Panda Express opens new location in Long Island City

Dec. 23, 2024 By Athena Dawson

The New York City Council passed two transparency-focused bills during its Stated Meeting on Thursday, Dec. 19, aimed at improving communication around roadway closures and parking space suspensions.

QNS is looking back at our top stories throughout 2024 as we look forward to 2025. In terms of crime, the borough was shaken by several high-profile murders, police shootings and drug gang takedowns, many of which shocked the entire city. Here are some of the top 2024 crime stories in Queens.

The city’s first homicide of the year went down in an Elmhurst karaoke bar

New York City’s first murder in 2024 occurred on New Year’s Day when a Manhattan bouncer stabbed two men outside an Elmhurst karaoke bar near 76th Street and Roosevelt Ave. just before 4 a.m. Torrance Holmes, 35, of Hamilton Heights, was arrested by detectives days later at his home and transported back to Queens to face justice.

A Queens grand jury indicted nine men on charges of conspiracy, drug trafficking, and other related crimes following an extensive two-year investigation into a Jamaica-based narcotics crew, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced on Wednesday, Dec. 18.

The probe was conducted by her Major Economic Crimes Bureau and the NYPD. Dubbed “Operation the Price is Right,” this probe included a series of undercover drug buys and the use of electronic surveillance. Approximately 466 grams of cocaine, 91 grams of heroin and 288 grams of deadly fentanyl were seized at several locations that were raided. Just two milligrams of fentanyl is considered to be a lethal dose.

Dec. 23, 2024 By Shane O’Brien

As 2024 turns into 2025, QNS is looking back on its most popular stories from each month of the year.

Dec. 23, 2024 By Athena Dawson

U.S. Representative Gregory Meeks, who represents New York’s 5th District, which covers southeast Queens and parts of Nassau County, and U.S. Representative Pete Sessions, who represents Texas’ 17th District, which covers areas including Waco and College Station, have introduced a bipartisan bill aimed at alleviating financial burdens for first-time homeowners.

Dec. 22, 2024 By Barbara Russo-Lennon

A 78-year-old man has died days after being hit by a pickup truck driver while attempting to cross a busy Queens intersection earlier this month. 

Dec. 22, 2024 By Dean Moses

Police say an attempted robbery turned massive brawl on board a Queens train early on Sunday morning left a man stabbed to death.

Dec. 22, 2024 By Dean Moses

Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch ousted NYPD Chief of Internal Affairs Miguel Iglesias on Saturday night amid sexual misconduct accusations involving former Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey that led to a massive shakeup in departmental leadership precipitated by Maddrey’s resignation.

Dec. 21, 2024 By Robert Pozarycki

The NYPD announced a major change of guard Saturday morning following the sudden resignation of Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey, the department’s highest-ranking uniformed officer, on Friday.

Dec. 20, 2024 By Emily Davenport and QNS News Team

After decades of helping New Yorkers celebrate life’s biggest moments, Party City is throwing its final party—announcing the closure of all its stores, including its last two locations in Queens.