News & Politics

NY Expands No Smoking Zones in State Parks

5.11.13 at 1:18pm by Associated Press

Smoking will be banned in more places within New York state parks this summer.

The governor's office announced Friday that the state is expanding the number of smoke-free areas at state parks, pools and historic sites, including many of New York's popular beaches.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo says residents should be able to enjoy the outdoors "free of pollution from secondhand smoke."

The new rules vary from park to park, so the state has posted a list online of places where smoking is banned.

Rye Playland Opens After Extensive Damage From Sandy

5.10.13 at 5:38pm by Will Germain

Westchester's Rye Playland is opening this weekend after spending millions of dollars to repair damage from Superstorm Sandy. Deputy Parks Commissioner Peter Tartaglia says the park sustained tens of millions of dollars in damage.

"It's amazing how far we've come in 6 months. Its not completely fixed its going to take a long time, but tomorrow all 50 of our rides will open. Some of those rides sustained damage all of that has been repaired. And the main boardwalk is now open."

Queensbridge Park Waterfront Long Blocked by Chain Link Fence Will Receive an Upgrade

5.10.13 at 4:56pm by Kris Venezia

Queensbridge Park along the East River in Long Island City is getting an upgrade.

Officials Announce $1.77 Billion Plan for NYC Sandy Recovery

5.10.13 at 4:50pm by Veronica Volk

This morning U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan joined Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Senator Chuck Schumer in announcing federal approval of New York City's plan for $1.77 billion in Hurricane Sandy recovery initiatives.

The money will be divided between housing recovery, business recovery, and infrastructure repair and renovation. In each of those categories are funds for rebuilding and repairs, but also investments in economic growth in hard-hit areas as well as in new initiatives to prepare for future storms.

NYC's First-Ever Design Week Launches Today

5.10.13 at 4:49pm by Laura Macchiarola

Fashion Institute of Technology in New York

You've probably heard of Fashion Week, but, today, New York City launches a week in honor of design.

Experts on Gun Violence Prevention meet in CT

5.10.13 at 10:11am by Associated Press

A Congressional task force dedicated to curbing gun violence is holding a field hearing in Hartford.

Seaport to See Change this Summer

5.8.13 at 5:10pm by Jeff Coltin

The South Street Seaport's getting some new eats this summer. Brooklyn's so-called SmorgasBurg is bringing food vendors and drinks from their SmorgasBar concept to the Lower Manhattan tourist hotspot.

NYC Set to Pass Sick Days Plan

5.8.13 at 8:09am by Associated Press

A national push for paid sick days is poised to score a significant victory, with lawmakers in the nation's largest city set to vote on requiring businesses to provide the benefit to an estimated 1 million workers who don't have it now.

Stop and Frisk Drops in NYC

5.7.13 at 7:57am by Associated Press

The NYPD made fewer stop-and-frisk stops during the first three months of 2013.

Don't Like NYPD's Policing? Go Vote, Says Community Groups

5.6.13 at 6:04pm by Claudia Morell

New York City community groups are launching a large grassroots voter registration campaign ahead of this year's mayoral election. The issue? The controversial police practice known as "stop and frisk" and other policing issues in minority communities across the five boroughs.