Community

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East New York Concert Series Draws Over 10,000

More than 10,000 people attended the fourth annual East New York Concert and Wellness Series, according to organizers. The four-day community event took place September 17 through September 20 on Van Siclen Avenue. Presented by Assemblywoman Nikki Lucas and DJ Keith Watkins, the free series combined live performances with health screenings, wellness information and community resources.

The lineup included Doug E. Fresh, Nice & Smooth, Angela Winbush, Howard Hewett, Crystal Waters, Byron Stingily, Hildemaro, DJ Famoso, Bri Babineaux, The Walls Group and numerous DJs and other performers. Each day featured a different musical focus, ranging from Caribbean and Latin music to House, Hip-Hop, R&B, Gospel and Jazz, bringing residents together from across East New York and East Brooklyn.

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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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New York Sues Over $1.4B Offshore Wind Deals

New York is leading a coalition of states in two federal lawsuits challenging $1.4 billion in federal agreements to cancel four planned offshore wind leases. The cases involve agreements with Bluepoint Wind and Invenergy, including projects off New York's coast that had been expected to connect to New York City's electric grid. State officials argue that the federal government improperly used money from the Judgment Fund to compensate the companies for abandoning the projects and are asking federal courts to void the lease cancellations. According to the New York Attorney General's office, the two canceled New York projects were projected to generate more than $16 billion in investment and create more than 2,800 jobs in the state.

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NYU Langone Reaches $8.5M DOJ Settlement in NYC

NYU Langone Health has reached an $8.5 million agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice resolving a federal investigation involving gender-affirming medical care provided to patients under 18. Under the agreement, the New York City-based health system will cease providing minors with specified treatments, including puberty blockers, hormones and surgical procedures. The resolution is part of a broader federal investigation involving hospitals and potential violations of federal health care and billing laws. NYU Langone said the agreement protects the confidentiality of patients, families and providers while avoiding prolonged litigation. The health system expressly denied wrongdoing or liability, and the Justice Department stated that the claims resolved through the agreement are allegations and that there has been no determination of liability.

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NY Moves to Protect Historic Queens Burial Ground

A historic burial ground in Elmhurst, Queens, believed to contain the remains of more than 300 New Yorkers, many of whom were formerly enslaved, is at the center of a state legal effort as the property approaches a foreclosure sale. New York Attorney General Letitia James is seeking to intervene in the case involving 47-11 90th Street so prospective buyers are informed about the human remains and their responsibilities under state burial-site protections. The property’s history as a burial ground dates to 1818 and is connected to the United African Society of Newtown, which later became St. Mark African Methodist Episcopal Church. State officials are seeking safeguards intended to prevent additional disturbance of remains still believed to be at the site.

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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.

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NYC Reaches 200,000 Pothole Repairs in Brooklyn

New York City has reached 200,000 pothole repairs for the year, marking the milestone on Troutman Street in Brooklyn’s Bushwick neighborhood. NYC Department of Transportation crews continue to address damaged roadways while carrying out a broader street repaving program across all five boroughs. The agency reports that crews are repairing an average of approximately 3,000 potholes each week and have paved 757 lane miles so far this year. The latest milestone follows the city’s 100,000th repair, completed earlier this year on Staten Island. Residents can report damaged street conditions through NYC311, which routes pothole complaints and other nonemergency service requests to the appropriate city agencies for review and response.

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Free East New York Concert Brings 4 Days of Music

East New York will host four days of free live music, health programming and community resources beginning September 17, as New York State Assemblywoman Nikki Lucas and legendary DJ Watkins bring the annual East New York Concert and Wellness Series back to Brooklyn. The celebration on Van Siclen Avenue will feature Caribbean and Latin music, House, Hip-Hop, R&B, Gospel and Jazz, with scheduled performers including Doug E. Fresh, Nice & Smooth, Angela Winbush, Howard Hewett, Crystal Waters, Byron Stingily and other artists and DJs. Saturday’s program will also include health screenings, while community organizations will connect residents with wellness, public-safety and neighborhood resources. Running through September 20, the free series combines entertainment with services for families from East New York, Starrett City, Brownsville, Canarsie and surrounding Brooklyn communities.

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NY Bill Would Ban Sales of Illegal High-Speed E-Motos

New York lawmakers have introduced legislation targeting the sale and marketing of high-speed electric vehicles that do not meet state requirements for legal e-bikes and scooters. Senate Bill S.10700, sponsored by State Senator Kristen Gonzalez, would establish definitions for e-motos and electric off-highway motorcycles while restricting how certain vehicles can be sold and advertised. The proposal follows growing concern over faster electric devices operating on New York City streets and bike lanes, including after a fatal collision on the Queensboro Bridge this summer. The legislation would also require consumer warnings and address retailers that market noncompliant vehicles as conventional e-bikes or scooters. Supporters say the approach focuses enforcement on sellers while preserving access to legal micromobility options.