Northeast
Mamdani plan pours millions into ‘racial equity’ offices and six-figure diversity jobs, cuts 5,000 NYPD jobs
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Even as City Hall describes parts of its spending plan as “actions of last resort,” Mayor Zohran Mamdani is steering millions into an expanding “racial equity” bureaucracy and six-figure diversity positions.
To finance the $127 billion agenda, the plan carries steep trade-offs — higher taxes on wealthy residents and corporations, a potential 9.5% property tax increase if state lawmakers decline to act and a 5,000-officer reduction in the New York City Police Department’s ranks.
Mamdani’s budget is far from inconsequential. In a city of nearly 9 million people that represents the center of global finance, his sweeping progressive agenda isn’t just a local policy shift. It’s a high-stakes experiment that could reshape the nation’s largest economy.
FROM FREE BUSES TO CITY-OWNED GROCERY STORES, HERE ARE MAMDANI’S KEY ECONOMIC PROMISES
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani placed affordability at the center of his campaign to run America’s largest city. (Adam Gray/Bloomberg/Getty Images)
Under Mamdani’s plan, the city’s Office of Racial Equity would receive $5.6 million annually, while the Commission on Racial Equity would be allocated $4.6 million, a combined total of $10.2 million. The new figure represents roughly a $3 million increase — or about a 42% jump — from the approximately $7.2 million allocated last year.
Together, the allocations support a growing racial equity apparatus within City Hall. The Office of Racial Equity, which employs a staff of 38, serves as the administration’s operational arm, coordinating and implementing racial equity policies across agencies.
The Commission on Racial Equity, made up of 16 paid roles, functions as a separate advisory and analytical body, conducting research, developing recommendations and providing oversight related to racial equity policy.
Beyond the $10.2 million allocated to the Office and Commission on Racial Equity, the budget also funds several high-level diversity positions across city agencies.
MAMDANI PROPOSES RAISING NYC PROPERTY TAXES IF STATE DOESN’T APPROVE TAX HIKE ON WEALTHY
In front of a painting of Alexander Hamilton, Mayor Zohran Mamdani speaks to reporters about the city’s finances during a news conference in New York Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. (Seth Wenig/AP Photo)
The Department of Education budgets more than $260,000 for a chief diversity officer. Meanwhile, at the fire department, three civilian chief diversity inclusion officer positions are funded at just over $301,000 in combined salaries, along with nearly $230,000 in associated overtime, bringing the civilian unit’s total to about $531,000.
The FDNY also funds a separate uniformed chief diversity inclusion officer position at just over $118,000, pushing the department’s total diversity leadership allocation to roughly $649,000.
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Under Mamdani’s budget plan, the city will cut 5,000 police officer roles. (Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Additionally, the city will funnel more than $835,000 for the Commission on Gender Equity, an advisory body solely dedicated to analyzing legislation and developing public positions on gender-based equality.
Mamdani’s office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
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Northeast
Pennsylvania state trooper fatally shot during traffic stop, officials say
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A Pennsylvania state trooper was shot and killed on Sunday night while conducting a traffic stop in Chester County, according to officials.
The shooting happened in West Caln Township shortly after 9 p.m. during a traffic stop near Compass and Michael roads.
Gov. Josh Shapiro announced that the trooper, identified as Timothy O’Connor, died from the shooting.
PENNSYLVANIA BUS DRIVER CHARGED WITH ENDANGERING DOZENS OF ELEMENTARY STUDENTS WHILE INTOXICATED
L-R: Aerial footage of hospital; Corporal Timothy J. O’Connor Jr. (WTXF; PA State Police)
“I am profoundly saddened to announce that tonight, Pennsylvania State Police family lost a son, lost a hero, and lost a dedicated public servant,” Shapiro said at a press briefing.
“Corporal Timothy O’Connor is killed tonight doing what he’s dedicated his life to. And that is serving others, keeping our community safe, looking out for his fellow Pennsylvanians, especially right here in Chester County,” he continued. “Our entire Commonwealth, State Police family, Chester County, are mourning the loss of Corporal O’Connor.”
The governor added: “He died protecting others, and that is a noble calling. That is something we are profoundly grateful for tonight.”
