Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State Preparations Ahead of Massive Winter Storm

Beginning 12 a.m. Sunday, All Commercial Vehicles Required to Travel Exclusively in the Right Travel Lane on All State Roads, including the New York State Thruway

Travel Ban for Long Combination Tandem Vehicles on New York State Thruway Beginning at 6 a.m. Sunday

At Governor Hochul’s Direction, State of Emergency Remains in Place Statewide

Governor Hochul Activates 100 Members of New York National Guard to Support Response Operations and Local Partners Across New York City, Long Island, and the Lower Hudson Valley.

Early Voting for February 3 New York City Special Elections Suspended on Sunday, January 25 and Monday, January 26

All Non-Essential State Employees Directed To Telecommute on Monday Where Possible

New Yorkers Urged to Remain Inside and to Avoid Travel Throughout Duration of Storm

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

Governor Kathy Hochul today updated New Yorkers on state preparations ahead of a massive winter storm system that has already brought bitterly cold temperatures to the entire state and is expected to bring at least a foot of snow to the majority of the state. Following the Governor’s declaration of a State of Emergency and activation of 100 members of the New York National Guard on Friday, new travel restrictions for commercial vehicles are being implemented. Beginning at 12 a.m. Sunday, all commercial vehicles will be restricted to only traveling in the right travel lane on all state roads, including the New York State Thruway. Additionally, a travel ban for Long Combination Tandem Vehicles will be in place on the New York State Thruway beginning at 6 a.m. on Sunday.

“New Yorkers know how to handle winter, but it’s critical everyone treat this weather like the dangerous situation it is,” Governor Hochul said. “From bitterly cold temperatures to heavy snowfall that will create treacherous travel conditions, there is no shortage of risks to being outside or traveling during the next few days, so I am urging everyone to be smart and stay home, stay warm, and stay safe.”

The storm is expected to begin impacting the southernmost portions of the state in the early morning hours and then progressively move north to cover the entire state by late morning and early afternoon hours. It is expected to continue until Monday afternoon, with everywhere north of New York City expected to see between 12 and 18 inches of snow, except for Western New York and the northernmost portions of the North Country which may only see 8 to 12 inches of snow. Beginning Sunday evening, there is a chance that snow may transition into sleet in New York City and on Long Island which has slightly decreased the projected snow totals in those areas to the 8-to-12-inch range. Peak wind gusts could reach 35+miles per hour in these downstate areas as well, which will increase the potential for some blowing snow and whiteout conditions, adding to the already treacherous travel conditions expected throughout the duration of the storm.

To support Downstate response operations and local partners, Governor Hochul activated 100 service members of the New York National Guard with 24 vehicles on Friday. Beginning Saturday, they will be staged and ready to help local partners across New York City, Long Island, and the Lower Hudson Valley.

Additionally, as part of the State of Emergency declared by the Governor on Friday, early voting for February 3rd special elections in New York City will be suspended on Sunday, January 25 and Monday, January 26. The State is working with the New York City Board of Elections to extend hours through the remainder of the early voting period to account for the suspended hours.

In addition to preparing for snow and wind, New Yorkers should also prepare to protect against the dangers that can result from colder weather and winter activities. Under state regulation, a Code Blue is automatically in effect whenever the temperature and wind chill equal less than 32 degrees. Local social services districts are legally required to take necessary steps to ensure those experiencing homelessness have access to shelter and that shelter hours are extended. New Yorkers also should check out these cold weather tips from the Department of Health; additional tips for preventing frostbite and hypothermia; information on Carbon Monoxide poisoning; information on the proper use of generators; and safe winter driving tips.

The New York State Department of Labor advises workers and employers to engage in extreme cold weather best practices such as:

• Limit outdoor work, provide frequent breaks in warm areas and schedule outdoor work during the warmest times of the day.
• Ensure access to clean drinking water.
• Stay hydrated with warm beverages and avoid drinking caffeine.
• Wear proper PPE, including at least three layers of clothing, gloves or mittens, thick socks, insulated footwear and a hat, hood or hard hat liner.

