Virginia State University To Be First HBCU To Host Presidential Debate Virginia State University To Be First HBCU To Host Presidential Debate
Virginia State University To Be First HBCU To Host Presidential Debate The road to one of the most significant presidential elections in history is going through the DMV region.  Virginia State University (VSU) has been chosen to host the second of three planned 2024 Presidential Debates, making it the first Historically Black College or University (HBCU) to hold the event, officials announced. "We are honored and grateful to have been chosen as a host for a 2024 Presidential Debate,” VSU President Dr. Makola Abdullah said. “This is a historic moment for our university and for HBCUs nationwide.  "Our university mantra is 'Greater Happens Here,' and …
Longtime Mount Vernon Resident Announces Run To Become Westchester's First Black DA Longtime Mount Vernon Resident Announces Run To Become Westchester's First Black DA
Longtime Mount Vernon Resident Announces Run To Become Westchester's First Black DA A Westchester native with years of experience in civil rights cases has announced his candidacy to become the county's first Black district attorney.  Mount Vernon native and attorney William O. Wagstaff III announced his candidacy for the Westchester County District Attorney's office on Monday, Nov. 20.  Wagstaff's candidacy announcement comes nearly a month after the county's current District Attorney, Miriam Rocah, announced she would not be seeking re-election in 2024.  Earlier Report - Westchester DA Rocah Won't Seek Re-Election: 'I Do Not Fit Mold Of Career Polit…
Hochul Signs Controversial ‘Clean Slate’ Law Sealing Most Criminal Convictions Hochul Signs Controversial ‘Clean Slate’ Law Sealing Most Criminal Convictions
Hochul Signs Controversial ‘Clean Slate’ Law Sealing Most Criminal Convictions Millions of New Yorkers will soon have their criminal convictions sealed under new legislation meant to better help them find jobs and housing. Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the “Clean Slate Act” into law during a ceremony in Brooklyn on Thursday, Nov. 16. Under the new law, those with misdemeanor convictions will have their records sealed three years after their release from incarceration, while felony convictions will be sealed after eight years. Earlier Report: Suffolk County DA Accuses Lawmakers Of 'Protecting Criminals' With Proposed 'Clean Slate' Bill Class A felonies, which include m…
Ethics Chair Asks House To Expel Santos After Finding 'Substantial Evidence' Of Lawbreaking Ethics Chair Asks House To Expel Santos After Finding 'Substantial Evidence' Of Lawbreaking
Ethics Chair Asks House To Expel Santos After Finding 'Substantial Evidence' Of Lawbreaking The third time may be the charm for federal lawmakers hoping to oust embattled New York Rep. George Santos from office. House Ethics Committee Chair Michael Guest, a Republican from Mississippi, filed a resolution to expel Santos from Congress on Friday morning, Nov. 17. Members are expected to vote on the resolution the week after Thanksgiving.  Earlier Report: LI Rep Santos Won't Run For Re-Election: 'Substantial Evidence' Of Lawbreaking, Committee Says The rare move came just one day after the committee, made up of five Republicans and five Democrats, released a report sayi…
LI Rep Santos Won't Run For Re-Election: 'Substantial Evidence' Of Lawbreaking, Committee Says LI Rep Santos Won't Run For Re-Election: 'Substantial Evidence' Of Lawbreaking, Committee Says
LI Rep Santos Won't Run For Re-Election: 'Substantial Evidence' Of Lawbreaking, Committee Says Beleaguered New York Rep. George Santos says he won’t run for office in 2024 after an investigation by the House Ethics Committee found he likely committed federal crimes that have yet to be charged. In a damning report released Thursday, Nov. 16, the committee - made up of five Republicans and five Democrats - said it had unanimously concluded there was “substantial evidence” of lawbreaking and was referring its findings to the Department of Justice. Specifically, the investigation found that Santos, a Long Island Republican whose 3rd District includes parts of Nassau County and Queens: …
