Defining US, The Story of Umoja

By EMILY SAWAKED

There is nothing more powerful than hearing the voices of people who have been on the front lines of a battle against oppressive systems. The docuseries, “Defining US,” focuses on the U.S. public school system and its impact on low-income children of color across the nation. It premiered at the Toronto Black Film Festival in February, and as part of the series, two individuals with experience of the Bronx public school system shared their stories. One, Angel Diaz, is a former student at the school and now a paraprofessional [teaching assistant] at the school, and the other, Ingrid Chung,

By CLAIRE GARON

Imagine that you’re about to start training for a challenging sport. Perhaps you’re learning how to lift weights or training for your first race. Now, imagine doing this with a crying newborn and four hours of sleep. This is a lot like learning to breastfeed. August is World Breastfeeding Month and a perfect time to talk about the joys and (totally normal) challenges of breastfeeding. There are many similarities between breastfeeding and starting a new fitness routine; both are physical activities with great health benefits. You will need knowledge and determination to reach either goal. At the start of

By SÍLE MOLONEY

August 23 Primary Election As reported, the NY Supreme Court postponed the congressional and State senate primary elections to Aug. 23, amid the latest court decisions around congressional and State redistricting which followed the 2020 census. A court-appointed special master approved new congressional and State senate districts in New York State on May 20. These replaced the maps previously approved by the State legislature in February 2022. The CUNY Graduate Center has made available online comparative maps at the following link https://newyork.redistrictingandyou.org/ to enable voters to determine their current congressional and State legislative districts and to see how the latest redistricting

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The New York Lottery announced on Saturday, July 30, that one second-prize ticket for the July 29 Mega Millions drawing was sold in The Bronx, and the ticket is worth a guaranteed $1,000,002. The ticket was purchased at New Way Deli & Lottery Corp, located at 77 East Kingsbridge Road. The winning numbers for the Mega Millions game are drawn from a field of one to 70. The Mega Ball is drawn from a separate field of one to 25. The Mega Millions drawing is televised every Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m. On July 21, the New

By SÍLE MOLONEY

District Council 9, a chapter of the International Painters & Allied Trades Union, announced on Tuesday, Aug. 2, that it will conduct three formal apprentice recruitment drives beginning Aug. 9. All three recruitment drives are being conducted at the union’s training center based in Long Island City in Queens. The recruitment for Drywall Finisher apprentices will take place from Aug. 9 to 22, and will include the New York City and Long Island regions. The recruitment for Painter, Decorator and Paperhanger apprentices will take place from Aug. 16 to 29, and will include the New York City, Long Island,

By EMILY SAWAKED

Donning a green cap and gown, and cheered on by countless family members, one Bronx native had an extra special reason to celebrate receiving her associate degree from Bronx Community College (BCC) last month. Having first embarked upon her collegial path in 1961, Mercedes Yordan walked, for the first time, in a college graduation ceremony this past June, following a long life and varied career. Yordan said she got married and had children soon after she started her studies the first time around. She said it meant she had to leave college, bringing her foundational time in academia to a

By DAVID GREENE & SÍLE MOLONEY

A 59-year-old man was murdered in cold blood outside a smoke shop in University Heights on Saturday afternoon. Police said the incident unfolded on Saturday, July 30, at around 12.07 p.m., when officers responded to a 911 call regarding a man who had been stabbed at Magic 7 Smoke Shop, located at 174 West Fordham Road in the 52nd Precinct. “Upon arrival, officers observed 59-year-old male, unconscious and unresponsive male with a stab wound to the neck,” a police spokesperson said. “EMS responded and transported the aided male to NYC Health and Hospitals/Jacobi where he was later

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Judge Lyle Frank of the NY State Supreme Court granted plaintiffs to a lawsuit against the City a temporary restraining order (TRO) on Friday, July 22, which precludes the Adams administration from temporarily, at least, making any further cuts to the public schools’ budget. The court also ordered that school spending remain at Financial Year 2022 budget levels. Last month, the City Council approved a budget deal, cutting school budgets based on declining enrollment projections. According to reporting by Chalkbeat, the city’s public schools (excluding charters) have lost 9.5 percent of their students since the pandemic began. During 2020

By SÍLE MOLONEY

New York State Department of Labor (DOL) announced on Tuesday, July 19, that Finishing Trades Institute of New York will conduct a recruitment drive from Aug. 16 through August 29, for 50 painter, decorator and paperhanger apprentices. Applications can be obtained, in person only, from Finishing Trades Institute of New York, 45-15 36th Street, Long Island City, NY from 9 a.m. to 3.30 p.m., Monday through Friday, during the recruitment period. DOL officials said, “This is a limited-application recruitment. Only 500 applications will be distributed, on a first-come, first-served basis. The recruitment will be offered for 10 business

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Defining US, The Story of Umoja

Health Check: Celebrating National Breastfeeding Month

UPDATE Neighborhood Notes: Polio Vaccine Updates, Free Legal Advice on DV, Overdose Prevention & More!

Mega Millions Ticket Worth $1,000,002 & Taket-5 Top-Winning Ticket Sold in The Bronx

Painters & Allied Trades Union to Conduct Three Apprentice Recruitment Drives in Aug & Sept

1961 Freshman Graduates from Bronx Community College and She’s Just Getting Started!

University Heights: Man Murdered outside Smoke Shop on Fordham Road

UPDATE Court Prohibits DOE from Making Further Budget Cuts to Schools, for Now

Finishing Trades Institute of New York Recruits 50 Painter, Decorator & Paperhanger Apprentices