View more information on best practices for working in cold weather.

Extreme Cold Watches, Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories have been issued, and New Yorkers should closely monitor their local forecasts and look for updates issued by the National Weather Service. For a complete listing of weather alerts, visit the National Weather Service website.

New Yorkers should also ensure that government emergency alerts are enabled on their mobile phones. They should also 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.

Winter Driving Safety Tips

• Monitor the forecast for your local area and areas you may be travelling to.
• Avoid unnecessary travel.
• If you must travel, make sure your car is stocked with survival gear like blankets, a shovel, flashlight and extra batteries, extra warm clothing, set of tire chains, battery booster cables, quick energy foods and brightly colored cloth to use as a distress flag.
• If you have a cellphone or other communications device such as a two-way radio available for your use, keep the battery charged and keep it with you whenever traveling. If you should become stranded, you will be able to call for help, advising rescuers of your location.
• The leading cause of death and injuries during winter storms is transportation accidents. Before getting behind the wheel, make sure that your vehicle is clear of ice and snow; good vision is key to good driving. Plan your stops and keep more distance between cars. Be extra alert and remember that snowdrifts can hide smaller children. Always match your speed to the road and weather conditions.
• It is important for motorists on all roads to note that snowplows travel at speeds up to 35 mph, which in many cases is lower than the posted speed limit.
• Oftentimes on interstate highways, snowplows will operate side by side, to safely clear several lanes at one time.
• Motorists and pedestrians should also keep in mind that snowplow drivers have limited lines of sight, and the size and weight of snowplows can make it very difficult to maneuver and stop quickly. Snow blowing from behind the plow can severely reduce visibility or cause whiteout conditions.
• Motorists should not attempt to pass snowplows or follow too closely. The safest place for motorists to drive is well behind the snowplows where the roadway is clear and salted. Never attempt to pass a snowplow while it's operating.

Power Outage Safety Tips

• Do not go near or touch fallen or sagging power lines: treat all wires as live and dangerous. Keep children and pets away from fallen electric wires. Never touch any lines or any items that are in contact with lines.
• Check with your utility to determine area repair schedules.
• Turn off or unplug lights and appliances to prevent a circuit overload when service is restored; leave one light on to indicate when power has been restored.
• If heat goes out during a storm, keep warm by closing off rooms you do not need.

To Report an Electric Outage, Call:

Central Hudson: Electric: 800-527-2714 or Gas: 800-942-8274

Con Ed: Electric: 800-752-6633 or Gas: 800-752-6633

Corning Gas: 800-834-2134

Liberty Utilities (St. Lawrence Gas) Corp.: 800-673- 3301

National Fuel Gas: 1-800-444-3130

National Grid:

• Electric: 800-867-5222
• Long Island (gas): 1-800-490-0045
• Metro NYC (gas): 1-718-643-4050
• Upstate (gas): 1-800-892-2345

NYSEG: Electric: 800-572-1131 or Gas: 800-572-1121

O&R: Electric: 877-434-4100 or Gas: 800-533-5325

PSEG-LI: 800-490-0075

RG&E: Electric: 800-743-1701 or Gas: 800-743-1702 

1723 Boston Road Nears Topping Out in Crotona Park East, The Bronx

 

Construction is nearing topping out on 1723 Boston Road, an eight-story mixed-use building in Crotona Park East, The Bronx. Designed by Kao Hwa Lee Architects and developed by Watermark Capital Group, the 85-foot-tall structure will span 99,425 square feet and yield 98 rental units with an average scope of 799 square feet. The project will also include 21,097 square feet of commercial space and a cellar level with 50 enclosed parking spaces. The property is located at the confluence of Boston Road and Southern Boulevard.

The reinforced concrete superstructure currently stands six stories high, with formwork in place for the seventh floor. Based on the pace of progress, the building should top out in the next couple weeks. Meanwhile, crews are in the process of framing out the fenestration with metal studs and insulation boards behind the assembly of scaffolding and black netting.

