QNS is looking back at our top stories throughout 2024 as we look forward to 2025. In terms of crime, the borough was shaken by several high-profile murders, police shootings and drug gang takedowns, many of which shocked the entire city. Here are some of the top 2024 crime stories in Queens.

The city’s first homicide of the year went down in an Elmhurst karaoke bar

New York City’s first murder in 2024 occurred on New Year’s Day when a Manhattan bouncer stabbed two men outside an Elmhurst karaoke bar near 76th Street and Roosevelt Ave. just before 4 a.m. Torrance Holmes, 35, of Hamilton Heights, was arrested by detectives days later at his home and transported back to Queens to face justice.

Dec. 23, 2024 By Shane O’Brien

As 2024 turns into 2025, QNS is looking back on its most popular stories from each month of the year.

Dec. 23, 2024 By Athena Dawson

U.S. Representative Gregory Meeks, who represents New York’s 5th District, which covers southeast Queens and parts of Nassau County, and U.S. Representative Pete Sessions, who represents Texas’ 17th District, which covers areas including Waco and College Station, have introduced a bipartisan bill aimed at alleviating financial burdens for first-time homeowners.

Dec. 20, 2024 By Emily Davenport and QNS News Team

After decades of helping New Yorkers celebrate life’s biggest moments, Party City is throwing its final party—announcing the closure of all its stores, including its last two locations in Queens.

Dec. 20, 2024 By Shane O’Brien

Governor Kathy Hochul visited Queens Center Mall in Elmhurst on Thursday, engaging with local residents amid their holiday shopping to discuss the rising cost of living in New York and to promote her proposal to deliver Inflation Reduction checks aimed at easing financial burdens for New Yorkers.

Police from the 112th Precinct in Forest Hills arrested an Ozone Park man on Friday morning looking for allegedly striking an NYPD traffic enforcement agent during an argument in Rego Park on Wednesday afternoon.

Mark Garrido, 29, of 98th Street, is charged with assault and robbery for rushing at the 56-year-old victim, who was on duty and in uniform at 4:20 p.m. in front of a Taco Bell at 95-06 63rd Drive.

Dec. 20, 2024 By Czarinna Andres

Inside Broadway hosted its biannual program, Creating the Magic, on Wednesday, Dec. 11, offering students a behind-the-scenes look at the new musical adaptation of “The Great Gatsby.”

Dec. 20, 2024 By sobrien

Dec. 20, 2024 By Shane O’Brien

Dec. 20, 2024 By sobrien

Dec. 20, 2024 By Shane O’Brien

Hundreds of warehouse workers and drivers walked off the job and joined the picket line outside the massive DBK4 Amazon fulfillment center in Maspeth on Thursday morning as the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) launched the largest strike ever against the $2 trillion corporation in New York City, Atlanta, Southern California, San Francisco, and Illinois.

Amazon workers at other facilities across the country say they are prepared to join them to protest unfair labor practices after the IBT set a Dec. 15 deadline for Amazon to begin negotiations on a new agreement. The union was ignored.

Dec. 19, 2024 By cmotherway

Dec. 19, 2024 By Colum Motherway

A Queens grand jury indicted an East Elmhurst man in connection to a July 4th fatal collision at Flushing Meadows Corona Park.

Yersson Diaz, 27, of Ericsson Street just south of LaGuardia Airport, appeared at Queens Criminal Court for a summons on Tuesday and was taken into custody, according to an NYPD spokeswoman. He was booked Tuesday afternoon at the 110th Precinct in Elmhurst, where he was charged with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death.

Dec. 19, 2024 By Barbara Russo Lennon and QNS News Team

Queens commuters frustrated with inadequate bus service can look forward to improvements as the MTA plans to enhance service on several key routes next year. Governor Kathy Hochul announced Tuesday that the upgrades, which will impact 24 bus lines across New York City, include a significant boost for Queens riders.

Dec. 19, 2024 By Shane O’Brien

Eviction rates at New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) properties have surged under the Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT) program, raising concerns about tenant protections, according to a new audit by NYC Comptroller Brad Lander.

Dec. 19, 2024 By Athena Dawson

Tap-to-pay is here to stay, and the iconic yellow MetroCards will soon be a New York City relic.

Dec. 19, 2024 By sobrien

Dec. 19, 2024 By Shane O’Brien

Dec. 18, 2024 By Shane O’Brien

A Forest Hills homeowners group has filed a motion for a preliminary injunction against the operators of Forest Hills Stadium due to the “harms caused” by the yearly concert series at the stadium. 

Dec. 18, 2024 By Ethan Marshall

The average rental price in Queens for studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units maintained an upward trend from the previous year in November 2024, according to a report by the real estate firm M.N.S. Real Estate.

Dec. 18, 2024 By Barbara Russo-Lennon and Lloyd Mitchell

The MTA Board approved on Wednesday a budget plan for 2025 that includes public transportation fare hikes and toll increases slated to take effect next summer.

Dec. 18, 2024 By Emily Swanson

Reona Alam from Castle Hill, a current freshman at Hunter College, doesn’t have a typical college student’s part-time job. Instead of babysitting or working retail, she is an intern with Council Member Shekar Krishnan’s office in Queens, getting a front-row seat to local politics in action. 

Dec. 18, 2024 By Athena Dawson

In the heart of Southeast Queens, one creative entrepreneur is proving that big empowerment can come in small packages.

Dec. 18, 2024 By sobrien

Dec. 18, 2024 By Shane O’Brien

Dec. 18, 2024 By emarshall

Dec. 18, 2024 By Ethan Marshall

Dec. 18, 2024 By sobrien

Dec. 18, 2024 By Shane O’Brien 

Dec. 18, 2024 By Ethan Marshall

The median rent in Northwest Queens rose year-over-year in November 2024, marking the second consecutive month to experience such an increase, while the number of lease signings and available inventory continued to climb, according to a report by the real estate firm Douglas Elliman Real Estate.