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

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

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.”

University Heights: Dynamic Star LLC, Developer behind Fordham Landing Development, Files for Bankruptcy

According to public federal court records, Dynamic Star LLC, the developer behind the billion-dollar Fordham Landing Development housing project planned along the Harlem River in the University Heights section of The Bronx, has voluntarily filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, a form of financial reorganization that allows businesses and, in some cases, individuals with significant debt to restructure their obligations and continue operating under court supervision. 

DOB Issues Fines to Sign Company and Property Owner

In the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) September monthly enforcement bulletin dated Nov. 12, the department announced 11 violations at 11 separate construction projects across New York City and issued a total of $125,000 in resulting fines.

UPDATE Inquiring Photographer: Thoughts on the Epstein Files

This week, we asked readers for their opinion on the Jeffrey “Epstein files” currently under review by the U.S. Department of Justice and whether they believe the files will ever be released in their entirety to the American public.

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

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?   

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?