SCHUMER CELEBRATES GE AEROSPACE $225 MILLION INVESTMENT IN AEROSPACE RESEARCH CENTER, CREATING 75 NEW, GOOD-PAYING JOBS IN CAPITAL REGION

 

Major New Investment Upgrades Research Equipment And Modernizes Infrastructure To Support Next-Gen Aerospace Research

Following his continued advocacy to boost Upstate New York as a leader in aerospace technology research and manufacturing, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer celebrated GE Aerospace’s $225 million investment in its Niskayuna facility, which is expected to create 75 new good-paying jobs over five years. Schumer explained that GE Aerospace will modernize the research facility, upgrading the Aerospace Research Center with new advanced research equipment and improved infrastructure needed to support the center’s cutting-edge work developing next-generation technological breakthroughs.

“GE Aerospace’s new $225 million investment in Niskayuna, along with 75 high-skilled, good-paying jobs, shows the sky is the limit for our top-notch workforce. I have long supported GE Aerospace’s growth in Upstate New York and am thrilled that the workforce expansion of GE Aerospace Research in Niskayuna – and upgrades to the campus – are on their way to the Capital Region,” said Senator Schumer. “Investments like this are key to ensuring that cutting-edge aerospace technology research is happening at home in places like Schenectady County. I will keep fighting to support investments in the equipment we need to strengthen New York’s research and manufacturing leadership.”

The planned $225 million investment will support research in AI, autonomy, robotics, advanced materials, future manufacturing, hypersonic propulsion, and hybrid electric flight. The Niskayuna campus has been a leader in technology development for more than 75 years and is driving innovation in aerospace technology research. The investment is projected to create 75 new good-paying jobs over the next five years, in addition to short-term construction jobs, and will also protect the jobs of scientists, engineers, researchers, and skilled laborers already employed at the facility. The facility will continue to support advanced technology projects, some funded by the federal government.

Schumer added, “This investment is about building the future of aerospace—advancing cutting-edge research, bringing next-gen technologies to life, and creating 75 good-paying jobs. It’s an investment in the ideas and talent that will take aerospace innovation to new heights. I applaud GE Aerospace for its commitment to Upstate New York.”

Schumer has a long history of supporting GE Vernova and GE Aerospace’s work in Upstate New York. In 2023, following his advocacy, Schumer announced that GE Vernova would create 200 new good-paying jobs, including skilled union operators and manufacturing engineers, while investing $50 million at its Schenectady, NY, facility to establish a new manufacturing line for its onshore wind business. In 2024, Schumer visited Unison, a GE Aerospace company, in Norwich to highlight over $3.4 million in local investment to modernize the plant, purchase new machines, and make major upgrades to the Southern Tier facility. In the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) appropriations bill, Senator Schumer secured $40 million for GE Aerospace’s integrated hypersonic propulsion technology project with the Air Force, supporting the development and maturation of sensors and mission-critical future-of-flight technologies for the Air Force developed at GE Aerospace Research in Niskayuna, Unison in Norwich, and Innoveering in Bohemia.

GE Aerospace is a leading provider of jet engines, components, and systems for commercial and military aircraft with a global service network to support these offerings. GE Aerospace and its joint ventures have an installed base of more than 44,000 commercial and 26,000 military aircraft engines, and the business is playing a vital role in shaping the future of flight.

Attorney General James’ Office of Special Investigation Releases Report on Death of Milagros Bonet

 

New York Attorney General Letitia James’ Office of Special Investigation (OSI) released its report on the death of Milagros Bonet, who died on May 4, 2023 following a motor vehicle collision on October 6, 2022 involving a member of the New York City Police Department (NYPD) in the Bronx. Following a thorough investigation, which included review and analysis of video footage from a nearby security camera and body-worn camera (BWC) footage, interviews with the involved officers and civilian witnesses, review of a medical examiner’s autopsy report, and comprehensive legal analysis, OSI determined that a prosecutor would not be able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt at trial that the involved officer committed a crime, and therefore criminal charges would not be pursued in this matter.

