry T. Chavis Jr. of IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) New York. “This case reflects how IRS‑CI and our partners work side‑by‑side to uncover money‑laundering networks and protect the public. Together, we’re pushing forward to ensure Americans’ hard‑earned money is safe from schemes like these.”

“Investment fraud schemes exploit the trust of victims through false promises of favorable returns,” said Inspector in Charge Ketty Larco-Ward of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS)’s New York Division. “The US Postal Inspection Service is committed to investigating fraud and protecting the community from those who seek to profit through deception.”

The charge of conspiracy to commit money laundering carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

The case is being investigated by FBI New York, HSI New York, IRS-CI New York, and USPIS New York.

Trial Attorneys Claire Galasso, David Ginensky, and Adrienne Rosen of the Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section (MNF) and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Benjamin Weintraub and David Berman for the Eastern District of New York are prosecuting this case. MNF Financial Investigator Sheila Olander supported the investigation alongside former MNF Financial Investigator Kelly O’Mara.

The Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section’s (MNF) mission is to take the profit out of crime, eliminate drug cartels, and protect the U.S. financial system. MNF pursues criminal prosecutions and criminal and civil asset recovery actions involving: financial facilitators who launder profits for criminals; financial institutions and their officers and employees whose actions threaten the U.S. financial system and financial institutions; international money launderers who support transnational organized crime; and the top command and control of international drug trafficking organizations.

MNF’s Money Laundering and Forfeiture Unit investigates and prosecutes sophisticated money laundering schemes involving financial facilitators, gatekeepers, and other individuals and entities laundering criminal proceeds, and litigates complex civil forfeiture cases to recover assets on behalf of victims.

This prosecution is also part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of U.S. law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on Statewide Air Quality Conditions

Unhealthy Air Conditions Could Ease Friday for Most of the State, Though an Air Quality Health Advisory Remains in Effect for Western New York

Temporary Spikes May Cause Air Quality To Worsen in Other Regions

New Yorkers Reminded to Be ‘Air Quality Aware,’ Check Local Air Quality on AirNow.gov

N95-Style Masks Available at Transit Hubs Statewide, More Than 100,000 Available to Counties

New Yorkers Can Sign Up for Weather and Emergency Alerts by Texting 333111

Governor Kathy Hochul today updated New Yorkers on statewide air quality conditions and highlighted that while conditions should ease tomorrow, some areas of the state, mainly the Western New York region, will likely still be dealing with unhealthy air quality caused by smoke from Canadian wildfires and high temperatures. Governor Hochul urged all New Yorkers, particularly sensitive groups, to continue to take precautions to protect their health and to monitor local air quality conditions using trusted sources, including AirNow.gov.

An Air Quality Health Advisory for particulate matter remains in effect statewide for today, July 16, 2026 through 11:59 p.m. The New York State Departments of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Health (DOH) issued an Air Quality Health Advisory for tomorrow, July 17, for the Western New York region, where air quality is forecast to reach levels that are ‘Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.’ Smoke causing temporary spikes of unhealthy air may affect other regions as the plume continues to move across the state.

“While the effects of smoke from Canadian wildfires are beginning to decrease, some areas of the state are still experiencing poor air quality,” Governor Hochul said. “This week’s events are a reminder for New Yorkers to be air quality aware to stay safe, protect their health, and look out for their neighbors, friends and family. And keep your pets safe. As the week continues, I urge New Yorkers to stay informed and check trusted sources for air quality where they live.”

At the Governor's direction, the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) made over 100,000 high-quality N95-style masks available to all counties to address air quality impacts. DHSES has received requests from Chautauqua, Orleans, Oswego, Otsego and Washington Counties and provided an additional 40,000 masks to New York City for local distribution, and to the National Guard, Office of Emergency Management (OEM) staff and the Port Authority for distribution at regional transportation hubs across the five boroughs. The Thruway Authority began distributing masks at four major rest stops along the New York State Thruway: Angola, Clifton Springs, New Baltimore and Ramapo, and the OEM remains in contact with their local counterparts and is prepared to facilitate requests for assistance.

The Governor reminded New Yorkers to sign up for real-time weather and emergency alerts that will be texted to their phones by texting their county or borough name to 333111.

New Yorkers should also continue to monitor the Air Quality Index (AQI) at www.AirNow.gov, New York State’s trusted source for air quality monitoring data, and take action when levels exceed safe thresholds.

Recommendations for New Yorkers in Impacted Areas

• Sensitive groups should take particular caution.
• Where the air is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, New Yorkers with underlying health conditions should make outdoor activities shorter and less intense, and take breaks to reduce the risk of health symptoms.
• In areas where the air is considered unhealthy, people who are especially sensitive to the effects of elevated levels of pollutants should make outdoor activities shorter and less intense, and take breaks to reduce the risk of health symptoms. Avoid spending time outdoors, if possible. People more sensitive to smoke-related pollution include those with heart or breathing problems, older adults, children and teens, pregnant people and those who exercise or work outdoors.
• If you must go outside when air quality levels are considered unhealthy, do not overexert yourself, and find a well-fitting mask to wear.
• Remember to take steps to cool off in air conditioning for at least a few hours because it’s also hot outside and indoor and outdoor temperatures can climb quickly.
• Staying indoors in a smoke-free environment can lower your exposure.
• Those who experience symptoms or have symptoms that worsen should consider consulting their medical provider.

