May. 22, 2025 By Colum Motherway Council Member Joann Ariola continues to expand access to arts education across her district, with recent funding supporting live theatrical performances for students at schools in Howard Beach and Glendale. As part of her ongoing commitment to cultural enrichment, Ariola’s office funded two school-based productions this May through…
Apr. 25, 2025 By Colum Motherway Council Member Robert Holden has introduced two new pieces of legislation that target fire hydrant misuse and abusive rodeo practices. The two bills—Intro 1255 and Intro 1256—seek to bolster public safety and protect animals from inhumane treatment. The first bill, Intro 1255, known as the Rodeo Animal Protection…
Apr. 17, 2025 By Colum Motherway The City Council’s bipartisan Common Sense Caucus has filed an amicus brief with the New York State Court of Appeals in support of municipal retirees fighting to maintain their traditional Medicare supplemental health insurance. The brief, submitted in a closely watched class action lawsuit, marks the third time…
Apr. 3, 2025 By Colum Motherway Council Member Robert Holden spearheaded a rally on Wednesday, April 2, to oppose the proposed construction of a large-scale lithium-ion battery storage facility at 64-30 69th Place in Middle Village, directly across from PS/IS 128. The rally, which brought together local residents, political leaders, and concerned parents, demonstrated…
Mar. 24, 2025 By Ethan Marshall and Ramy Mahmoud Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz recently held her annual Women’s History Month celebration on Wednesday, March 19, in the Benjamin S. Rosenthal Building at Queens College, located at 65-30 Kissena Blvd. in Flushing. Co-sponsored by Queens College, the Queens County Women’s Bar Association and the Center for…
Mar. 18, 2025 By Colum Motherway Alicia Vaichunas, a candidate for City Council in District 30, welcomed dozens of supporters at a soldout fundraising event held at Villa Erasmo in Middle Village. The event, held on March 6, featured prominent political figures and grassroots leaders who rallied around Vaichunas as their preferred candidate to…
Feb. 7, 2025 By Colum Motherway The Republican Delegation of the New York City Council has elected Council Member Joann Ariola as the new Minority Leader. Ariola’s election follows an internal dispute over a controversial vote in late January, in which half the caucus members contested the results. Ariola’s election marks a historic moment…
Jan. 31, 2025 By Athena Dawson A trio of Republican council members are contesting the recent election of Council Member David Carr as the Republican Caucus Minority Leader. The vote took place in person at City Hall on Tuesday, Jan 28, with only three of the six Republican Caucus members in attendance. The members present…
Dec. 23, 2024 By Athena Dawson The New York City Council passed two transparency-focused bills during its Stated Meeting on Thursday, Dec. 19, aimed at improving communication around roadway closures and parking space suspensions. Council Member Joann Ariola, who represents District 32, which covers neighborhoods including Breezy Point, Broad Channel, Glendale, Howard Beach, Ozone Park and Woodhaven, sponsored the legislation and expressed…
Dec. 6, 2024 By Bill Parry One day after Mayor Eric Adams expressed his willingness to collaborate with the incoming Trump administration on addressing the migrant crisis and signaled a readiness to meet with former U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) head Tom Homan, Council Member Robert Holden called on the mayor to reopen…