Politics

UPDATE New York City Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell Resigns, Addresses People of City of New York

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell shared news of her resignation in an email with her NYPD colleagues on Monday, June 12, as reported by multiple media outlets on Monday. Norwood News has obtained a copy of the email in which the commissioner talked of facing tremendous tragedy, challenges and triumphs together with her colleagues during her time as commissioner.   “I have witnessed your compassion, heroics and selflessness on a daily basis. They have reaffirmed to me, what people around the globe have always known: you are an extraordinary collective of hard working public servants dedicated to the safety of this


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Op-Ed: Bring Paid Family Leave after Stillbirth to a Vote Now

By YUVELCA REYES
Stillbirth is still birth. “A woman who has a stillborn child still goes through the trauma of labor and birth, and this is compounded by the loss of a child,” wrote Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson in her April 2023 Black Maternal Health Week letter to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul.   But right now, our Bronx representative and speaker of the New York State Assembly, Carl Heastie, seems to think it’s okay for New York to revoke a mother’s right to previously-approved paid leave and tell her to “get back to work” only days after birthing and then burying a


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UPDATE Gustavo Rivera Laments Assembly Did Not Pass “Coverage for All” Health Care Bill

By SÍLE MOLONEY
  State Sen. Gustavo Rivera (S.D. 33), chair of the State senate health committee, has shared his disappointment that his “Coverage for All” health care bill did not pass the State assembly, despite having recently passed the State senate, an advancement which had marked a major milestone in his long-term and ultimate goal of passing the NY Health Act.   “I am incredibly disappointed that Coverage for All did not pass the assembly despite the herculean efforts of Assembly Member Gonzalez-Rojas and our group of dedicated advocates,” Rivera said in a June 22nd press release. “Together, we had to fight


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UPDATE “Early Vote by Mail Act” to Enable New Yorkers to Use Mail-In Ballots for Early Voting

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Bronx Assembly Member Karines Reyes, R.N. (A.D. 87) and Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris (S.D. 12) announced on Friday, June 9, that the State Assembly passed their new legislation (S.7394/A.7632) to expand early voting options to include an early vote by mail choice for all New Yorkers. The legislation passed the State Senate earlier this week and now heads to Gov. Kathy Hochul’s desk for approval.   “We have seen how important it is to have access to mail-in voting,” said Reyes, who broadly represents the Bronx neighborhoods of Castle Hill, Unionport, Parkchester, West Farms and Little Yemen. “This critical


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UPDATE Air Quality Advisory Remains in Effect Through Friday due to Canadian Wild Fires

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The Mayor’s Office of Community Affairs provided New Yorkers with an update on Thursday on the unprecedented event the city is facing as a result of smoke coming from Canadian wildfires. At 5 p.m. on Wednesday, June 8, the Air Quality Index hit 484, meaning “hazardous” the highest level for health concern on the index level, City officials said, adding that there was potential for conditions to significantly improve on Thursday.   “We are encouraging New Yorkers to stay home and indoors today, whenever possible,” a City representative said on Thursday. “All New Yorkers should limit outdoor activity to the


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UPDATE Guerinos Against Graffitti* Share Results of Local Clean-Up of East 204th Street

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Local graffiti removal group, Guerinos against Graffitti* have been thanked by their neighbors following the group’s confirmation that most of the graffiti on 204th Street between Mosholu Parkway and Valentine Avenue in Bedford Park has been recently removed. Sirio Guerino, cofounder of the group, said the work was done in honor of the May 52nd Precinct Community Council Meeting.   Local community members were grateful for the group’s efforts. “YAY Serio and the SAG group! On behalf of all long-time, Norwood residents ….THANK YOU!!!!,” said Marilyn Reyes.   Meanwhile, Friends of Mosholu Parkland said, “Thank you so much !!!”   Guerino


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UPDATE Mayor & City Officials Address Deteriorating NYC Air Quality due to Canadian Wild Fires

By SÍLE MOLONEY
New York City Mayor Eric Adams addressed the deteriorating air quality across the five boroughs on Tuesday night due to smoke coming from recently reported Canadian wildfires, with the Air Quality Index hitting 218 at 10 p.m. on Tuesday in parts of New York City, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). A rating of 218 means “very unhealthy” on the “Levels of Health Concern,” according to City officials.   “Smoke from wildfires in Canada began to impact New York City’s air quality today, and conditions this evening have worsened with additional smoke and haze moving into the region,”


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UPDATE Elections 2023: CFB Approves Latest “Matching Funds” June Payments to City Council Candidates

By SÍLE MOLONEY
NYC Campaign Finance Board (CFB) approved on June 2 the latest public matching funds payments totaling $1,759,172 to 34 candidates running in the 2023 New York City Council elections. This total amount marks the fourth opportunity for 2023 candidates to qualify for public funding by raising small contributions from NYC residents.   To qualify for public funds, candidates must demonstrate support by raising small contributions in their communities. This encourages the candidates to spend more time speaking to voters and less time fundraising. Click here to see the exact thresholds that candidates must meet to qualify for public funds. The


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UPDATE Health Department Conducts First Aerial Larviciding of Mosquito Season on Marshes & Other Non-Residential Areas

By SÍLE MOLONEY
  To reduce mosquito activity and the risk of West Nile virus, the City’s health department is conducting its first aerial larviciding treatment of the mosquito season on marshes and wetland areas of The Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island on Thursday, June 8, Friday, June 9, and Monday, June 12, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., weather permitting.   City officials said the helicopter will treat only nonresidential areas. While two days are allotted for the aerial larviciding, the application may be completed in less time. In case of bad weather, application will be delayed to Tuesday, June 13,


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