Recommendations for Outdoor Workers

Long work schedules and the physical demands of work performed outdoors can affect a worker’s health when air quality is unhealthy. For wildfire smoke, employers and employees should:

• Allow for rest and relief.
• Stay hydrated and allow for water breaks.
• Provide respirators and adjust work plans based on air quality.
• Train workers on recognizing smoke-related health risks and proper safety protocols. Information about exposure to smoke from fires can be found on DOH’s website.

Recommendations for Camps, Schools and Childcare Providers

• New York State recommends that schools and child care providers suspend outdoor activities and field trips when air quality is unhealthy.
• Watch for symptoms and take action as needed.
• When air quality is good, resume normal activities.
• Consider implementing an Air Quality Flag Program where each day your organization raises a flag when the air is unhealthy. On these days you can use this information to adjust outdoor activities.

Exposure to current air quality conditions can pose negative health impacts, including irritation to eyes, nose or throat, coughing, sneezing, runny nose and shortness of breath. These conditions are especially dangerous for vulnerable New Yorkers with medical conditions such as asthma and/or heart disease.

DEC and DOH will be closely monitoring conditions to make any necessary changes to advisories. New Yorkers are reminded to include air quality awareness in their daily warm weather routines and can receive real-time updates at www.AirNow.gov. To stay up-to-date with announcements from DEC, sign up to receive Air Quality Alerts. A toll-free Air Quality Hotline (1-800-535-1345) was also established by DEC to keep New Yorkers informed of the latest air quality situation.

 AQI Health Guidelines

AQI health guidelines are associated with recommendations to protect impacted populations.

• 0-50: Good – Air quality is considered satisfactory and air pollution poses little or no risk.
• 51-100: Moderate – Air quality is acceptable. However, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are usually sensitive to air pollution.
• 101-150: Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups – Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is not likely to be affected. Sensitive groups include people with asthma, heart or lung disease, older adults, children and teenagers, minority populations, and outdoor workers.
• 151-200: Unhealthy – Everyone may begin to experience health effects. Members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.
• 201-300: Very Unhealthy – Health alert. Everyone may experience more serious health effects.
• 301-500: Hazardous – Health warnings of emergency conditions. The entire population is more likely to be affected.

When the AQI is above 100, air quality may be unhealthy for sensitive groups, including children, teens, older adults, people with heart or lung disease, and outdoor workers. An AQI above 150 means the air is unhealthy for everyone. We urge everyone, especially those in sensitive groups, to check their local AQI and take precautions as needed.

 

The Department of Justice Sues Maryland, Challenging its State Laws that Provide In-State Tuition to Illegal Aliens

 

This lawsuit is the 13th filed to challenge in-state tuition for illegal aliens

Today, the Department of Justice sued Maryland, challenging its state law and regulation that provide in-state tuition and financial assistance for illegal aliens. The Department alleges in its filing that these laws unconstitutionally discriminate against U.S. citizens who are not afforded the same reduced tuition rates or scholarships, create incentives for illegal immigration, and reward illegal aliens with benefits that U.S. citizens are not eligible for, all in direct conflict with federal law.

“Congress long ago made clear that Maryland cannot deny educational opportunities to American citizens that it gives to illegal aliens in the State,” said Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward. “By granting illegal aliens in-state tuition, Maryland is not only violating federal law but subsidizing education for illegal aliens, costing Maryland taxpayers roughly $9M for just one academic year. This Department of Justice is committed to fulfilling President Trump’s promise that illegal aliens will not obtain taxpayer benefits or preferential treatment over our own citizens.”

“This is a simple matter of federal law: colleges cannot provide benefits to illegal aliens that they do not provide to U.S. citizens,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “This Department of Justice will not tolerate American students being treated like second-class citizens in their own country.”

In the complaint, the United States seeks to enjoin enforcement of a Maryland statute and regulation that requires colleges and universities to provide in-state tuition rates for all aliens who maintain in-state residency, regardless of whether those aliens are lawfully present in the United States. Additionally, the complaint seeks to enjoin Maryland from enforcing those laws to afford financial assistance and scholarships to illegal aliens.

Today marks the Department’s 13th lawsuit challenging in-state tuition for illegal aliens. The Department’s efforts have already delivered wins for the American people, as four similar lawsuits in Texas, Kentucky, Oaklahoma, and Nebraska,  have resulted favorable orders permanently enjoining and declaring unconstitutional analogous laws that gave reduced tuition to illegal aliens, including an order from the Fifth Circuit. Lawsuits against other states that similarly put illegal aliens ahead of U.S. citizens are pending across the country in Illinois, Minnesota, Virginia, California, New Jersey, Kansas, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.

