The Preservation League Releases New York State LGBTQ+ Statewide Historic Context Exploratory Project

 

This report was prepared by Bero Architecture for The Preservation League in collaboration with the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation and the City of Ithaca 

The Preservation League of NYS, in collaboration with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) and the City of Ithaca, released the New York State LGBTQ+ Statewide Historic Context Exploratory Project. Prepared by Bero Architecture for the League, the project was initiated in 2025 to establish a framework to assess, identify, and nominate historic properties.

<<<Click here to find the report’s Executive Summary>>> 

Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Kathy Moser said, “New York State Parks is proud to partner with the Preservation League of NYS, City of Ithaca, and Bero Architecture PLLC to develop the New York State LGBTQ+ Statewide Historic Context Exploratory Project, which is designed to provide guidance to those interested in preserving historic places significant to LGBTQ+ history. This project is helping establish a documented historical, architectural, and cultural framework to evaluate, survey, and nominate historic properties across New York State, bolstering our efforts to recognize the special places and sites that have shaped our shared history.”   

Ithaca Mayor Robert Cantelmo said, "The City of Ithaca was honored to participate in this landmark study. Like so many other cities throughout New York State, Ithaca has been meaningfully shaped by the contributions of the LBGTQ+ community. This study is the first step in recognizing the historic significance of these efforts and preserving the places associated with them." 

The Preservation League of NYS’s Director of Preservation Caitlin Meives said, “This report has demonstrated strong enthusiasm throughout New York State for documenting and celebrating LGBTQ+ history. We are excited to begin putting the report's recommendations into action over the coming months and years. Thank you to our preservation colleagues around the state for collaborating with us on this project and a special thanks to NYS OPRHP for their expertise and financial support.” 

This effort was inspired, in part, by the amazing work of the NYC LGBTQ Historic Sites Project. Thanks to their years-long efforts, the Preservation League of NYS recognized that LGBTQ+ history, places, and people had been well-documented in New York City — but we wanted to look at how to better document and celebrate the people, places, and stories throughout the rest of New York State and begin to document the connections between the different regions of the state and the connections between those regions and NYC. 

The resulting report, New York State LGBTQ+ Statewide Historic Context Exploratory Project, lays the groundwork for how this work could be most effective for a state as large as New York. As the report’s author Katie Eggers Comeau writes in the document’s Project Overview, “The LGBTQ+ Context Exploratory Project is intended to be the first step in a statewide project that will provide guidance to people who are interested in preserving historic places with significance in LGBTQ+ history anywhere in New York State.” In other words, the release of this document marks the beginning, not the end, of our collaborative efforts to document, preserve, and amplify LGBTQ+ history and culture. Through this initial research, a series of recommendations and next steps have been identified, notably the creation of an LGBTQ+ Historic Sites Action Plan & Toolkit and an LGBTQ+ History Action Fund. The League is already working with colleagues at OPRHP to explore how to advance such an ambitious and important project. 

Project team: the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, which also funded the report through a Certified Local Government Grant; the Preservation League of NYS; the City of Ithaca; and Bero Architecture, PLLC. 

This report would not have been possible without an engaged stakeholder committee, comprised of regional preservation colleagues from around the state: Adirondack Architectural Heritage; Historic Albany Foundation; Historic Ithaca; The Landmark Society of Western New York; The New York City LGBTQ Historic Sites Project; The Preservation Association of Central New York; Preservation Buffalo Niagara; Preservation Long Island; The Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation. 

Special thanks to the regional LGBTQ+ knowledge holders who participated in interviews: Cam Cardinale, Lower Adirondack Pride; Michael DeSalvo and Nick Orth, Friends of Dorothy House, Syracuse; Charlie Ferrusi, OutHudson; Tom House, Hamptons Pride; Luca Maurer, Ithaca College; Meghan O’Toole, Southern Finger Lakes Pride; Libby Post, Albany; Carol Speser, Buffalo; Cindy Swadba, Saratoga Pride 

Click here to read the full report 

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 parks, historic sites, recreational trails, golf courses, boat launches and more, and welcomes over 86 million visitors annually. For more information on any of these recreation areas, visit parks.ny.gov, download the free NY State Parks Explorer app or call 518.474.0456. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, the OPRHP Blog or via the OPRHP Newsroom. 

