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 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. 10, 2021 By Allie Griffin The LaGuardia AirTrain project is likely to be the world’s most expensive transit project per rider in history, according to a new report. The $2.1 billion project — a 1.5 mile rail line linking LaGuardia Airport to the 7 train and Long Island Rail Road at Willets Point —… Read more »
Sept. 10, 2021 By Allie Griffin Saturday marks two decades since the collapse of the Twin Towers and the loss of 2,977 people on a day forever etched into New Yorkers’ memories. Many organizations are hosting ceremonies and vigils to commemorate the 20th anniversary of 9/11 and honor the lives lost that day. Here’s where… Read more »
Sept. 9, 2021 By Allie Griffin A group of Queens officials who have lived in basement apartments themselves said Wednesday that calls to remove such units are not realistic. Critics who want the city to crack down on illegal basement apartments and end their use say the units are unsafe and lead to overcrowding. They… Read more »
Sept. 7, 2021 By Allie Griffin President Joseph Biden visited Queens Tuesday to assess the damage from Hurricane Ida and speak to families afflicted by the destructive storm. Biden met with local elected officials in the borough, where 11 people were killed last week when homes, businesses and streets were flooded with several feet of… 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 »