Bronx News

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CUNY Opens 14 NYC Campuses for 2026 Election Voting

The City University of New York will provide polling locations across 14 campuses for the November 3, 2026 general election, expanding access to voting across New York City. Ten CUNY locations will host early voting from October 24 through November 1, while seven locations will serve voters on Election Day. Participating campuses include Brooklyn College, Baruch College, Queens College, City College and Hostos Community College. Early voting hours vary by date, while Election Day polls are scheduled to operate from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. CUNY is also providing nonpartisan voter education through its CUNY Votes initiative. Residents should verify their assigned polling location through the NYC Board of Elections before traveling to a campus.

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CUNY Raises Record $312M in Donations, Up 26%

The City University of New York raised a record $312 million in philanthropic support during fiscal year 2026, a 26% increase from the previous year and the first time the university surpassed $300 million in annual fundraising. CUNY has raised nearly $1.1 billion over four years, with donations supporting scholarships, student assistance and career development across its colleges. The year's largest contribution was a $50 million gift from MacKenzie Scott to Lehman College. Brooklyn College raised $32.4 million, while Baruch College received $34.8 million. Community colleges collectively raised $36.7 million, up from $30.3 million the previous year. CUNY officials said the fundraising growth will expand resources that help students complete degrees and prepare for careers.

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Bronx's Little Yemen Gains Cultural District Status

Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation recognizing Little Yemen in the Bronx as an official cultural district, acknowledging the contributions of the borough's growing Yemeni-American community. The district will extend from White Plains Road to Bronxdale Avenue, with Van Nest Avenue marking its southern boundary. The designation recognizes a neighborhood known for Yemeni-owned restaurants, small businesses and cultural traditions, while potentially making local cultural organizations eligible for New York State grant assistance. State Senator Nathalia Fernandez and Assemblymember John Zaccaro Jr. sponsored the legislation, which community leaders say will help preserve Yemeni heritage, encourage tourism and support neighborhood businesses. Little Yemen joins other recognized cultural districts, including El Barrio in East Harlem and the Harlem Renaissance Cultural District.

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Bronx Recreation Center Reopens After $20.7M Upgrade

St. Mary’s Recreation Center in the Bronx has reopened following a $20.7 million renovation that upgraded the historic facility and expanded accessibility. Improvements include a reconstructed façade, entrance and lobby, a new elevator, widened doorways, updated mechanical and electrical systems and repairs to the center’s indoor swimming pool. The facility also received new fitness equipment, upgraded flooring and improved lighting. The city says 33 new staff positions have been funded to support programming, operations and maintenance at the center. St. Mary’s has served the South Bronx for generations and includes the only indoor public swimming pool operated by NYC Parks in the borough.

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New Bronx Mental Health Clubhouse Opens in Fordham

A newly constructed clubhouse has opened in the Bronx to provide free community support for New Yorkers living with serious mental illness. Venture House Bronx in Fordham Heights includes a commercial kitchen, dining area, wellness center and art and media studios, with programs designed to help members build relationships, pursue employment and education and participate in community activities. The facility is part of New York City's expanded clubhouse network for adults with conditions that can include schizophrenia, major depression and bipolar disorder. The Health Department says approximately 5,000 people are active clubhouse members citywide, with roughly half joining during the past two years. Membership is available regardless of insurance, immigration or housing status.

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Bronx Green Jobs Center Gets $2.5M in New Funding

Fordham University's Bronx Green Jobs Center has secured $2.5 million in new capital funding as construction moves toward completion at 585 East Fordham Road. Con Edison is providing $1.5 million to support a classroom and event space capable of accommodating up to 200 people, while Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson's office is providing another $1 million for renovations throughout the facility. The 12,000-square-foot center is being developed as a workforce and entrepreneurship hub focused on New York's growing green economy. Initial training programs are expected to include solar installation and repair, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, urban agriculture, energy-efficient buildings and environmental justice. Construction is expected to finish in early 2027, with programming beginning afterward.

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Bronx’s First Busway Opens on Tremont Avenue

The Bronx's first busway is now operating on Tremont Avenue, bringing bus-priority and street-safety improvements to a corridor used by 39,000 Bx36 riders each day. The route has historically experienced slow bus speeds and is designated a Vision Zero priority corridor, with four people killed and nearly 630 injured in crashes between 2020 and 2024. As part of the project, NYC DOT installed safety upgrades at eight intersections, including painted sidewalk extensions designed to shorten pedestrian crossings and slow turning vehicles. The busway operates from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week and is also expected to serve as the foundation for future bus rapid transit improvements along the broader Tremont Avenue corridor.

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Fordham Receives $9.2M Gift for NYC Student Programs

Fordham University has received a $9.2 million gift from trustee Rose DiMartino and Karen Sue Smith that will expand student financial support, social work initiatives and community-focused programs in New York City. Roughly two-thirds of the funding will support Fordham's Graduate School of Social Service, including stipends for students completing practicum internships and a new academy focused on suicide prevention training and education. The gift will also increase paid internship opportunities through Fordham's Serving the City program by at least 50%. Additional funding will expand entrepreneurship education through the Gabelli School of Business, including programs serving Bronx residents and high school students, as well as support research and initiatives involving human rights and global justice.

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AOC Helps Win $351M Authorization for NYC Flood Projects

Flood prevention and water infrastructure projects in the Bronx and Queens could receive a major federal boost under legislation passed by the U.S. House of Representatives. The Water Resources Development Act of 2026 includes authorization for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to spend up to $351 million on projects serving New York communities, including improvements to stormwater, wastewater and flood-control infrastructure. The provision was requested by Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and other members of New York’s congressional delegation following previous federal efforts to address flooding in Queens. The legislation also includes provisions involving community outreach and environmental restoration in local waterways. The House-passed measure must still go through additional congressional steps before becoming law.