Santos Saga: Ethics Committee Won’t Recommend Punishment For Embattled LI Rep, Report Says Santos Saga: Ethics Committee Won’t Recommend Punishment For Embattled LI Rep, Report Says
Santos Saga: Ethics Committee Won’t Recommend Punishment For Embattled LI Rep, Report Says After months of investigating embattled New York Rep. George Santos, the House Ethics Committee won’t recommend any punishment for the freshman lawmaker, ABC News reports. Instead, the ten-member committee, made up of five Republicans and five Democrats, will leave any disciplinary actions up to the House as a whole, Chair Michael Guest told the outlet. Santos, a Long Island Republican whose 3rd District includes parts of Nassau County and Queens, found himself in the committee’s sights in March 2023 after admitting that he lied about much of his background on the campaign trail. Earlier…
18-Year-Old Wins Seat On Sparta School Board 18-Year-Old Wins Seat On Sparta School Board
18-Year-Old Wins Seat On Sparta School Board Lifelong Sparta resident Chad Wood has been elected to the town’s Board of Education just five months after graduating from high school. The 18-year-old is one of the state’s youngest to hold a BOE position. Wood ran alongside Jennifer "Lonsky" Grana and Kaitlin Gagnon. The trio incumbents Christina "Longo" Keiling and LeeAnne M. Pitzer. Wood might be young, but he comes with plenty of experience, having served as Student Council President for three years at Sparta High School, and was elected Executive President his senior year. Wood was also elected as the BOE’s Student Representative …
Citizen Murphy: NJ First Lady Announces Run For U.S. Senate Citizen Murphy: NJ First Lady Announces Run For U.S. Senate
Citizen Murphy: NJ First Lady Announces Run For U.S. Senate Tammy Murphy is hoping to go from Drumthwacket to the Capitol Building. Ending weeks of speculation, Murphy, the wife of New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, announced on Wednesday, Nov. 15, she is running for U.S. Senate as a Democrat, in the seat currently occupied by embattled Senator Bob Menendez.  Murphy made the announcement in a four-minute autobiographical video, telling her life story while also highlighting her priorities as first lady, including reducing the state's maternal mortality rate and combating climate change. "I am so proud of everything we've accomplished but I know …
'You Need To Die' Mechanicsburg Man Threatens US Congressman: Criminal Complaint 'You Need To Die' Mechanicsburg Man Threatens US Congressman: Criminal Complaint
'You Need To Die' Mechanicsburg Man Threatens US Congressman: Criminal Complaint A series of threatening voicemails have landed a Pennsylvania man a serious charge from the United States Attorney’s Office, according to court documents obtained by Daily Voice. Robert Lee Ingalls, Jr., age 61, of Mechanicsburg, is accused of leaving two voicemail messages "specifically threatened to kill a specifically identified United States Congressman" on the main congressional office answering system in Washington, D.C. Nov. 6, 2023, according to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam in a release on Tuesday, Nov. 14. The United States Capitol Police investigated the case with assist…
'Any Place. Anytime': US Senator Threatens To Fight Medford-Born Union Boss 'Any Place. Anytime': US Senator Threatens To Fight Medford-Born Union Boss
'Any Place. Anytime': US Senator Threatens To Fight Medford-Born Union Boss A US senator and one-time MMA fighter threatened to fight a New Englander who is the president of the Teamsters, over a mean tweet on Tuesday, Nov. 14.  Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma took issue with International Brotherhood of Teamsters President Sean O'Brien, a Massachusetts native from Medford,  calling the freshman congressman a "greedy CEO," a "clown," and a "fraud" on X, formerly known as Twitter.  “Sir, this is a time, this is a place. If you want to run your mouth, we can be two consenting adults and finish it here,” Mullin said before standing up.  The 51-year-old …
George Santos Campaign Staffer Admits Defrauding Donors By Impersonating Speaker's Aide George Santos Campaign Staffer Admits Defrauding Donors By Impersonating Speaker's Aide
