Purdue Pharma To Pay $7.4B In Historic Opioid Settlement: How Much Will NY Get? Purdue Pharma To Pay $7.4B In Historic Opioid Settlement: How Much Will NY Get?
Purdue Pharma To Pay $7.4B In Historic Opioid Settlement: How Much Will NY Get? Purdue Pharma will pay more than $7 billion for the corporation's role in fueling the opioid epidemic that has killed hundreds of thousands of Americans. The Sackler family and Purdue Pharma reached a $7.4 billion settlement with attorneys general from 15 states on Thursday, Jan. 23. The Sacklers have owned the company headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, for decades. The settlement includes $6.5 billion from the Sackler family, with $1.5 billion to be paid immediately, and nearly $900 million from Purdue Pharma. Funds will be distributed to states, local governments, and victims ov…
Over 1K Residents Without Gas For Months In Westchester Closer to Relief Thanks to $4.6M Grant Over 1K Residents Without Gas For Months In Westchester Closer to Relief Thanks to $4.6M Grant
Over 1K Residents Without Gas For Months In Westchester Closer to Relief Thanks to $4.6M Grant More than 1,000 residents of a housing complex in Westchester are one step closer to regaining full services after spending nearly five months without gas. A $4.6 million grant from Westchester County will fund critical infrastructure upgrades at the 415-unit, eight-building Palisade Towers housing complex on Schroeder Street in Yonkers, the city's Housing Authority announced. The grant, provided through the county's Public Housing Authorities Improvement program, is intended to help resolve the ongoing crisis caused by a gas leak that led Con Edison to shut off service in August. It is par…
Yankees' Mariano Rivera, Wife, Covered Up Sexual Abuse In Westchester, Lawsuit Says Yankees' Mariano Rivera, Wife, Covered Up Sexual Abuse In Westchester, Lawsuit Says
Yankees' Mariano Rivera, Wife, Covered Up Sexual Abuse In Westchester, Lawsuit Says Baseball icon Mariano Rivera and his wife are both named in a new lawsuit alleging that the couple did not protect a young victim from being sexually abused by members of a Westchester-based church, some of which happened at their home.  The lawsuit, filed in New York Supreme Court in Westchester County on Thursday, Jan. 16, alleges that a child referred to as "Jane A Doe" because of her young age was sexually abused by two people affiliated with New Rochelle-based Refuge of Hope Church.  The church began as a small ministry in Rivera's home and his wife, Clara, still works a…
$44M COVID Tax Scheme: Hudson Valley Man Among 7 NYers Nabbed In Largest US Case Ever $44M COVID Tax Scheme: Hudson Valley Man Among 7 NYers Nabbed In Largest US Case Ever
$44M COVID Tax Scheme: Hudson Valley Man Among 7 NYers Nabbed In Largest US Case Ever Seven New Yorkers have been charged in a sweeping tax fraud scheme, accused of exploiting pandemic relief programs to steal over $44 million, federal prosecutors announced. The indictment by the US Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York, unsealed Wednesday, Jan. 22, alleges that the defendants filed over 8,000 fraudulent tax returns, seeking more than $600 million in COVID-19 relief funds through the Employee Retention Credit (ERC) and related programs. Investigators determined the group successfully secured $44 million from the federal government. Defendants Long Island …
Child Sex Abuser With Over 100 Victims Dies In NY Prison Decades After Conviction Child Sex Abuser With Over 100 Victims Dies In NY Prison Decades After Conviction
Child Sex Abuser With Over 100 Victims Dies In NY Prison Decades After Conviction A man who confessed to sexually abusing over 100 children died in a New York State prison after nearly three decades behind bars. Louis VanWie, 82, died at the Coxsackie Correctional Facility on Tuesday, Jan. 14, a spokesperson for the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) confirmed to Daily Voice. An official cause of death will be determined by the Greene County Coroner’s Office. VanWie was serving a 30-year sentence that began in April 1997 after he pleaded guilty to sexual abuse and sodomy in Rensselaer County, records show. He admitted to molesting more than 100…
Bird Flu Outbreak At NY Poultry Farm Leads To Euthanasia Of 100K Birds Bird Flu Outbreak At NY Poultry Farm Leads To Euthanasia Of 100K Birds
