The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Thursday imposed a temporary drone flight ban across parts of New York state, including Brooklyn, Queens, and two communities on Long Island. The restriction, which is set to last until January 18, is part of a broader effort to secure critical infrastructure sites, including energy facilities and government buildings, as drone sightings continue to spark fears and uncertainty in the region.
“Precautionary action” or real threat?
Gov. Kathy Hochul of New York reassured the public that the ban was precautionary in nature, emphasizing that “there are no threats to these sites.” However, with the restriction affecting critical areas like Far Rockaway in Queens, Ridge, and Garden City on Long Island, many are left wondering if authorities know more than they are letting on.
Meanwhile, the FAA’s move comes after a similar ban was imposed in New Jersey earlier this week, covering a significant portion of the state, including Camden, Elizabeth, and Jersey City. The restrictions, which will last through January 17, are part of a response to rising concerns over drone activity near sensitive infrastructure, such as the Salem Nuclear Generating Station in Lower Alloways Creek.
“This is an extremely important site,” Rep. Jeff Van Drew Says of Nuclear Plant
Rep. Jeff Van Drew, whose district includes Salem County, voiced his concerns over recent reports of drones near the nuclear facility. “This is tactically an extremely important site,” Van Drew explained, highlighting the importance of the facility, which generates nearly half of New Jersey’s power. PSE&G, the operator of Salem Nuclear, confirmed that the company had requested the FAA impose flight restrictions near the facility for safety reasons.
While there has been no direct evidence of a threat, the urgency surrounding the drone sightings has escalated. Van Drew criticized the federal government for not providing more concrete details on the incidents, noting that “what scares people is uncertainty.”
A broader concern spreads across the region
As drone sightings have become more frequent, public concern has intensified. In Connecticut, Republican lawmakers are now calling for similar drone restrictions to protect the state’s critical infrastructure, with a collective question hanging in the air: “What about Connecticut?”
In New Jersey, Rep. Josh Gottheimer expressed frustration over the lack of transparency. “They must brief the public on the reasons for their action,” he stated. He worried that without a clear explanation, the FAA’s broad ban could create even more confusion and panic among residents and businesses in the affected areas.
Confusion and difficulties for pilots
Patrick E. Bradley, an aviation lawyer and pilot based in Princeton, New Jersey, remarked on the unusual nature of the FAA’s decision, pointing out that he has never seen such an extensive set of restrictions in over 40 years of flying. “All of these minuscule, tiny, temporary flight restrictions – I’ve never seen that done before,” Bradley said, adding that the complexity of the bans could lead to confusion for both drone operators and airplane pilots trying to navigate the airspace.
The FAA’s restrictions apply only to drone operators, but consequences for violators are severe. Pilots found flying drones in restricted areas could face federal detention or questioning. Many commercial drones are registered with the FAA, making it easier for authorities to track down violators. However, there is still concern over how hobbyists or recreational drone users may be discovered.
Security concerns or overreaction?
Despite repeated assurances from federal officials that there is no immediate security threat, the uncertainty surrounding the drone sightings continues to fuel speculation. Dana Gallagher, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, stated, “We continue to assess there is no public safety threat relating to the reported drone sightings,” while maintaining that the FAA acted out of an abundance of caution.
As drone sightings continue to proliferate, with numerous reports across New Jersey, New York, and other northeastern states, the question remains: Are these drones merely harmless misidentifications of helicopters or planes, or is there something more sinister at play? Only time will tell whether the FAA’s swift actions are a prudent response to potential threats or an overreaction to a growing sense of anxiety.
For now, New Yorkers and New Jerseyans, along with drone operators across the region, will have to adjust to the new temporary restrictions—waiting to see if this is a momentary precaution or the beginning of a broader regulatory crackdown.

There’s one way to grow plants right now that actually works better the colder it gets.

It’s simple to make mini “greenhouses” with household materials like clear plastic baggies, food containers or gallon jugs where seeds can grow through the winter.

Called winter sowing, it’s a way to start plants in the cold months that will prepare them to thrive in spring.