George Santos Campaign Staffer Admits Defrauding Donors By Impersonating Speaker's Aide A campaign staffer who worked to elect New York Rep. George Santos has confessed to impersonating a high-level Congressional aide in order to raise money for him and line his own pockets. Samuel Miele, age 27, pleaded guilty to wire fraud in Central Islip federal court on Tuesday, Nov. 14. Miele was a fundraiser for Santos’ congressional campaigns in both 2020 and 2022, according to the US Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District. Earlier Report: George Santos Pleads Not Guilty To 10 New Federal Charges; Here's When He'll Stand Trial Santos ran as a Republican and was elected to …
Secret Service Agent Protecting Biden's Granddaughter Fired Shots In DC During SUV Break In Secret Service Agent Protecting Biden's Granddaughter Fired Shots In DC During SUV Break In
Secret Service Agent Protecting Biden's Granddaughter Fired Shots In DC During SUV Break In Secret Service agents protecting US President Joe Biden's granddaughter opened fire in DC's Georgetown neighborhood on Sunday, Nov. 12, when they saw people breaking a window of a parked SUV in the nation's capital. Two or three people are at large after shots were fired when agents saw the suspects breaking into an unoccupied Secret Service SUV, according to spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi.  Shortly before midnight, agents assigned to protect Naomi Biden approached possibly three suspects, with at least one firing a service weapon, though it is not believed that anyone was struck, prom…
Police Investigate Damage To Facility Housing Ballots For Scheduled Recount Of Fairfield Race Police Investigate Damage To Facility Housing Ballots For Scheduled Recount Of Fairfield Race
Police Investigate Damage To Facility Housing Ballots For Scheduled Recount Of Fairfield Race An investigation is underway after a possible break-in at a facility in Fairfield County that holds election equipment and ballots. At around 4:50 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 9, detectives from the State Police Western District Major Crimes Squad were requested by the Bridgeport State’s Attorney to investigate a reported suspicious incident at the Bigelow Center, located on Mona Terrace in Fairfield.  This property is owned by the town and contained the physical ballots for the Fairfield First Selectman's contest that occurred on Tuesday, Nov. 7. Democrat challenger Bill Gerber l…
Meet Vernon Township's Newly-Elected Mayor, Councilwoman Meet Vernon Township's Newly-Elected Mayor, Councilwoman
Meet Vernon Township's Newly-Elected Mayor, Councilwoman It's a new era in Vernon Township. Anthony Rossi, a Republican, was elected the new mayor of the township, defeating Harry Shortway and Sally Rinker with 53.3 percent of the vote. Rossi will be replacing Howard Burrell, who served one term. A native of New York City, Rossi moved to Vernon following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, raising his three children in the township. Rossi previously worked for Citibank and JPMorgan Chase. Joining Rossi on the township council will be Bradley Sparta and William Higgins who were elected to two four-year terms, defeating Margaret Distasi and Jessica De…
Election Day Results: Races In Harrison, North Castle Separated By Handful Of Votes Election Day Results: Races In Harrison, North Castle Separated By Handful Of Votes
Election Day Results: Races In Harrison, North Castle Separated By Handful Of Votes Two races for top positions in two Westchester municipalities are now only separated by a handful of votes, including one matchup that was decided by a single vote.  According to unofficial election results released by Westchester County, the supervisor races in both Harrison and North Castle have finished in a near dead heat.  In Harrison, the Republican candidate for Supervisor, Richard Dionisio, received 1,698 votes, only 19 more than his opponent, Democratic candidate Mark Jaffe, who received 1,679.  In North Castle, the race was even tighter, with the Democratic candida…
VA Candidate In Sex Scandal Susanna Gibson Defeated By David Owen: AP VA Candidate In Sex Scandal Susanna Gibson Defeated By David Owen: AP