No finalized renderings have been revealed for the project apart from the following axonometric diagram. The building will feature a U-shaped massing with a setback at the eighth floor on the main eastern elevation. Additional setbacks are also visible on the lower levels of the northern and western faces. The building will culminate in a flat roof with a multifaceted bulkhead.

The property was formerly occupied by the Dover Theater, which was constructed in the 1930s in the Neo Gothic style. The theater closed in the 1980s and subsequently served as a church. The below Google Street View image shows the state of the structure prior to its demolition in 2025.

Watermark Capital Group is constructing the new building with a $25 million loan secured from Oak Funding last July.

The nearest subways from the ground-up development are the 2 and 5 trains at the elevated 174th Street station over Southern Boulevard.

WOW.DHS.GOV: ICE Arrests Worst of Worst Criminal Illegal Alien Pedophiles, Sexual Predators, and Violent Assailants Terrorizing American Communities

 

See the criminal monsters ICE is removing from your community at wow.dhs.gov

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced the arrest of more worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens across the country convicted for vicious crimes including indecency with a child by contact, sexual assault, and assault. 

“Every day, the heroic men and women of ICE risk their lives to arrest the worst of the worst pedophiles, sexual predators, and violent assailants who have harmed innocent Americans,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “70% of all ICE arrests are of illegal aliens charged or convicted of a crime in the U.S. This statistic doesn’t even include human rights abusers, foreign fugitives, gang members, and terrorists who lack a rap sheet in the U.S. Americans can see for yourself what criminals have been removed from your community at WOW.DHS.Gov.”

Those arrested include:

Dominic Esau Lopez-Hernandez, a criminal illegal alien from Honduras, convicted for indecency with a child by contact in Gilespie County, Texas.

Luis Perez-Jacinto, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted for sexual assault-force/coercion in Monmouth County, New Jersey.

Lucia Reyes-Flores, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted for second-degree assault, aggravated menacing, and fugitive from justice in Newcastle, Delaware.

Oscar Camey-Ambrocio, a criminal illegal alien from Guatemala, convicted for felony hit-and-run resulting in serious injury or death in New Hanover County, North Carolina.

Muxi H Li, a criminal illegal alien from the People’s Republic of China, convicted for theft of U.S. government property in Cumberland County, Tennessee.

Americans can see more worst of the worst arrested in their communities on our webpage wow.dhs.gov.

Southwest Georgia Man Sentenced to 25 Years for Meth Distribution

 

A Lee County man, a major methamphetamine distributor connected to two federal drug investigations in Southwest Georgia and a Georgia prison, was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison.

Luis Jose Vanga, 49, of Leesburg, Georgia, was sentenced to serve 300 months in prison to be followed by six years of supervised release by Chief U.S. District Judge Leslie Gardner on Aug. 5, 2025. There is no parole in the federal system.

“Luis Vanga and his associates have been key figures in distributing methamphetamine in Leesburg. With his conviction, a major drug network that fueled addiction and caused death has been dismantled,” said U.S. Attorney William R. “Will” Keyes. “Armed drug traffickers in Southwest Georgia and throughout the Middle District of Georgia should be aware that local, state and federal law enforcement are working to find you and ensure you are held accountable for crimes that harm our communities.”

“This 25-year sentence reflects the seriousness of methamphetamine trafficking tied to armed criminal activity,” said Jae W. Chung, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division. “When individuals choose to flood our communities with dangerous drugs and use violence to protect their profits, they will be held fully accountable. DEA remains committed to dismantling these networks and removing those who pose a direct threat to public safety.”

“This sentence sends a clear message that methamphetamine trafficking and the violence that results will not be tolerated in Georgia,” said GBI Director Chris Hosey. “The GBI remains committed to working alongside our local, state and federal law enforcement partners to dismantle drug networks that endanger our communities. We will hold those responsible fully accountable, whether they operate on the streets or attempt to continue their crimes from behind prison walls.”

