Category: news

The city wants to fund your community improvement ideas with ‘The People’s Money’

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Oct. 12, 2023 By Iryna Shkurhan A participatory budgeting process to allow New Yorkers to decide how to spend part of the city’s budget, a fairly novel initiative coined the “The People’s Money,” is now open for idea submissions.  Phase 1 of the new cycle kicked off on Oct. 10 and will last until Nov. 19. During this idea generation period, all New Yorkers over the age of 11, and regardless of immigration status, can submit ideas for projects that address the needs of their community.  Projects must involve an expense, such as an after-school program or mental health initiative…
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Queens’ Jewish community hurts for loved ones in Israel 

Jewish

Oct. 10, 2023 By Iryna Shkurhan New York City is home to one of the largest Jewish communities in the world, with a population of 1.6 million totaling greater than the Jewish population in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem combined. Each borough has its enclaves where that concentration is felt and seen. While Brooklyn is known…
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Queens community stands united in support of Israel at Kew Gardens vigil

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Oct. 9, 2023 By Iryna Shkurhan More than 100 people gathered outside of the Queens Public Library in Kew Gardens Hills to show their support and stand in solidarity with Israel while mourning the lives lost as a result of Hamas’ surprise attack this past weekend.  Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, who gathered numerous politicians…
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Queens Tech + Innovation Challenge returns for second season

Queens

Oct. 4, 2023 By Bill Parry Coming off a successful inaugural season in which five Queens start-up companies each received $20,000 in seed funding, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards announced Tuesday that his Queens Tech + Innovation Challenge (QTIC) is returning for a second straight year. The competition seeks to empower borough entrepreneurs with the…
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Queens Public Library launches Banned Books Week celebrating freedom to read

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Sep. 29, 2023 By Bill Parry Queens Public Library (QPL) will defend the freedom to read during Banned Books Week, Oct. 1-7, through a series of events and activities recognizing the stories, voices and titles threatened by censorship across the nation. QPL will also raise public awareness through large graphics at the entrance of every location with the message, “All Books Are Welcome Here. Protect the Freedom to Read.” The initiative comes at a time when book bans and challenges have been rising sharply across America, putting libraries on the frontlines of protecting the freedom to read. Although such book…
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Heavy rain drenches Queens neighborhoods, causing extreme flash flooding throughout the borough

Medina/Rain

Sep. 29, 2023 By Anthony Medina Amid possibly the heaviest downfall of rain in the city so far this year, residents in Queens neighborhoods were subjected to the unexpected closures of highways, some public transportation services, and substantial flooding in residential areas. The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a flash flood warning for neighborhoods in Queens, Brooklyn, and Manhattan as a result of predicted heavy rainfall on Friday, Sept. 29. The flash flood alert warned early today of heavy rain, accumulating close to 2 to 3 inches of every hour — expected to remain in effect until 2:45 p.m. As…
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After losing primary race, George Grasso back on campaign trail in third-party bid for Queens district attorney

district attorney

Sep. 29, 2023 By Bill Parry The Breezy Point Republican who nearly shocked the Queens Democratic establishment in 2022, threw his support behind a third-party candidate for Queens District Attorney. Thomas Sullivan, a colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve, who came within 15 votes of upsetting incumbent Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato, eschewed the GOP candidate Michael Mossa of Howard Beach and endorsed retired Judge George Grasso in his bid to unseat Queens DA Melinda Katz in the Nov. 7 general election. “Our public safety crisis has now become a public health crisis. Our current politicians are responsible for a man-made…
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Nominations open for FLAG Awards honoring top NYC teachers

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Sep. 28, 2023 By Rachel Butler Nominations are now open for public school teachers in Queens for the FLAG Awards, which recognize teaching excellence in the borough and across New York City. The annual program, which is in its fifth year, is adding the new category of Top Elementary School Teacher in New York City,…
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