About the Preservation League of New York State

Since its founding in 1974, the Preservation League of NYS has built a reputation for action and effectiveness. Our goal has been to preserve our historic buildings, districts, and landscapes and to build a better New York, one community at a time. The League empowers all New Yorkers to use historic preservation to enrich their communities, protect their heritage, and build a sustainable future. We lead advocacy, economic development, and education programs across the state. Connect with us at preservenys.org, facebook.com/preservenys, youtube.com/c/PreservationLeague and instagram.com/preservenys 

Attorney General James Reminds New Yorkers to Be Cautious in Charitable Giving When Supporting Victims of Brooklyn Building Collapse

 

New York Attorney General Letitia James provided guidance to New Yorkers looking to support those who survived a recent collapse of an apartment building in Brooklyn. Attorney General James warns New Yorkers to be wary of sham charities that may take advantage of their concern and bad actors who misrepresent themselves as being associated with a charity or relief efforts. Attorney General James encourages those who encounter potential scams to file a complaint with the Office of the Attorney General (OAG).

“My heart breaks for those who lost their lives in this tragic accident and the families who are struggling to recover after losing their homes,” said Attorney General James. “Scammers will often use disasters like this to take advantage of those who are trying to help, and I encourage all New Yorkers to follow my office’s tips to ensure their donations are effective. As we pray for all those affected, I urge anyone who encounters a scam to report it to my office.”

Fraudulent organizations can try to prey on New Yorkers’ good intentions, especially following tragic accidents that leave families displaced and in need of immediate financial assistance. New Yorkers should be informed about how to avoid scams as they seek to help those in need. Attorney General James encourages New Yorkers to only give to legitimate organizations. New Yorkers should use the following tips to avoid scams and ensure their charitable donations are safe and effective:

• Solicited by Email? Find Out Who Is Soliciting. If you receive a solicitation by email, find out who is behind that email address. Contact the charity whose name is in the email or visit its website to find out if the email is really from the charity. Do not give personal information or your credit card number in response to an email solicitation unless you have checked out the charity.
   
• Be Careful When Giving Through Social Media or Other Fundraising Sites. Before giving through social media or fundraising sites, research the identity of the organizer of the fundraising efforts and ask the same questions you would of a charity. Online platforms that host groups and individuals soliciting for causes may not thoroughly vet those who use their service. Donors should only give to campaigns conducted by people whom they know. Donors also should take a close look at the site’s Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and Terms and Conditions to see what fees will be charged. Also, don’t assume that charities recommended on social media sites, blogs, or other websites have already been vetted. Research the charity to confirm that the charity is aware of the campaign and has given its approval for the use of its name or logo. If available, sign up for updates from the campaign organizer to keep abreast of how contributions to the campaign are being spent.
   
• Check Before Giving. Donate to charities you are familiar with and carefully review information about the charity before you give. Most charities are required to register and file financial reports with OAG’s Charities Bureau if they solicit contributions from New Yorkers. Check OAG’s website for financial reports of charities or ask the charity directly for its reports.
   
• Ask How Your Donation Will Be Used. Find out how the charity plans to use your donation, including the services and individuals your donation will support. Find out more than just the cause. Find out what organization or entity will receive the money and what programs it conducts or what services it provides. Find out how much of the organization’s budget supports its mission. All charities have administrative expenses but be wary if these costs outweigh the amount spent on relief.
   
• Look Into Newly Formed Organizations Carefully. Often, in the aftermath of tragedies, new organizations emerge to meet community needs. While most of these organizations are well-intentioned, and some may provide innovative forms of assistance, some may not have the experience or infrastructure to follow through on their promises, and some may turn out to be scams.
   
• Exercise Caution Before You Text a Contribution. Check the charity’s website or call the charity to confirm it has authorized contributions to be made via text message.
   
• Don't Give Cash or Gift Cards, or Wire Money. Give directly to the charity either by check made payable to the organization or through the charity's website.
   
• Be Careful About Personal Information. Be cautious before giving credit card or personal information over the phone, by text message, or via the internet. In all cases, make sure you are familiar with the organization to which you give such information and check to see that the fundraising campaign is legitimate.
   
• Report Suspicious Organizations. If you believe an organization is misrepresenting its work or that a fundraising or charitable scam is taking place, please file a complaint with the Charities Bureau or email complaints@ag.ny.gov.

