Category: News

City budget includes hyper-local veteran support initiative proposed by late Council Member Paul Vallone 

initiative

Jul. 15, 2024 By Iryna Shkurhan Over half a million dollars was designated for a new hyper-local initiative to connect veterans with critical services in the recently-passed city budget for Fiscal Year 2025.  Approximately 250,000 veterans reside in the five boroughs. However, according to the NYC Department of Veterans Services (DVS), there is a…

Rep. Velázquez introduces bill to boost textured hair training in cosmetology schools

bill

Jul. 1, 2024 By Athena Dawson Rep. Nydia Velázquez (D-7), who represents Brooklyn and Queens neighborhoods, including Long Island City, Astoria, Sunnyside, Maspeth, Ridgewood and Woodhaven, introduced a new bill on Friday, June 28, that would promote textured hair education and training in cosmetology schools nationwide. The bill, dubbed the Texture Positive Act of 2024,…
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State legislators and advocates rally in Astoria to pressure Governor Hochul to sign MENA bill

Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas speaking in front of Al-Iman Mosque in Asotria, next to other legislators and advocates

Jun. 26, 2024 By Sabir Hasko Several state officials who represent districts in western Queens held a rally outside a mosque in Astoria Thursday, June 20, in support of legislation that would classify people of Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) heritage as part of a specific demographic group—instead of being broadly categorized as white. The…
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