Because he brought it up during his Made in New York Award acceptance speech, here are your early links: Mayor threatens to have security ban a Daily News reporter from press conferences, pickleball drama, MAGA rice cooker and more.
State Sen. Andrew Gounardes and street safety advocates rallied in Downtown Brooklyn on June 17 to celebrate the state Senate’s passage of the Stop Super Speeders Act — and to urge the Assembly to pass the bill in the next legislative session.
The bill (S.4045C/A.2299C) passed the Senate on June 12 in a 44-15 vote. It would require the installation of speed-limiting devices — known as intelligent speed assistance, or ISA, technology — in the cars of drivers who accumulate 11 or more points on their license within 18 months, or receive 16 or more speed camera tickets in a single year.
The device would prevent drivers from traveling more than 5 mph over the speed limit in a designated zone — similar to an ignition interlock device required for individuals convicted of drunk driving under existing state law.
A street safety advocate holds an image of intelligent speed assistance (ISA) technology. By Gabriele Holtermann
Standing at the corner of Flatbush Extension and Tillary Street, state Sen. Andrew Gounardes, who co-sponsored the bill with Assembly Member Emily Gallagher (D-Brooklyn), noted that one of New York City’s top 10 worst speed offenders was caught racing five times on that very block.
The reckless driver received more than 470 speed camera tickets last year, racking up over $47,000 in traffic fines.
“You might be scratching your head and saying, ‘How is this possible? How can we let this happen?’” Gounardes said. “It happens because we do not have a single tool in our toolkit at either the state or local level to crack down and hold accountable repeat reckless drivers, repeat super speeders.”
State Sen. Andrew Gounardes urged the state Assembly to pass the Stop Super Speeders Act. By Gabriele Holtermann
Gounardes emphasized that passing the bill in the Assembly and getting it to Gov. Kathy Hochul’s desk for signature is imperative to saving lives.
“This bill, when enacted, will save lives,” the Brooklyn pol said. “This bill, when enacted, will hold reckless drivers accountable. This bill, when enacted, will keep our streets safe for everyone. And so the job is half done. We need our partner in Albany, the state Assembly, to pass this bill and make sure that we can hold these reckless drivers accountable.”
According to NYC Department of Transportation data, drivers who rack up 16 speed camera violations in a single year are twice as likely to be involved in a crash resulting in serious injury or death.
Supporters say the proposed law could help prevent tragedies like the horrific crash that claimed the lives of 34-year-old Natasha Saada and her two daughters — Diana, 8, and Deborah, 5 — earlier this year. Miriam Yarmini, 35, was speeding through a red light when she plowed into a group of pedestrians. She was driving with a suspended license and had amassed 99 traffic violations, including 21 speeding tickets, over the past two years.
Family members and friends who lost loved ones to traffic violence also spoke to the urgency of passing the bill in the state Assembly.
Darnell Sealy-McCrorey, whose daughter Niyell McCrorey — a high school freshman — was struck by an SUV while crossing an intersection in Upper Manhattan in November 2024 and died from her injuries a week later, has turned his grief into action, spending time in Albany to advocate for the bill’s passage.
Darnell Sealy-McCrorey lost his 13-year-old Niyell McCrorey to traffic violence. By Gabriele Holtermann
“Unfortunately, the device wasn’t installed at the time during my daughter’s death, which could have probably prevented her from dying seven days later,” said Sealy-McCrorey, who described the tragedy as one of the most traumatic experiences of his and his family’s lives.
Amanda Servedio, 36, was struck and killed by a speeding Dodge Ram while cycling in Astoria in October 2024. Her friend, Joseph Jankoski, said the driver had accumulated 90 speed camera and red light camera violations over two years.
Joseph Jankoski’s friend Amanda Servedio was killed by a driver with 90 prior traffic violations. By Gabriele Holtermann
“I’m here on her behalf because she wouldn’t want this to be about her. She’d want to get this bill passed for the countless others that have been taken from us too soon,” Jankoski said. “Nothing we do now can bring back Amanda or anyone else who has been so cruelly and senselessly taken from us, but passing this bill will help keep others from feeling what we who lost people feel, that emptiness, that sense of loss.”
