Update: New York State Senate Passes Bill to Shut Down the Puppy Mill Pipeline

The New York State Senate approved a bill on Thursday to shut down the puppy mill pipeline and end the retail sale of dogs, cats and rabbits in pet stores across the state. Sponsored by Senate deputy majority leader, Michael Gianaris, (D-Queens), the bill, S.1130, is supported by leading animal welfare groups.   These include the The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), New York State Animal Protection Federation (NYSAPF), Voters For Animal Rights (VFAR), Companion Animal Protection Society (CAPS), Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF), and the NYC


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Andrew Yang and Vanessa Gibson Cross Endorse Each Other

New York City council member, Vanessa Gibson, announced her endorsement of Andrew Yang for mayor of New York City, while he endorsed the councilwoman for the position of Bronx borough president at a joint-campaign rally on the steps of Bronx Borough Hall on Saturday, May 8. Also present at the event was Congressman Ritchie Torres, representing the 15th congressional district in the Bronx, who has previously endorsed Gibson, and is co-chair of the “Yang for NY” campaign.   “Andrew Yang has the bold and creative ideas we need to get our City back on track and ensure that the Bronx


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Update: District 11 City Council Race: Abigail Martin Endorsed by Women’s Group Led by Jessica Haller

The campaign for Abigail Martin, candidate in the District 11 City Council primary election, announced on Thursday, May 6, that Martin received the backing of “21 in ‘21” and “Voters for Animal Rights” (VFAR) in the the upcoming Democratic primary election on June 22.   21 in ’21 is a citywide grassroots organization working to elect at least twenty-one women to the New York City Council’s fifty one seats. As reported previously by Norwood News, Jessica Haller, Martin’s former fellow candidate in the recent, March 23, District 11 special election, announced that she had take up a new position as


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Bronx NAACP President Sees Need for Voter Education in Future Elections

The following story is an updated version of the one that appears in our latest print edition.   As officials from the Bronx office of the New York City Board of Elections were busy tallying votes at their Grand Concourse headquarters to determine the outcome of the District 11 and District 15 City Council special elections a few weeks ago, the president of the Bronx NAACP, said voter education is key to the future of a free and fair society. It may also be key to a more dynamic primary election season.   Biarni Burke, president of the Bronx chapter


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UPDATE NYC Mayoral Race: Biaggi, Rivera, Others Officially Rescind Support of Scott Stringer

State Sen. Alessandra Biaggi formally rescinded her support of mayoral candidate, City Comptroller Scott Stringer, on Friday evening, April 30. It followed her earlier public statements released on social media on Thursday, where she stopped short of formally withdrawing her backing of the candidate, who has been accused of alleged sexual misconduct by a former staffer. Stringer denies the allegations.   Along with U.S. Representative Jamaal Bowman, who represents the 16th congressional district covering parts of the Bronx and Westchester, State Sen. Gustavo Rivera who represents parts of the Bronx, Assembly Member Yuh-Line Niou who represents parts of Manhattan and


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Highbridge: Free COVID-19 Clinic and Food Giveaway on Saturday, May 1

  Assemblywoman Latoya Joyner (D-Bronx, 77th A.D.) is hosting a COVID-19 vaccine and food giveaway in the Highbridge section of the Bronx on Saturday, May 1.   The event is free and open to the public, with a special emphasis on families living in Highbridge. It will start at 9 a.m. and will take place all day. “This event brings the COVID-19 vaccine to the families in Highbridge as we fight back against this dread[ed] virus,” Joyner said. “I want to specially thank Insta-cart for providing the food for our free giveaway, and Morris Heights Health Center for administering these vaccines


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Bronx BP Race: Vanessa Gibson Endorsed by Several Faith Leaders plus Stonewall Democrats

  City Councilwoman for District 16 and candidate for Bronx borough president, Vanessa Gibson was endorsed by a number of faith leaders during a press conference on Wednesday, April 28, at Bronx Borough Hall.   The group included Rev. Torrence Robinson of Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church, Rev. Zoleka Adams, Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, Elder Shelia Moses, Cathedral United Baptist Church, Rev. Edwrin Sutton, Caldwell AME Zion Church, Rev. Frederick Crawford, Union Grove Baptist Church, Rev. Jay Gooding, Miracle Revival Temple, Fellowship Tabernacle & president of the 49th Precinct Council, Min. Larae Shabaka, Bethesda Baptist Church, Rev. Torrence Robinson, Gethsemane Baptist,


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New Labor Leader at NYC Campaign Finance Board, as Candidates Look Ahead to Primaries

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the appointment of longtime labor leader, Larry Moskowitz, to the New York City Campaign Finance Board (CFB) on Thursday, April 29. According to the press release, the CFB is an independent and non-partisan agency that administers one of the strongest, most effective campaign finance systems in the country.   “As New Yorkers prepare to make their voices heard in local elections this year, they need a Campaign Finance Board that ensures the democratic process is conducted with integrity and fairness. Larry Moskowitz is the perfect choice to carry the CFB’s work forward


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Op-Ed: Attacks on Synagogues Part of Pattern of Bigotry

As an American Jew, I try hard not to have a persecution complex when it comes to anti-Semitic acts, like last weekend’s attacks on four synagogues in the Fieldston and Riverdale sections of the Bronx, as reported by Norwood News.    However, in retrospect, I view the attacks on these houses of worship as part of a trend that has engulfed our city, our state, and our nation ever since Donald Trump first ran for President of the United States.   Trump successfully used scapegoating, as bigots and self-seeking politicians do, to increase support for his causes and cover up


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