Kevin Frey

Consider this my ‘out of office’ notification for the next week plus!

Future of lithium-ion battery safety regulations in limbo after Trump guts CPSC Consumer advocates argue this leaves Congress as the last best hope to regulate the rechargeable batteries.

Trump fired 3/5 of the CPSC earlier this year, just weeks after the panel advanced lithium-ion battery regulations.

“They've set back the regulation of lithium-ion batteries ... it's going to cost lives," ousted commissioner @trumkacpsc.bsky.social told me ny1.com/nyc/all-boro...

Amtrak says that 5 trainsets will be in service initially, with all 28 rolled out through 2027

Watchdog: New Acelas three years behind, more delays 'likely' Design has still not met federal regulatory requirements.

Re-upping this story from October 2023, when the Amtrak IG said the rollout of the new fleet was already at least three years behind schedule ny1.com/nyc/all-boro...

After years of delays, Amtrak says that the new Acela fleet will “arrive” on Aug 28 >> www.amtrak.com/nextgenacela...

Future of lithium-ion battery safety regulations in limbo after Trump guts CPSC Consumer advocates argue this leaves Congress as the last best hope to regulate the rechargeable batteries.

Trump fired 3/5 of the CPSC earlier this year, just weeks after the panel advanced lithium-ion battery regulations.

“They've set back the regulation of lithium-ion batteries ... it's going to cost lives," ousted commissioner @trumkacpsc.bsky.social told me ny1.com/nyc/all-boro...

Future of lithium-ion battery safety regulations in limbo after Trump guts CPSC Consumer advocates argue this leaves Congress as the last best hope to regulate the rechargeable batteries.

Proposed federal regulations to prevent deadly lithium-ion battery fires appear to be a casualty — at least for the moment — of Trump’s decision to fire members of the CPSC.

Consumer advocates argue this leaves Congress as the last best hope for such regulations. ny1.com/nyc/all-boro...

Of note, it also "condemns divisive rhetoric and violence against federal, state, and local law enforcement officers and urges lawmakers to redouble their commitment to backing the blue."

Inbox: Rep. Stefanik intro's a resolution condemning last week's deadly attack at an office building in midtown Manhattan. It honors the victims and praises "the bravery exhibited" by NYPD police officer Didarul Islam and the NYPD writ large.

More Hochul: "The playing field has changed dramatically, and shame on us if we ignore that fact and cling tight to the vestiges of the past. That era is over, Donald Trump eliminated that forever.”

Appearing alongside Texas Dem lawmakers in Albany, NY
Gov. Kathy Hochul said "yes" she believes NY's independent redistricting commission should be changed or disbanded.

“I’m tired of fighting this fight with my hand tied behind my back ... politics is a political process."

NY Gov Kathy Hochul statement, as some Texas Dems head to Albany amid their redistricting fight:

3 former N.Y. GOP congressmen await confirmation to Trump administration jobs Trump has nominated D'Esposito, Molinaro and Williams to jobs in his administration.

A reminder: Molinaro is one of three one-term Republican congressmen from New York who lost reelection last year and was awaiting confirmation by the Senate for jobs in the Trump administration.

The Williams and D'Esposito noms are still pending.

nystateofpolitics.com/state-of-pol...

This weekend, the Senate confirmed two notable New Yorkers to positions in the Trump admin:

- fmr Westchester County DA turned Fox host Jeanine Pirro as the US Attorney for DC, 50-45
- fmr Congressman Marc Molinaro as Federal Transit Administrator, 71-23

Small earthquake shakes the New York area; USGS says magnitude was 3.0 The quake's epicenter was in Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey

Small earthquake shakes the New York area; USGS says magnitude was 3.0 ny1.com/nyc/all-boro...

N.Y. gun control advocates: State's tough gun laws can only accomplish so much NY1's Kevin Frey reports.

New York has some of the toughest gun laws in the country.

But after Monday’s mass shooting in Manhattan, gun safety advocates acknowledge those regulations can only accomplish so much when other states have more relaxed gun laws.

ny1.com/nyc/all-boro...