Bird Flu Outbreak At NY Poultry Farm Leads To Euthanasia Of 100K Birds Health officials are working to contain an outbreak of bird flu at a Long Island poultry farm. The disease, known as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, or H5N1, was confirmed in a commercial poultry flock on a farm in Suffolk County, the county health department revealed Tuesday, Jan. 21. The farm’s owner reported unusual illness among the flock earlier this month, with test results from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirming the presence of H5N1 on Friday, January 17. No workers have shown symptoms, but potentially exposed employees are being tested and given preventive medic…
$50K Scheme: Former Top School Officials Spent Funds On Personal Items In Westchester, DA Says $50K Scheme: Former Top School Officials Spent Funds On Personal Items In Westchester, DA Says
$50K Scheme: Former Top School Officials Spent Funds On Personal Items In Westchester, DA Says Two former administrators at a Westchester County school district serving at-risk students have been charged with multiple public corruption offenses after using $50,000 for personal items, prosecutors announced. Rockland County resident Oliver Levy, age 55, of Stony Point, the former superintendent of the Greenburgh-Graham Union Free School District, and Surendra Kumar, 48, of Yonkers, a former security system specialist, were arraigned on Wednesday, Jan. 22, on charges including second- and third-degree grand larceny and corrupting the government, the Westchester County District Attorney's…
Hudson Valley Siblings, 8 And 3, Have Been Missing For Days Hudson Valley Siblings, 8 And 3, Have Been Missing For Days
Hudson Valley Siblings, 8 And 3, Have Been Missing For Days Authorities in New York are asking for the public’s help in locating two young siblings who have been missing for days. Rockland County residents Mia Rea, 3, and her brother Franklin Sagnay, 8, both of Hillcrest, were last seen together with their non-custodial mother Miryam Aucancela on Sunday, Jan. 19. All three are believed to be in the Hillcrest area, according to the New York State Missing Persons Clearinghouse. No other information was given. Anyone with information is asked to call 1-800-346-3543. Share this story by clicking the Facebook icon below. Check back to Daily Voice for…
'Mob Wives' Star Natalie DiDonato Vanishes After Missing PA Flight: Report 'Mob Wives' Star Natalie DiDonato Vanishes After Missing PA Flight: Report
'Mob Wives' Star Natalie DiDonato Vanishes After Missing PA Flight: Report Natalie DiDonato, known for her appearance on Season 5 of "Mob Wives," has been reported missing after failing to show up for two flights home, according to TMZ. The Las Vegas Police Department confirmed that a missing person report for DiDonato, 44, was filed on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2025. However, Philadelphia Police did not respond to our request for comment. According to TMZ, DiDonato’s family is deeply concerned after she failed to board a Jan. 5 flight from Philadelphia to her home in Florida. Friends and family said DiDonato appeared distressed and disconnected in recent phone calls and F…
County Puts $1.2M Toward Stopping Flooding At This Westchester Locale: 'Greatly Needed' County Puts $1.2M Toward Stopping Flooding At This Westchester Locale: 'Greatly Needed'
County Puts $1.2M Toward Stopping Flooding At This Westchester Locale: 'Greatly Needed' Efforts to combat flooding at a Westchester locale are gaining momentum, thanks to a $1.2 million bond act and a partnership agreement signed by county officials.  The funds will go toward a $2.4 million effort to combat flooding at Law Memorial Park, located next to Trump National Golf Club in Briarcliff Manor, Westchester County officials announced on Tuesday, Jan. 21.  The multi-million project aims to alleviate recurring flooding in the area, protecting residents and infrastructure from the impacts of extreme weather, officials said. The initiative, part of the Coun…
REAL ID Enforcement Set To Begin Nationwide: Here's When REAL ID Enforcement Set To Begin Nationwide: Here's When
Real ID Enforcement Set To Begin Nationwide: Here's When Travelers and those accessing federal facilities will soon need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or another approved form of identification under new security requirements. The REAL ID Act, passed in 2005 in response to 9/11 Commission recommendations, requires stricter security standards for state-issued licenses and ID cards.  These credentials will be essential for boarding commercial flights, entering federal buildings, and accessing certain restricted facilities. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator David Pekoske emphasized the importance of compliance, …
