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

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

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 Morris Heights: NYPD Launch Homicide Investigation after Man 42 is Fatally Shot

Police have launched a murder inquiry following the death of a 42-year-old man in Morris Heights in the early hours of Saturday morning.   Police said that officers from the 46th Precinct responded to a 911 call on Saturday, June 10, at around 4.46 a.m. regarding a man who had been shot in front of 1538 University Avenue.   “Upon arrival, officers observed a 42-year-old male with gunshot wounds to the right arm and torso,” a police spokesperson said. “EMS responded to the location and transported the victim to NYC Health & Hospitals/Lincoln, where he was pronounced deceased. There are


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Wakefield: Police Investigate Discovery of Semi-Decomposed Body of Woman Found in Wooded Area

The discovery of the semi-decomposed body of a woman at the end of a quiet residential block in the Wakefield section of The Bronx has alarmed local residents and launched a police inquiry.   An NYPD spokesperson said that on Friday, June 9, at around 12.16 p.m., police from the 47th Precinct responded to a 911 call of “an aided” [person] at the rear of 4438 Edson Avenue.   “Upon arrival, officers observed an unconscious and unresponsive female, semi-decomposed inside a plastic bin,” the spokesperson said. “EMS responded and pronounced the female deceased at the scene. The City’s medical examiner


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Michael Jackson Tribute Show Comes to Lehman Center

Lehman Center for the Performing Arts presents the spectacular, multi-media, live performance honoring Michael Jackson, described as the greatest entertainer of all time in “Invincible: A Tribute to Michael Jackson,” on Saturday, May 27, at 8 p.m. The show’s promoters said producer Darrin Ross searched all over the world to find people that could sing and dance like Michael and worked closely with them to perfect this vision of what is described “as a one of a kind spectacular tribute show that truly captures the essence of Michael Jackson.”   Promoters say Invincible star artists, Jeffrey Perez (singing Michael) and


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First Annual Bronx Aging Advocacy Day Held

  Amid proposed budget cuts, the first annual Bronx Aging Advocacy Day was held on May 1 on the steps of Bronx Borough Hall as elected officials, advocates, community organizations and seniors gathered to help fight for the protection of equitable services for the elderly population.   Mayor Eric Adams’ proposed City budget for fiscal year 2024 was set to see reduced city funding for many programs that provide essential services to the elderly, including cuts to older adult centers and home-delivered meals. The City Council’s budget response called for increased funding for these programs, however, along with calls to


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Kingsbridge: Affordable Housing Lottery Closes on May 23 for Units at 3436 Kingsbridge Avenue

An affordable housing lottery remains open until May 23 for units at 3436 Kingsbridge Avenue, a six-story, mixed-use, residential building in the Kingsbridge section of The Bronx, as reported by YIMBY. Designed by Gerald J. Caliendo Architect and developed by Benjamin Shavolian, the structure yields 39 residential units and 4,816 square feet of community facility space.   Available on NYC Housing Connect, the online platform of NYC Department of Housing, Preservation & Development (HPD), are 12 units for residents earning 130 percent of the area median income (AMI), ranging in eligible income from $73,715 to $187,330. The 3436 Kingsbridge Avenue


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Inquiring Photographer: Thoughts on the Bronx Week Parade Moving to the Grand Concourse

This week, we asked readers their thoughts on the shorter annual Bronx Week Parade and its move from Mosholu Parkway to Grand Concourse between 167th Street and 158th Street.   “Why did they move it? I actually attended the parade a couple of years ago when I was a part of Peace December, where peaceful artists came together, and I attended the festival. I think it’s better now that they moved it by the courthouse. I think it has to do with the protection there because things can happen with all these young kids nowadays and people, in general, doing


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Williamsbridge: 69-Year-Old Man Found Unconscious Dies, 2nd Man Arrested on Assault Charges

The NYPD launched a murder investigation after a 69-year-old man was found unconscious and unresponsive on the street in the Williamsbridge section of The Bronx, and died one week later.   Police said that on Tuesday, April 25, at approximately 4.47 a.m., EMS responded to a report of an aided, unconscious man in front of 3212 Cruger Avenue in Williamsbridge. A police spokesperson said, “Responding EMS observed a 69-year-old unconscious male lying on the ground and transported the male to NYC Health & Hospitals/ Jacobi, where he was pronounced deceased on Tuesday, May 2, 2023.” Police said the deceased has


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