Category: news

Five years post-COVID, Queens nurse visits ICU where colleagues saved her life

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Apr. 2, 2025 By Czarinna Andres A retired nurse from Queens who nearly died from COVID-19 returned last week to The Mount Sinai Hospital’s cardiac intensive care unit—where she once worked—to thank the colleagues who saved her life. Theresa Francisco, 69, a resident of Far Rockaway and a native of the Philippines, had spent…

Cuomo picks up new wave of Queens endorsements in bid for mayor

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Apr. 2, 2025 By Shane O’Brien A slew of Queens elected officials has formally endorsed former Governor Andrew Cuomo’s mayoral bid, following the backing of the Democratic Organization of Queens County and its chairman, U.S. Rep. Gregory W. Meeks. State senators Joseph P. Addabbo and Toby Ann Stavisky, Assembly Members David Weprin and Edward…

Bird flu outbreaks spread to more Queens live markets, sparking calls for shutdowns

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Apr. 1, 2025 By Colum Motherway The New York State Department of Agriculture confirmed more live animal slaughter markets in Queens have suffered bird flu outbreaks this month, bringing the total number of outbreaks in the borough to eight in just seven weeks.  The outbreaks, which affect thousands of birds, have sparked renewed calls…

MTA hosts Transit Talk in Flushing to urge MetroCard users to switch to OMNY

MTA staff speak to customers at the transit talk event at Flushing Main Street station on Monday, March 31. Several customers raised questions about the transition to OMNY.

Apr. 1, 2025 By Shane O’Brien The MTA hosted a Transit Talk at the Flushing-Main Street subway station Monday evening to urge riders to switch to OMNY, as the agency prepares to permanently retire MetroCards by Dec. 31. NYC Transit President Demetrius Crichlow and other transit officials were on hand in Flushing on Monday evening…

Composting crackdown begins in NYC April 1st with $25 fines for violations

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Apr. 1, 2025 By Colum Motherway New York City’s waste reduction efforts are entering a new phase this week, as the city’s sanitation agency begins enforcing mandatory composting laws with fines for non-compliance.  Starting today, April 1, residents must separate food waste from regular trash or risk a $25 fine from the Department of…

Aviation High School honored with street co-naming in Sunnyside

Council Member Julie Won, Aviation High School Principal Steven Jackson, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr., and Assembly Member Claire Valdez Unveil the ‘Aviation High School Boulevard’ Sign. Photo courtesy of Council Member Won’s office.

April 1, 2025 By Shane O’Brien Council Member Julie Won, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and Assembly Member Claire Valdez joined members of the Aviation High School community to celebrate the co-naming of “Aviation High School Boulevard” at the intersection of 36th Street and Queens Boulevard in Sunnyside. Won, who wrote an official letter supporting… Read more »

Spring blooms bright in Queens: your guide to cherry blossom hotspots around the borough

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Apr. 1, 2025 By Jessica Militello Cherry blossoms are already blooming across Queens, marking the arrival of spring. The sight of the delicate pink flowers marks the start of the special season in Queens, letting admirers take photos or simply appreciate the cherry blossoms’ beauty. The season, while brief, offers a chance to slow…

Queens crowns bubble tea as the official borough beverage

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Apr. 1, 2025 QNS News Team Boba lovers rejoice! Queens officials have declared bubble tea as the borough’s official beverage. While the world’s most diverse borough has a vast array of concoctions to choose from, the fruity-flavored tapioca ball-filled beverage reigns supreme to represent Queens. Bubble tea, a Taiwanese beverage that originated in the…