Jun. 19, 2025 By Czarinna Andres New York State Senator Kristen Gonzalez, who represents parts of western Queens, successfully passed two major bills designed to regulate the growing use of artificial intelligence in public and private systems. The legislation marks a significant milestone in Gonzalez’s broader “Safe and Responsible Artificial Intelligence” package and positions…
Jun. 16, 2025 By sobrien June 16, 2025 By Shane O’Brien Hundreds of people visited Culture Lab LIC Saturday for the fourth-annual Queens Irish Heritage Festival, celebrating Irish music and culture as well as the importance of diversity in Long Island City. The event, co-presented by the New York Irish Center and the McManus…
Jun. 13, 2025 By sobrien June 13, 2025 By Shane O’Brien State Senator Kristen Gonzalez, Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas and Council Member Tiffany Cabán issued a joint statement voicing strong support for the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) proposed redesign of 31st Street in Astoria, which includes the installation of eight-foot-wide protected bike lanes beneath…
Jun. 11, 2025 By Shane O’Brien Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas is condemning President Donald Trump’s deployment of the National Guard and Marine Corps to Los Angeles, calling him a “fascist” and describing the move as a response to growing public outrage over his administration’s immigration policies. González-Rojas said the ongoing anti-ICE protests in Los…
Jun. 5, 2025 By sobrien June 4, 2025 By Shane O’Brien The five most persistent “super speeders” in Queens racked up a combined 643 school zone speed camera tickets in 2024—an average of one every 14 hours—according to new research from street safety groups Transportation Alternatives (TA) and Families for Safe Streets. One driver…
Jun. 3, 2025 By Shane O’Brien As New York City grapples with the ongoing housing crisis, CityFHEPS, a city-funded voucher program for low-income households, has played an increasingly prominent role in securing housing for some of the poorest residents in the city. But the program, which has grown astronomically since its inception in 2018,…
Mar. 18, 2025 By sobrien March 18, 2025 By Shane O’Brien Hundreds of Queens parents have signed a petition to prevent a charter school from opening in Western Queens. They state that the establishment of a charter school would divert much-needed funds away from public schools in the district. The petition, launched last week…
Mar. 6, 2025 By sobrien March 6, 2025 By Shane O’Brien State Sen. Kristen Gonzalez and Assembly Member Claire Valdez have expressed support for increases in state funding for New York State Parks following calls from activists for Park Advocacy Day in Albany last week. Rob Basch, president of the Hunters Point Parks Conservancy…
Jan. 28, 2025 By sobrien Jan. 28, 2025 By Shane O’Brien The Long Island City Partnership (LICP) launched its fourth-annual Lunar New Year business festival at the newly-opened hot pot restaurant Chi Chicken Friday, with special promotions at dozens of local businesses. The event marks the beginning of a month-long LIC Lunar New Year celebration… Read more »
Jan. 17, 2025 By Shane O’Brien It is a typical Tuesday evening in the Times Square—42 St subway station. Subway trains continue their ceaseless beat across the city while commuters dart in every direction to catch their rides. Amid this chaotic labyrinth of underground passages and platforms, newly arrived immigrants line the walkways, selling…