The shooting happened in West Caln Township shortly after 9 p.m. during a traffic stop near Compass and Michael roads. (Pennsylvania State Police)
Police “put their lives on the line every single day to protect us, to look after us, to ensure our well-being,” Shapiro said. “That’s what Tim was doing tonight. I hope that the good people of Pennsylvania take a moment to appreciate all who put on a uniform, especially the uniform of the Pennsylvania State Police, and go out every day to look after us, do a lot every day and run into danger to keep the rest of us safe.”
Shapiro said flags in Pennsylvania will be flown at half-staff on Monday in honor of O’Connor.
MINNESOTA POLICE SERGEANT, FATHER OF TWO, DIES SUDDENLY AFTER BRAIN INFECTION
Gov. Josh Shapiro said flags in Pennsylvania will be flown at half-staff on Monday. (Gilbert Carrasquillo/GC Images)
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Chester County Commissioner Eric Roe also said he was praying for the trooper.
“Chester County’s brave police officers put their lives on the line for us every day. I thank all of them for their extraordinary bravery and sacrifice,” Roe said on Facebook.
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Boston, MA
Boston Police Blotter: Southie pub brawl leads to alleged stabbing
Two people were stabbed following an alleged bar brawl in Southie over the weekend.
According to a police report, officers arrived at Tom English’s around 10:30 p.m., Friday for a report of a fight. When they arrived on the scene, a victim told police that he was sucker punched during a fight and pointed out a person who was the “main aggressor” throughout the incident.
The suspect was pat frisked by police, but the report said they did not find any weapons. “The suspect stated that he was jumped [by the party of the victim,” the report said. “The suspect refused to cooperate any further after repeated attempts by officers to get his version of events.”
Both the suspect and victim declined EMS.
Then about an hour later, three more victims arrived at a nearby police station to report that two of them had been stabbed in the fight at Tom English. One of the unnamed victims said that the fight started after the suspect kept moving coins he put down to play pool. The suspect, according to one of the other victims, told them to meet him outside.
All parties were kicked out by a bouncer and “a large brawl ensued,” the report said. The victims told police that that suspect brandished a knife and the victims said they “fled the scene on foot fearing for their lives.”
In the report, police noted that they saw wounds on two of the victims. EMS was called to treat them.
BPD did not confirm whether the suspect was arrested.
Fireworks call leads to firearm recovery in Mattapan
Reports of fireworks led Boston Police to recover a firearm Monday night in Mattapan.
Officers responded to the area around Callender Street at about 10 p.m. for a call of shots fire, but a supervisor alerted them that individuals were shooting off fireworks.
When police got to the scene, they said they saw a group of people standing near a car that had several packages of fireworks. As officers approached, one man started to sprint towards Blue Hill Ave., throwing a jacket off as he ran, according to BPD.
Multiple officers responded to detain the suspect and a pat frisk of the jacket uncovered a ghost gun with 7 rounds in the magazine, police said.
Kahnari White, 24, of Mattapan was charged with carrying a loaded firearm without a license, carrying a firearm without a license, possession of a firearm without an FID card, and possession of a large capacity feeding device.
While the foot pursuit and arrest of White unfolded, police said the group standing with the fireworks began to become “hostile and threatening to an officer who remained with them on scene.”
One person allegedly continued to threaten an officer and bumped him on the chest as more officers arrived.
“Multiple de-escalation tactics were attempted, but the suspect continued to threaten officers,” Boston police said in a statement.
Eventually, officers were able to detain Sean Galvez, 40, of Quincy. Galvez was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, and assault and battery on a police officer.
Both suspects are expected to be arraigned at Dorchester District Court.
Gun recovered after foot chase in Dorchester
A 22-year-old from Dorchester was arrested on gun charges after police said they approached the suspect for drinking in public Monday night.
Officers saw a group on Draper St. drinking publicly around 8:30 p.m., and when they approached them, one individual started to walk away.
“When officers advised the male that he could not be drinking alcohol in public, he fled on foot,” Boston Police said in a statement. “A foot pursuit ensued, and officers stopped the suspect.”
Police recovered a Smith and Wesson M&P Bodyguard .380 with nine rounds in the magazine during a pat frisk and said that the serial number on the gun was defaced.
