On Tuesday, April 28, members of the Legislative Gazette were introduced on the Assembly floor by assemblywoman Sarahana Shrestha (D-103). Those present and honored by Shrestha were editor-in-chief Darren Johnson, reporters Zamia Okpara, Nancy Mac Innes, Kyra Higbie, Emily Salazar, Zander Doring, and Patrick Kelly, and multimedia personnel Marietou Sacko and Mawazi Matende.
“These are the editors, reporters, multimedia specialists, and their advisor who help keep this non-partisan organization running in its 48th year,” announced Shrestha to her fellow assembly members. “Multiple Gazette reporters have gone on to win Pulitzer Prizes, and I look forward to seeing what critical stories these journalists uncover.”
Speaker pro tempore Pamela J. Hunter (D-128) welcomed the Gazette members following Shrestha’s introduction. “Thank you for the important work that you do every single day [by] doing the thorough investigation [and providing] timely information for our community,” she said. “Thank you for the hard work that you are doing now and for the future and thank you for joining us today.”
After the cordialities from Shrestha and Hunter, the Gazette members were met with cheers from the other assembly members present. The Assembly meeting resumed, with various legislation being passed. Notably, legislation in honor of Legislative Disabilities Awareness Day was among the packages passed, as well as a legislative resolution that officially marks April 29, 2026, New York State Assembly Legislative Disabilities Day in New York State.
During the meeting, Assemblyman Landon Dais (D-77) greeted the Gazette interns. Dais asked every member where they were from and what goals they had after graduation: Answers ranged from becoming a political figure to working as a professional reporter. Dais offered advice to the interns, reassuring them that there are “always opportunities in media.”
Dais then invited the interns to follow him to the Legislative Correspondents Association (LCA) pressroom to meet with a few of the organization’s members. Many of the Gazette interns had previously shadowed LCA members; however, the gesture was still greatly appreciated by the interns, who were grateful for Dais to make such an effort.
The Legislative Gazette would like to thank Assembly members Shrestha, Hunter, and Dais for the unique opportunity.