Mystery Drones Over NJ? Trump Says 'I Just Got Here! But Promises Answers Mystery Drones Over NJ? Trump Says 'I Just Got Here! But Promises Answers
Mystery Drones Over NJ? Trump Says 'I Just Got Here! But Promises Answers Since November, New Jersey skies have been abuzz with mystery drones. And now President Donald Trump promises answers.  Shortly after his inauguration, Trump addressed the peculiar sightings, including reports of drones flying over his Bedminster golf club, calling the activity “interesting” and vowing to get to the bottom of it. "In fact, I’d like to know because I just got here. I just came here. I would like to find out what it is and tell the people," he said Monday, Jan. 20 after an inquiry from a reporter. "In fact, I’d like to do that. Can we find out what that was, Susie? OK? W…
Nasal Spray Treating Major Depression Receives FDA Approval For Standalone Use Nasal Spray Treating Major Depression Receives FDA Approval For Standalone Use
Nasal Spray Treating Major Depression Receives FDA Approval For Standalone Use The Food and Drug Administration has approved Johnson & Johnson's nasal spray as a standalone treatment for severe forms of depression, officials said. The FDA granted approval to Spravato (esketamine) as the first monotherapy for adults with treatment-resistant depression, J&J said in a news release on Tuesday, Jan. 21. The decision came after a priority review of clinical data showing significant improvements in depression symptoms as early as 24 hours and sustained progress through four weeks. According to J&J, treatment-resistant depression affects about one-t…
Massage Parlor Owners Busted For Prostitution Business In Westchester, Get Time In Prison Massage Parlor Owners Busted For Prostitution Business In Westchester, Get Time In Prison
Massage Parlor Owners Busted For Prostitution Business In Westchester, Get Time In Prison A Hudson Valley couple will spend time in federal prison for running a prostitution ring out of massage parlors in the region and New York City, officials announced.  Putnam County residents Hong Ru Lin, age 51, also known as "Bruce," and Kena Zhao, age 46, also known as "Angela," both from Putnam Valley, were each sentenced to a year and one day in prison after pleading guilty to charges related to their prostitution business, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of NY announced on Friday, Jan. 17.  According to court documents and statements from officials,&nb…
Bird Flu Found In Goose At Farm In Hudson Valley: Here's Who Is At Risk Bird Flu Found In Goose At Farm In Hudson Valley: Here's Who Is At Risk
Bird Flu Found In Goose At Farm In Hudson Valley: Here's Who Is At Risk A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1), commonly known as bird flu, has been confirmed in a wild goose found in Putnam County, health officials announced. The deceased goose was discovered at the end of December at the Farm and Wildlife Center at Green Chimneys in Brewster, which promptly ensured the animal was tested, the Putnam County Department of Health announced on Friday, Jan. 17. While the virus has been spreading globally among wild birds, commercial poultry, and backyard flocks since 2022, the risk to the general public remains low, according to the health department.&n…
How Much Snow Did You Get? Here's Rundown Of Totals From Westchester How Much Snow Did You Get? Here's Rundown Of Totals From Westchester
How Much Snow Did You Get? Here's Rundown Of Totals From Westchester A quick-moving Nor'easter brought accumulating snowfall throughout the region Sunday night, Jan. 19 into Monday morning, Jan 20. Here's a rundown of totals from the National Weather Service. New York Nassau County 2 ENE Roosevelt 4.1 inches 1018 PM 01/19 Public Syosset 4.0 inches 1000 PM 01/19 Trained Spotter East Williston 3.9 inches 1015 PM 01/19 Public 1 W Plainview 3.9 inches 1250 AM 01/20 Public 1 ESE East Meadow 3.8 inches 1117 PM 01/19 Trained Spotter 1 ENE Glen Cove 3.8 inches 0817 AM 01/20 Public  Sea Cliff 3.6 inches 1042 PM 01/19 Public Plainview 3.2 inches 081…
TikTok Access Restored In United States TikTok Access Restored In United States
TikTok Access Restored In United States Americans regained access to TikTok after a 14-hour ban left the popular app unavailable. As of Sunday, Jan. 19, it remained unclear why the app was once again operational in the United States. The Supreme Court had previously upheld a ruling to enforce the ban, citing national security concerns linked to TikTok’s Chinese-owned parent company, ByteDance. President Trump reportedly said he planned on issuing an executive order giving ByteDance more time to sell the video-sharing platform.
