civil rights
UPDATE DOT Invites Proposals for New Vendors on Fordham Plaza with a Deadline of April 11
UPDATE VA Dismisses An Additional 1,400+ Probationary Employees as Hochul Announces Plans to Hire Some
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced Feb. 24 the dismissal of more than an additional 1,400 employees in non-mission critical positions. It followed a previous VA announcement of 1,000 dismissals on Feb. 13, which is part of what the Trump Administration says is its government-wide effort to make agencies more efficient.
Ritchie Torres Endorses Andrew Coumo for Mayor of New York City; Cuomo Has Not Yet Entered the Race
Democratic Congressman Ritchie Torres (NY-15), who represents a large section of The Bronx stretching from the northwest to the South Bronx, announced on Monday, Feb. 24, that he is endorsing former Democratic New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo for mayor. The announcement comes despite Cuomo not yet entering the race.
NYS Launches Language Dashboard to Visualize Languages Spoken by New Yorkers Other than English
New York State Office of General Services Commissioner Jeanette Moy announced Feb. 18 the launch of the New York State Language Dashboard by the New York State Office of Language Access (OLA), which is part of general services. She said the dashboard seeks to provide a point of reference for anyone who wants to gain a deeper understanding of the population of New Yorkers whose primary language is not English or who have limited English proficiency (LEP) and inform data-driven decisions around language access that can eliminate communication-related obstacles.
UPDATE Trump Administration Layoffs on Advice of DOGE Worry Bronx Vets
Hours after rumors circulated on social media on Feb. 13 that members of the new U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), run by unelected billionaire Elon Musk, a special federal government employee, would visit the Bronx VA Medical Center in Fordham Manor on Feb. 14, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced the dismissal of 1,000 employees at unspecified VA sites across the country.
UPDATE Poultry Markets Reopen & Zoo Tackles Bird Flu
Live poultry markets in New York are back open after a five-day closure was implemented by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on Friday, Feb. 7, after the avian flu/bird flu or H5N1 virus was discovered in bird flocks at seven live bird markets in The Bronx, Queens, and Brooklyn. Officials said the ordered closures were mandated for testing, cleaning and disinfection of poultry markets in New York City, Westchester and Long Island.
UPDATE Amid Protests, Hochul Takes Action to “Restore Public Trust in New York City Municipal Government Leadership”
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul proposed new actions on Thursday, Feb. 22, to restore public trust in New York City government with what was described as a sweeping expansion of state oversight and new guardrails to ensure accountability and protect New Yorkers. State officials said these actions require legislative action and would take effect immediately upon passage.
Inquiring Photographer: Opinions on DOJ Dropping Bribery Charges for Now Against Eric Adams
This week, we asked readers their opinion on the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) memo dated Monday, Feb. 10, directing the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York to drop the bribery and corruption charges formally brought against New York City Mayor Eric Adams last year, which resulted from a 2023 investigation into his 2021 mayoral election campaign and related campaign financing. As reported, the mayor had his iphones and other devices seized by federal agents in November 2023 as part of that investigation.