Elections

Love is in The Air

By SÍLE MOLONEY
For some, Feb. 14 has perhaps come to be seen as a commercial grab by opportunists seeking to capitalize on the sale of flowers, chocolates, lingerie, dining out, and more. For others, the holiday is regarded as somewhat contrived, cringe, a little outdated, and perhaps an unwelcome reminder of their prevailing relationship status.

Mt Vernon Man Gets 13 + Yrs for Sex Trafficking a Minor Across The Bronx & Brooklyn

By SÍLE MOLONEY
U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, announced Friday, Feb. 13, that Rai Thomas, 31, a/k/a “Bandz,” of Mount Vernon, NY, was sentenced to 160 months (13.3 years) in prison for sex trafficking a minor and for use of interstate facilities to promote sex trafficking and prostitution. He said in October 2025, Thomas was convicted at trial before U.S. District Judge Nelson S. Román, who imposed the sentence.

Tisch Announces Division of Bronx into Two Patrol Boroughs in Efforts to Address Crime

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Police Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch delivered her 2026 State of the NYPD address at One Police Plaza in Lower Manhattan on Tuesday, Feb. 10, during which she announced the division of The Bronx into two patrol borough commands, Bronx North and Bronx South. She also highlighted the department’s other new strategies aimed at keeping New York City safe, investing in accountability and training, and modernizing policing.

UPDATE Dinowitz Challenger Evers Calls on AM to Return Donation from Karp after Epstein Files Disclosure

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Morgan Evers who launched her campaign to challenge local Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz on Dec. 7, for his Assembly District 81 seat in the upcoming June primaries, is calling on the seasoned politician who has held the seat for four decades to return a campaign contribution received from prominent New York attorney Brad Karp, after the latest Epstein file disclosures by the U.S. Department of Justice reveal emails exchanged between the deceased convicted pedophile and representatives of Karp.

NY Legal Assistance Group Urges U.S. Senate to Reject Increased ICE & Border Patrol Funding

By SÍLE MOLONEY
As the U.S. Senate prepares to vote on a funding bill for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Tuesday, Jan. 27, the New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) joined hundreds of civil rights groups in signing on to an open letter demanding that Congress members refuse to vote for any FY2026 appropriations bill that includes increased funding for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Border Patrol.

UPDATE AM Amanda Septimo Suspends Congressional Campaign against Torres in NY-15 amid Health Diagnosis

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Assemblymember Amanda Septimo (A.D. 84) has announced that she has suspended her congressional campaign for the Democratic primary in New York’s 15th congressional district in light of a recent health diagnosis. As reported, the assemblymember, who broadly represents the South Bronx neighborhoods of Concourse, Port Morris, Mott Haven and Hunts Point, Melrose and Longwood, announced on Dec. 11, 2025, that she was the sixth candidate to run for the seat currently held by Rep. Ritchie Torres (NY-15).