April 16, 2021 By Ryan Songalia A bill sponsored by Congresswoman Grace Meng that aims to combat hate crimes that target the Asian-American community moved one step closer to becoming law Wednesday. The Senate voted overwhelmingly in favor of advancing the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, which would simplify the reporting and review process pertaining to… Read more »
April 16, 2021 By Christian Murray A lucrative state tax break that has benefited a number of high-profile developers has come to an end. State Sen. Mike Gianaris passed legislation that was included in the state budget that scraps a handsome tax break that allows developers who invest in designated “opportunity zones” to defer and… Read more »
April 14, 2021 By Ryan Songalia Rana Abdelhamid became an activist at age 16, when a man on the street tried to snatch the hijab off her head. Today, more than 10 years later the Astoria progressive announced that she is looking to grab a seat in congress. Abdelhamid, 27, is running for New York’s… Read more »
April 14, 2021 By Ryan Songalia An international food and beverage hall is slated to open in Astoria next month. The World Artisan Market, which will feature eight restaurants, will be located inside a repurposed warehouse at 34-39 31st St. The food hall will house French, Italian, Japanese and Spanish restaurants. The market was expected… Read more »
April 14, 2021 By Christian Murray New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced this afternoon that he is extending the 11 p.m. curfew on bars and restaurants until midnight. The change will go into effect Monday, April 19. The announcement comes after bar and restaurant owners have been complaining that the 11 p.m. closing hour is… Read more »
April 13, 2021 By Christina Santucci New York officials halted the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at city and state sites Tuesday – as federal health agencies investigate whether the shot is linked to rare blood clots. The mayor said the city’s Vaccine Command Center was giving new appointments for the Moderna or… Read more »
April 13, 2021 By Christina Santucci New Yorkers who lost a loved one to COVID-19 can now apply for up to $9,000 in federal funds to help pay for funeral and burial costs. The FEMA hotline for applications launched Monday, and U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Chuck Schumer visited Corona to highlight the program’s… Read more »
April 13, 2021 Sponsored Story People are not always aware that they can switch to a new pooled income trust. Others aren’t sure that it’s the right move for them—even if they are unsatisfied with their current one. Or they may not be sure that now is the right time to make the change. Once… Read more »
April 12, 2021 By Christian Murray The opening date of a number of schools undergoing construction in western Queens has been pushed back in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Philip Composto, Community Superintendent of District 30, provided Community Board 2 with an update Thursday on several schools in western Queens that are under construction—and… Read more »
April 12, 2021 By Christina Santucci A number of Queens environmentalists who want to revitalize a filthy inlet in northern Astoria got to work over the weekend with a cleanup around the short waterway–called Luyster Creek. Located alongside the Steinway & Sons Factory, Luyster Creek – also known as Steinway Creek – branches off… Read more »