“This sentencing marks the conclusion of multiple investigations into the bulk distribution of controlled substances by several individuals operating throughout the greater Lee County area, which have resulted in lengthy federal prison sentences for every defendant involved,” said Lee County Sheriff Reggie Rachals. “Let these sentences serve as a warning to anyone foolish enough to consider following in their footsteps. We encourage anyone engaged in criminal activity to stay out of, or get out of, Lee County.”

According to court documents and statements referenced in court, Vanga was taken into custody for distributing methamphetamine by the GBI on May 19, 2022, as part of a multi-agency investigation into armed drug trafficking in Lee County, which resulted in the conviction of Shaun Anthony Akins, of Leesburg, who is currently serving a 12-year federal sentence for distributing methamphetamine. For more information about Akins’ federal case, please visit:

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdga/pr/lee-county-man-sentenced-12-years-prison-distributing-meth.

Vanga was convicted of distributing illegal drugs at the state level. While Vanga was incarcerated in a Georgia prison, law enforcement learned that he continued to distribute kilogram quantities of methamphetamine in coordination with Larry Roger Sparks, Jr., of Albany. As a result of this investigation in this prison-based drug distribution network, Sparks, Jr. was convicted and sentenced to serve 40 years in prison. For more information about Sparks, Jr.’s federal case, please visit: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdga/pr/georgia-man-sentenced-40-years-prison-armed-fentanyl-trafficking.

On May 21, 2025, the DEA and Lee County Sheriff’s Office executed a federal court-authorized search warrant at Vanga’s Leesburg residence. In plain view throughout the home, law enforcement saw methamphetamine, multiple boxes of flip and fold bags used for drug distribution, digital scales and a loaded semiautomatic pistol. Vanga has a lengthy criminal history with prior convictions for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of methamphetamine, possession of cocaine and possession of hydrocodone.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the GBI and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.

Miami Executive Sentenced in Brooklyn Federal Court to 20 Years in Prison for Massive Fraud Scheme

 

Pushpesh Kumar Baid and His Co-Conspirators Operated Sham Businesses that Defrauded Investors Out of Tens of Millions of Dollars

In federal court in Brooklyn, Pushpesh Kumar Baid, also known as “PK Jain,” was sentenced by United States Second Circuit Judge Denny Chin, sitting by designation, to 20 years’ imprisonment for his role in schemes to defraud investors in Tradepay Capital LLC (“Tradepay”), a purported factoring company, and in Luxestreet, Inc. (Luxestreet), a purported luxury goods pawn shop.  Baid pled guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in April 2025, approximately one week before trial was scheduled to commence.  As part of the sentence, Baid was preliminarily ordered to pay $35,056,852.83 in restitution to the victims of both the Tradepay and Luxestreet schemes.  Additionally, the Court ordered Baid to forfeit $2,607,689.00 in ill-gotten gains.

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York and Terence G. Reilly, Acting Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office, (FBI), announced the sentence.

“Baid and his co-conspirators orchestrated an elaborate fraud, creating sham companies and using straw bank accounts and fraudulent documents to deceive their victims for years into investing millions of dollars into businesses that simply did not exist,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “The significant sentence imposed today should send a message to anyone who chooses to enrich themself through fraud that false statements to investors will lead to a prison term.”   

Mr. Nocella expressed his appreciation to the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation for its work on the case.

“Pushpesh Baid repeatedly spun webs of lies to manipulate his investors into pooling tens of millions of dollars in fabricated companies directly utilized for Baid’s personal expenditures” stated Acting FBI Assistant Director in Charge Reilly.  “Baid abused his position to create fraudulent investment opportunities at the expense of his clients. The FBI remains dedicated to exposing those who implement deceitful practices designed to betray investors’ trust for selfish financial gain.”

Baid pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with the Tradepay scheme.  As part of his plea, Baid also admitted to his participation in the Luxestreet scheme.  Details of the schemes, as reflected in court filings, are set forth below.