Juliane Williams lost her daughter, Doniqueca Cooke, in 2016, when the 21-year-old college student was struck and killed by a speeding Porsche that jumped the curb at the intersection of Junction Boulevard and the Horace Harding Expressway service road in Queens.
Juliane Williams lost her daughter Doniqueca Cooke to traffic violence in 2016. Photo by Gabriele Holtermann
Williams said losing her daughter has been a constant nightmare and called on the state Assembly to pass the bill.
“We need you to pass this bill,” Williams urged. “Because this is not about us alone. It’s about every living human being. Because at no time can you tell what’s gonna happen next by the speeding motor vehicles. I’m calling on all Assembly members — please pass this bill, because you could be saving your own life.”
A Pennsylvania man allegedly confessed in an email to human resources to fatally shooting his coworker while they worked an overnight shift at Lowe’s over the weekend.
The road map for revitalizing SUNY Downstate Medical Hospital is now being developed. This will initiate the planned renovation of a much-needed community health facility in Central Brooklyn.
After several demonstrations, town hall meetings, six trips to Albany, NY, and a bus ride to Washington, DC, by local clergy leaders and politicians advocating daily that Downstate Medical’s doors remain open, all hands are now on deck.
A decision has finally been reached, and New York State Governor Kathy Hochul was on-site at the hospital on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, to announce that the 2.5 million people of Brooklyn will no longer have to struggle to get the services of SUNY Downstate Medical.
The governor announced to a crowded hall that after working with NY State legislators on more than one occasion, they have confirmed that a state-of-the-art modern healthcare facility will be upgraded and refurbished at Downstate. “I think we can do better…everyone does have the right to quality health care. We were instrumental in getting over the line this time,” the governor announced.
Governor Hochul declared that the plan was carefully reviewed and looked at by financial experts.
“We have secured $1 billion. When you walk through the doors at SUNY Downstate, we will take care of you and give you the security you deserve,” the governor declared.
Governor Hochul expressed gratitude towards the State Legislature and the advisory board. She expressed that the SUNY Downstate legacy runs deep in Brooklyn. She further mentioned that they will collaborate with students to ensure they receive a first-class education at SUNY Downstate.
A group of Occupational Therapy students with SUNY Chancellor Dr. John B. King. Photo by Alithia Alleyne
Following Governor Hochul’s comments, SUNY Chancellor Dr. John B. King acknowledged the hospital’s challenges but assured the audience that Downstate would no longer struggle.
According to Dr. King, the plan will drive and increase the number of patients in the facility, allowing stability and maintenance. He noted that work has already begun in some areas, such as electricity.
SUNY’s Downstate Medical Hospital president, Dr. Wayne Riley, also spoke. He thanked the governor for her commitment to the community and her dedication to providing services for SUNY Downstate. Dr. Riley said the hospital will ensure the community’s long-term viability.
New York State Senator Zellnor Myrie, who led several demonstrations calling for the hospital to remain open, said it is with immense gratitude that he thanked Governor Hochul for her constant effort to generate the funds to refurbish the hospital.
Myrie reflected deeply on the challenging days, especially during the tumultuous days of the COVID-19 pandemic when the doctors and nurses at Downstate struggled to keep patients alive and the hospital doors open. He acknowledged the advisory board and the United Universal Professionals (UUP union) for their tireless efforts in addressing the issues, always persisting in their struggles to keep the hospital operating.
New York State Assembly Member for the 43rd District, Brian Cunningham, thanked Governor Hochul for her investment in the community.
The completion of the hospital will see new wings added, several areas upgraded, and contemporary and various equipment added to accommodate the staff and all of Brooklyn’s residents.
The total plan for the development of the hospital finishes within seven years. Work has already started.
With their Commissioner’s Cup hopes all but dashed, the New York Liberty had to find a way to avoid their second straight loss at Downtown’s Barclays Center Tuesday night. The winning formula was a steady dose of Sabrina Ionescu and Breanna Stewart. Ionescu put up 34 points for the second straight game and Stewart added […]
