Politics

Update: Rev. Ian Harris Runs for State Sen. Luis Sepúlveda’s seat in the 32nd Senatorial District in the Bronx

By SÍLE MOLONEY
On Monday, Feb. 15, Rev. Ian Harris announced in a campaign video that he was looking to become the next state senator of the 32nd senatorial district, a seat currently held by State Sen. Luis Sepúlveda, who, last month, was arrested on charges of allegedly attempting to choke his estranged wife. As reported by the Norwood News, Sepúlveda was subsequently stripped of his chairmanship duties at the State senate in the wake of the media storm that followed, with many elected officials calling on him to resign.   According to his press release, Harris is a community activist who has


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Update: Firefighters, EMT, Paramedics, Retail Workers Endorse Eric Dinowitz in District 11 Race

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Eric Dinowitz, teacher and Democratic male district leader for the 81st Assembly District, who is running for City Council in the 11th City Council District, was endorsed, on Feb. 3, by the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU).   Stuart Appelbaum, president of the RWDSU, described Dinowitz as a proud union member and dedicated teacher who would be a strong voice for unions and workers in the City Council. “He has a record of standing with RWDSU members in his district and with workers throughout the city,” he said. “We know we can rely on Eric to stand up


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Update: New York League of Conservation Voters Endorse Jessica Haller in District 11 Race

By SÍLE MOLONEY
New York League of Conservation Voters (NYLCV) announced on Friday, Feb. 12, their endorsement of Jessica Haller, City Council candidate in the 11th District race, for which a special election will be held on March 23.   Julie Tighe, president of NYLCV said Haller has spent decades as a dedicated climate activist. “She is committed to prioritizing environmental justice, growing renewable energy, and improving resiliency in our communities – some of our top priorities,” said Tighe. “That’s why we are proud to endorse her in her special election and urge voters in District 11 to join us in casting their ballot for


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Update: District 15 City Council Race: Ischia Bravo Receives Endorsement of Several Labor Unions

By SÍLE MOLONEY
  District manager for Bronx Community District 7 (CB7) and Democratic candidate in the 15th City Council District race, Ischia Bravo, has secured the support of several major labor unions with just weeks before the special election is due to be held on March 23. Bravo is running to fill the seat of former Councilman and now Congressman, Ritchie Torres, who was elected to Congress in November 2020.   Bravo has secured the support of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU), the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA), the Laundry, Distribution and Food Service Joint Board, Workers United, SEIU;


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Update: District 15 City Council Race, John Sanchez Endorsed by State Environmental Group

By SÍLE MOLONEY
  John Sanchez, candidate for City Council District 15, announced, Feb. 12, that he received the endorsement from the New York League of Conservation Voters, a non-partisan, statewide environmental organization in New York that fights for clean water, clean air, renewable energy, and open space through political action.   Julie Tighe, president of the conservation group, said Sanchez was committed to protecting the environment and supports improvements to mobility and better mass transit. “Reducing emissions from the transportation sector, the leading contributor of climate change, is one of our top priorities,” she said. “That’s why we are proud to endorse


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Update: Sports Arenas & Stadiums to Reopen Feb. 23 with Limited Spectators, Senators Urge Curbing Use of Executive Orders

Bronx Teen First Vaping-Related Death in New York State
By SÍLE MOLONEY
A week after Yankee Stadium opened as a large-scale vaccination site in The Bronx, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Wednesday, Feb. 10, that stadiums and arenas will be allowed reopen for sports and other events with limited spectators starting Feb. 23. The governor said that following the success of the Buffalo Bills testing program, sports and entertainment events in major stadiums with a capacity of 10,000 or more will be allowed to reopen with limited attendance.   He said that venues and events must follow State guidelines on capacity limitations, testing requirements, mandatory face coverings, social distancing and more. Norwood


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New Assembly Members Back Fernández as Bronx BP Race Heats Up

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT
  The following is an extended version of a story that was recently published in our print edition. Two of the newest assembly members representing the Bronx have endorsed Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernández in her bid for the Bronx borough presidency. Chantel Jackson and Kenny Burgos were both elected to the State Assembly last November, and on Wednesday, Jan. 27, all three assembly members showed up at Starlight Park, close to Crotona Park East, to make the endorsement public.   “I’ve known the assemblywoman for a few years now,” Burgos said. “I’ve worked with her in different capacities. I know she’s


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Update: Recap of District 11 City Council Candidates Debate on BronxNet

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT
  The challenge of representing multiple diverse communities across District 11 was evident during the televised debate between the five candidates running in the March 23rd District 11 special election, which aired on BronxNet on Feb. 2. Each is seeking to replace former Councilman Andrew Cohen, who was elected as a judge to the Bronx Supreme Court in November 2020 and resigned as a council member on Dec. 31, cutting short his final year in office.   The 90-minute debate was co-moderated by Michael Hinman, editor of The Riverdale Press, and Sonyi Lopez, BronxNet producer, host and reporter, with a few,


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Bronx CB7 Residents Discuss Vaccination Shortages as Borough Sees Highest 7-Day Average Rate

By DAWN CLANCY  
On Jan. 31, as reported by Norwood News, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and the City’s taskforce on racial inclusion and equity announced a plan to prioritize vaccine availability to an expanded list of 33 neighborhoods hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. The initial list of priority neighborhoods already included parts of the Northwest Bronx like Fordham Heights, Fordham Manor, University Heights, Kingsbridge, and Kingsbridge Heights.   The expanded list now includes the Bronx neighborhoods of Williamsbridge, Baychester and Edenwald. Also previously included were Mott Haven and Melrose, Belmont and East Tremont, Parkchester and Soundview, Highbridge and Concourse,


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