Tradepay Scheme

Baid was the Business Head of Tradepay, which purported to be an international factoring business run by an executive team experienced in factoring invoices in particular industries and geographic regions.  Factoring involves the sale of an invoice to a third party at a discount.  In a factoring transaction, the seller of an invoice obtains immediate funding from the buyer of the invoice, and the buyer of the invoice makes a profit when the invoice is paid in full.

Between approximately April 2017 and October 2019, Baid and his co-conspirators implemented a scheme to defraud investors in Tradepay, making it appear that Tradepay was a legitimate and successful business when it was, in fact, an elaborate scam.  For example, hundreds of invoices from various businesses that Tradepay purported to be factoring were fraudulent and included fake signatures on both sides of the supposed transactions.  Baid and his co-conspirators also funneled millions of dollars of investors’ funds—which they represented would be sent to Tradepay’s business partners—through a sprawling network of bank accounts that Baid controlled through shell entities and straw signatories.  From those accounts, Baid and his co-conspirators spent millions of dollars on personal expenses, including on luxury cars and watches. Baid even lied about his identity, concealing his real name from investors to obscure the fact that he was wanted for criminal offenses abroad.

Investors in Tradepay initially received payments on the invoices, which led them to continue contributing large sums of capital.  By approximately July 2019, however, the payments on the invoices stopped, resulting in approximately $35 million in losses.

Luxestreet Scheme

In 2018, Baid founded a separate company called Asset Capital Partners, which began doing business as Luxestreet. Baid and his co-conspirators claimed that Luxestreet operated like a pawn shop for high end goods, including luxury watches, and solicited investment in the business.  In reality, Luxestreet contracts were forged and the physical watches held by the company were knockoffs.  To further this fraud and continue to deceive their investors, the defendant and his co-conspirators agreed to create fake websites, use fake phone numbers, and generate fake contracts and valuation reports for the knockoff watches.   

NYC Council Speaker Julie Menin, DCWP Commissioner Sam Levine and Urban Upbound Celebrate Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day

 

City Hall event marks 20 years of Urban Upbound’s partnership with the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection providing free tax preparation services for New Yorkers

Celebration underscores Speaker Menin’s and DCWP’s commitment to transparency and helping New Yorkers keep more of what they earn

New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin, the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP), and Urban Upbound celebrated Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Awareness Day at City Hall, highlighting the critical role free tax preparation plays in helping working families access the refunds they deserve. The event also marked 20 years of Urban Upbound’s partnership with DCWP to provide free, high-quality tax preparation services to New Yorkers.

Urban Upbound’s tax preparation program operates at more than 50 locations across the five boroughs, as well as online, through partnerships with community organizations, major institutions, and elected officials at the city, state, and federal levels.

The program is made possible through Urban Upbound’s participation in DCWP’s NYC Tax Prep Coalition and the Internal Revenue Service’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, which together ensure services are accurate, accessible, and free for all eligible New Yorkers.

“For 20 years, Urban Upbound has helped working families keep more of what they earn,” said Speaker Julie Menin. “By providing free, high-quality tax preparation, they’ve put countless dollars back into the pockets of New Yorkers—money that can mean an extra meal, paying the rent, or investing in a child’s future. These partnerships are essential to fighting economic inequality and making New York City more affordable.” Speaker Menin previously served as Commissioner of the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs, where she helped launch a citywide Earned Income Tax Credit initiative that returned more than $260 million to low-income New Yorkers.

“Every year, ‘NYC Free Tax Prep’ saves New Yorkers tens of millions in tax preparation fees, while ensuring they can avoid predatory and expensive paid filing services,” said DCWP Commissioner Sam Levine. “With trusted providers like Urban Upbound, with whom we have two decades of partnership, we offer vital tax preparation services to thousands of New Yorkers across the entire 5 boroughs. In 2025, if you earned $68,000 or less as an individual, or a family that earned less than $97,000, I urge you to file for free through NYC Free Tax prep and get your maximum refund.”

Urban Upbound’s tax prep program files taxes for New York households that earn $97,000 or less in a given year, and small businesses with $250,000 or less in expenses. With over 21,000 returns filed and a 98.2% accuracy rate in 2025, Urban Upbound’s tax preparation program is ranked as the top program of its kind in New York State and #3 in the country.