On October 6, 2022, at 3 p.m., NYPD officers were driving in a marked police vehicle with lights and sirens on in response to a 911 call reporting a stolen vehicle. As the driving officer approached the intersection with Hoe Avenue, he attempted to pass a civilian vehicle that was stopped at the intersection. The officer drove around the stopped car into the opposite lane of traffic. The civilian driver turned left onto Hoe Avenue as the officer’s vehicle drove by, and the two cars collided.

The officer driving the police car lost control of the vehicle, drove up onto the sidewalk, and collided with a group of pedestrians – including Ms. Bonet – who were standing on the sidewalk across from the intersection. Several people sustained injuries, including Ms. Bonet. Ms. Bonet was transported to a local hospital and died seven months later, on May 4, 2023, from complications related to injuries she sustained during the collision.

Under OSI’s analysis of New York’s Vehicle and Traffic Law, Penal Law, and case law from New York’s highest court, a police officer who causes a death while properly responding to an emergency in a police vehicle cannot be charged with a crime unless the officer acts recklessly or intentionally. The criminal charge that requires recklessness is Manslaughter in the Second Degree, in which a person is guilty when they recklessly cause the death of another person. “Recklessly” means that the person consciously disregards a “substantial and unjustifiable” risk of death and that their actions are a “gross deviation” from a reasonable standard of conduct.

In this case, while the collision caused Ms. Bonet’s death, the evidence does not establish beyond a reasonable doubt that the officer’s conduct was a gross deviation from the standard that would have been observed by a reasonable officer in the same circumstances, or that the officer consciously disregarded a substantial and unjustifiable risk of death. The officer was responding to an emergency, and he took precautionary measures by activating the vehicle’s brightest emergency lights and loudest siren. The officer did not drive faster than 40 MPH at any point, and he believed that the civilian’s car at the intersection had stopped for him to make an emergency pass. There was not any evidence that the officer was impaired by drugs or alcohol, or that he was otherwise distracted at the time of the crash. OSI therefore will not pursue charges against the officer.

BROOKLYN MAN SENTENCED TO 17 YEARS FOR CARJACKING THAT LED TO NYPD FRIENDLY FIRE INCIDENT

 

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Kevin Dubuisson was sentenced to 17 years in prison for robbery, assault and menacing for an August 2025 carjacking incident that preceded an NYPD detective being shot in the hand and leg in a friendly fire incident. An 87-year-old woman and her 59-year-daughter were injured when Dubuisson rammed the stolen car into their vehicle.

District Attorney Katz said: “This defendant created nothing but havoc and mayhem on the streets of Whitestone on the morning of August 22, 2025. Kevin Dubuisson attempted to steal one car at a gas station, threatened to kill a female pedestrian, chased and assaulted a livery driver, then stole the cabbie’s car and injured two more women when he violently pulled out of a parking spot with the stolen vehicle. In the chaos of the situation, an NYPD detective was struck in a friendly fire incident as multiple responding units attempted to arrest this individual.”

Dubuisson, 29, of Brooklyn, pleaded guilty in July to assault in the first degree, robbery in the first and second degrees, attempted robbery in the second degree and menacing in the second degree. Queens Supreme Court Justice Toni Cimino sentenced Dubuisson to 17 years in prison to be followed by five years of post-release supervision.

DA Katz said that, according to the charges an investigation, on August 22, at approximately 8:40 a.m. Dubuisson walked into the parking lot of a Mobil gas station on Parsons Boulevard in Whitestone and entered the driver’s seat of a white Hyundai Santa Fe, which had its engine running and keys in the vehicle. An employee of the gas station walked toward the vehicle and ordered Dubuisson to get out. The defendant refused and a physical altercation ensued as the employee attempted to remove the keys from the vehicle.

Dubuisson then left the vehicle and the property.

A woman observed Dubuisson at the gas station from across the street. The defendant then approached her, threatened to kill her and put a fist in his waistband appearing to grip the handle of a firearm.

