Dec. 26, 2019 By Allie Griffin Governor Andrew Cuomo vetoed a bill today that would have legalized most e-bikes and e-scooters across the state. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Jessica Ramos in the state senate and Assemblywoman Nily Rozic in the state assembly, easily passed both houses during this year’s legislative session and needed Cuomo’s… Read more »
Dec. 26, 2019 By Kristen Torres The New York City Department of Health released a list of last year’s most popular baby names, with Liam being the most popular name for boys and Mia for girls in Queens. Throughout the entire city, Emma and Liam were the most popular baby names in 2018, according to… Read more »
Dec. 26, 2019 By Kristen Torres The number of chain stores in operation continues to fall across New York City and the decline in 2019 was greatest in Queens, according to a new report. The Center for an Urban Future released its 2019 State of the Chains report this month and noted that the number… Read more »
Dec. 26, 2019 By Kristen Torres Queens District Attorney-Elect Melinda Katz announced new criminal justice reforms to begin when she takes office next month. The DA-elect plans to introduce new plea deal policies for cases beginning Jan. 1, 2020, according to a release sent by her transition team on Tuesday. Current procedure gives criminal defendants… Read more »
Dec. 23 By Kristen Torres More New York City residents will be eligible for half-priced MetroCards under an expansion of the city’s Fair Fares program, officials announced Friday. Fair Fares offers half-priced MetroCards to low-income residents. The program was launched by Mayor Bill de Blasio and City Council Speaker Corey Johnson early this year. “We’re… Read more »
Dec. 23, 2019 By Allie Griffin Former gubernatorial candidate and “Sex and the City” actress Cynthia Nixon formally endorsed Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer for Queens Borough President today. In a letter to supporters, Van Bramer’s campaign announced he received endorsements from both Nixon and Zephyr Teachout, a former state Attorney General candidate and Fordham… Read more »
Dec. 20, 2019 By Kristen Torres A Corona man has been convicted for the brutal rape of his girlfriend last year, according to the Queens District Attorney’s Office that made the announcement Thursday. Olger Macas, 31, was found guilty of first and third-degree rape, second-degree sexual abuse and second-degree criminal contempt. He now faces up… Read more »
Dec. 20, 2019 By Kristen Torres Police are looking for man who punched a subway rider on the train platform in Jackson Heights earlier this month. Police said the 33-year-old victim was riding on a northbound E train when he got involved in an argument with the suspect on Dec. 8 around 3:30 p.m. The… Read more »
Dec. 19, 2019 By Allie Griffin Police are searching for a middle-aged man who touched himself while staring at a 22-year-old woman on board a F train earlier this month. The man stared down the woman while he placed his hands inside his pants and touched himself on board a Manhattan-bound F train, approaching the… Read more »
Dec. 18, 2019 By Allie Griffin The Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) Board approved the hiring of 500 additional transit police officers Wednesday, despite opposition from several local lawmakers. The board voted to approve the authority’s $17 billion budget for 2020, which included funding for the additional officers — an expected $249 million over the next… Read more »