You can gather the materials you need around your kitchen without added expense, and the seedlings it produces are cold-hardy, ready to grow outside and can be started without lights, heat trays or other expensive equipment.

Some gardeners have also found that the method gives them a higher germination rate for their seeds and that the seedlings are less likely to be leggy. To get the timing right, many use the solstice as a starting date for winter sowing. This year, that’s Saturday, Dec. 21.

The method was developed by New York gardener Trudi Davidoff almost 25 years ago. There are now Facebook groups dedicated to education about winter sowing and numerous webinars with detailed guides.

The process varies a bit based on who you ask and what plants you’re trying. But, basically, you’ll start by poking drainage holes in the bottom of your milk jug or plastic container and air holes in the top half. One way to do this is with a heated screwdriver to burn through the plastic. Cut gallon containers mostly in half, leaving a small part connected like a hinge.

Fill it with 3 or 4 inches of soil, moisten it and sow your seeds. Tape the tops of the containers down. Leave them outside and wait until the seedlings have a few leaves and are ready to transplant.

You can do a similar process with slightly opened plastic baggies held up by dowel rods as well, and there are online gardening pages dedicated just to that method too.

Winter sowing is best suited to hardier vegetables; it can work with most greens, beets, onions, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, peppers and squash, perennial plants, herbs, shrubs and trees.

This method can work particularly well for wildflower or other native plant seeds that need stratification, or a period of cold weather, before they’re ready to germinate. Research how long the types you’re interested in will take to be ready for planting.

Varieties with longer germination periods or more cold-hardiness should be started soon. Seeds that mature faster can be started in late winter or early spring depending on your growing zone.

NANTUCKET, Mass. – Two endangered North Atlantic right whales have been spotted off Massachusetts with entanglements that could potentially be life-threatening to the massive mammals.

According to NOAA Fisheries, an aerial survey team recently spotted a pair of whales approximately 50 miles southeast of Nantucket on Dec. 9. 

The smaller of the two marine animals was first sighted in 2021 and was seen free of gear as recently as April. 

But now, the survey team said a thick rope was located over the whale’s head and back, which could cause its eventual death.

The larger whale, identified as an adult female, was last seen without gear as recently as July and, due to its size, is unlikely to be as significantly impacted as the juvenile.

“This whale has two lines exiting the left side of her mouth, with both lines extending a half to two thirds of the way down the body,” NOAA stated. “After reviewing the entanglement, NOAA Fisheries biologists have made a preliminary determination that it meets the Unusual Mortality Event criteria as a ‘morbidity’ (sublethal injury) case.”

North Atlantic right whale #5110 with a line wrapped around its body on December 9, 2024

(NOAA)

FIRST RIGHT WHALE CALF OF SEASON SPOTTED OFF SOUTHEAST COAST

Due to conditions and the distance to shore, NOAA entanglement response teams did not mount a response but stand at the ready should the occasion arise.

The agency estimates that over 85% of right whales are entangled in fishing gear at least once during their lifetime, which can cause serious injuries.

The marine animals tend to spend most of their time off the coast of Canada and the Northeast in the western Atlantic before migrating southward for the calving season.

The right whales are considered to be the 149th and 150th documented cases in the ongoing North Atlantic right whale Unusual Mortality Event (UME), which includes dead, seriously injured or health-compromised animals.

FLORIDA IDENTIFIES NEXT INVASIVE SPECIES THREAT

NOAA Fisheries estimates there are only around 370 North Atlantic right whales left in existence – down from a peak of around 20,000 during the late 1800s.

Since 2017, the species has been experiencing an Unusual Mortality Event, which has caused dozens to become sick, injured or ultimately pass away.

North Atlantic Right Whale Population

(NOAA)

“While entanglements remain the leading cause of death and injury, this year [2024] there were at least six vessel strike-related injuries/deaths, highlighting the importance of addressing this issue soon,” Heather Pettis, a research scientist at the Anderson Cabot Center and the chair of the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium, previously stated. “The persistent aggregation of more than 50 right whales in the New York shipping lane this summer underscores this even further.”