At approximately 8:50 a.m., at the intersection of 22nd Road and the Whitestone Expressway Service Road, Dubuisson approached a man seated in a black Toyota Highlander and knocked on the window. The defendant told the driver to “give me the car” while holding what appeared to be a metal hook near the victim’s head. The man exited the vehicle, with his key fob in his pocket, and ran away from Dubuisson.

After running several blocks, the defendant caught up to the victim, pushed the man from behind and demanded that the man give him the keys to the Toyota. The victim threw the keys and observed Dubuisson pick them up and run in the direction of the vehicle.

At approximately 8:52 a.m. a woman was helping her 87-year-old mother get out of her vehicle, when the Toyota – now operated by the defendant – backed into her vehicle at a high rate of speed and caused the woman’s vehicle to strike both her and her elderly mother and knock them to the ground. The women were taken to the hospital for treatment with the older woman suffering from a broken wrist and other injuries.

At approximately the same time, Detective Corey Fisher – who was on duty but not in police uniform – observed Dubuisson running with a metal object and observed the Toyota operator on the side of the road and stopped to ask if the man needed help. Detective Fisher pursued the defendant and observed the defendant get into the Toyota and slam into the woman’s vehicle. The detective observed Dubuisson attempt to leave the area and placed his vehicle – a Chrysler Pacifica, with its police lights activated – in front of the Toyota. The defendant drove the Toyota into the side of the Chrysler, which caused the Toyota to stop.

The detective and his partner exited the unmarked police vehicle with their guns drawn and told the defendant to “stop the vehicle.”

Uniformed police officers arrived at the scene at that time and approached the Toyota with their guns drawn. Detective Fisher then heard gunshots from the vicinity of several of the uniformed officers and was struck in his right hand and left leg. He had two surgeries following the shooting to reattach tendons in his hand and place a metal rod in his leg. A third surgery was needed to re-attach the metal rod in his leg.

Keeping New Yorkers Safe: Governor Hochul Joins New York National Guard at Grand Central to Highlight Enhanced Security Efforts in Major Transit Hubs

Governor Kathy Hochul today visited Grand Central Terminal to tour the Joint Task Force Empire Shield (JTF-ES) Mobile Command Center and thank members of the National Guard and Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) Police for their continued efforts to keep New Yorkers safe. During the visit, Governor Hochul also highlighted her commitment to maintaining enhanced security efforts throughout major transit hubs and commuter networks across the city.

“Today, I had the opportunity to thank our service members and law enforcement for the work they do to help protect one of the busiest transit hubs in the world,” Governor Hochul said. “I am deeply grateful for their service and sacrifice, and I will continue to stand behind our National Guard and ensure that they have the resources and support they need to protect New Yorkers.”

Joint Task Force-Empire Shield was formed in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, and serves as a security force partly responsible for the military defense of New York City. Every day, Joint Task Force-Empire Shield is protecting the major transportation hubs and networks assisting law enforcement, including the subway system. In last year’s budget, Governor Hochul added an additional $45 million for the National Guard’s Joint Task Force Empire Shield mission in an effort to continue to deter and prevent terrorist activity in the New York City area, including transit and commuter hubs, and increased the ranks of those deployed to 1,050 service members to support the mission. 

EDITOR'S NOTE:

Governor Hochul’s funding for extra NYC subway cops has already run out, a $77 million cash infusion from the state to flood the subway system with extra NYPD cops has already run dry forcing the Mamdani administration to cover the added patrols with NYPD overtime.

Attorney General Coalition Secures Critical Protections for Entertainment Industry Workers from Paramount and Warner Bros.

 

New York Attorney General Letitia James and a coalition of 11 other attorneys general today secured new commitments from Paramount Skydance Corp. (Paramount) and Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. (Warner Bros.) to protect film and television industry workers and help ensure fair prices for consumers as the two companies combine. As a result of lawsuits brought by Attorney General James and the coalition and the Writers Guild of America (WGA), Paramount must release at least 30 films every year, increase and make new investments in its domestic film production, negotiate Paramount and Warner Bros. cable channel fees separately, and create an independent board to oversee CNN and CBS news networks to ensure journalistic independence. Attorney General James met with unionized film and television workers and partnered with WGA to secure important commitments to protect workers.

