Jan. 31, 2020 By Allie Griffin Members of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested 75 undocumented immigrants across the five boroughs, Long Island and the Hudson Valley in the past week — including several living within Queens. The agency announced the number of arrests while decrying New York City’s position as a sanctuary city…. Read more »
Jan. 30, 2020 By Allie Griffin Four candidates were disqualified Tuesday from appearing on the Queens Borough President ballot for the March 24 special election, including retired NYPD sergeant Anthony Miranda. Board of Elections (BOE) commissioners disqualified Miranda as well as Danniel Maio, Everly Brown and Justina Jaggassar-Ernul at a public meeting on Jan. 28…. Read more »
Jan. 29, 2020 By Kristen Torres Several Queens elected officials were outraged by the Supreme Court’s ruling Monday that will now make it harder for low-income immigrants to get a green card. The court, in a 5-4 decision, ruled in favor of new “public charge” rules that will allow officials to deny green cards to immigrants… Read more »
Jan. 27, 2020 By Allie Griffin The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) launched a new ad campaign today to combat an uptick in hate crimes on the New York City transit system. The “Hate Has No Place in Our Transportation System” public awareness campaign will promote kindness, respect and solidarity across digital screens in subways, buses… Read more »
Jan. 27, 2020 By Kristen Torres The Queens delegation is split over a city bill that would grant green card holders and many other legal immigrants the right to vote in city elections. The bill, introduced in the City Council on Jan. 23, would grant permanent residents and other legal immigrants with the right to… Read more »
Jan. 22, 2020 By Allie Griffin Governor Andrew Cuomo has proposed legislation to legalize most e-bikes and e-scooters as part of his executive budget plan for Fiscal Year 2021. Cuomo wrote the legislation into his budget that was released Tuesday less than a month after he vetoed two Queens lawmakers’ bill to legalize the electric… Read more »
Jan. 22, 2020 By Kristen Torres A Lyft driver was sentenced to 10 years in prison on Tuesday for sexually assaulting a passenger who had fallen asleep in his car in Queens. Welinton Fernandez, 31, of Corona was convicted in November of first degree criminal sexual act and first degree sexual abuse for sexually assaulting… Read more »
Jan. 20, 2020 By Allie Griffin and Christian Murray Two candidates vying to be the next borough president traded barbs at a forum in Sunnyside last week when the topics of Amazon, real estate contributions and the Queens County Democratic machine were raised. Council Members Jimmy Van Bramer and Donovan Richards — two of the… Read more »
Jan. 16, 2020 By Allie Griffin Straphangers who ride the 7 train will be hearing the voice of Awkwafina every time the subway pulls into a station. The conductor announcements will feature the recorded voice of the Golden Globe-winning actress from today through Wednesday, Jan. 22. Awkwafina arranged the deal to voice the subway intercom… Read more »
Jan. 15, 2020 By Allie Griffin Queens residents will have plenty of candidates to choose from with they vote for next borough president on March 24— with a whopping eight names to appear on the ballot. Candidates had to file at least 2,000 signatures before 11:59 p.m. Jan. 14 in order to secure a spot… Read more »