Category: Uncategorized

BOE Promises Do-Over After Pulling Preliminary Mayoral Results Over Vote ‘Discrepancy

This article was originally published by The City on June 29 at 11:55 p.m. EST BY SAMANTHA MALDONADO  AND JOSEFA VELASQUEZ The Board of Elections withdrew the first ranked choice voting tabulation of the crucial primary contest after more than 140,000 extra ballots invaded the count. The now discredited results showed Kathryn Garcia getting closer to Eric… Read more »

Voter Turnout Surged in AOC’s Queens and Dropped Where COVID Raged Worst

This article was originally published by The City on June 28 at 11:17 a.m. EST BY ANN CHOI AND JOSEFA VELASQUEZ The mayoral race helped spur the largest turnout for a citywide primary in years. Growing progressive pockets recorded high participation while voters in areas staggered by the pandemic struggled to get to the polls, THE CITY’s… Read more »

Remaining Queens Public Library Branches to Reopen In-Person Services Next Month

June 28, 2021 By Allie Griffin Nearly every Queens Public Library (QPL) branch across the borough will reopen in-person services beginning next month in a move to return to pre-pandemic service. All library branches were temporarily closed last year to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. QPL has gradually phased in in-person services since last summer… Read more »

Opinion: Dromm Says Don’t Forget the “I” in LGBTQIA+

June 25, 2021 Op-Ed By: Council Member Daniel Dromm I founded Queens Pride 29 years ago to be a welcoming space for all the borough’s diverse communities. Through the years, I excitedly watched as this colorful celebration, with a serious political message, grew. It seems every country is now represented. The transgender presence, always there… Read more »

Target to Open Location in Long Island City’s One Court Square

June 24, 2021 By Allie Griffin The popular retail chain Target is planning to open its first store in Long Island City. The company will open a 31,000-square-foot store at 1 Court Square West, a four-story retail building connected to the former Citigroup Building known as One Court Square, a Target spokesperson confirmed. The opening… Read more »

Alcohol for Take Out and Delivery Ends Today as More COVID Restrictions Are Lifted

June 24, 2021 By Ryan Songalia A temporary provision allowing alcoholic beverages for takeout and delivery will end on Thursday. The announcement was made Wednesday, and comes in conjunction with the lifting of New York’s COVID-19 emergency order. “Licensees please be advised that with the ending of our state of emergency and the return to… Read more »

Candidates Who Win City Council Seats Will Serve Two-Year Terms–Not Four

June 22, 2021 By Allie Griffin Candidates on the ballot for City Council seats are competing for a two-year term—not the four-year term members normally serve. Council members elected this year will complete a two-year term for the first time in two decades due to a provision in the city charter related to the census…. Read more »

Queens Criminal Court Dismisses Thousands of Marijuana Cases at DA Katz’ Request

June 22, 2021 By Christina Santucci A Queens Criminal Court judge granted District Attorney Melinda Katz’s request to dismiss thousands of cases for people who had been charged with low-level marijuana offenses—during a virtual proceeding Tuesday morning. Katz had sought to have the 3,255 unresolved misdemeanor cases be dismissed – after New York state legalized… Read more »

Check out the Expected Timeline for Election Results

June 22, 2021 By Christina Santucci Voters can expect to find out some initial vote tallies from today’s Primary Election following the close of the polls – but election officials estimate that the final results will not be certified until mid July. The Board of Elections (BOE) plans to release preliminary, unofficial results of in-person… Read more »

State Legislature Passes ‘SLEEP Act’ to Curb Souped-Up Vehicles

June 22, 2021 By Ryan Songalia State lawmakers have taken a big step to rid the streets of souped-up vehicles that have been keeping residents awake at night. A bill, called the Stop Loud and Excessive Exhaust Pollution (SLEEP) Act, passed both the Assembly and senate on June 10 and awaits the signature of the… Read more »