Tag: claire-valdez

LaGuardia students celebrate graduation at college’s 53rd Commencement Ceremony

LaGuardia Community College students celebrate graduation on Friday. Photo courtesy of LaGuardia Community College.

Jun. 23, 2025 By sobrien June 23, 2025 By Shane O’Brien More than 2,000 LaGuardia Community College students celebrated their graduation at the college’s 53rd Commencement Ceremony Friday morning, which toasted the resiliency of LaGuardia’s student body. Kenneth Adams, president of LaGuardia Community College, also celebrated increased enrollment, improved grades and increased participation in…

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,…

NYC’s largest housing voucher program faces legal challenge, budget strain

CityFHEPS

Jun. 3, 2025 By Shane O’Brien As New York City grapples with the ongoing housing crisis, CityFHEPS, a city-funded voucher program for low-income households, has played an increasingly prominent role in securing housing for some of the poorest residents in the city. But the program, which has grown astronomically since its inception in 2018,…

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.

Apr. 1, 2025 By sobrien 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,…

Assembly Member González-Rojas, advocates push for gender equity funding in New York budget

Mar. 13, 2025 By sobrien March 13, 2025 By Shane O’Brien Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas joined fellow elected officials and representatives from a number of non-profits advocating for gender equality at the State Capitol in Albany last week to call on Gov. Kathy Hochul to center gender equity in the FY26 Budget. González-Rojas, the…

‘This is another attack on New York’ — Queens democrats rally against Trump’s effort to kill congestion pricing

Congestion pricing will introduce tolls for motorists traveling south of 60th Street in Manhattan.

Feb. 19, 2025 By Shane O’Brien Elected officials across Queens have condemned President Donald Trump after the Trump Administration moved to end federal approval for congestion pricing Wednesday. US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy informed Gov. Kathy Hochul in a letter that he would rescind the federal approval of the congestion pricing program, describing the…

Queens lawmakers rally against Con Edison’s 14% rate hike proposal

con edison

Feb. 13, 2025 By Colum Motherway Several Queens elected officials are voicing their opposition to Con Edison’s proposed rate hikes for electricity and gas, urging the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) to reject the increases and address ongoing concerns about utility affordability. The proposal, which could raise rates by up to 14%,…

Queens officials slam Mayor Adams over ICE memo, call it violation of sanctuary laws

Mayor Eric Adams speaking to the media at City Hall on Wednesday, Feb. 5.

Feb. 10, 2025 By Shane O’Brien Elected officials, unions and community organizations across Queens have slammed Mayor Eric Adams in response to reports that the Mayor’s office distributed a memo to city agencies suggesting that they should let ICE agents enter municipal facilities without a warrant if staff “reasonably feel threatened” or fear for…

Velázquez blasts Trump, Musk, and ‘unfit agency heads’ in powerful speech at Sunnyside

U.S. Rep. Nydia Velázquez during a speech at Sunnyside Community Services on Saturday. Photo: Shane O'Brien

Feb. 4, 2025 By sobrien Feb. 4, 2025 By Shane O’Brien  U.S. Rep. Nydia Velázquez delivered a powerful message at Sunnyside Community Services on Saturday, accusing President Donald Trump of “preying upon the most vulnerable” in society. Speaking at the ceremonial inauguration of Assembly Member Claire Valdez, Velázquez urged New Yorkers to “fight back” against… Read more »