VA Candidate In Sex Scandal Susanna Gibson Defeated By David Owen: AP Democrat Susanna Gibson has lost to Republican David Owen in a Virginia House of Delegates race, according to the Associated Press. It wasn't immediately clear what the margin was between Gibson — a Richmond mom of two and nurse practitioner who made headlines for live-streaming sex acts with her husband on porn websites — and the GOP businessman. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Susanna Gibson for Delegate (@susannasgibson) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Team David Ow…
Election Day Results: These Mayoral Candidates Win Big In Westchester Election Day Results: These Mayoral Candidates Win Big In Westchester
Election Day Results: These Mayoral Candidates Win Big In Westchester Election Day 2023 in Westchester proved to be a mixed bag for mayoral candidates, as some incumbents managed to keep their positions while some found themselves passing on the torch to newcomers.  Hours after polls closed on Tuesday, Nov. 7, several mayoral candidates in Westchester municipalities discovered whether their campaigns had succeeded. Some of these results included:  Yonkers: Incumbent Mayor Mike Spano, a Democrat, managed to beat Republican candidate Anthony Merante in order to secure a fourth term in office. Spano earned 61 percent of the votes, while Merante earned 36 perce…
2 Bridgeport City Council Members Arrested At Polling Place 2 Bridgeport City Council Members Arrested At Polling Place
2 Bridgeport City Council Members Arrested At Polling Place A pair of city council members were arrested in separate incidents outside the same polling place in Fairfield County. The arrests took place in Bridgeport outside of the John F. Kennedy School on Tuesday, Nov. 7, said Terron Jones, a spokesman for the city. According to Jones, Councilwoman Samia Suliman, representing the 138th District was charged with breach of peace at the polling place around 4:20 p.m. after a 911 call was received about a person causing a disturbance. Jones did not reveal what kind of disturbance she caused but did say she was charged after police arrived on the scene…
Changing Of Guard: New Leadership Set To Take Over Suffolk County No Matter Vote Changing Of Guard: New Leadership Set To Take Over Suffolk County No Matter Vote
Changing Of Guard: New Leadership Set To Take Over Suffolk County No Matter Vote No matter the final vote tally, this Long Island county will soon be under new leadership. The race for Suffolk County executive sees Republican Ed Romaine face off against Democrat Dave Calone. Voters’ top choice will replace Democrat Steve Bellone, who is nearing the tail end of his fourth three-year term, making him ineligible to run again. Romaine has been Brookhaven town supervisor since 2012, having been re-elected four times. He previously served on the Suffolk County Legislature. On the campaign trail he said his priorities would be jobs and affordable housing.  He also said…
Historic Election: Voters In Troy On Cusp Of Picking First Woman Mayor Historic Election: Voters In Troy On Cusp Of Picking First Woman Mayor
Historic Election: Voters In Troy On Cusp Of Picking First Woman Mayor It may be an off-year election, but that doesn’t mean it’s boring. History is being made this Election Day as voters in one major city in the region are set to elect their first woman mayor. In Rensselaer County, the race for Troy mayor sees Republican city council president Carmella Mantello facing off against Democrat Rensselaer County legislative board member Nina Nichols. The winner will take over the position currently held by Democrat Patrick Madden, who is coming off his second four-year term, making him ineligible to run again. Mantello has spent the last eight years on the Troy C…
Unofficial Results Of Bergen County Mayoral Elections (DEVELOPING) Unofficial Results Of Bergen County Mayoral Elections (DEVELOPING)
Unofficial Results Of Bergen County Mayoral Elections (Developing) The results of Bergen County's 38 mayoral races are rolling in. Votes were being counted in real time on the Bergen County elections website.  Here is the vote count for the mayoral races as of 8 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8, according to the county's election result website. ** NOTE: This is a developing story. Totals are not final ** Bergenfield:  Arvin Amatorio (D)* — 100% of votes Bogota (replacing Claudia Lopez): Mary Ellen Murphy (D) — 54% Daniele Fede (R) — 46% Carlstadt: Lorraine Joewono (D) — 22% Robert J. Zimmerman (R)* — 77% Cliffside Park: Thomas Calabrese (D)* —…
