Elections

Politicians & Gun Control Activists Hail Passage of Additional New York State Gun Control Bills into Law

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Alongside gunshot survivor, gun control activist, and former Democratic U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords, New York government officials, and other gun safety advocates, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed into State law a new package of six bills on Wednesday, Oct. 9, which elected officials say will strengthen New York’s gun laws, by taking action against dangerous “pistol convertors,” by requiring gun sellers to post tobacco-style safety warnings on their products, and by providing other new tools and resources to help protect more New Yorkers from gun violence. 

Maria Springer-Torres Announced as New First Deputy Mayor, Replacing Sheena Wright

By SÍLE MOLONEY
New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced on Tuesday, Oct. 8, that Maria Torres-Springer, deputy mayor for housing, economic development, and workforce, will become the next first deputy mayor, replacing  following former First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright, who resigned on Tuesday, as reported. It comes amid the ongoing turmoil at City Hall surrounding the recently announced federal bribery charges brought against Adams, which has shaken the Adams administration to its core. The mayor pled not guilty to the charges on Sept. 27 and has moved to dismiss the case.

UPDATE Former City Hall Official Mohamed Bahi Charged with Witness Tampering, Destruction of Evidence

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Federal prosecutors unsealed a criminal complaint on Tuesday, Oct. 8, charging former New York City Hall official Mohamed Bahi with witness tampering and destruction of evidence in connection with “a federal investigation of unlawful contributions to a particular 2021 mayoral campaign.” Bahi, a senior Muslim liaison to Mayor Eric Adams, resigned on Monday, Oct. 7, according to reporting from the NY Daily News.

Bronx Supporter Compares Mayor to Jesus Christ

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Three days after New York City Mayor Eric Adams was hit with bribery and other charges by federal prosecutors following an investigation into his 2021 mayoral campaign finances, and two days after he pleaded not guilty to charges relating to his alleged actions going back a decade or so, which he later moved to dismiss, the mayor continued his weekend citywide tour of religious institutions, visiting the Emmanuel Presbyterian Reform Church in Woodlawn Heights on Sunday, Sept. 29, to mark its 25th anniversary.

Bronx Democrats Hold Get-Out-the-Vote Rally for Harris Walz Campaign

By SÍLE MOLONEY
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul made a surprise guest appearance at The Bronx Democratic Party’s get-out-the-vote rally for the Harris Walz presidential campaign held at the Party’s headquarters on Williamsbridge Road in Morris Park on a sunny Sunday, Sept. 8.

District Council 9 Painters & Allied Trades to Conduct Glazier Apprenticeship Recruitment in October  

By SÍLE MOLONEY
District Council 9 (DC9) Finishing Trades Institute of New York will be conducting a formal glazier apprentice recruitment campaign starting Oct. 8. According to Indeed, glaziers are responsible for cutting, fitting, installing and repairing glass and glass substitutes into a variety of fixtures and locations.The recruitment campaign is being conducted at the union’s training center in Long Island City, NY, will cover the New York City, Long Island, and Hudson Valley regions, and last until Oct. 21.

Feds Offer Circa $10M for Info on 3 Iranians Charged with Trying to Influence 2024 U.S. Presidential Election

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The U.S. Department of Justice announced on Friday, Sept. 27 it is offering up to $10 million for information on three Iranian nationals and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) employees, Masoud Jalili, 36,  also known as, مسعود جلیلی, Seyyed Ali Aghamiri, 34, also known as, سید علی آقامیری, and Yaser Balaghi, 37, also known as, یاسر بلاغی (the conspirators), charged with trying to influence the 2024 U.S. presidential election.   

UPDATE Mayor Eric Adams Pleads Not Guilty to Bribery by Foreign Entities Going Back Almost a Decade

By SÍLE MOLONEY
New York City Mayor Eric Adams was charged by federal prosecutors on Thursday, Sept. 26, with bribery, including from foreign business people and at least one Turkish government official seeking to gain influence over him. According to the indictment unsealed on Thursday morning, Adams, a former Brooklyn borough president, sought and accepted valuable benefits, including luxury international travel, in exchange for favors including pressuring the New York City Fire Department to facilitate the opening of a foreign government’s Manhattan skyscraper that had not passed a fire inspection.

Mayor Eric Adams Calls Anticipated Charges in Federal Investigation “False”

By SÍLE MOLONEY
After addressing calls on Wednesday, Sept. 25, for his resignation amid the political fallout stemming from a slew of recent resignations by several high profile officials in his administration, including the health commissioner and the schools commissioner earlier this week, The New York Times reported Wednesday evening that New York City Mayor Eric Adams has been indicted following a federal corruption investigation. The indictment makes Adams the first sitting mayor of New York City to face criminal charges.