Author: schnepsrestagent

Woodside veteran fired from Bronx VA hospital amid mass government layoffs

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A 20-year Army veteran who served four tours in Iraq and Afghanistan was recently fired from his communications job at the Bronx Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital under the Trump administration’s drastic cuts to the federal workforce.  Luke Graziani, 45, was at work on Feb. 13 when he received an email informing him that his…

QCP’s ‘Evening of Fine Foods’ returns with global cuisine and inclusive menu options

evening of fine foods

Feb. 24, 2025 By Athena Dawson The Queens Centers for Progress (QCP) has expanded its offerings for tomorrow’s “Evening of Fine Foods” celebration. The event will now feature additional inclusive food options to cater to attendees with specific dietary needs. For the first time, ‘Evening of Fine Foods’ features dishes from two Glatt Kosher…

School District 24 education council grapples with leadership turmoil as members push for change

P.S./I.S. 113 Anthony J. Pranzo is one of dozens of schools located in District 24. (Google Maps)

Feb. 24, 2025 By sobrien Feb. 24, 2025. By Shane O’Brien  Members of the Community Education Council (CEC) for School District 24 are expected to introduce a motion this week to remove interim acting President Veronica Piedra Leon. The move follows allegations of her “consistent failures” to fulfill the responsibilities of the role and…

NYC Beer Week is in full swing, here’s how to celebrate in Queens and across the city

beer week

Feb. 24, 2025 By Jessica Militello Why wait until St. Patrick’s Day to raise a pint when the festivities have already begun? New York City Beer Week is in full swing, running through March 2, bringing a citywide celebration of craft beer to over 40 breweries—including plenty of exciting events in Queens. This annual…

JFK Terminal 4 to showcase Queens and NYC eateries in new concessions lineup

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Feb. 24, 2025 By Athena Dawson Travelers passing through JFK Airport’s Terminal 4 will soon have access to popular local eateries as part of a $1.5 billion modernization project. JFKIAT, the terminal’s operator, and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced the expansion of local concession options on Feb. 19, aiming…

Ridgewood leaders split on Trump’s move to halt congestion pricing

Congestion Pricing Sign along the Long Island Expressway in Queens, New York

Feb. 21, 2025 By Colum Motherway The debate over New York City’s controversial congestion pricing program took a new turn on Wednesday, Feb. 19, when the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) sent a letter to Gov. Kathy Hochul announcing plans to end the tolling program.  The letter, penned by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, cites…

Jenifer Rajkumar’s Public Advocate campaign gets $1M boost in matching funds

Jenifer Rajkumar

Feb. 21, 2025 By Colum Motherway Jenifer Rajkumar’s campaign to replace incumbent Jumaane Williams as NYC Public Advocate received a significant boost from the NYC Campaign Finance Board (CFB) matching funds program. Rajkumar’s campaign qualified for matching funds on Feb. 18 and received a whopping $1,092,331. She now has 19 times more cash on…

MTA to launch Queens Bus Network Redesign in two phases, starting June 29

queens bus network redesign

Feb. 21, 2025 By Athena Dawson The MTA announced the implementation dates for the first and second phases of the Queens Bus Network Redesign on Thursday, Feb. 20.  The first phase of the newly implemented bus network redesign is expected to launch on Sunday, June 29, with the second phase following on Sunday, Aug.…

Op-Ed | Juniper Valley Park at risk amid IBX Line plans, proactive measures needed

Juniper Valley Park

Feb. 20, 2025 By Paul Pogozelski Our public transportation systems are flawed, mismanaged, and broken, to say the least. We rely on MTA subways and busses to get us to and from work, school, and home. Yet, when we do put our faith in the billion-dollar public transit system, we are placed in unsanitary,…