“The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is one of the biggest tax breaks for working people. EITC puts money in the hands of hard-working taxpayers and can be a boost to their families and communities,” said George Adjetey, NYC Territory Manager of the IRS.

“For two decades, Urban Upbound has been a lifeline for working families in Queens and across New York City, ensuring that our neighbors are able to claim the hard-earned tax credits they deserve,” said Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez. “The Earned Income Tax Credit helps lift countless families out of poverty, and by providing free, high-quality preparation, Urban Upbound is putting millions of dollars back into our city’s economy. I am proud to celebrate their 20th anniversary and look forward to continuing to work toward a more equitable and affordable New York.”

“In a time when affordability is top of mind for New Yorkers, having the resources Urban Upbound provides can be a game-changing tool for so many, offering free tax preparation services across 50 locations throughout the five boroughs to individuals making under $68,000 and families making under $97,000. As Comptroller, any chance to put money back in the pockets of working people and small businesses is something I support wholeheartedly, and I am proud that Speaker Menin, the City Council and DCWP continue to bring awareness to this vital service available to New Yorkers,” said New York City Comptroller Mark Levine.

Program Snapshot:

•   #1 Tax Preparer in New York State
  Urban Upbound is the leading free tax preparation provider in New York State, serving tens of thousands of residents through the NYC Free Tax Prep and VITA programs.
•   #3 Tax Preparer in the United States
   Recognized as the third-largest free tax preparation provider in the country, reflecting both the scale and impact of Urban Upbound’s tax services.
•   IRS-Certified VITA/TCE Volunteer Tax Preparers
  All tax returns are prepared by volunteers and staff who meet rigorous training and quality standards, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and taxpayer confidence.
•   Over 50 Tax Preparation Offices Across New York City
  Services are available at more than 50 convenient locations across all five boroughs, as well as virtually, making free tax preparation accessible to New Yorkers where they live and work.
•   98.2% Accuracy Rate
  Urban Upbound maintains an exceptionally high accuracy rate, exceeding IRS quality benchmarks and ensuring clients receive the maximum refund they are entitled to.
•   More Than 21,000 Tax Returns Filed in 2025
  In the most recent tax season, Urban Upbound successfully prepared and filed over 21,000 tax returns, returning millions of dollars back into New York City communities.

Program Details:

For 20 years, Urban Upbound has provided high-quality and free tax preparation and filing services to lower-income and working-class individuals and families. The process is simple and accessible: New Yorkers make an appointment at one of Urban Upbound’s 50+ locations across the City or online via its virtual platform. The organization’s IRS-certified tax preparers then prepare and file the returns and help New Yorkers maximize their refund through credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit. Additionally, over 22 languages and dialects are spoken by Urban Upbound’s tax preparers.

Urban Upbound can prepare and file taxes for New Yorkers earning $97,000 or less in a given year from any and all of the following: employment income; self-employed/gig workers/freelancers; and entitlements. Urban Upbound also files taxes for small businesses of any structure, including worker cooperatives, with $250,000 or less in yearly expenses.

In 2025, Urban Upbound filed over 21,000 tax returns. The organization served New Yorkers residing in every single zip code in Queens, Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Bronx, and most zip codes in Staten Island. Urban Upbound also achieved a 98.2% accuracy rate. With these stats, Urban Upbound retained the distinction of being the #1 tax preparer in the state of New York and the #3 preparer in the country, participating in the Free Tax Preparation in New York State and VITA program, respectively. In addition to support from DCWP and the IRS, the tax prep program also receives support from elected officials at the city, state, and federal levels, America Works, Brooklyn and Queens Library, HANAC, Make the Road, New York City Health + Hospitals and MetroPlus Health, New York City Workforce1, Robin Hood, Sakhi for South Asian Survivors, the Shorefront Jewish Community Council, and Sunnyside Community Services.

