June 22, 2021 By Christina Santucci A Queens Criminal Court judge granted District Attorney Melinda Katz’s request to dismiss thousands of cases for people who had been charged with low-level marijuana offenses—during a virtual proceeding Tuesday morning. Katz had sought to have the 3,255 unresolved misdemeanor cases be dismissed – after New York state legalized… Read more »
June 22, 2021 By Christina Santucci Voters can expect to find out some initial vote tallies from today’s Primary Election following the close of the polls – but election officials estimate that the final results will not be certified until mid July. The Board of Elections (BOE) plans to release preliminary, unofficial results of in-person… Read more »
June 22, 2021 By Ryan Songalia State lawmakers have taken a big step to rid the streets of souped-up vehicles that have been keeping residents awake at night. A bill, called the Stop Loud and Excessive Exhaust Pollution (SLEEP) Act, passed both the Assembly and senate on June 10 and awaits the signature of the… Read more »
June 21, 2021 By Ryan Songalia A legislative package that would require public companies to disclose social, environmental and governance metrics to investors passed the U.S. House of Representatives last Wednesday. The Corporate Governance Improvement and Investor Protection Act passed along partisan lines – 215 to 214 – although four Democrats voted in opposition to… Read more »
June 21, 2021 By Allie Griffin The Department of Transportation (DOT) will present a proposal Wednesday to create a “bike boulevard” along 39th Avenue in Sunnyside. The agency plans to convert 39th Avenue, from 45th Street to Woodside Avenue, to a bike boulevard that would involve making significant changes to the strip. The DOT will… Read more »
June 21, 2021 By Allie Griffin Federal officials have postponed making their final decision on the $2 billion LaGuardia AirTrain project after community groups and legislators expressed concerns over its environmental review. Early construction of the AirTrain — a proposed 1.5 mile rail line linking LaGuardia Airport to the 7 train and Long Island Rail… Read more »
June 21, 2021 By: Yi (Andy) Chen, Candidate For City Council District 25 The COVID 19 pandemic that broke out last year has been devastating. With Elmhurst and Jackson Heights being the epicenter of the epicenter, we were doubly hit. Too many lives have been lost due to COVID 19, millions of jobs gone, small… Read more »
June 21, 2021 By Ryan Songalia Families who have been provided with temporary hotel accommodation since a fire tore through their Jackson Heights apartment building in April are being given extra time to stay. The hotel stays were set to expire by June 20, but families are now eligible to stay longer if they submit… Read more »
June 21, 2021 By Christina Santucci A development team’s plan to build a large film production studio—backed by actor Robert De Niro—got the approval of Astoria’s Community Board 1 last week. The plans call for a $400 million complex – called Wildflower Studios – to be built at 35-15 19th Ave., between the Steinway &… Read more »
June 21, 2021 By Christina Santucci Andrew Yang and former Councilmember Elizabeth Crowley announced last week that they are supporting one another’s respective campaigns for mayor and Queens borough president. The candidates held an event in Bayside to cross endorse each other Friday – with supporters including the firefighters union. “Together, we’ll deliver for Queens… Read more »