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Julie Menin Elected as First Jewish Speaker of City Council, Hires Miguelina Camilo as Chief of Staff

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The New York City Council voted Jan. 7 during its 2026 charter meeting to elect Manhattan City Councilwoman Julie Menin (C.D. 5) as speaker for the next four years. She is the first Jewish speaker to lead the City’s legislative body, according to City Council officials. Menin represents Manhattan’s Upper East Side, including Lenox Hill, Yorkville, and Carnegie Hill, along with Roosevelt Island, and she will lead the city council during what city officials said is a pivotal moment, when the council will address the affordability crisis, an affordable housing shortage, and other key issues.

Obituary: Joseph Anthony Castro

By JAMIE CASTRO
Mr. Joseph Anthony Castro, a resident of New York since 1947, died Tuesday Dec. 30, 2025, at his home in The Bronx. He was born Oct 18, 1947, in New York, NY to Octavio and Julia (Torres) Castro. He is survived by a niece, Jamie Castro, living in Battle Creek, Michigan. Joseph will be laid to rest in Michigan, beside his brother, Fillip O. Castro, and other family at Battle Creek Memorial Park.

FDNY EMS Local 2507 Launches Ad Urging Mayor to honor 2021 Campaign Promise of Wage Equity

By SÍLE MOLONEY
FDNY EMS Local 2507, which represents more than 4,000 emergency medical technicians (EMTs), paramedics and fire inspectors in New York City, recently launched a video ad campaign to urge New York City Mayor Eric Adams to fulfill a commitment from his 2021 mayoral campaign to grant FDNY EMS wage equity with other New York City, front-line first responders i.e. the NYPD and the FDNY.

Inquiring Photographer: Thoughts on Impending Cuts to Health Care

By DAVID GREENE
This week, we asked readers if they were concerned about the impact on their families and themselves of the impending cuts to health care. As reported, in November, amid the recent federal government shutdown, according to CBS News, the U.S. House of Representatives approved a funding package, extending funding for most agencies until Jan. 30, which includes three full-year funding bills for parts of the government.

Elected Officials Appear in Court for Civil Disobedience Case in Defense of Immigrants

By SÍLE MOLONEY
State Sen. Gustavo Rivera (S.D. 33) and City Comptroller Brad Lander, appeared in federal court on Nov. 18 in relation to their arrests on Sept. 18, along with several other elected officials, inside or near 26 Federal Plaza courthouse in Lower Manhattan for their respective acts of civil disobedience against immigration agents. As reported, the group had been protesting the treatment of immigrants during their court appearances by immigration agents. An anti-ICE [U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement] protest had also taken place near 26 Federal Plaza the same day [Sept. 18].

AM Amanda Septimo is Latest Candidate to Challenge Congressman Ritchie Torres in NY-15

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Assemblymember Amanda Septimo (A.D. 84), who broadly represents the South Bronx neighborhoods of Concourse, Port Morris, Mott Haven and Hunts Point, Melrose and Longwood announced Dec. 11, that she is the sixth candidate to announce a run for Congress in New York’s 15th congressional district, a seat currently held by her Democratic colleague, Ritchie Torres. Septimo said she is launching a platform built around cost-of-living relief, safe and secure neighborhoods, access to truly affordable housing, and defending essential national programs for working families.

Jose Vega Challenges Rep. Ritchie Torres in New York’s 15th Congressional District

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Jose Vega, a self-described journalist according to his X profile and member of the international LaRouche Youth Movemement, announced his campaign to run for Congress in New York’s 15th congressional district on Nov. 2. Held in the Crotona Park East neighborhood of The Bronx, the Bronx town hall launched was called, “The Bronx is Gaza West, Rebuilding Starts Here and There.”