“The artists, writers, crew members, and other workers who create the films and television shows we love count on new productions and investments to sustain their careers,” said Attorney General James. “Paramount’s commitments will allow the film and television industry to continue to thrive with more movies produced in America and $1.5 billion of new investment in film production. I have met with unions representing entertainment industry workers as our case progressed, and I will continue to closely monitor Paramount’s activities to ensure they are following this agreement and the law.”

Attorney General James and the coalition have secured enforceable commitments from Paramount and Warner Bros. to protect entertainment industry workers during the merger of the two companies. Paramount will produce and distribute at least 30 films every year, including 20 wide-release films distributed to thousands of theaters nationwide. 20 percent of these films must be big-budget “tentpole” films that help sustain theaters and other businesses reliant on film production. Paramount will also commit to invest $1.5 billion more in domestic film production over the next five years, and will increase its domestic film production even more if new federal or state film tax credits take effect. If Paramount fails to meet its production requirements, it must sell Miramax and pay $30 million in penalties for every film that falls short of its commitment, most of which will be used to support health care benefits for unionized film and television workers. 

To protect the television industry, Paramount will negotiate the licensing fees for Warner Bros. cable channels separately from its own, ensuring the company has less power to demand higher fees from distributors. Paramount must sell certain cable channels if it fails to abide by this commitment. Paramount will also institute an independent editorial board composed of independent journalists to oversee CNN and CBS.

Attorney General James and the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, and Washington secured this settlement.

NEW YORK STATE ANNOUNCES $8 MILLION TO ESTABLISH ADDITIONAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CRISIS RESPONSE TEAMS

 

Office of Mental Health Funding to Help Four Communities Establish a Behavioral Health-Led Crisis Response System

Pilot Programs to Incorporate Trained Behavioral Health Professionals and the Peer Workforce

The New York State Office of Mental Health today announced the availability of up to $8 million to help additional communities statewide build a behavioral health-led crisis response system. The funding will help establish or expand four teams — including at least one in a rural community — that use trained behavioral health professionals and include peer workers to provide a safe, compassionate response for New Yorkers in crisis.   

“By continuing to grow a health-led response system, we can help communities to safely and compassionately support those individuals who experience a behavioral health crisis,” Office of Mental Health Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan said. “This pilot program is building a health-led behavioral health crisis response model that will better serve our communities statewide, reflecting Governor Hochul’s continued investments in strengthening all aspects of our mental health system.” 

Communities can apply for up to $2 million to either build or expand a crisis response system. The funding is aimed at ensuring these systems are trauma-informed, community-based, and prioritize racial equity, cultural humility, and harm reduction for New Yorkers across their lifespan. 

The funding is available for all counties that were excluded from the first awards in February. Monroe County is also eligible to apply, excluding the city of Rochester, which was among the first awards. 

In addition to Rochester, the Children’s Home of Jefferson County and Central Nassau Guidance were each awarded $2 million in February. All three pilots are implementing a community council to help design their model — a unique structure that ensures individuals with lived experience have input to drive the program from the outset. 

OMH and the state Office of Addiction Services and Supports are also launching the Behavioral Health Crisis Technical Assistance Center, housed at OMH and funded with $2 million from the FY 2026 budget. This center will develop and support the implementation of standardized protocols for a community-based, public health-led response to behavioral health emergencies and provide training and technical assistance to localities on their crisis plans.    

The pilot programs, Behavioral Health Crisis Technical Assistance Center and an Advisory Council that began meeting in January were informed by recommendations of the Daniel’s Law Task Force. The task force was charged with developing recommendations to guide behavioral health crisis response and exploring avenues for related diversion services.   

OASAS Commissioner Dr. Chinazo Cunningham said, “When someone is in crisis, it is critical that they can access appropriate services right away. This is another example of OASAS and OMH collaborating to develop supports that will meet the needs of individuals with a substance use disorder, a mental health condition, or a cooccurring disorder.  This builds on Governor Hochul’s commitment to ensure that we are reaching individuals with complex needs and connecting them to the care they deserve, while helping to enhance the quality of life in our local communities.” 

