April 22, 2021 By Ryan Songalia A new bill that aims to protect workers from contracting airborne illnesses in the workplace—such as COVID-19—passed both the New York State Senate and Assembly this week. Businesses, under the legislation called NY Hero Act, will be required to meet minimum safety standards to reduce the risk to workers… Read more »
April 22, 2021 By Ryan Songalia More than 400 Asian Americans have signed a petition in opposition to the mayoral candidacy of Andrew Yang. The petition, titled Asian and Pacific Islander New Yorkers Against Andrew Yang, went live on Wednesday, with 403 signatories criticizing the Taiwanese-American businessman turned politician. Yang, who leads in the latest… Read more »
April 21, 2021 By Ryan Songalia Elected officials across Queens praised the verdicts in the Derek Chauvin case Tuesday, but said true justice remains a work in progress. Chauvin, a former Minneapolis police officer, was found guilty on all three charges related to the May 2020 killing of unarmed Black man George Floyd, including second-degree… Read more »
April 21, 2021 By Ryan Songalia Mayor Bill de Blasio unveiled a new plan Tuesday that will add more cops in high crime areas as a means to combat gun violence. The announcement comes at a time when the number of shootings continues to spike across the city and New Yorkers have been calling for… Read more »
April 20, 2021 By Christina Santucci What do the homes of Louis Armstrong, William Steinway, Jackie Robinson, Malcolm X, Ella Fitzgerald and Rufus King have in common? All are featured in the new book, Historic Houses of Queens, scheduled for publication next month. The book – written by Rob MacKay, Director of Public Relations, Tourism… Read more »
April 19, 2021 By Christina Santucci New Yorkers 50 and older no longer need an appointment to receive a COVID-19 vaccine at multiple city-run sites – including seven locations in Queens. The mayor announced the expansion to walk-in vaccinations on Saturday – the first day that the new guidelines were put into place. Previously the… Read more »
April 17, 2021 By Ryan Songalia City Councilmember Daniel Dromm introduced a resolution Tuesday that calls on the state to pass legislation that would protect low-income disabled residents against rent increases–no matter their immigration status. The resolution, introduced in the Immigration Committee, aims to tell Albany that the New York City council believes that all… Read more »
April 16, 2021 By Christian Murray The police have arrested a Forest Hills man who allegedly scrawled a swastika next to a Rego Park synagogue in February. Ramtin Rabenou, 41, a resident of the Parker Towers complex at 104-20 Queens Blvd., allegedly drew the swastika with a black marker across a “public property” sign affixed… Read more »
April 16, 2021 By Ryan Songalia A bill sponsored by Congresswoman Grace Meng that aims to combat hate crimes that target the Asian-American community moved one step closer to becoming law Wednesday. The Senate voted overwhelmingly in favor of advancing the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, which would simplify the reporting and review process pertaining to… Read more »
April 16, 2021 By Christian Murray A lucrative state tax break that has benefited a number of high-profile developers has come to an end. State Sen. Mike Gianaris passed legislation that was included in the state budget that scraps a handsome tax break that allows developers who invest in designated “opportunity zones” to defer and… Read more »