Politics

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?

Justice for Nicholas

By SÍLE MOLONEY
In what was another milestone in a long and painful battle to obtain justice for one-year-old Nicholas Feliz Dominici, who died from an accidental fentanyl overdose on Sept. 15, 2023 at a Kingsbridge Heights daycare center, the infant’s parents, Otoniel Feliz Samboy and Zoila Dominici, hugged through their tears inside a Bronx Criminal Court courtroom on Friday, Nov. 21, when a jury delivered two unanimous guilty verdicts for the couple charged in relation to their son’s death.  

UPDATE Section 8 Payments Delayed; NYCHA Shares Update on Status

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Officials from the New York Apartment Association (NYAA) said they were informed by NYCHA officials earlier this month that Section 8 voucher payments would be delayed due to complications associated with the recent federal government shutdown. NYAA  officials said they were monitoring the situation closely and would provide additional information to members as it became available. NYCHA provided an update on the situation on Saturday, Dec. 6. 

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.