Attorney General James Secures Nearly $560,000 from Dollar Tree for Selling Recalled Lead-Contaminated Children’s Food

 

OAG Investigation Found that Dollar Tree Failed to Promptly Remove Recalled Applesauce Products

New York Attorney General Letitia James secured nearly $560,000 from Dollar Tree Stores, Inc. (Dollar Tree) for allowing unsafe, lead-contaminated children’s food to be sold at dozens of its New York stores for days following a nationwide recall. An Office of the Attorney General (OAG) investigation found that in October 2023, Dollar Tree received direct notification that WanaBana-brand cinnamon applesauce pouches – largely marketed for babies and young children – were recalled nationwide due to dangerously high levels of lead. Despite this notification, Dollar Tree failed to immediately block sales or fully remove the products from store shelves, allowing hundreds of contaminated applesauce pouches to be sold to customers statewide after the recall began. As part of today’s settlement, Dollar Tree must pay $559,250 in penalties, which will be used to strengthen lead poisoning prevention programs and expand access to healthy, affordable food in underserved New York communities. Dollar Tree must also overhaul its recall policies, including specialized recall training for its store managers in New York.

“Parents should never have to worry that the food they buy at the store could harm their children,” said Attorney General James. “Dollar Tree’s failure to act quickly after learning these products were contaminated put New York families at serious risk. My office is holding Dollar Tree accountable and forcing meaningful changes to make sure recalled and dangerous products are removed from shelves immediately going forward. I will always take action to protect New York’s children from lead poisoning.”

Dollar Tree is a Virginia-based company that owns and operates more than 300 discount variety stores across New York state. Many of these stores are in communities with limited access to large grocery stores or supermarkets, sometimes referred to as food deserts. The OAG investigation determined that Dollar Tree received an urgent notification from its supplier on the morning of October 29, 2023, informing the company that WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit purée pouches had been recalled nationwide after testing revealed dangerously high levels of lead. Dollar Tree failed to take immediate action – delaying for over 24 hours its activation of a “register lock” to prevent cashiers from completing sales of the recalled applesauce products and failing, for weeks at some stores, to remove the recalled products from all store shelves. In one instance, Dollar Tree even released the recalled applesauce pouches to an online purchaser a full week after the recall began.

The OAG found that Dollar Tree sold at least 226 three-pack units of the recalled applesauce in New York after receiving notice of the recall, including sales that occurred days later and even a full week afterward through online order pickup. State health data show that dozens of New York children suffered elevated blood lead levels linked to consumption of the WanaBana cinnamon applesauce products, with most families reporting purchases at Dollar Tree locations. Lead is a highly toxic metal that can cause serious and irreversible health problems, particularly for children under the age of six.

Attorney General James alleges that Dollar Tree’s delayed compliance with the recall violated several New York laws, including prohibitions on selling or displaying contaminated food, and laws governing deceptive business practices. As a result of the investigation, Dollar Tree will pay $559,250, representing roughly $2,474 per 3-pack unit sold in New York after the recall notice. The OAG will direct these funds to support lead poisoning prevention and response efforts, as well as to enhance access to healthy and affordable food in underserved New York communities.

In addition to the monetary penalty, Attorney General James is requiring Dollar Tree to overhaul its food safety and recall procedures in New York. Under the agreement, Dollar Tree must implement stronger recall protocols, including activating register “stop codes” within hours of a recall to prevent sales, enhancing recall training for New York store managers, and strengthening systems to notify customers who purchased food products online that were subsequently recalled. The company will be required to report back to OAG on its compliance.

Consumers who purchased the recalled applesauce received refunds from WanaBana, as well as limited reimbursements for out-of-pocket health care costs related to the lead-contaminated applesauce pouches.

Attorney General James is a national leader on children’s food safety. In the aftermath of the WanaBana recall, Attorney General James promptly warned families who had purchased the recalled products and still had them in their homes of the danger and urged them to dispose of the pouches safely. Attorney General James also led a coalition of attorneys general in calling on the FDA to protect babies and young children nationwide from lead and other toxic metals in baby food. The OAG has investigated several manufacturers of baby food regarding levels of inorganic arsenic found in infant rice cereal products, and in 2022, Attorney General James demanded that baby food brand HolleUSA stop false or misleading advertising of its products as “lead-free” after laboratory testing revealed that several of its baby foods available in New York contained detectable levels of lead.

