Immigration

Op-Ed: Bad Bunny’s Impact on Puerto Rico, Good and Bad

By GENE ROMAN
Musical megastar Bad Bunny’s 21-day musical residency in Puerto Rico pumped $200 million dollars into the U.S. territory’s local economy. “It is a rare example of fame being used for good,” writes Adrian Horton of the Guardian. While Bad Bunny’s concerts are making the cash registers ring, his political speeches are making life harder for the 3.2 million U.S. citizens living in the unequal and undemocratic territory of Puerto Rico.

Elected Officials Encourage New Yorkers to Make Use of Family Enrichment Centers (FEC)

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Elected officials are encouraging New Yorkers to make full use of the City’s local Family Enrichment Centers (FEC). Launched in 2017, these are welcoming walk-in, family-centered spaces, open to all, co-designed with community members, and run by the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS). The availability of such centers seems all the more relevant given the latest wave of violence unleashed against young people in The Bronx. Some of the programs include medical support, parent discussion groups, men’s discussion groups, and clothes and food distribution.  

New Mexican Owner Keeps Greek Tradition Going at Nick’s Garden Coffee Shop

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Nick’s Garden Coffee Shop, a traditional Greek diner located at 2953 Webster Avenue and Bedford Park Boulevard, has been serving the local Norwood and Bedford Park communities for over 30 years. Founded by Greek immigrants, it was purchased last year by Carlos Jiminez, a native of Mexico.

Off-duty CBP Agent Shot in Manhattan Allegedly by Gunman Sought for Prior Bronx Robbery & Stabbing

By SÍLE MOLONEY
An off-duty, 42-year-old, male U.S. Customs & Border Patrol (CBP) officer who was in Riverside Park in Morningside Heights in Upper Manhattan with a 40-year-old female companion on Saturday night, July 19, shortly before midnight, was shot by a 21-year-old man who is wanted for separate crimes some of which took place in The Bronx in December 2024 and January 2025, police said.

UPDATE Espaillat, Sanchez, Hotel & Gaming Trades Council & 1199SEIU Endorse Mamdani for Mayor

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Local elected officials, Congressman Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Bronx Councilwoman Pierina Sanchez (C.D. 14), the Hotel & Gaming Trades Council, the 1199SEIU, and others have all recently endorsed Democratic mayoral nominee Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani (A.D. 36) for mayor of New York City in recent weeks in the upcoming general mayoral election. As reported, Espaillat had previously endorsed former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary. 

Teens Work to End Gun Violence

By SÍLE MOLONEY & DAVID GREENE
La Central YMCA in the South Bronx was filled with energy, purpose, and hope on June 6 during Gun Violence Awareness Month as students from University Prep Charter High School (UPREP) took center stage to present powerful research on how gun violence is affecting their lives, along with community-driven solutions for a safer Bronx.

UPDATE Second Annual Norwood Pride Festival Held

By MIRIAM QUIÑONES & SÍLE MOLONEY
After the success of the inaugural Norwood Pride Festival last year, Mosholu Preservation Corporation (MPC) and the Jerome Gun Hill Business Improvement District (BID) hosted the second edition of the festival on Sunday, June 15, held once again in the Williamsbridge Oval.