Consumer Costs

In First Move as Mayor, Zohran Mamdani Appoints Michael Flynn as DOT Commissioner

By SÍLE MOLONEY
As his very first mayoral function, following his midnight official swearing in ceremony held in the old, abandoned City Hall subway station, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced the appointment of Mike Flynn, described as a transportation leader, as commissioner of NYC Department of Transportation (DOT). The Mamdani administration said the appointment underscores its commitment “to delivering an affordability agenda through safer streets, faster buses, and transportation systems that work for working New Yorkers.”

Prayers Up for the MetroCard….One Way or Another…

By SÍLE MOLONEY
With all the talk, official communication by the MTA, and one very comical mock funeral held online for the long-functioning MetroCard, due to bow out on Dec. 31, one would be forgiven for assuming everything is primed for a smooth transition to OMNY-land but no….

What Does the Latest U.S. Military Build Up in Puerto Rico Mean?   

By GENE ROMAN
Puerto Rico has a long and proud tradition of U.S. military service. Increases in the U.S. military presence in the Caribbean have set the region on edge. According to an ABC article dated Nov. 24, entitled Top U.S. military Adviser Visits Caribbean as Trump Ramps Up Pressure on Venezuela, high level officials from the Pentagon visited troops on the Island during Thanksgiving to thank them for their service. Is this military build-up temporary, and does it presage a larger conflict with Venezuela?

Gibson & Other Elected Officials Partner with HOT 97 & Others for Tracey Towers Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, Congressman Adriano Espaillat (NY-15), State Sen. Gustavo Rivera (S.D. 33), Assemblymember John Zaccaro Jr. (A.D. 80), and Council Member Eric Dinowitz (C.D. 11) partnered with HOT 97, WBLS and others for their Annual Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway at Tracey Towers on Thursday, Nov. 20, supporting Norwood and Bedford Park residents facing food insecurity ahead of Thanksgiving, which this year was Nov. 27. At the event, over 800 turkeys were distributed, along with dozens of fresh fruits and vegetables.

SNAP Payments Received as Government Shutdown Ends

By DAVID GREENE & SÍLE MOLONEY
Millions of Americans across New York and around the country have started to receive their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) benefits, after federal lawmakers passed, as reported, a resolution by a vote of 222 to 209 in the U.S. House of Representatives to end the federal government shutdown late Wednesday, Nov. 12.