The New Bronx Chamber of Commerce - How could NYC's proposed Charter changes affect your business? – Join Us September 24

 

How could proposed changes to the way New York City government works affect your business?

Join the Bronx Chamber of Commerce for the second session of our Business Ready: Small Business Policy, Finance & Growth Series, presented by JPMorgan Chase.

What's On the Ballot? NYC Commission on Government Efficiency

Thursday, September 24, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Webinar

Led by Ann Cheng, Executive Director of the Commission on Government Efficiency (COGE), this timely webinar will give small business owners and community stakeholders an accessible overview of the five proposed amendments to the City Charter that will go before New York City voters this November. The proposals include potential changes aimed at streamlining permitting, modernizing City contracting and procurement, and strengthening New York City's long-term fiscal resilience.

During This Session, You'll Learn:

• What is being proposed in each of the five amendments
• How proposed changes to permitting could affect your business
• How updates to City contracting and procurement may create new opportunities
• How these structural changes could affect the way businesses interact with City government

Whether you are a small business owner, entrepreneur, or community leader, this webinar will help you understand what is on the ballot and how it could impact your business before you head to the polls.

Registration is complimentary, but advance registration is required.

RSVP Now

This webinar is part of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce’s Business Ready: Small Business Policy, Finance & Growth Series, presented by JPMorgan Chase and designed to equip entrepreneurs and business owners with the knowledge and resources needed to navigate today’s evolving business landscape.

Best,

The Bronx Chamber of Commerce Team

DEA Highlights the Integral Role of Forensic Science in Addressing the Synthetic Drug Crisis

As synthetic drugs continue to evolve and threaten American lives, DEA chemists and forensic science professionals play an essential role in helping the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration identify emerging threats, connect evidence to investigations, and provide timely information that can save lives.

From analyzing suspected fentanyl and other novel synthetic drugs to examining fingerprints and extracting evidence from digital devices, DEA forensic professionals apply science to questions that directly support public safety and advance drug investigations. 

“DEA forensic professionals are working on the frontlines of the synthetic drug crisis by helping to identify new and potentially lethal substances, analyzing evidence, and providing forensic intelligence to support public safety and drug investigations,” said DEA Chief of Forensic Sciences Esther Chege. “Our work not only serves as an early warning system intended to save lives but also informs strategies for the Administration to help combat foreign terrorist organizations.”    

DEA will recognize and celebrate our forensic science colleagues and their contributions during the 14th Annual National Forensic Science Week, September 21 – 25, 2026. 

Live Q&A on LinkedIn at 1:30 pm EST: 

• Monday, September 21: Digital Evidence
• Wednesday, September 23: Chemistry
• Thursday, September 24: Fingerprints 

Questions for our chemists and forensic science professionals can be submitted at AskForensics@dea.gov.

Forensic Science Social at the DEA Museum from Noon – 3 p.m.

• Tuesday, September 22, 2026 

Members of the public can meet DEA forensic experts, ask questions, and participate in hands-on demonstrations. 

DEA’s Forensics Festival in the DEA Courtyard from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

• September 25, 2026 
• 600-700 Army Navy Drive, Arlington, VA 22202

The public can take a hands-on look at the science driving the DEA’s mission with activities for all ages. 

Poster Contest

• September 20-October 3, 2026 

Students in grades 7-12 are invited to participate in DEA’s 2026 National Forensic Science Week Poster competition. 

This year’s theme is How Do You Make Healthy and Safe Choices About Drugs? 

Competition rules and submission information are available on DEA.gov.

For more information on these and other activities visit the DEA’s National Forensic Science Week webpage 

DEA’s National Forensic Science Week supports the Fentanyl Free America initiative to protect Americans from synthetic opioids, prevent fentanyl poisonings and overdoses through education and outreach, and support those who have been impacted. For free resources and more information, visit Fentanyl Free America | DEA.gov.