Justice Department Announces Actions to Disrupt North Korea’s Massive Theft of Cryptocurrency

 

North Korean Super Intelligence-Enabled Social Engineering Campaign Known as “FaceStealer” Targeted Cryptocurrency Holders and Individuals Working the Open-Source Supply Chain

The Department of Justice announced coordinated actions against the Democratic People’s Republic of North Korea (DPRK) government’s schemes to fund its regime through the massive theft of cryptocurrency. These actions include the seizure of cloud-based infrastructure used in the FaceStealer social engineering scheme that has resulted in the theft of more than $400 million worth of cryptocurrency and the court-authorized seizure and restraint of more than $1.2 billion worth of cryptocurrency recently stolen from Binance, a virtual currency exchange. 

“North Korea’s government bankrolls its rogue regime and illicit weapons program through cryptocurrency theft,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for National Security M. Scott Proctor. “This announcement shows that America will fight back against that corrupt regime’s effort to profit through cybercrime. The National Security Division will use every tool at its disposal to seize and return North Korea’s ill-gotten gains.”

“The Criminal Division, specifically the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS), and our law enforcement partners played the critical role in immediately freezing billions of dollars’ worth of stolen Binance digital assets before they got beyond law enforcement reach,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “As the Department’s liaison to the digital asset industry, the Criminal Division quickly and efficiently used its expertise to immediately halt about half of this historic breach.”

“Cryptocurrency unfortunately has become fertile ground for North Korea to defraud victims and fund its malign activities,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli for the Central District of California. “This seizure shows that America will continue the fight against rogue states who financially gain from cybercrime.”

“By springing into action at a moment’s notice, we worked together to freeze this massive criminal fraud in its tracks,” said U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro for the District of Columbia. “The North Korean regime may think they are sophisticated cyber criminals, but we have consistently met them head on, as we did here seizing more than $1.2 billion of their stolen assets.”

“The North Korean regime relies on proceeds from large-scale cryptocurrency theft to fund its illicit weapons program, stealing billions of dollars in recent years,” said FBI Cyber Branch Operations Director Brett Leatherman. “North Korean cyber actors have used the FaceStealer scheme to aggressively target individuals in the cryptocurrency and Web3 sectors through deceptive social engineering tactics, resulting in the theft of more than $400 million in the last 18 months. The FBI remains committed to identifying, disrupting, and imposing cost on North Korean actors targeting the virtual asset community.”

“North Korea’s FaceStealer is a highly effective social engineering scheme capable of deceiving even the most experienced technical and security conscious computer user” said Assistant Director in Charge Patrick Grandy of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. “It exploits our trust in ubiquitous video conference platforms and valued personal relationships. If you can’t imagine a scenario where you might fall prey to it, you are not thinking creatively enough. The FBI is sounding the alarm to elevate awareness of this growing scheme, now aimed not only at crypto theft, but also the exploitation of the of the open-source software supply chain.”

Seizure of FaceStealer Infrastructure – Central District of California

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California announced the disruption of cloud-based infrastructure used by North Korean hackers in a highly effective social engineering scheme that the FBI is calling “FaceStealer.” The scheme, which relies on surreptitiously recorded videos and artificial deepfakes, has resulted in the theft of more than $400 million in the last 18 months and the attempted compromise of individuals involved in the open-source software supply chain.

North Korean hackers known publicly by the names Sapphire Sleet, UNC1069, Dangerous Password, CryptoCore, Advanced Persistent Threat 38 (APT38), BlueNoroff, and Stardust Chollima have lured targets with invitations to video meetings delivered from accounts stolen from prior victims. Once a target joins the meeting, the hackers record the target’s webcam video and play a prerecorded video of a previous victim or victims known to the target, thereby simulating the participation of trusted contacts in the meeting to gain the target’s trust. The North Korean hackers also use super intelligence (SI) to develop deepfake videos of well-known and influential individuals often in the cryptocurrency and web3 industries that make the FaceStealer scheme even more effective. Here again, they use the deepfake videos in the meetings with targets to gain the target’s trust.

During the meeting, the hackers then introduce a fake technical error into the meeting, such as claiming that the target cannot be heard, and provide a link or prompt to fix the error. The “fix” surreptitiously installs malware on the target’s computer. With the target’s computer compromised, the hackers can steal cryptocurrency or exploit the target’s access to other computer infrastructure. In several reported cases, the hackers stole cryptocurrency and hijacked communication accounts several months to more than a year after the initial compromise. As part of the scheme the hackers also accessed the new victim’s contact lists, social media, and communications apps to target the victim’s personal and professional contacts.