Denilson Pires was arrested and charged with carrying a firearm without a license, possession of ammunition without an FID card, and defacing a firearm serial number.
He is expected to be arraigned at Dorchester District Court.
Incident Summary
BPD responded to 252 incidents in the 24-hour period ending at 10 a.m. Tuesday, according to the department’s incident log. Those included one robbery, six aggravated assaults, one residential burglary, seven larcenies from a vehicle, 15 miscellaneous larcenies, and five auto thefts.
Arrests
All of the below-named defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
— Francis Haugh, 248 Albany St., Boston. Assault with a dangerous weapon.
— Ismann Nuuh, 421 Old Colony Ave., South Boston. Warrant arrest.
— Michael Buckley, 37 Washington St., Newburyport. Warrant arrest.
— Misty Lottmann, 1 Davis Sq., Somerville. Possession of a Class B drug.
— Michael Nicholls, 39 Boylston St., Boston. Threat to commit a crime.
— Yeson Silvestre, 48-52 Glenville Ave., Brighton. Unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.
— Galvester Johnson, 123 Hamilton St., Dorchester. Assault with a dangerous weapon on a person 60 or older.
— Nilton Cardoso, 112 George St., Boston. Uninsured motor vehicle.
— Edgar Aguilar, 29 North St., Newtonville. Possession of a Class C drug.
— Jorge Guillermo Cruz Ortiz, 24 Heard St., Chelsea. Unregistered motor vehicle.
— Askia Lelaind, 47 Chestnut St., Springfield. Larceny under $1,200.
— Tewshawn Hector-Coleman, 111 Woodbine Rd., Stoughton. Warrant.
— Frammy Llaveria, 55 Vallar St., East Boston. Unarmed robbery.
— Eric Hale, 780 Albany St., Boston. Unregistered hawker & peddler ordinance.
Pittsburg, PA
Steelers Add Year to Cam Heyward’s Contract, Creating Cap Space
The Pittsburgh Steelers finally have some clarity on Cameron Heyward’s short-term future with the team.
According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac, the Steelers have added an extra year to Heyward’s deal. As a result, they freed up right around $5.5 million in cap space.
SOURCES: The Steelers have added a year to DE Cam Heyward’s contract, creating nearly $5.5 million in cap space. His new deal is worth $32.25 million over two years with the first year guaranteed.
— Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac) March 10, 2026
Heyward’s contract is now worth $32.25 million across two seasons, though only the first of those two years is guaranteed.
The reigning second-team All-Pro previously had one year left on his contract, which carried a cap hit of $19.150 million.
Heyward’s deal was a source of contention during training camp last summer, as the 15-year veteran looked to negotiate his contract after previously having agreed to a two-year, $29 million extension leading into the 2024 campaign.
The 36-year-old, who was a first-team All-Pro that year, later compromised with Pittsburgh after it added a little over $3 million in incentives to his contract before Week 1 of the 2025 season.
Over 17 games, Heyward recorded a total of 3.5 sacks and 78 tackles with a forced fumble.
With it appearing set in stone that he’ll return for the 2026 season after agreeing to his modified deal, the question now becomes whether or not Heyward will play out the duration of his contract through 2027.
What Could Steelers Do with Extra Money?
Pittsburgh was rather active both shortly before and immediately after the legal tampering period began, re-signing cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. and linebacker Cole Holcomb while also signing former Tampa Bay Buccaneers corner Jamel Dean and acquiring wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. via trade from the Indianapolis Colts, whom it immediately inked to a three-year, $59 million extension.
It’s been a bit quiet for the Steelers since that initial wave, however, with punter Cameron Johnston representing their only move on the second day of free agency.
There’s still plenty of names out there on the open market, and with needs remaining along the offensive line, at safety and receiver even after adding Pittman Jr., the action shouldn’t stop for Pittsburgh.
While quarterback remains the most substantial question mark for the Steelers on paper, the widespread assumption remains that Aaron Rodgers will eventually return to the franchise. When that decision will, or could, become official, though, is anyone’s best guess at the moment.
The money Pittsburgh saved by revising Heyward’s contract could help fill out its roster not only through free agency, but also via the 2026 NFL Draft now that it has 12 picks at its disposal upon being awarded four compensatory selections.
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