Politics

Hunger Advocates Say SNAP Bill On the Clock

Last month, House Republicans voted to enact a harsh SNAP bill that, according to USA Today, will result in 3 million people losing their benefits entirely and 850,000 people experiencing a reduction in benefits. Then in early October, we were all witness to the first government shutdown since 1995-1996, because Congress could not agree on a set budget for federal funding. There are roughly 48 million people, 1.8 million in New York, who rely on SNAP (previously known as food stamps), which is scheduled to be reduced — regardless of the government shutdown — on Nov. 1. Republicans are proposing


Read More

Victor Pichardo Wins Controversial 86th AD Primary

By the slimmest of margins, Victor Pichardo emerged with a victory in the heated and congested special election for the 86th Assembly District, which includes University Heights and Morris Heights. Though the Board of Elections finally declared him the winner by 72 votes last week, Pichardo did not emerge unscathed and a lawsuit looms.

Free After-School Journalism Program in the Bronx (Applications Due Friday!)

Above is a link to an interview with me, Bronx Youth Heard Director and Norwood News Editor Alex Kratz, and Lehman High School student Adonis Jimenez for a Bronx 2.0 segment that aired on Bronxnet in February. Everything I talk about in that segment remains true. Bronx Youth Heard is a fantastic program for students interested in journalism or who love to write or who want to have impact on their communities and think (like we do) that journalism is a way to make that happen.

Messier Becomes Face of Armory Ice Complex

In 1994, when Mark Messier helped lead the New York Rangers to the team’s first Stanley Cup title in 54 years, he was given the loftiest of nicknames: “The Messiah.” Now, after recently becoming the CEO of the Kingsbridge National Ice Center, which is poised to open inside the Kingsbridge Armory in 2017 as the largest ice sports complex in the world, he may need a new nickname: The Messenger.

Ritchie Torres, the Freshest of New Faces in Bronx Politics

As midnight approached outside of Ritchie Torres’ campaign headquarters in Belmont, a half dozen political soldiers basked in the dim, orange light, happily drinking, smoking and trading war stories. After an exhaustive Democratic primary campaign in the Bronx’s 15th District that ended in success last Tuesday night, there was nothing left to do but relax and enjoy the moment.

Bronx Primary Day: Final Notes Before Results

Polls have closed and now it’s wait-and-see time throughout the five boroughs. There are several competitive races right here in the Bronx that are up for grabs tonight. Here are a few final notes from the campaign trail.

Bronx Primary Update: A Mid-Day Report

Liz Thompson gently escorted 79-year-old Jean Williams out of the PS 86 polling site in Kingsbridge Heights. Williams isn’t moving quite as well as she used to, but she “always” votes, Thompson said.