Elections

Second ‘No Kings’ Rally Held in Northwest Bronx

By DAVID GREENE
For the second time in less than three months, a large crowd gathered in the Riverdale section of The Bronx to protest the actions of U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration after American military forces attacked Venezuela on Saturday, Jan. 3, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents shot and killed Minneapolis protester Renee Nicole Good on Wednesday, Jan. 7.

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.

Health Check: The Pink Elephant and the Unopened Gift When Cancer Visits during the Holidays 

By DR. ALYSON MOADEL-ROBBLEE
The holiday season can conjure up images of festive gatherings of family and loved ones, laughing and eating around a table full of delicious food, nostalgic stories, and holiday music. Joy is served up, as thick and rich as the banana cream pie, while everyone catches up on happy news.  Cut to reality: We know that life is not like the one depicted in the movie “Pleasantville,” where there are never any natural disasters, hardships, or illness. Real life, especially during family gatherings and the holidays, forces us to confront immense challenges, including one that affects one in three women and one in two men: cancer.

Gibson Sworn in for Second Term as 14th Bronx Borough President

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Following what her team described as a decisive victory in both the 2025 New York City primary in which she garnered 71.7% of the vote, and the general election in which she won 82.7% of votes, Vanessa L. Gibson, surrounded by supporters, elected officials, and community leaders, took the oath of office once again on Monday, Dec. 15, to serve her second term. 

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.”

Dinowitz, Harckham Introduce Bill to Protect Residents from Civil Arrest at Polling Places

By SÍLE MOLONEY
New York State Senator Pete Harckham (S.D. 40) and Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (A.D. 81) introduced legislation on Dec. 3 which aims to protect residents from civil arrest while going to, remaining at, or returning from polling places in New York State. According to the both Harckham and Dinowitz, civil arrests supported by a judicial warrant or a court will still be allowable under this new bill, however.

What Does the Latest U.S. Military Build Up in Puerto Rico Mean?   

By GENE ROMAN
Puerto Rico has a long and proud tradition of U.S. military service. Increases in the U.S. military presence in the Caribbean have set the region on edge. According to an ABC article dated Nov. 24, entitled Top U.S. military Adviser Visits Caribbean as Trump Ramps Up Pressure on Venezuela, high level officials from the Pentagon visited troops on the Island during Thanksgiving to thank them for their service. Is this military build-up temporary, and does it presage a larger conflict with Venezuela?