Earn Your Scroll: New App Makes You Walk To Unlock Social Media Earn Your Scroll: New App Makes You Walk To Unlock Social Media
Earn Your Scroll: New App Makes You Walk To Unlock Social Media A new app is fighting against doomscrolling and helping users get active by turning steps into screen time. Steppin' blocks you from using certain apps unless you walk a certain number of daily steps. The app was founded by Boston entrepreneur Paul English, who's also a co-founder of travel search engine Kayak.com. Steppin' rewards physical activity by tying screen time to movement. For every 100 steps, users earn one minute of access to restricted apps, including social media apps like Facebook and Instagram, as well as other platforms like Netflix. The app's settings are fully …
New York Smokers Face Nation's Highest Financial Costs, New Study Says New York Smokers Face Nation's Highest Financial Costs, New Study Says
New York Smokers Face Nation's Highest Financial Costs, New Study Says Northeast and mid-Atlantic states are among the most expensive in the U.S. for smoking tobacco, according to a new study. New York topped the 2025 list from WalletHub called "The Real Cost of Smoking by State", with residents losing an estimated $5.4 million over their lifetime. Washington, D.C., Maryland, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island were also ranked in the top five. The study calculated smoking-related costs by combining out-of-pocket expenses, lost income, increased insurance premiums, and missed financial opportunities, such as investing in the stock market instead of …
Virus Outbreak In China Sparking Concerns: Here's What To Know About HMPV Virus Outbreak In China Sparking Concerns: Here's What To Know About HMPV
Virus Outbreak In China Sparking Concerns: Here's What To Know About Hmpv A surge in cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in China is sparking concerns five years after the COVID-19 pandemic began, drawing attention to another respiratory virus circulating in the population. HMPV, a known virus, usually causes cold-like symptoms, including coughing, wheezing, a runny nose, and a sore throat.  The new rise in cases, particularly among children under 14 in northern China, has officials urging caution as the Lunar New Year holiday approaches, a time when travel and gatherings often lead to spikes in illness. Data from China’s state news agency, Xinhua, shows …
Man Who Tried Killing Off-Duty Officer By Parkway In Westchester Gets Years In Prison Man Who Tried Killing Off-Duty Officer By Parkway In Westchester Gets Years In Prison
Man Who Tried Killing Off-Duty Officer By Parkway In Westchester Gets Years In Prison A 31-year-old man will spend years in prison for trying to murder an off-duty police officer in a brazen daylight shooting next to a parkway in Westchester, officials announced. Bryan Martinez, 31, of Port Chester, was sentenced to 10 years in prison in connection with the attempted murder of an off-duty New York City Police officer in Yonkers in November 2023, the Westchester County District Attorney's Office announced on Friday, Jan. 17.  According to the DA's Office, on Nov. 14, 2023, Martinez stalked and followed the victim’s car over a personal grievance. At a traffic li…
MD Supreme Court Attorney Failed To Report Millions In Poker Winnings: Feds MD Supreme Court Attorney Failed To Report Millions In Poker Winnings: Feds
MD Supreme Court Attorney Failed To Report Millions In Poker Winnings: Feds A supreme court attorney attorney from Maryland who made his name arguing before the Supreme Court is now facing serious legal trouble of his own. Thomas Goldstein, 53, a prominent appellate lawyer and high-stakes poker player known to play in games involving millions, was indicted on Thursday, Jan. 16 on multiple charges for failing to report his winnings, authorities announced It is alleged that Goldstein failed to report millions of dollars in poker winnings and omitting over $14 million in debt to secure a multimillion-dollar home loan in DC. Specifically, a federal grand jur…
