Politics

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AG James and Labor Rally for Zinerman in Brooklyn

On June 7, 2026, Assemblymember Stefani Zinerman gathered at Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration with a formidable coalition of labor leaders, neighbors, and New York State Attorney General Letitia James. The occasion: celebrating a string of hard-fought victories in the 2026–2027 state budget:
Tier 6 pension protections
Wage theft enforcement
Tax relief for tipped workers
Expanded support for human service professionals.

With the June 23 Democratic Primary approaching and early voting beginning June 13, the message from District 56 was unified: Zinerman organizes, advocates, and wins.

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DeSouza Shares Why She Is Running for Civil Court

  • Law
  • 1 week ago

Michelle DeSouza is encouraging Brooklyn residents to learn more about the role of Civil Court judges while sharing the experiences and values that inspired her candidacy. She believes judges should combine legal knowledge with fairness, integrity, and a deep understanding of the communities they serve. DeSouza says the decisions made in Civil Court can have a lasting impact on individuals, families, tenants, homeowners, and small businesses, making judicial elections an important part of local democracy.

  • Law
  • 1 week ago
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Free Swim Program Promotes Youth Safety in Canarsie

Assemblymember Jaime Williams is encouraging Canarsie families to take advantage of a free swim instruction program available to local youth this summer. The program is designed to help children develop critical water safety skills before spending time at pools and beaches, while also promoting physical activity and healthy habits. Williams said ensuring that young people have access to opportunities that improve both safety and wellness remains an important priority for the community.

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Zinerman Highlights Record, Supporters Rally After Debate

With the June Democratic primary approaching, Assemblymember Stefani Zinerman used a Bedford-Stuyvesant community discussion to highlight her accomplishments in office while outlining priorities for a new term. Facing challengers Eon Huntley and Michael Bailey, Zinerman focused on her legislative record, investments secured for Central Brooklyn, and efforts to support homeowners, workforce development, and healthcare access. The event provided voters with an opportunity to hear competing visions for the future of the 56th Assembly District, which includes Bedford-Stuyvesant and parts of Crown Heights, as residents prepare to head to the polls later this month.

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NYC Opens Free 2-K Applications for Families Citywide

New York City has officially launched applications for its first round of free 2-K seats, marking a major expansion of early childhood education and child care access for working families. The initiative, announced by Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul, will provide 2,000 seats this fall in selected school districts across Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens, with plans to significantly expand the program over the next several years. Families in eligible districts can now apply for free early learning opportunities designed to help children get a strong educational start while easing the financial burden of child care costs.

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Zinerman Hosts Neighborhood Listening Sessions

Assemblymember Stefani L. Zinerman is expanding community engagement across Bedford-Stuyvesant and Crown Heights through a new series of neighborhood listening sessions that bring residents, business owners, and local organizations together to discuss issues affecting daily life in the 56th Assembly District. Following a strong turnout at the first gathering in Brooklyn, additional sessions are scheduled throughout June, giving community members more opportunities to share concerns, offer ideas, and help shape priorities for the district.

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Rep Yvette Clarke Introduces Bill to Fix Housing Eligibility

For years, housing advocates have argued that the federal Area Median Income (AMI) formula often fails to reflect the financial realities facing working families in high-cost cities like New York. As affordable housing developments continue to use AMI benchmarks to determine rents and eligibility, many residents find themselves earning too much to qualify for assistance but too little to comfortably afford market-rate housing. Congresswoman Yvette Clarke's newly introduced legislation seeks to address that disconnect by reevaluating how AMI is calculated and exploring reforms that could make affordable housing programs more accessible to the households they were originally designed to serve.

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Judicial Candidate Michelle DeSouza Engages BK

Michelle DeSouza says one of the biggest goals of her campaign is helping residents better understand the role Civil Court judges play in issues that directly affect families and communities across Brooklyn. With a legal background that includes litigation, immigration, real estate, contracts, and estate matters, DeSouza says she believes courtroom fairness, professionalism, and respect are essential qualities for anyone serving on the bench. Her campaign has also highlighted her longtime involvement in Brooklyn community and educational advocacy efforts.

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Bridge to Home Program Expands Into Brooklyn

NYC Health + Hospitals is expanding its innovative Bridge to Home program to Crown Heights, Brooklyn, bringing transitional housing and intensive behavioral health services to unhoused New Yorkers living with serious mental illness. The expansion follows strong early success at the program’s Manhattan location, which has helped guests stabilize, access clinical care, and transition into permanent supportive housing. The Brooklyn site, expected to open in fall 2026, will provide up to 50 residents with 24/7 support, behavioral health treatment, housing navigation, and wraparound services designed to break the cycle between hospitals, shelters, and homelessness. Local leaders and health officials say the initiative represents a major investment in mental health care, housing stability, and long-term recovery for vulnerable New Yorkers.