April 6, 2021 By Ryan Songalia Two online job fairs will take place in April as the borough looks to rebound from the economic devastation– and job losses–brought on by the pandemic. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and Assemblywoman Catalina Cruz will co-host a job fair on Friday, April 9 from 11 a.m. to 12:30… Read more »
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Several Queens Legislators Call for Big Tax Hikes on the Wealthy, More Modest Tax Increases Likely
April 6, 2021 By Ryan Songalia With New York’s state budget expected to be released shortly, a group of Queens legislators are hoping it includes a number of progressive measures aimed at raising taxes on wealthy residents and large corporations. A package of six bills known collectively as the Invest In Our New York Act… Read more »
Film Series Kicks Off Showcasing How Queens’ Non-Profits Coped During COVID
April 5, 2021 By Christina Santucci A documentary series highlighting nonprofits in the borough – and how they have fared during the pandemic – debuted last week. The series, which was created by the Astoria Film Festival, showcases seven organizations and is being screened on Queens Public Television (QPTV), as well as on YouTube and… Read more »
Gianaris Pitching MLB on Bringing Its All-Star Game to Queens
April 5, 2021 By Christina Santucci A Queens state senator is calling on Major League Baseball (MLB) to bring its annual All-Star Game to Citi Field this summer. State Sen. and Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris penned a letter to the MLB commissioner Friday, encouraging him to relocate the showcase to Queens. Baseball officials had announced… Read more »
Cop Who Appeared to Put Knee on Man’s Neck Will Not be Prosecuted: Queens DA
April 5, 2021 By Christina Santucci A Queens cop accused of kneeling on a man’s neck during an arrest in Jamaica earlier this year will not be prosecuted, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Friday. The DA’s office had been investigating Officer Thomas Montario’s actions during a Jan 2. arrest of Long Island resident Sircarlyle… Read more »
Karen Koslowitz Endorses Lynn Schulman for Her Forest Hills Council Seat
March 31, 2021 By Ryan Songalia Term-limited councilwoman Karen Koslowitz has handpicked Lynn Schulman as her chosen successor, endorsing the community activist for the up-for-grabs district 29 seat that spans Forest Hills, Kew Gardens, Rego Park and Richmond Hill. The incumbent has a long history with Schulman, having ran against her in the Democratic primary… Read more »
New York Legalizes Recreational Marijuana, Cuomo Signs Cannabis Legislation Into Law
March 31, 2021 By Ryan Songalia New York has become state number 15 to legalize recreational pot with Gov. Andrew Cuomo signing the “Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act” into law this morning. The bill cleared both the New York State Senate and Assembly yesterday, and Cuomo pledged last night that he would make it law…. Read more »
Queens DA’s Homicide Chief Resigns, Follows Revelation That He Withheld Evidence in 1996 Murder Case
March 30, 2021 By Christina Santucci A Queens prosecutor – who a judge said had “deliberately” withheld key evidence in a 1996 double murder case that ended with the wrongful conviction of three men – has stepped down from the Queens District Attorney’s office. Brad Leventhal, who was the DA’s long-time Homicide Bureau Chief, has… Read more »
Fundraiser for Three Men Who Spent 24 Years Behind Bars After Being Wrongfully Convicted Reaches Over $40k
March 24, 2021 By Christina Santucci A fundraiser set up to help three men who were wrongfully convicted of a 1996 double homicide and spent 24 years behind bars has raised more than $40,000. The funds are being distributed among George Bell, Rohan Bolt and Gary Johnson who had been wrongfully convicted of killing Ira… Read more »
PODCAST: We Talk to Maya Wiley, Candidate for New York City Mayor
March 21, 2021 By Christian Murray The race to be the next mayor of New York City is heating up and last week we talked to one of the candidates–Maya Wiley. Wiley will be competing in the Democratic primary on June 22 against Eric Adams, Scott Stringer, Andrew Yang, Shaun Donovan, Kathryn Garcia, Ray McGuire… Read more »