The North Korean hackers target individuals working in the cryptocurrency and web3 industries. Additionally, they have increasingly targeted individuals involved in the development and maintenance of open-source software with the FaceStealer technique, attempting to gain access to their devices and the software repository accounts they control. This targeting appears calculated to enable software supply-chain attacks. Pursuant to a federal warrant, the FBI seized over 900 webcam videos of FaceStealer victims.

The FBI published a report providing greater detail on the mechanics of the FaceStealer scheme, including best practices to protect against this scheme and steps victims can take in the event of a compromise. Additionally, the FBI created a website, www.fbi.gov/facestealer, to serve as a centralized hub for resources and information on the scheme.

The effort to disrupt the FaceStealer campaign was led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Khaldoun Shobaki for the Central District of California and the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office.

The Department, FBI, and Law Enforcement Partners Interdict More Than a Billion Dollars Worth of Virtual Assets Stolen From Binance

Separately from the FaceStealer campaign, on or about Oct. 29, members of the North Korean military, referred to by the FBI as “TraderTraitor” stole more than $6 billion worth of virtual assets from the Binance cryptocurrency exchange. Since the theft, the National Security Division’s National Security Cyber Section, the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, and law enforcement partners have worked closely with virtual asset service providers (VASPs) to interdict the stolen assets. Collective U.S. government and private sector efforts so far have resulted in the freeze of more than $2.7 billion, with the Department having already obtained court-authorization to seize or restrain in excess of $1.2 billion of that amount. 

Efforts to trace, freeze, seize, and forfeit the stolen virtual assets are ongoing, as TraderTraitor actors continue to launder such assets through various cryptocurrency bridges, mixers, and exchanges. For example, last week, the FBI, in coordination with its law enforcement partners at the U.S. Secret Service (USSS) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS-CI), issued a Cyber Alert attributing the theft and urging VASPs to block transactions with or derived from cryptocurrency addresses TraderTraitor actors are using to launder the stolen Binance assets. 

The FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office, Cyber Division, and Virtual Asset Unit are coordinating the FBI’s efforts to recover the stolen virtual assets, working in partnership with the USSS and the IRS-CI. 

Statement from D.A. Bragg on the Sentencing of Arsen Canaj

 

“Arsen Canaj has been sentenced to 2-to-6 years in state prison for stealing approximately $438,000 of diamonds, precious gems, and jewelry from New York businesses,” said District Attorney Bragg. “I hope this sentencing sends a message: those who scam Manhattan’s business owners will be prosecuted. If you are a victim of a financial crime, please call our Financial Frauds Bureau at 212-335-8900.”

Statement From Governor Kathy Hochul and Port Authority Executive Director Kathryn Garcia

“Travelers should anticipate continued delays and cancellations at the region’s airports throughout the weekend as airlines recover from Friday night’s nationwide FAA ground stop. By the end of Friday evening, JFK, LaGuardia, and New York Stewart airports had reported more than 800 cancellations and more than 600 delays.

“The Port Authority activated its Emergency Operations Center shortly after the ground stop began, working closely with airlines, terminal operators, and federal aviation officials to manage disruptions and assist affected passengers. Additional airport personnel and Port Authority Police officers were deployed to help manage terminal crowding and provide assistance. The Port Authority also made cots, blankets, pillows, baby formula and other essential supplies available to airline partners, while airport concessions remained open to serve affected travelers.

“We want to thank the frontline workers, from Port Authority personnel to air traffic controllers, for their tireless efforts to keep travelers safe throughout these disruptions.

“The Port Authority remains in close coordination with its partners and stands ready to deploy additional personnel and resources as needed in the coming days.”

 

Man Who Allegedly Trafficked Cocaine in Chicago Arrested in Argentina and Extradited to United States

A man who allegedly trafficked cocaine in Chicago has been arrested in Argentina and extradited to the United States to face federal drug conspiracy charges in the Northern District of Illinois.