Hoboken Council Race Among Most Highly-Contested In North Jersey Elections Hoboken Council Race Among Most Highly-Contested In North Jersey Elections
Hoboken Council Race Among Most Highly-Contested In North Jersey Elections The race for Hoboken council is among the most high-contested in New Jersey. Of the six Hoboken City Council seats, five are contested in the Tuesday, Nov. 7 election. First Ward Councilman Mike DeFusco will not be running for re-election. Paul Presinzano, Rafi Cordova, and Leo Pellegrini, the city's former health director, and running for his seat. Marla Decker and Patricia Waiters are running for a seat in the Second Ward, hoping to oust incumbent Tiffanie Fisher. Edward Reep is up against incumbent Michael Russo in the Third Ward. In the Fourth Ward, Ruben J. Ramos Jr. is running …
'Jews Did 9/11:' Racist, Antisemitic Hackers Disrupt Passaic Council Meeting (VIDEO) 'Jews Did 9/11:' Racist, Antisemitic Hackers Disrupt Passaic Council Meeting (VIDEO)
'Jews Did 9/11:' Racist, Antisemitic Hackers Disrupt Passaic Council Meeting (Video) A live-streamed Passaic City Council meeting was disrupted by antisemitic hackers spewing racial slurs. Just more than 17 minutes into the Oct. 24 meeting, the hackers interrupted Mayor Hector Lora praising the city's police department (scroll for video). "Jews did 9/11. Israel did 9/11. Jews [unintelligible]. Shut up [racial slur]. You're a [racial slur]. Alright, so when are we going to put these Jews in these..." The mic cuts out. Passaic's Mayor and Council reflects the city's diverse population, being comprised of Orthodox Jewish, Latino, and Black members.  Officials request the ha…
Nassau Rep. George Santos Dodges Expulsion From House: 'Victory For Due Process' Nassau Rep. George Santos Dodges Expulsion From House: 'Victory For Due Process'
Nassau Rep. George Santos Dodges Expulsion From House: 'Victory For Due Process' New York Rep. George Santos, who admitted to lying about his background and is facing nearly two dozen federal criminal charges, is claiming victory after an effort to expel him from Congress failed. The freshman Republican lawmaker from Long Island, whose 3rd District represents parts of Nassau County and Queens, easily survived a resolution brought by his fellow New York Republicans to oust Santos from the House on Wednesday, Nov. 1. The resolution failed with 179 members voting in favor and 213 voting against. Nineteen members voted “present.” Earlier Report: George Santos Pleads Not…
Nosh It Off: Gov. Murphy Spent Nearly $1K On Snacks At MetLife Taylor Swift Concert: Report Nosh It Off: Gov. Murphy Spent Nearly $1K On Snacks At MetLife Taylor Swift Concert: Report
Nosh It Off: Gov. Murphy Spent Nearly $1K On Snacks At MetLife Taylor Swift Concert: Report Gov. Phil Murphy certainly enjoys entertaining guests at MetLife Stadium, according to a report from Politico.  New Jersey's governor spent $12,000 on food and drinks at MetLife in 2018 and 2019, using an expense account funded by taxpayers, Politico said, after obtaining the invoices via the Open Public Records Act. Events include a Taylor Swift concert, Hot97's SummerJam concert and a Jets v. Cowboys game.  Jennifer Sciortino, a spokeswoman for Gov. Murphy's office, said Murphy intends to have the state Democratic party reimburse the Garden State for the costs.  "Because t…
Westchester DA Rocah Won't Seek Re-Election: 'I Do Not Fit Mold Of Career Politician' Westchester DA Rocah Won't Seek Re-Election: 'I Do Not Fit Mold Of Career Politician'
Westchester DA Rocah Won't Seek Re-Election: 'I Do Not Fit Mold Of Career Politician' After carefully considering her options, Westchester County District Attorney Miriam Rocah has announced that she will not be seeking re-election in 2024.  New, updated report - Mount Vernon Native Announces Run To Become Westchester's First Black District Attorney Rocah, a Democrat who became DA in 2020, announced her decision in a surprise statement released on Thursday, Oct. 26 in which she said she is satisfied with her accomplishments during her term and is ready for someone else to take the reigns.  "I do not fit the mold of a career politician. I approached the role of DA as I have…
