Inquiring Photographer: Thoughts on the Chinese Spy Balloon & UFOs

  This week, we asked readers their thoughts on the Chinese spy balloon and the 3 additional “unidentified flying objects” shot down in recent weeks over North American airspace by the U.S. military.   “As an American, I am very concerned about the security of our nation that has decreased over the years. I think the government is not as vigilant with security. I do believe that it was a spy balloon from China that was collecting data, and the other three balloons were also spy balloons. The U.S. government needs to do better in this area. We don’t need to


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Inquiring Photographer: Thoughts on Proposed Bipartisan African American History Act

This week, in recognition of Black History Month, we asked readers their thoughts on the proposed bipartisan African American History Act bill, introduced to Congress once again by Democratic co-sponsors, U.S. Rep. Jamaal Bowman (NY-16) and U.S. Sen. Corey Booker (NJ) as reported, and which, if passed, would invest $10 million over the next 5 years to promote and support education programs dedicated to African American history.   “I think they should sign this legislation with the hope that all Black and brown communities will also have their stories told. Truth be told, as a Puerto Rican-American, our story has


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Op-Ed: The Work Never Stops in the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids

  Tobacco remains the number one cause of preventable death and disease with over 28,000 New Yorkers continuing to die every year, according to the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids. Fact Sheet: The Toll of Tobacco in New York. May 18, 2021. Although the rates of youth smoking cigarettes are declining, the rate of e-cigarette use by high school youth continues to rise, according to a 2019 survey on New York City Youth Risk Behavior conducted by NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene.   The same survey found that 37,000 New York City high school students use e-cigarettes and are


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Inquiring Photographer: Thoughts on the Controversy Surrounding Long Island Rep. George Santos

This week, amid new allegations of financial misconduct, reports of a federal investigation, and widespread calls for his resignation, we asked readers their thoughts on newly sworn-in, Republican congressman, Rep. George Santos (NY-3), who represents parts of Long Island and who, according to media reports, has admitted to lying about his experience and education. As reported recently by Norwood News, local Norwood congressman, Rep. Ritchie Torres (NY-15) has also called for an investigation into Santos’ campaign finances.   “You shouldn’t be a politician if you can’t be as honest as you’re supposed to be. If he was my representative, I would


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Inquiring Photographer: Thoughts on 2022 and Hopes for the New Year

This week, we asked readers their thoughts on 2022 and their hopes for the New Year.   “I did not feel safe in 2022 and I couldn’t enjoy my summer. A few people dear to me passed away. Despite the few accomplishments that we had, 2022 was filled with disappointments, empty promises, and uncertainty. I hope that in 2023 we can put an end to the reckless motorcycle and motorized bike riding on the sidewalk and the senseless loud noise coming from passenger cars and SUVs. My hopes are to raise awareness to the needs of our folks with disabilities,


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Inquiring Photographer: Thoughts on the Mayor”s Progress Since Taking Office

  As New York City Mayor Eric Adams approaches the end of his first year in office, this week we asked readers to grade the mayor on his performance so far.   “Grade?… No, he doesn’t get an A. I give him a D, that’s right. He just talks a lot and does nothing. I’d like to see him stop the crime. Get the community and pull people together and let us build a bigger and brighter city. Stop all this smoking [of weed] wherever you go…in the park, I know it’s the law! Yeah, in the hallways and buildings, man.


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Op-Ed: The Fair Chance Housing Act Will Only Lead To More Discrimination

New York City Council is now considering passing a bill, The Fair Chance Housing Act, which would not allow most landlords or management companies to perform criminal background checks on prospective tenants. One of the bill’s supporters, Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, has argued that criminal background checks are a loophole that “consigns people with conviction histories to continued cycles of poverty, homelessness, and potential recidivism”. Once again, New Yorkers are caught between politicians on both sides of the aisle that lazily rely on the law to find solutions to economic problems that they are neither creative nor astute enough


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Inquiring Photographer: Thoughts on the Influence of Money on Sports Federations

  With the World Cup being played this year during off-season in Qatar, the first time the tournament is being held in the Middle East, and amid reports of the country’s poor human rights records for women, manual workers, and the LGBTQ+ community, we asked readers if big money is influencing sports institutions like FIFA or the NBA to the detriment of professional sports.   “No, I don’t think it hurts the sport. You know why? Because Qatar in the summer has very hot temperatures, so that’s why they switched it from the summer to November. November, right now, in Qatar it’s beautiful


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Elections 2022: Local Bronx Voters Share their Top Concerns as they Hit the Polls

Norwood News caught up with voters on Election Day, Nov. 8, to get a feel for their top voting issues. We first spoke to some voters and one poll site worker at P.S. 15, Institute for Environmental Learning poll site, located at 2195 Andrews Avenue North, in University Heights.   Mildred Perez, 44, told us she did not have a straightforward voting experience. “I usually go to the school. I don’t remember the name of the school right now, but it’s on Aqueduct [Avenue] and 183rd,” she said. “They told me to come here to vote and this is the


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