Tag: donovan-richards

González-Rojas announces distribution of more than 2,500 free backpacks in western Queens

Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas poses with staff members and volunteers at the Corona backpack giveaway. Photo courtesy of Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas.

Aug. 25, 2025 By Shane O’Brien Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas has announced that she has distributed more than 2,500 free backpacks to Queens students across five community giveaways held throughout back-to-school season in August. González-Rojas partnered with elected officials across the borough to give away thousands of free backpacks ahead of the new academic…

Sunnyside Shines unveils Greenpoint Avenue lighting initiative, crowns commercial corridor as ‘Avenue of the World’

The Greenpoint Lighting Avenue aims to make Greenpoint Avenue safer and brighter for pedestrians while also celebrating the diversity of local businesses. Photo: Cameron Blaylock.

Aug. 5, 2025 By Shane O’Brien The Sunnyside Shines Business Improvement District (BID) unveiled a new lighting initiative on Greenpoint Avenue, celebrating the diversity of the business corridor by making it the “Avenue of the World.” The initiative, which illuminates light poles along Greenpoint Avenue with sun designs and colors of national flags that…

González-Rojas picks up high-profile endorsements after officially launching campaign for Ramos’ Senate seat

ssembly Member Jessica González-Rojas pictured with city and state elected officials, supporters, and neighbors at her Senate race fundraiser at the Queensboro. Photo: Kisha Bari/González-Rojas campaign.

Jul. 22, 2025 By Shane O’Brien Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas picked up a number of high-profile endorsements after officially launching her state Senate campaign in Jackson Heights Monday night as she looks to unseat incumbent State Sen. Jessica Ramos in the Democratic primary for Senate District 13 next year. González-Rojas, who currently represents Assembly…

Queens lawmakers condemn Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ as dangerous and unjust

Big Beautiful Bill

Jul. 7, 2025 By Shane O’Brien Elected officials across Queens have criticized the Trump Administration and Republican lawmakers for passing the “One Big Beautiful Bill” last week, stating that the federal budget bill will have “dangerous and rippling effects” across New York City and State. President Donald Trump signed the bill into law on…

Queens lawmakers denounce Supreme Court ruling on Trump’s birthright citizenship order

birthright citizenship

Jun. 27, 2025 By Shane O’Brien Elected officials across Queens are speaking out against a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that limits the authority of lower court judges to issue nationwide injunctions, particularly in cases involving President Donald Trump’s executive order seeking to end birthright citizenship. In a 6-3 decision split along ideological lines,…

BP Richards brings back ‘Queens Day’ in July with free concert headlined by The Roots

queens day

Jun. 26, 2025 By Shane O’Brien Queens Borough President Donovan Richards has announced a free weekend of concerts at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park next month, featuring a diverse lineup of musical acts headlined by the legendary hip-hop band The Roots, known as the house band for The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. The two-day celebration…

Local heroes honored during National Rose Month awards in Queens

national rose month

Jun. 24, 2025 By Ramy Mahmoud and QNS News Team Community leaders, cancer survivors and elected officials gathered Sunday at Queensborough Community College to celebrate National Rose Month with an emotional ceremony that honored local women whose stories of survival and service reflect the rose’s symbolic strength and beauty. The June 22 celebration, hosted…

Krishnan leads push to end city contracts with convicted landscaping company owner

landscaping

Jun. 18, 2025 By Czarinna Andres A coalition of elected officials and labor leaders is calling on the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation to immediately terminate all contracts with Griffin’s Landscaping, a city contractor whose owner, Glenn Griffin, was recently sentenced to two years in federal prison for bribery and illegal…

Queens Borough Hall hosts vibrant Pride Month celebration with performances and honors

pride month

Jun. 13, 2025 By Athena Dawson A joyous celebration was held at Queens Borough Hall as dozens of LGBTQ+ identifying New Yorkers gathered to celebrate Pride Month. Hosted by the office of Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr., the event, which was held on Wednesday, June 11, featured performances and powerful speakers. Celebrants donned festive…

Antisemitic messaging sparks outrage over OneLIC neighborhood plan opposition

Jun. 10, 2025 By sobrien June 10, 2025 By Shane O’Brien Several elected officials and community members have condemned a text blast circulated ahead of last month’s OneLIC neighborhood plan hearing, calling it antisemitic for describing the proposal as “Zionist capital at work.” The text blast, which was distributed in advance of a joint…