April 30, 2021 By Allie Griffin The City Council passed a bill Thursday to ensure that the Open Streets program is a permanent fixture in New York City for years to come. The bill, sponsored by Manhattan Council Member Carlina Rivera, codifies and expands upon the initial program that closes streets to through traffic for… Read more »
April 29, 2021 By Ryan Songalia State Sen. Jessica Ramos was among the first to endorse Scott Stringer when he announced his candidacy last year for Mayor of New York City. On Wednesday she became the first to withdraw her support, rescinding her endorsement just hours after Jean Kim, a political consultant, accused him of… Read more »
April 29, 2021 By Michael Dorgan A federal jury convicted a Ridgewood man Wednesday for making online threats to kill Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Sen. Chuck Schumer and other leading Democrats. Brendan Hunt, 37, was found guilty in Brooklyn federal court after he called for the death and public executions of Ocasio-Cortez, Schumer and House Speaker… Read more »
April 22, 2021 By Christian Murray Several candidates are running to represent the 22nd Council District—a position that was recently occupied by Costa Constantinides. In our latest Podcast, we talk to Nicholas Velkov who is vying for the seat, which covers Astoria as well as sections of East Elmhurst, Woodside and Jackson Heights. Velkov is an… Read more »
April 29, 2021 Op-Ed By Julie Won Prior to the pandemic, small businesses in Western Queens were already caught between a rock and hard place. Rising rents, predatory landlords, and displaced residents presented serious challenges to the businesses that have called Queens home for years or even decades. Then, COVID-19 hit and the bottom fell… Read more »
April 29, 2021 By Allie Griffin New York City plans to “fully reopen” on July 1, more than a year after the pandemic halted life in the city that never sleeps. “It’s time to set a goal for a full reopening in New York City and that goal is July 1,” Mayor Bill de Blasio… Read more »
April 29, 2021 By Ryan Songalia Two men have been indicted on a long list of charges involving the sex trafficking of teenagers at two Queens hotels. Lawrence Winslow and Alan Velvett, both 27, face up to life in prison on two indictments for allegedly raping and trafficking their young victims in February. Winslow and… Read more »
April 29, 2021 By Allie Griffin Mayor Bill de Blasio released the city’s executive budget for Fiscal Year 2022 Monday and included millions of dollars in funding for speed cameras, open streets and bike lanes among other items. The $98.6 billion “Recovery Budget” has been padded with federal stimulus money to help New York City… Read more »
April 29, 2021 By Michael Dorgan Food and fun! That’s the concept behind a new outdoor barbeque restaurant that opened in Astoria earlier this month that features a large games area. Backyard Smokehouse, located at 25-22 Astoria Blvd., opened on April 15 and is serving barbequed meats that are cooked with Korean ingredients. It also… Read more »
April 28, 2021 By Ryan Songalia A bill that redefines the definition of rape passed the State Assembly on Tuesday. The legislation, typically referred to as the “Rape is Rape” bill, aims to expand the definition beyond vaginal penetration. Currently, oral and anal sexual assaults are charged as “criminal sexual acts,” not rape. While criminal… Read more »