3 Dogs Left Behind By Hudson Valley Woman Killed In Crash Need New Home 3 Dogs Left Behind By Hudson Valley Woman Killed In Crash Need New Home
3 Dogs Left Behind By Hudson Valley Woman Killed In Crash Need New Home The death of a Putnam County woman in a tragic car crash in Connecticut has left her three well-loved dogs in need of a new home. Diane K. Staab, age 62, was killed on Monday, Jan. 13, in a head-on crash on Ball Pond Road in New Fairfield, Connecticut, according to Connecticut State Police.  Following her sudden death, Staab’s two Rottweilers, Saffron Star and Grace Bee, and a smaller Pomeranian are being cared for by friends on a temporary basis, but they need a permanent home, Hudson Valley Rottie Rescue announced in a social media post on Thursday, Jan. 16.  Mahopac NY lo…
NYers To Receive Share of $106M Settlement Over Vanguard Retirement Fund Changes NYers To Receive Share of $106M Settlement Over Vanguard Retirement Fund Changes
NYers To Receive Share of $106M Settlement Over Vanguard Retirement Fund Changes Thousands of New Yorkers forced to pay higher taxes on their retirement savings are set to receive restitution after a $106 million, multi-state settlement was reached with Vanguard Group. The agreement, announced by New York Attorney General Letitia James on Friday, Jan. 17, comes after the investment advisory firm failed to inform investors of changes to its retirement funds.  Those changes led to unexpected and significant capital gains tax bills for hundreds of thousands of investors, including over 15,000 in New York, James’ office said. An investigation found that Vanguard reduc…
Supreme Court Upholds TikTok Ban: How The App Could Survive In The U.S. Supreme Court Upholds TikTok Ban: How The App Could Survive In The U.S.
Supreme Court Upholds TikTok Ban: How The App Could Survive In The U.S. The Supreme Court has upheld a new law that could ban TikTok in the U.S. unless its Chinese parent company divests from the very popular video-sharing social media app. The justices said the "Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act" doesn't violate the First Amendment, according to the court's decision on Friday, Jan. 17. The ruling allows for TikTok to potentially be banned in the U.S. as early as Sunday, Jan. 19. TikTok, which has more than 170 million users in the U.S., has come under scrutiny over fears that ByteDance could allow the Chinese gov…
Dramatic Videos Capture SpaceX Starship Flight 7 Explosion Dramatic Videos Capture SpaceX Starship Flight 7 Explosion
Dramatic Videos Capture SpaceX Starship Flight 7 Explosion Videos are circulating of SpaceX's Starship Flight 7 meeting an explosive end over the Atlantic Ocean during its Thursday, Jan. 16 test launch.  The flight, conducted at 4:37 p.m. CT from Starbase, TX, aimed to achieve major milestones but faced setbacks in its journey to space. Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, commented on the test, saying, “Success is uncertain, but entertainment is guaranteed! ✨” Success is uncertain, but entertainment is guaranteed! ✨ pic.twitter.com/nn3PiP8XwG — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 16, 2025 The launch was streamed live by SpaceX on X in a video that had …
14-Year-Old Shot Dead: Man Who Provided Gun In Westchester Murder Gets Jail Time 14-Year-Old Shot Dead: Man Who Provided Gun In Westchester Murder Gets Jail Time