DSNY Issues Snow Alert for Sunday, January 25, 2026, at 1 am

 

With potentially the largest snowfall in five years, New York’s Strongest are running the full playbook — brining, salting, plowing, and likely even melting 

  

Unless you absolutely must go out, stay home, enjoy your Sunday, and let New York’s Strongest work safely 

The New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) has issued a Snow Alert for Sunday, January 25, 2026, beginning at 1 a.m. A Snow Alert is the Department’s “higher level” snow-fighting notification, as opposed to the “lower level” Winter Operations Advisory. Forecast models are increasingly converging around a forecast of 9–12” in much of the City, although localized variation up or down remains possible. 

  

This may be the first significant, prolonged winter storm to hit New York City in about five years, but New York’s Strongest have not been waiting — the Department is constantly updating its snow playbook, and now the men and women of DSNY are ready to run the plays on a Sunday storm.  

  

Preparations for this storm are well underway and will continue through the weekend: 

  

•   DSNY began applying brine to highways, streets, and bike lanes starting Friday morning. This is a liquid salt solution the Department frequently uses before some storms to help prevent snow and ice accumulations on roadways. 

  

•   Sanitation Workers are working to affix plows and chains to all DSNY collection trucks, transforming them into snow plows.  

  

•   Roughly 2,000 Sanitation Workers will be on every 12-hour shift beginning Saturday evening and continuing through the duration of the event. 

  

•   With 700 million pounds of salt on hand, DSNY will have 700 salt spreaders filled and prepositioned, ready to spread salt at the first sign of snowflakes.  

  

•   Plows will begin operating when two inches of snow accumulate, which may happen as early as 9 a.m. Sunday. Residents will be able to track the progress of DSNY snow removal vehicles at nyc.gov/PlowNYC. Remember, a plowed or salted street will not show blacktop right away. 

  

•   Many New Yorkers rely on bike lanes to get to work or, in the case of delivery personnel, to do their work. DSNY has dozens of bike lane plows ready to service these areas at the same time as car lanes. 

  

•   DSNY’s snow-fighting operations will be tracked via DSNY’s state-of-the-art BladeRunner 2.0 system from our command center, meaning snow equity for all New Yorkers. Every street is on a route, and every route is dispatched at once.  

   

New Yorkers should know: DSNY is working to ensure your safety. Do your part both for yourself and for the Strongest by staying off the roads during active precipitation or, if you absolutely must drive, by doing so slowly, safely and carefully. 

  

With sub-freezing temperatures expected to last throughout the week, DSNY is also preparing snow-melting operations, something the Department has not had to do since 2022. In snow-melting operations, the Department moves massive amounts of snow into a giant hot tub, melting the snow immediately and sending it into the city’s sewer system.  

  

Snow Clearing Information 

  

While DSNY clears streets and bike lanes, property owners are responsible for clearing sidewalks. As a reminder, property owners and car owners may NOT push snow into the street, including bike lanes. This impedes snow clearing operations and is illegal. Snow may be moved against the building, to the curb line, or areas on private property. Sidewalks should be passable for all pedestrians, including a minimum 4-foot clear path, where possible. 

  

If the snow stops falling between: 

  

•   7 a.m. and 5 p.m., property owners must clear sidewalks within 4 hours 

•   5 p.m. and 9 p.m., property owners must clear sidewalks within 14 hours 

•   9 p.m. and 7 a.m., property owners must clear sidewalks by 11 a.m. 

  

Property owners with Empire Bins are responsible for clearing snow and ice from the Empire Bin to facilitate collection. 

  

All winter weather information and information about the City’s response to the storm can be found by visiting the City’s Severe Weather website at nyc.gov/snow or by calling 311.