Feb. 10, 2022 By Allie Griffin State Sen. Michael Gianaris is calling on state regulators to investigate the spike in electricity bills that many Con Edison customers are now required to pay. Gianaris penned a letter Tuesday to the New York State Public Service Commission Tuesday asking the utility regulator to probe the bill increases… Read more »
Feb. 10, 2022 By Allie Griffin Robert de Niro’s $600 million movie studio will soon take shape on the Astoria waterfront. Wildflower LTD — backed by the actor, his son Raphael De Niro and producer Jane Rosenthal — has received permits from the city’s buildings department to begin construction on a seven-story film production studio… Read more »
Feb. 10, 2022 By Allie Griffin The Queens-based restaurateurs behind multiple popular Vietnamese and Thai eateries have opened a new spot in Williamsburg focused on serving fresh seafood from the two cuisines. Bryan Chunton and Pei Wei opened Tiger Prawn in October at 208 Grand St. in the building that once housed their pho shop… Read more »
Feb. 1, 2022 By Allie Griffin Queens Rep. Grace Meng introduced legislation last week to make Lunar New Year a federal holiday. Meng introduced the bill Friday and—if passed—it would add Lunar New Year to the list of federally recognized holidays in the U.S. The bill, called the Lunar New Year Day Act, would amend… Read more »
Jan. 27, 2022 By Allie Griffin The woman behind the popular Ethiopian and Eritrean food truck—Makina Cafe—will put down roots in Sunnyside this spring with the opening of her first brick-and-mortar restaurant. Eden Egziabher plans to open Makina Cafe at 46-11 Skillman Ave. in mid-April, while still operating the business’s two food trucks. The location… Read more »
Jan. 25, 2022 By Allie Griffin Queens lawmakers are split on the mayor’s recently released plan to combat gun violence — with some applauding it while others denounce it. The 15-page plan titled “The Blueprint to End Gun Violence” was unveiled by Mayor Eric Adams Monday following a number of high-profile shootings this month, including… Read more »
Jan. 20, 2022 By Allie Griffin City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams announced new council committee appointments Thursday with more than a dozen committees to be chaired by Queens representatives. All but three Queens council members were named to lead committees, which focus on a vast array of issues such as land use, parks, the environment… Read more »
Jan. 18, 2022 By Allie Griffin The NYPD cracked down on moped drivers crossing the Queensboro Bridge via the bicycle/pedestrian lane Tuesday. Officers from the 108th Precinct issued numerous summonses and confiscated three gas-powered mopeds at the entrance of the 59th Street Bridge bike and pedestrian path. The drivers were illegally using the bike lane… Read more »
Jan. 12, 2022 By Allie Griffin Approximately 200 men detained at the Rikers Island jail facility have organized a hunger strike —claiming that it is in response to being denied basic services and being forced to live in inhumane conditions. The men started the hunger strike to protest what they say is an unacceptable level… Read more »
Jan. 12, 2022 By Allie Griffin New York City Restaurant Week returns next Tuesday with deals at local eateries across the city including more than 20 in Queens. More than 400 restaurants throughout the five boroughs are participating in Restaurant Week which runs from Jan. 18 to Feb. 13. The local businesses are offering a… Read more »