Rodolfo Aguirre, 38, was originally arrested in Chicago in December 2016 after allegedly conspiring to sell approximately 7,000 grams of cocaine outside of a hotel in the city’s Uptown neighborhood, according to a criminal complaint filed in federal court in Chicago. Unbeknownst to Aguirre, the buyer was an undercover law enforcement agent, the complaint states.  Aguirre was released on bond conditions, but he failed to appear in federal court ahead of his scheduled trial in 2017.

Aguirre was recently arrested in Argentina and extradited to the United States last week.  He is scheduled to appear in federal court in Chicago on Nov. 17, 2026, at 10:15 a.m., before U.S. District Judge John J. Tharp, Jr.  The government will be seeking Aguirre’s continued detention pending trial.

The charges and extradition were announced by Andrew S. Boutros, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Todd C. Smith, Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago Field Division of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.  The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Spitulnik.

The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked with the Government of Argentina to secure the Nov. 6, 2026, extradition of Aguirre.

The public is reminded that charges are not evidence of guilt.  The defendant is presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

ICYMI: Secretary Mullin and Secretary Duffy Address Nationwide FAA Ground Stop of All Flights

 

On Friday evening, United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin, alongside U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Sean Duffy, held a press briefing at the White House in response to a nationwide ground stop of all flights following a temporary telecommunications outage.

“I just can’t say this enough: all of your loved ones are safe. We are working to resolve the issue, and we hope to have operations up and normal at some point,” said Secretary Mullin. “We have seen zero evidence that this is a cyberattack or an SI attack. This is a national security risk because our air traffic control system is outdated and it hasn’t been a priority from Congress. This is what happens when Congress kicks the can down the road.”

During the press conference, Secretary Mullin and Secretary Duffy stressed the national security importance of updating and modernizing America’s air traffic control system and called on Congress to take action.

On the mission of the Department of Homeland Security:

"This is what the Department of Homeland Security is all about. This is why we were stood up, to have a continuity of government to bring all the resources together in an emergency like this... This is a national emergency. We have all of our assets, be it from DOW, to CISA, to all of our NOCs, and all the other components we have inside of DHS. NSA is working with us."

On the national security risk of Congress not fully funding a modernized air traffic control system:

"This is a national security risk… The President has declared this a national emergency, and now we have to have Congress act and fund it. It is vitally important that we get this system built. The President has said this, Secretary Duffy has said this multiple times: our air traffic control system is outdated, and it hasn't been a priority for Congress."

On President Trump's leadership:

"No one was in danger because of procedures we put in place. The system went down, we reacted the way that we were trained to react, and everybody came together. President Trump immediately had people in his office. We were communicating. Secretary Duffy and the FAA took immediate actions that they had put in place to assure everybody was safe... This is what President Trump does. He puts leaders in place, and he allows them to lead."

LANDLORD OF COLLAPSED BROOKLYN BUILDING WAS REPEAT ‘WORST LANDLORD’ OFFENDER

 

The landlord of 1321 Flatbush Avenue, the building which collapsed Wednesday in a tragedy that has killed eight New Yorkers, made several appearances on the annual Worst Landlord Watchlist over the last decade, New York City Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams announced today.

Olufemi Falade, registered with the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) as the head officer for the property, has appeared on the Public Advocate’s annual list six times in the last decade, most recently in 2024. Past rankings have included:

2024: Ranked #95 Worst Landlord

2022: Ranked #100 Worst Landlord

2021: Ranked #68 Worst Landlord

2020: Ranked #50 Worst Landlord

2019: Ranked #66 Worst Landlord

2017: Ranked #93 Worst Landlord

“The Worst Landlords in our city routinely put profit over people, and negligence can put lives at risk,” said Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams. “While we don’t yet know exactly what caused the collapse that claimed the lives of our neighbors and devastated our city, Olufemi Falade has a documented record of failing to maintain properties. It is essential that any negligence which may have contributed be identified, everyone responsible held accountable, and preventative action taken to save lives in the future.”

The city's Department of Buildings is leading an investigation into the collapse, examining every aspect of the building and all construction work. New Yorkers seeking to give or receive aid can find resources here. 

Private landlords on the Public Advocate’s Worst Landlord Watchlist are ranked objectively. The Watchlist ranks private landlords by the average monthly number of open HPD housing code violations across their buildings that meet the Watchlist’s selection criteria. More on the methodology is available here. 

View the full Worst Landlord Watchlist and check to see if your address is owned by a 2025 worst landlord by visiting LandlordWatchlist.com.