March 31, 2021 By Ryan Songalia New York has become state number 15 to legalize recreational pot with Gov. Andrew Cuomo signing the “Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act” into law this morning. The bill cleared both the New York State Senate and Assembly yesterday, and Cuomo pledged last night that he would make it law…. Read more »
March 31, 2021 By Michael Dorgan A new ranger station is about to open at Gantry Plaza State Park – bringing much-needed public restrooms. The long-awaited restrooms are a component of the station that will also feature a reception area and two offices. The ranger station will serve as the main office for the park… Read more »
March 31, 2021 By Allie Griffin Council Member Costa Constantinides announced today that he will be leaving office next month, about 8 months before his term in office was to officially end. Constantinides will resign on Friday, April 9 to take a job in the nonprofit sector as the Chief Executive Officer of the Variety… Read more »
March 30, 2021 By Allie Griffin New York City’s long-delayed plan to charge drivers entering Manhattan below 60th Street is a step closer to becoming a reality. The Biden administration notified city and state officials Tuesday that they can move forward in conducting an environmental review of the congestion pricing plan– which is required before… Read more »
March 30, 2021 By Christina Santucci A Queens-based theater company that closed its performance space in Long Island City last year is opening a location in Sunnyside to offer performing arts classes. Richard Mazda, the owner and founder of the Secret Theater, said he has found a venue in Sunnyside for his company’s educational programming… Read more »
March 30, 2021 Op-Ed By Hailie Kim There was a distinct sinking and roiling in my stomach. “Are you a prostitute?” a man asked. I was 17 at the time. I was not, in fact, a prostitute. I was and am, however, clearly an East Asian woman. This question: “are you a prostitute?” is one… Read more »
March 30, 2021 By Allie Griffin Jimmy Van Bramer and several candidates running for elected office are calling on Council Speaker Corey Johnson to release the findings of an audit of the City Council’s sexual harassment policies ordered nearly two years ago. Van Bramer, who represents the 26th council district and is running for Queens… Read more »
March 29, 2021 By Allie Griffin The Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club, a citywide LGBTQ Democratic club, named Queens candidate Julie Won as its latest pick for City Council. The club endorsed Won for the 26th District seat representing Sunnyside, Woodside, Long Island City and a section of Astoria on Monday. “With anti-Asian bigotry and… Read more »
March 29, 2021 By Michael Dorgan A Long Island City parks group is taking steps to make sure that last summer’s uptick in crime, trash and drag racing won’t make a return to the waterfront when the weather heats up. The Hunters Point Parks Conservancy, a non-profit group that oversees the two waterfront parks in… Read more »
March 29, 2021 By Allie Griffin The New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) is now accepting applications for the second year of its Open Streets program that transforms roadways into pedestrian spaces and outdoor dining areas. Local businesses and community groups can apply online to designate a street near them as an Open Street…. Read more »