UPDATE DOT Invites Proposals for New Vendors on Fordham Plaza with a Deadline of April 11

By DAVID GREENE

New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodríguez is inviting proposals from retail or food service businesses to operate in three different spaces at Fordham Plaza located on Fordham Road on the Fordham / Belmont border.

UPDATE VA Dismisses An Additional 1,400+ Probationary Employees as Hochul Announces Plans to Hire Some

By SÎLE MOLONEY

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 Cuomo for Mayor of New York City; Cuomo Has Not Yet Entered the Race

By SÍLE MOLONEY

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.

New York Yankees Issue Statement after Lou Cucuzza, Sr. Dies

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The New York Yankees issued a statement on Sunday, Feb. 23, on the passing of Lou Cucuzza, Sr. who worked in professional baseball for over 47 years. They said in 2015, the auxiliary clubhouse at Yankees Stadium was dedicated in his honor. Cucuzza, Sr. was born in New York.

UPDATE Trump Administration Layoffs on Advice of DOGE Worry Bronx Vets

By DAVID GREENE

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

By DAVID GREENE

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.

Inquiring Photographer: Opinions on DOJ Dropping Bribery Charges for Now Against Eric Adams

By DAVID GREENE & SÍLE MOLONEY

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.

Former Bronx Prosecutor Pleads Guilty to Fraud

By SÍLE MOLONEY

NYC Department of Investigation (“DOI”) officials announced Friday, Feb. 14, that a former Bronx County prosecutor, her brother, and her mother pleaded guilty to fraudulently obtaining affordable housing in Manhattan via NYC Department of Housing, Preservation & Development (HPD).

NYC Sanitation Supervisor Charged for Filing $21,000 in Fraudulent Timesheets

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced Wednesday, Feb. 19, that an NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY) supervisor has been charged with grand larceny, falsifying business records, and other charges for allegedly filing time sheets amounting to over $21,000 in pay for hours he was at his Bronx home instead of working.