Category: News

Queens Defenders founder charged with stealing nonprofit funds as second scandal unfolds

queens defenders

Jun. 20, 2025 By Bill Parry The founder of the Queens Defenders and her husband have lawyered up after they were indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly stealing tens of thousands of dollars from the non-profit organization. Former Queens Defenders executive director Lori Zeno, 64, surrendered Wednesday at the Brooklyn federal courthouse.…

Gonzalez advances landmark legislation on artificial intelligence oversight

gonzalez

Jun. 19, 2025 By Czarinna Andres New York State Senator Kristen Gonzalez, who represents parts of western Queens, successfully passed two major bills designed to regulate the growing use of artificial intelligence in public and private systems. The legislation marks a significant milestone in Gonzalez’s broader “Safe and Responsible Artificial Intelligence” package and positions…

Mets to celebrate Women’s Night at Citi Field with exclusive giveaway

women's night

Jun. 19, 2025 By Jessica Militello Citi Field will celebrate the contributions of women in sports, culture, and beyond with its annual Women’s Night on Monday, June 23, as the New York Mets take on the Atlanta Braves. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. at 41 Seaver Way, with a full evening of…

Krishnan leads push to end city contracts with convicted landscaping company owner

landscaping

Jun. 18, 2025 By Czarinna Andres A coalition of elected officials and labor leaders is calling on the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation to immediately terminate all contracts with Griffin’s Landscaping, a city contractor whose owner, Glenn Griffin, was recently sentenced to two years in federal prison for bribery and illegal…

Longtime Astoria lawyer John Ciafone makes another run for Civil Court judge

john ciafone

Jun. 18, 2025 By Ethan Marshall As early voting continues ahead of the June 24 primary election for Queens Civil Court, one candidate vying for one of the four open seats, John Ciafone, is hoping to secure the Democratic nomination. A lifelong Astoria resident and the son of an immigrant, Ciafone brings over 30…

Queens Pride Prom returns this Friday to celebrate and uplift LGBTQIA youth

pride prom

Jun. 18, 2025 By Jimmy Robles The annual Pride Prom, hosted by Assembly Member Catalina Cruz and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr., will return this Friday, June 20, at the New York Hall of Science in Corona, continuing a growing tradition of celebrating and uplifting LGBTQIA youth in Queens. Since first being elected…

Jamaica station could become Amtrak’s second NYC stop under new proposal

amtrak

Jun. 18, 2025 By Barbara Russo-Lennon Amtrak, the federal railway service, has proposed expanding into Long Island with a stop in Queens, a move that could reshape intercity travel in northeast America. The expansion would feature three daily round-trip trains that would operate over Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor and Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) tracks.…

Brad Lander arrested by ICE at immigration court amid protest over deportations

brad lander

Jun. 17, 2025 By Dean Moses & Robert Pozarycki City Comptroller Brad Lander was arrested and accosted by masked federal agents at immigration court in Lower Manhattan. The city’s elected financial watchdog, and a Democratic candidate for mayor, appeared at 26 Federal Plaza on the morning of June 17 to observe immigration hearings involving…

Nearly 3,500 MTA staffers hit the streets to prepare Queens for bus route overhaul

bus

Jun. 17, 2025 By Athena Dawson The MTA launched a boroughwide community outreach initiative on Monday ahead of the upcoming Queens Bus Network Redesign, set to take effect on June 29. Beginning June 16, MTA staff members in fluorescent vests will be stationed outside major transit hubs across Queens to provide information about upcoming…