Cohen Backs Bills to Expand Right to Counsel, Which Could Benefit Thousands

By JOSE A. GIRALT

Bronx residents in fear of landlords’ common use of initiating eviction proceedings are waiting for two bills before the City Council to pass soon. And while few New York City Council members from the Bronx have committed to backing the bill, they have support from Norwood’s Councilman Andrew Cohen. The two bills—Intros 1529 and 1104—look to expand Right to Counsel not only geographically but also economically. The bills, signed into law in 2017, are collectively known as Right to Counsel (RTC). New York City was the first in the country to implement them. On Jan. 15, local residents joined housing

Bronx Projects Take Center Stage in State of the City

By DAVID CRUZ

The chances of the Bronx seeing one of its own run City Hall–and being the city’s first Latino mayor–have come to an end. Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. announced he is withdrawing his run for Mayor of New York City and not seeking any other elected title when his current tenure ends in 2021, an unexpected move as many believed his entire career was built for a mayoral run. The news, first reported by The New York Times, sent shockwaves throughout the Bronx political landscape. Diaz Jr. cited his need for spending more time with his family as a

As Blake Gets Backing from 1199SEIU and 32BJ, Mark-Viverito Endorsed By Former Employer

In his quest for the 15th Congressional District race, Assemblyman Michael Blake picked up the endorsement of the city’s biggest labor unions. Meantime, his rival, former Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito received the endorsement from a political action committee where she once served as interim president. The two unions, 1199SEIU and 32Bj, endorsed Blake for the South Bronx seat, with 1199SEIU president George Gresham telling the New York Daily News him an “advocate for healthcare, jobs, wages, social justice, and equity for Bronxites.” The union has heavy influence in New York City politics as it has 19,000 members in the district Blake looks

Andy Byford, NYC Subway Chief Who Championed Bronx Bus Redesign, Resigns

By DAVID CRUZ

Andy Byford, the New York City Transit Authority chief credited for helping to turn around the subway system while overseeing a plan to revamp the Bronx bus network, has resigned today. His resignation comes two years after he signed on. Byford’s resignation was first reported by Politico. At today’s MTA Board meeting, Byford said a few words of thanks. “I’d like to say a big thank you to Governor [Andrew] Cuomo for giving me this opportunity, but also Governor Cuomo and the legislature for having the courage to pass congestion pricing, but also get the funds that I know will

Inquiring Photographer: New Legislative Season Begins

By DAVID GREENE

With state lawmakers from the Bronx back to work for the new legislative session, we asked readers what are some of the current issues our local politicians should be addressing? Well, believe it or not, there is still a lot of racism here still. And it’s not just white people, it’s Africans and Dominicans; so it’s not a white thing. It’s all the races. And they’re (the NYPD) are doing the stop and search again that they were ordered not to do. Yes, they’re starting it again. You can thank [President] Trump for all of this and half the people

Lt. Govenor Outlines State's Vision for 2020 at Montefiore

By DAVID CRUZ

Days before Governor Andrew Cuomo’s preliminary budget announcement, his second-in-command paid a special visit to Montefiore Health System on Jan. 16, reiterating Cuomo’s State of the State address, which includes the promise of seeing four Metro-North stations built in the East Bronx. Mixing policy with shtick, Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul–introduced by newly appointed President and CEO for Montefiore Health System, Dr. Philip O. Ozuah–broke down a bevy of initiatives spearheaded by Cuomo that have statewide interest. That includes combating domestic violence, ferreting out hate crimes, adding greater protections for gig workers, reducing taxes, reducing the unemployment rate in the Bronx,

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT

Representatives for the impending U.S. Census count have converged onto the Bronx, stopping by various organizations to lay out what residents should expect for the nationwide tally aimed at determining federal funding and electoral lines. Among the biggest takeaways from census reps is reassuring people with an undocumented status that their participation is not only crucial but also protected. Maria Matos, a partnership specialist assigned to the Bronx by the U.S. Census Bureau, spends part of her time informing Bronxites that census information is confidential and protected by federal law. She was most recently at the monthly Bedford Mosholu Community

State of the State: What Your Bronx State Reps Had to Say

By DAVID CRUZ

Governor Andrew Cuomo delivered his tenth State of the State address that received praise and some criticism from the borough’s state legislators covering Norwood. Among Cuomo’s proposals include expanding its tuition-free state college program to families make $150,000 or less, categorizing hate crimes a type of domestic terrorism, and legalizing marijuana, a measure that received intense pushback from critics in the last session. Cuomo also reaffirmed his commitment to revitalizing Hunts Point and seeing the installation of four Metro-North stations to the Bronx. But the Governor stood silent on the issue of bail reform for misdemeanor and nonviolent felonies, where

By JOSE A. GIRALT and DAVID CRUZ

In a crowded race seeking to replace Congressman José Serrano, candidates made their pitches on why they’re the best candidate to succeed Serrano at a Tuesday night forum in the South Bronx. The forum, organized by the Bronx’s LGBT Center Destination Tomorrow, presented the candidates with three different questions of special concern to their community in addition to opening and closing remarks. At a forum largely focusing on the LGBTQ community, Councilman Ritchie Torres, who’s garnered the most donations than any other candidate, reminded the audience of his journey in becoming the first openly gay elected official from the Bronx.