Author: schnepsrestagent

Jamaica station could become Amtrak’s second NYC stop under new proposal

amtrak

Jun. 18, 2025 By Barbara Russo-Lennon Amtrak, the federal railway service, has proposed expanding into Long Island with a stop in Queens, a move that could reshape intercity travel in northeast America. The expansion would feature three daily round-trip trains that would operate over Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor and Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) tracks.…

Officials break ground on new public park beneath Queensboro Bridge in Long Island City

Council Member Julie Won joins city officials and private partners for Tuesday's groundbreaking. Photo: Shane O'Brien

Jun. 18, 2025 By sobrien June 17, 2025 By Shane O’Brien City officials and community leaders gathered Tuesday morning to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Baseline, a long-anticipated public open space located beneath the Queensboro Bridge in Long Island City’s Court Square. Council Member Julie Won, Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development and Workforce…

Queens Jazz Trail Concert Series brings music to parks from Astoria to Jamaica

queens jazz trail

Jun. 17, 2025 By Athena Dawson Jazz lovers of all ages can celebrate the start of this year’s Queens Jazz Trail Concert Series this week.  The free concert series is back in full swing, with its inaugural performance on Thursday, June 19, at 7 p.m., at Astoria Park, located at 19 St. bet. Astoria…

AirTrain JFK fare discounted to $4.25 through Labor Day to ease congestion at airport

airtrain

Jun. 17, 2025 By Czarinna Andres The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced Tuesday a 50% fare reduction for AirTrain JFK beginning June 30, as part of a broader strategy to reduce traffic congestion at John F. Kennedy International Airport during what is expected to be the busiest summer travel season…

Brad Lander arrested by ICE at immigration court amid protest over deportations

brad lander

Jun. 17, 2025 By Dean Moses & Robert Pozarycki City Comptroller Brad Lander was arrested and accosted by masked federal agents at immigration court in Lower Manhattan. The city’s elected financial watchdog, and a Democratic candidate for mayor, appeared at 26 Federal Plaza on the morning of June 17 to observe immigration hearings involving…

Queens Botanical Garden celebrates groundbreaking on new $34 million education center

queens botanical garden

Jun. 17, 2025 By Bill Parry City officials, elected leaders and Flushing community members helped break ground on a new and long-awaited $34 million education building at the Queens Botanical Garden that will feature six teaching areas for year-round programming. The Joan N. and Norman Bluestone Education Center will be 14,500 square feet, replacing…

Lawmakers call for Green Asphalt closure amid air quality concerns in Queens and Brooklyn

Fumes emitting from the Green Asphalt plant in Blissvillle. Photo courtesy of Thomas J. Mituzas.

Jun. 17, 2025 By sobrien June 17, 2025 By Shane O’Brien A group of Queens and Brooklyn lawmakers is calling on the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to temporarily suspend operations at Green Asphalt, an asphalt plant in Blissville, until the company addresses alleged air pollution affecting nearby neighborhoods. Green Asphalt,…

Nearly 3,500 MTA staffers hit the streets to prepare Queens for bus route overhaul

bus

Jun. 17, 2025 By Athena Dawson The MTA launched a boroughwide community outreach initiative on Monday ahead of the upcoming Queens Bus Network Redesign, set to take effect on June 29. Beginning June 16, MTA staff members in fluorescent vests will be stationed outside major transit hubs across Queens to provide information about upcoming…

Advocates urge passage of New York for All Act as Assembly session nears end

new york for all

Jun. 16, 2025 By Jimmy Robles As the State Senate concluded its legislative session on Thursday, immigrant rights advocates renewed calls for lawmakers to pass the New York for All Act before the Assembly adjourns on Tuesday, June 17. The proposed legislation, along with several other immigration-related bills, remains pending as the clock winds…