April 26, 2020 By Michael Dorgan A Manhattan-based civic group has called on President Donald Trump to shut down the subway system to protect riders from rising crime and COVID-19. The group, the Central Park South Civic Association, is making its request a week after four council members—including three from Queens—urged the MTA to shut… Read more »
By Jose Martinez, THE CITY This story was originally published on 4/26/20 At the Fort Hamilton Parkway stop in Brooklyn, a “naked individual” delayed F trains while “chasing someone on and off the train.” At Rockaway Boulevard in Queens, two A train riders squared off, one swinging a heavy chain, the other armed with brass… Read more »
April 25, 2020 By Michael Dorgan Governor Andrew Cuomo has canceled the special election for Queens Borough President that was scheduled to take place on June 23. The governor made the announcement by executive order Friday. The race was being held to replace Melinda Katz, who stepped down on Jan. 1 to become Queens District… Read more »
April 26, 2020 By Christian Murray A motorcyclist is dead after a driver of a BMW plowed into the back of him on the Cross Island Parkway in Bay Terrace yesterday, police said. The victim, 34, was riding his 2010 Harley Davidson northbound when the 2014 BMW struck him from behind—throwing the victim into the… Read more »
April 25, 2020 By Michael Dorgan City lawmakers have introduced legislation that would better protect whistleblowers from speaking out about safety practices at the workplace during COVID-19. The bill – which was introduced by Councilmembers Ben Kallos, Brad Lander and Speaker Corey Johnson at Wednesday’s City Council meeting – looks to protect essential workers from… Read more »
April 24, 2020 By Allie Griffin Queens Assembly Member Ron Kim and Brooklyn Senator Kevin Parker are calling on the mayor and schools chancellor to add anti-bullying lessons to the curriculum for New York City public school students. The lawmakers said the lessons are needed as hate crimes and violence against Asian Americans have risen… Read more »
April 24, 2020 By Allie Griffin Mayor Bill de Blasio is pushing for a rent freeze for New York City’s one million rent-stabilized tenants. The mayor is calling for a range of measures to assist New Yorkers unable to afford their rent amid the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting shutdown. He is also urging the state… Read more »
April 24, 2020 By Allie Griffin Dozens of poets have put together an illustration of the beauty and resilience of Queens with an interactive recorded poetry project. Queensbound, founded in 2018 by writer KC Trommer, collects poems about the borough — from Long Island City to Jamaica — and embeds audio recordings of each at… Read more »
April 23, 2020 By Allie Griffin Hospital admissions for coronavirus patients in New York City are continuing to go down, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced today. On Wednesday, the number of people admitted to New York City hospitals with coronavirus symptoms was 227, a marked decline from figures of two or three weeks ago. For… Read more »
April 23, 2020 By Allie Griffin State Sen. Leroy Comrie is leading an effort to deliver food to frontline healthcare workers at Queens Hospital Center and residents in need in Jamaica. Queens Hospital Center, located at 82-68 164th St., is one of 11 public hospitals that has faced the brunt of the coronavirus pandemic in… Read more »