Jan. 7, 2021 By Christian Murray Just hours after he called for President Donald Trump’s ousting, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer appeared before members of community board 2 via Zoom. The 75 people on the Zoom call Thursday night were surprised, given that it was less than a day since the Capitol building was in turmoil…. Read more »
Jan. 6, 2021 By Christian Murray Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer released his 2020 annual report Tuesday. We talk to Van Bramer in a podcast about the report, as well as his potential run for Queens Borough President. The council member discusses the challenges his constituents have faced following the outbreak of COVID-19 and what… Read more »
Dec. 31, 2020 Staff Report A man wearing a “Red Sox” hat walked up to 74-year-old Queensbridge resident earlier this month and sucker-punched him in the face. The victim was standing on the corner of 12th Street and 40th Avenue at around 7:15 a.m. on Dec. 12 when the suspect approached him and unexpectedly punched… Read more »
Dec. 31, 2020 By Christian Murray The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has charged a Long Island City man with insider trading after he allegedly bought and sold stock in a chemical company after being tipped off that the corporation was likely to be acquired. Jason Peltz, 37, of 48th Avenue, allegedly started buying stock… Read more »
Dec. 30, 2020 By Christian Murray The mayor announced Tuesday that the city is extending a pilot program that allows storefront owners to sell goods on the sidewalk. The initiative, dubbed the Open Storefronts program, was launched at the end of October and will now be in operation until Sept. 30, 2021. The program is… Read more »
Dec. 29, 2020 By Christian Murray The Department of Transportation constructed 28.6 miles of protected bicycle lanes across the city in 2020, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced today. The mayor said 2020 was a record year in terms of mileage, outdoing 2017 when 24.9 miles of protected bicycle lanes were built. The borough of Queens… Read more »
Dec. 28, 2020 By Christian Murray The New York State legislature is set to pass a bill Monday that would block the eviction of struggling New Yorkers until May 1. Elected officials are convening a special session to pass the COVID-19 Emergency Eviction and Foreclosure Prevention Act that aims to help residents remain in their… Read more »
Dec. 22, 2020 By Allie Griffin New Yorkers who are struggling to pay their rent as a result of coronavirus-related layoffs or pay cuts can now apply for a rental relief grant–once again. Governor Andrew Cuomo opened applications for the “COVID Rent Relief Program,” which provides a one-time payment of rental assistance directly to a… Read more »
Dec. 21, 2020 By Christian Murray Chip, the famed Astoria cookie bakery, is opening a shop in Sunnyside– half a block south of the 40th Street subway station. The Sunnyside location is scheduled to open at 45-05 40th St. Tuesday and will be the company’s sixth bakery since it was founded in Astoria in July… Read more »
This story was originally published by Chalkbeat, a nonprofit news organization covering public education. Sign up for their newsletters here: ckbe.at/newsletters Dec 18, 2020, Christina Veiga, Chalkbeat New York The coronavirus pandemic will force major changes in the ways students are admitted to New York City’s competitive middle and high schools this year, the education department announced… Read more »