Nov. 23, 2021 By Allie Griffin Queens elected officials gathered outside a bagel shop Monday to denounce anti-Semitism—two weeks after the store came under attack for flying the Israeli flag Assembly Member David Weprin organized the rally after a man threatened to burn down Bagels & Co. on Union Turnpike unless its employees took down… Read more »
Nov. 22, 2021 By Allie Griffin A group of “anarchists” shattered car windows, tore down American flags and scrawled expletives on property in Middle Village Friday night, local officials and police said. Nearly 50 rioters dressed in all black stormed into the neighborhood around 8:30 p.m. and wreaked havoc following the “not guilty” verdict in… Read more »
Nov. 19, 2021 By Allie Griffin Queens officials largely condemned a jury’s “not guilty” verdict in the Kyle Rittenhouse trial Friday. Rittenhouse, who fatally shot two men and injured a third in Kenosha last year, was found not guilty on all charges including homicide after a jury deliberated for about 26 hours. Rittenhouse, who was… Read more »
Nov. 19, 2021 By Allie Griffin Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas joined cycling advocates Thursday to call on the governor to sign her bill that would require the MTA to prioritize bicycle access. González-Rojas and State Sen. Alessandra Biaggi (D-Bronx), who sponsored the bill in the state Senate, gathered with advocates at the foot of the… Read more »
Nov. 18, 2021 By Allie Griffin Governor Kathy Hochul signed two bills sponsored by Queens legislators Tuesday that aim to protect LGBTQ+ New Yorkers. Hochul signed the bills into law during transgender awareness week. The first bill, sponsored by Sen. Jessica Ramos and known as the START Act, strengthens protections for victims of sex and… Read more »
Nov. 17, 2021 By Allie Griffin Republican candidate Vickie Paladino has won the Council District 19 race after absentee ballots were tallied this week. Paladino, a Whitestone civic leader, narrowly defeated Democrat Tony Avella, who represented the district in the council from 2002 to 2009, once the mailed-in votes were counted. Her campaign confirmed her… Read more »
Nov. 16, 2021 By Allie Griffin The Queens borough president has launched a new initiative to educate high schoolers about city government and the importance of civic engagement. The borough president’s office is sending in staff into Queens high schools to teach students about the role city officials and elected leaders play in local government,… Read more »
Nov. 16, 2021 By Allie Griffin A private Greek Orthodox school in Astoria closed its buildings for the week on Monday after one staff member and two students tested positive for COVID-19. Saint Demetrios School — which includes a high school, middle and elementary school — has switched to remote learning for all students through… Read more »
Nov. 16, 2021 By Allie Griffin A group of Queens politicians and lawmakers are calling on the Queens district attorney to drop all charges against a man who was arrested for murder when he was 15-years-old and is now facing a retrial after his 2018 conviction was overturned last year. The local pols penned a… Read more »
Nov. 15, 2021 By Allie Griffin 7 trains were running with delays in both directions Monday morning after a man was fatally struck by a train at Grand Central Station. Initially, 7 train service was suspended at 6:15 a.m. between Hunters Point Av and 34 St-Hudson Yards stations as emergency teams responded to the incident,… Read more »