Sept. 14, 2021 By Allie Griffin Catholic school students in Queens and Brooklyn have the option to learn fully online, the Diocese said Monday — the same day public school students returned to school with no remote option at all. Elementary and middle school students at Catholic academies across Queens and Brooklyn can attend school… Read more »
Sept. 14, 2021 By Allie Griffin Unemployed New Yorkers will gather in Long Island City tonight to call on the federal government to extend federal unemployment benefits that expired on Labor Day. The jobless, along with activists, will rally at Gantry Plaza State Park at 8 p.m. Tuesday to demand legislators extend the pandemic-era benefits after… Read more »
Sept. 14, 2021 By Allie Griffin Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer wants to make a pandemic-era program that allows performers to host ticketed events on city streets a permanent fixture in the city. Van Bramer introduced a bill last week to make the temporary “Open Culture” permit program permanent and year-round. The Council’s Committee on… Read more »
Sept. 7, 2021 By Allie Griffin Thousands of New York City public school students will be able to get vaccinated against COVID-19 right inside their school buildings when classes begin next week. The city is placing pop-up vaccination sites at roughly 700 middle and high schools during the first week of classes, starting Sept. 13…. Read more »
Sept. 7, 2021 By Allie Griffin Community boards can continue to hold their meetings online—at least until January. Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a bill into law last week that allows boards to hold public meetings and hearings virtually in lieu of the ongoing pandemic. The legislation creates an exception to the state’s Open Meetings Law,… Read more »
Sept. 3, 2021 By Allie Griffin The city will mandate evacuations of basement apartments ahead of future storms after nearly a dozen people drowned in such homes Wednesday. The city will send teams door-to-door to help evacuate New Yorkers living in basements in order to prevent loss of life in future storms, Mayor Bill de… Read more »
Sept. 3, 2021 By Allie Griffin The death toll of Hurricane Ida rose to 13 citywide — including 11 fatalities in Queens — after more bodies were discovered Thursday. The NYPD confirmed the deaths of three more people in a flooded basement apartment in East Flushing just before noon Thursday. Their deaths brought the number… Read more »
Sept. 2, 2021 By Allie Griffin The remnants of Hurricane Ida pummeled Queens with record-shattering rainfall Wednesday night, resulting in the death of eight residents and flood damage to countless homes and businesses across the borough. The storm turned roadways into rivers, created gushing waterfalls in the subway system and filled apartment buildings and businesses… Read more »
Sept. 2, 2021 By Allie Griffin At least eight people in Queens died Wednesday night after the remnants of Hurricane Ida brought New York City to halt with record-breaking rainfall and flooding. Seven people — who ranged in age from two- to 86-years-old — died as floods overcame their basement-level homes in Queens Wednesday, according… Read more »
Aug. 30, 2021 By Allie Griffin The Democratic congressmembers who represent several districts in New York City are calling on Gov. Kathy Hochul to extend the state’s eviction moratorium that is set to expire Tuesday. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, whose district covers eastern Brooklyn and a portion of southern Queens, penned a letter to Hochul Saturday… Read more »