YouTube video by Kevin Frey 25 and Counting: Sen. Chuck Schumer's Rise to Power

Watch the Schumer series here: youtu.be/UjGNUX5E4QM?...

Excited to be nominated for two New York #Emmys ... for both political reporting (a craft category) and my 3-part profile of Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer.

POTUS says he’s been briefed on the Manhattan shooting and says he trusts law enforcement to “get to the bottom of why this crazed lunatic committed such a senseless act of violence.”

Biden's Inflation Reduction Act increased the credit to 30% and mandated it be available through 2032, before phasing out.

But Trump's 'One Big Beautiful Bill' bumped up the tax credit’s expiration date by several years, ending it at the end of this December.

N.Y. solar companies brace for impact of Trump's 'One Big Beautiful Bill' The outlook for solar power is suddenly cloudy.

Trump's OBBB eliminates a federal residential #solar tax credit years ahead of schedule, at the end of 2025.

The CEO of Brooklyn SolarWorks tells me he's seeing a sudden surge in demand as consumers "panic buy" — but he's preparing for it to be short-lived. ny1.com/nyc/all-boro...

DOJ sues New York City, Mayor Eric Adams over sanctuary policies The suit was lodged in Brooklyn federal court Thursday.

USDOJ filed a lawsuit against New York City and Mayor Eric Adams Thursday, claiming the city’s sanctuary policies are impeding federal immigration enforcement. ny1.com/nyc/all-boro...

Jeffries is not alone. Sen. Schumer and other Dems are piling on as, on Capitol Hill, Republicans are giving them plenty of material to work with — the Epstein investigation, sparking an intra-party feud in the GOP.

Jeffries and Democrats lean in on Epstein saga NY1's Kevin Frey reports.

When Trump returned to office, Dem Leader Jeffries pledged that he would not "swing at every pitch," anticipating 4 yrs of turbulent news cycles.

But, as the Jeffrey #Epstein saga has dominated headlines, Jeffries has not shied away from swinging — again & again. ny1.com/nyc/all-boro...

#NY17 Dem candidate @bethdavidson.bsky.social on Lawler's decision:

“This morning Mike Lawler confirmed what we all knew: he does whatever Donald Trump tells him to do. I welcome him to the race. I welcome him to the fight. Because he’s in for one."

#NY17 Dem candidate @caitfornewyork.bsky.social on Lawler's decision:

“Whether voting to cut Medicaid after he lied to NYers or chickening out on running for gov, it's no shock that Mike Lawler remains an obedient lapdog to his DC bosses. The only person Lawler looks out for is himself"

Democrats line up in Hudson Valley race to try to take on Rep. Lawler in 2026 Watch full interviews with all 6 candidates who have jumped into the race so far.

In #NY17, SEVEN Democrats have already thrown their hats into the ring to take on Rep. Lawler next year.

I spoke with 6 of candidates (a 7th had not yet announced) in that crowded field earlier this year. Extended interviews here: ny1.com/nyc/all-boro...

With just days to go until fmr Rep. George Santos must report to prison, a source familiar says that neither a pardon nor commutation is under consideration at the White House

Line chart showing that the share of Americans saying Trump's deportation policy has gone too far has risen from 45% in February to 55% in July, with a larger change among Democrats and Democratic leaners than among Republicans and Republican leaners.

Stacked bar chart showing majority opposition to several recent Trump moves on immigration including attempts to end birthright citizenship and the building of new detention facilities, with fewer than one-third in favor

New from us today: Americans largely oppose recent efforts by Donald Trump’s administration to scale up its deportation program, with a rising majority saying the president has gone too far in carrying out deportations. www.cnn.com/2025/07/20/p...

A brewing fight between #NYC leaders and federal authorities over #subway safety boiled over on Capitol Hill this week, with Rep. Nadler and USDOT Sec. Duffy each accusing the other of lying.

Some key data points in the graphics below.

Story here: ny1.com/nyc/all-boro...