George Santos Pleads Not Guilty To 10 New Federal Charges; Here's When He'll Stand Trial George Santos Pleads Not Guilty To 10 New Federal Charges; Here's When He'll Stand Trial
George Santos Pleads Not Guilty To 10 New Federal Charges; Here's When He'll Stand Trial Beleaguered New York Rep. George Santos was back in a federal courtroom to formally answer to a host of new fraud charges. The Republican lawmaker, whose 3rd District on Long Island includes parts of Nassau County and Queens, pleaded not guilty to 10 new counts in US District Court in Central Islip on Friday, Oct. 27. Judge Joanna Seybert set a trial date for Thursday, Sept. 9, 2024. Earlier Report: George Santos Stole Thousands From Donors, Inflated Fundraising Totals, New Indictment Alleges In their 23-count superseding indictment, which includes allegations of wire fraud and ident…
Spotsy Candidate Who Lied On Sample Ballots Barred From Further Distribution: Report Spotsy Candidate Who Lied On Sample Ballots Barred From Further Distribution: Report
Spotsy Candidate Who Lied On Sample Ballots Barred From Further Distribution: Report "One thing the academy taught me is that you don’t have to be perfect to make a huge, positive difference, just your very best.” That's what Spotsylvania County clerk or court candidate Nick Ignacio's website says. But according to NBC Washington, he's been barred from further distributing sample ballots, which the outlet says he fabricated and say that he's endorsed by both Republicans and Democrats. Ignacio, however, is not endorsed by either. An emergency, temporary injunction was issued by a judge this week, halting Ignacio and his organization, Fredericksburg Virginia Patrio…
NJ Voters To Sen. Menendez: Resign NJ Voters To Sen. Menendez: Resign
NJ Voters To Sen. Menendez: Resign New Jersey residents have a very unfavorable view of Bob Menendez. A Stockton University poll found just eight percent of New Jersey residents support Menendez, who was recently indicted on federal bribery charges, along with his wife, Nadine.  The poll found more than 71 percent said he should resign, and only eight percent want him to remain in office. The call for his resignation was bipartisan, with 78 percent of Democrats and 79 percent of Republicans in support. The couple has denied the allegations in the indictment. A majority of his Democratic colleagues have called on the se…
Paterson Council Prez, Wife, Campaign Chief Charged In Hare-Brained Scheme To Steal Election Paterson Council Prez, Wife, Campaign Chief Charged In Hare-Brained Scheme To Steal Election
Paterson Council Prez, Wife, Campaign Chief Charged In Hare-Brained Scheme To Steal Election State authorities announced a bunch of new election fraud charges on Wednesday against Paterson’s council president along with allegations against his wife and campaign manager, as well. Alex Mendez, 48, has been awaiting trial in a case, stemming from 2020 council races, that has undergone a series of one delay after another. The contests were conducted entirely by mail-in ballots as COVID was spreading. The new charges involved what the attorney general described on Oct. 25 as a hare-brained plot to steal ballots from mailboxes outside people’s homes, toss out those that didn’t vote for…
NY AG James Joins Lawsuit Against Meta With 32 Other States: 'They Must Be Held Accountable' NY AG James Joins Lawsuit Against Meta With 32 Other States: 'They Must Be Held Accountable'
NY AG James Joins Lawsuit Against Meta With 32 Other States: 'They Must Be Held Accountable' New York Attorney General Letitia James and a group of attorneys general from 32 other states have filed a federal lawsuit against Meta for contributing to a mental health crisis among young people, officials announced. The lawsuit, filed in the US District Court for the Northern District of California, alleges that the social media company knowingly designed and implemented features on Instagram, Facebook, and other platforms that purposefully take advantage of children and teens, James' office announced on Tuesday, Oct. 24.  Additionally, the lawsuit also charges Meta with collecting…