14-Year-Old Shot Dead: Man Who Provided Gun In Westchester Murder Gets Jail Time A Yonkers man will spend decades in prison for his involvement in the killing of 14-year-old Zyaire Fernandez in March 2023, officials announced.  Phillip Ferrell, age 48, was sentenced on Thursday, Jan. 16 to 25 years in prison in connection with the fatal shooting of Fernandez in Mount Vernon on March 9, 2023, the Westchester County District Attorney's Office announced.  According to the DA's Office, Ferrell provided his 9 mm pistol to his stepson, 23-year-old Tyrese Coghiel, and instructed him to "do what you gotta do." Shortly after, Coghiel used the weapon to fatally shoot Fe…
$400M Suit: Justin Baldoni Accuses Westchester's Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds Of Smear Campaign $400M Suit: Justin Baldoni Accuses Westchester's Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds Of Smear Campaign
$400M Suit: Justin Baldoni Accuses Westchester's Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds Of Smear Campaign In an escalating legal battle featuring Hollywood heavyweights, actor Justin Baldoni is suing Blake Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds for $400 million allegedly orchestrating a smear campaign to ruin his career. The lawsuit, filed in the Southern District of New York, alleges that Lively and Reynolds used their influence to seize control of Baldoni's film "It Ends With Us," an adaptation of Colleen Hoover's bestselling novel.  Baldoni directed, co-starred in, and co-financed the production through his company, Wayfarer Studios. “This is not a case about celebrities sniping at each …
FDA Approves ZYN Nicotine Pouches For Sale, Restricts Ads Targeting Teens FDA Approves ZYN Nicotine Pouches For Sale, Restricts Ads Targeting Teens
FDA Approves ZYN Nicotine Pouches For Sale, Restricts Ads Targeting Teens The Food and Drug Administration has authorized the sales of 20 types of ZYN nicotine pouches amid concerns about children and teens using the products. The decision allows ZYN nicotine pouches to be legally marketed in the U.S. to adults aged 21 and older, the FDA said in a news release on Thursday, Jan. 6. The small natural fiber pouches are designed to be placed between the gum and lip. The FDA said the pouches contain substantially lower levels of harmful chemicals compared to cigarettes and most smokeless tobacco products, reducing risks of cancer and other serious …
Victim Burned In Westchester Fire, Roads Closed Victim Burned In Westchester Fire, Roads Closed
Victim Burned In Westchester Fire, Roads Closed A person was burned during a fire in Westchester that caused road closures, police said.  The fire happened at 21 Van Cortlandt Park Ave. in Yonkers on Thursday, Jan. 16, causing the road to close between Spruce Street and Elm Street, according to Yonkers Police.  The blaze began on the third floor at around 1 p.m. and also caused Elm Street to close between Walnut Street and Prescott Street, according to Yonkers Police Sgt. Robert Spink. There was a minor burn patient, Spink added.  According to Yonkers fire officials, the fire was stopped from spreading to …
'Check Washing' Scheme: Man Tried Stealing Thousands Of Dollars In Hudson Valley, DA Says 'Check Washing' Scheme: Man Tried Stealing Thousands Of Dollars In Hudson Valley, DA Says
'Check Washing' Scheme: Man Tried Stealing Thousands Of Dollars In Hudson Valley, DA Says A 29-year-old man faces prison time after being convicted of attempting to steal thousands of dollars using forged checks in Putnam County.  Dutchess County resident Tahmel Gordon of Poughkeepsie was found guilty by a Putnam County jury of charges connected to a "check washing" scheme, Putnam County District Attorney Robert Tendy announced on Thursday, Jan. 16.  According to the DA's Office, Gordon and three accomplices traveled from Poughkeepsie to Hudson Valley Credit Union branches in Mahopac and Carmel, where they attempted to cash “washed” checks—altered to reflect …