diversity & inclusion

MacKenzie Scott Foundation Gifts Further $50 Million to Lehman College to Total $80 Million

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Lehman College received a $50 million gift from the MacKenzie Scott Foundation on Friday, Dec. 5, amplifying what the college said was a new era of opportunity and ensuring a legacy of success for years to come.  As reported, the Bedford Park-based college announced in October that it also recently raised $30 million as part of its “Forever Forward” fundraising campaign. 

Dinowitz, Harckham Introduce Bill to Protect Residents from Civil Arrest at Polling Places

By SÍLE MOLONEY
New York State Senator Pete Harckham (S.D. 40) and Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (A.D. 81) introduced legislation on Dec. 3 which aims to protect residents from civil arrest while going to, remaining at, or returning from polling places in New York State. According to the both Harckham and Dinowitz, civil arrests supported by a judicial warrant or a court will still be allowable under this new bill, however.

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?

Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani Appoints Jessica Tisch as Police Commissioner

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani announced Wednesday, Nov. 19, the appointment of Police Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch to serve as New York City police commissioner in his incoming administration commencing Jan. 1. As the 48th commissioner of the NYPD, he said Tisch has rooted out corruption in the upper echelons of the department and led a department-wide focus on accountability and transparency, while delivering historic reductions in violent crime.