Two Members of Chinese Money Laundering Network Charged with Laundering Investment Fraud Proceeds

 

The Defendants Allegedly Facilitated the Transfer of Funds Stolen From Victims of “Pig Butchering” Scams

Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, an indictment was unsealed charging Zhuoying Chen, also known as “Jolene,” and Haojie Zhang, also known as “Kevin,” with money laundering conspiracy in connection with their participation in a scheme to launder funds derived from cyber investment fraud scams, or “pig butchering” scams.  The defendants were arrested today and will be arraigned this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge James R. Cho.

Joseph Nocella Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; A. Tysen Duva, Assistant Attorney General, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, James C. Barnacle, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), Harry T. Chavis, Jr., Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, New York (IRS-CI New York); and Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge, United States Postal Inspection Service, New York Division (USPIS) announced the arrests and indictment.

“As alleged, the defendants were key members of a sophisticated money laundering network that funneled over $40 million in victim funds to bank accounts in China,” stated United States Attorney Nocella.  “Our Office will continue in its strong tradition of holding accountable anyone who seeks to prey on vulnerable victims with investment fraud schemes.”  

“As alleged in the indictment, the defendants laundered fraud proceeds, enabling scammers to continue to victimize Americans and deprive them of their hard-earned money,” stated Assistant Attorney General Duva.  “Dismantling Chinese money laundering networks that support investment fraud schemes is critical to protecting Americans.  The Criminal Division will relentlessly pursue the financial networks that fuel and profit from these fraud schemes.”  

“The defendants' alleged operation laundered more than $40 million from American victims and deposited them directly in Chinese accounts overseas. The FBI is committed to working alongside our federal partners to dismantle scam compounds that seek to steal the hard-earned money of our citizens,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Barnacle.

“Today’s indictment shows we’re not backing down against fraudsters who target innocent people—justice is coming for those who steal from hardworking Americans,” stated IRS-CI New York Special Agent in Charge Chavis.  “This case reflects how IRS‑CI and our partners work side‑by‑side to uncover money‑laundering networks and protect the public. Together, we’re pushing forward to ensure Americans’ hard‑earned money is safe from schemes like these.”

“Investment fraud schemes exploit the trust of victims through false promises of favorable returns,” stated USPIS Inspector in Charge Larco-Ward.  "The US Postal Inspection Service is committed to investigating fraud and protecting the community from those who seek to profit through deception.“

As alleged in the indictment, between 2020 and 2022, Chen and Zhang managed a network of more than a dozen individuals based in Queens and Brooklyn, New York who opened bank accounts in the name of shell companies to launder proceeds of investment scams known as “pig butchering” fraud schemes, a term derived from a foreign-language phrase used by perpetrators to describe the crimes. These schemes consist of perpetrators contacting victims via messaging services or social media applications. The perpetrators then initiate relationships with the victims and gain their trust, convincing victims to send money for lucrative investment opportunities.  The perpetrators also show the victims fake profits on the purported investment and encourage the victims to invest more.  Ultimately, the perpetrators steal the victims’ funds.   

Chen and Zhang allegedly conspired with China-based co-conspirators to transfer the funds involved in pig butchering fraud schemes abroad.  Chen, Zhang and other co-conspirators oversaw the use of approximately 45 shell companies and 140 company bank accounts located primarily in the Eastern District of New York to launder at least $43 million in criminal proceeds from these schemes.

The charges in the indictment are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.  If convicted, each defendant faces a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment.

This prosecution is also part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion.  The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of U.S. law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders.  In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children.  The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.

ICE Lodges Detainer for Criminal Illegal Alien Charged with Shooting a 12-Year-Old Girl in Kansas

 

This illegal alien was released into the country by the Biden Administration

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released the following statement after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) lodged a detainer asking officials in Kansas to not release from jail an illegal alien arrested for shooting and injuring a 12-year-old girl.

According to local reporting, the incident took place on July 3 in Wichita, Kansas. The suspect, Diego Moreno-Espinoza, an illegal alien from Mexico, was handling a gun when he allegedly shot the 12-year-old in the stomach. The victim was taken to the hospital in serious condition, and Wichita police arrested Moreno-Espinoza. He now faces one charge of aggravated battery. ICE lodged a detainer with the Sedgwick County Jail the same day he was arrested.

The suspect: Diego Moreno-Espinoza

“This criminal illegal alien is charged with aggravated battery after he shot a 12-year-old girl,” said Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis. “This criminal would not even be in our country if it weren’t for the reckless open-border policies of the Biden Administration that released this thug into our country. We have requested Kansas officials turn this criminal over to ICE so he cannot commit more heinous crimes in our country.”

Moreno-Espinoza illegally entered the United States as a minor through Arizona in 2024. He was then RELEASED into the country by the Biden Administration.