March 5, 2021 By Allie Griffin Three Queens men who were wrongfully convicted in a 1996 double homicide returned home to their families today after nearly a quarter century behind bars. A Queens Supreme Court judge vacated the convictions of George Bell, Gary Johnson and Rohan Bolt Friday in the murders of an Astoria business… Read more »
March 3, 2021 By Allie Griffin In his first public appearance since multiple women accused him of sexual harassment, Governor Andrew Cuomo apologized for his behavior, but refused to resign from office as several Queens legislators have called for. Cuomo issued the apology on Wednesday after two former staffers accused the governor of sexual harassment… Read more »
Feb. 24, 2021 By Allie Griffin New York City’s public schools will welcome back middle schoolers for in-person learning tomorrow. Public schools that serve grades six through eight will hold in-person classes beginning Thursday. The schools have been closed since November when COVID-19 cases spiked. “I am very excited that tomorrow our New York City… Read more »
Feb. 23, 2021 By Allie Griffin New York City has launched an online toolkit to address the spate of attacks against Asian Americans in recent months. Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Tuesday the creation of an online toolkit that aims to provide support to New Yorkers of Asian heritage who are subjected to hate crimes…. Read more »
Feb. 23, 2021 By Allie Griffin Mayor Bill de Blasio has created a new position, “Recovery Czar,” to lead the city’s recovery from the pandemic and accompanying economic crisis. De Blasio appointed Astoria native and CEO of the City’s School Construction Authority (SCA) Lorraine Grillo to fill the position as the senior advisor of the… Read more »
Feb. 19, 2021 By Allie Griffin New York City eateries will be able to serve more customers indoors starting next week. City restaurants will be able to increase their indoor dining capacity to 35 percent next Friday, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced today. The establishments were permitted to reopen indoor dining rooms at 25 percent capacity… Read more »
Feb. 18, 2021 By Allie Griffin/ New York City is scheduling fewer COVID-19 vaccination appointments this week since a shipment of the life-saving shots has been delayed due to winter storms. Snow storms across the country have delayed the arrival of a vaccine shipment that will replenish the city’s supply, Mayor Bill de Blasio said… Read more »
Feb. 17, 2021 By Allie Griffin Restaurant owners are struggling to keep their businesses afloat after relying on outdoor dining alone during the cold winter months. Indoor dining just reopened in the city at 25 percent capacity last Friday, but a new report shows the toll its absence has had on city eateries. More than… Read more »
Feb. 15, 2021 By Allie Griffin The MTA is reducing the subway’s overnight shutdown period and expanding its hours of operation, state officials announced today. The four-hour overnight subway shutdown that has been in place for roughly 10 months will be reduced beginning Monday, Feb. 22. Starting Monday, the system will be closed for just… Read more »
Feb. 12, 2021 By Allie Griffin New York City pharmacies are now offering the COVID-19 vaccine to New Yorkers 65 and older through a federal program that significantly boosts the city’s vaccine effort. More than 250 pharmacies across the five boroughs are now administering the potentially life-saving vaccine, including 188 Walgreens/Duane Reade stores, 75 Rite… Read more »