After the city released a proposed contract for new jails in Queens and in the Bronx that would be completed four years after the 2027 Council-mandated deadline to close Rikers Island, legislators and criminal justice advocates slammed the potential delays as unacceptable. The City Record released Monday included contracts for almost $7 billion in total to construct the Queens and Bronx borough jails and would allow for construction to stretch into 2031. The Campaign to Close Rikers held a press conference Wednesday afternoon to demand action to advance the closure by the legally mandated dead ..read more

Comedian Tracy Morgan returned to his old stomping grounds today for an interview on “BronxTalk,” hosted by Gary Axelbank, that will air on Monday, May 13. Morgan is known for his roles on “Saturday Night Live,” “30 Rock” and “The Last O.G.,” as well as his standup specials. Although he was born in Brooklyn, Morgan proudly attended DeWitt Clinton High School in the Bronx — and he told Axelbank that those years got him started in comedy. Morgan said he constantly goofed off with his football teammates, which turned into a show of its own.  “People would cut class to hear us snapping on eac ..read more

Faculty at the Bronx Community College (BCC) were out of this world with excitement on Tuesday, May 7, as they gathered to plant their very own moon tree, straight from NASA themselves. BCC faculty members stood on the campus lawn, each waiting their turn to dump a shovel-full of dirt into the moon tree’s new forever home. “Live long and prosper,” said Noelle King, adjunct assistant professor in art and music as she took her turn. Last year, King was on NASA’s website when she saw a call to community organizations to apply for a moon tree. “I thought it was a really long shot but I did it anyw ..read more

Film Screening: Story Ave. Friday, May 10, from 7 to 10 p.m. Joyce Kilmer Park, 955 Walton Ave. Free A free screening of the independent feature film “Story Ave.” by local director Aristotle Torres. This celebration of local filmmaking is free and no RSVP is required. Story Ave. follows South Bronx teenager Kadir, an artist grappling with the grief and loss of his younger brother, when he attempts to rob an MTA conductor — and an unlikely friendship grows from it. Friday Jazz Jam Friday, May 10, at 8 p.m. Patrick’s Place, 2835 Frederick Douglass Bolvd. $10 general admission This soulful event ..read more

I was born and raised in the Bronx, and the borough’s dynamic character is part of my DNA. Every day, my mom would get up at 4 AM, ready to go for the daily grind. My dad was an auto mechanic, but he also bought, fixed, and resold cars while finding time to run a burgeoning real estate enterprise on the side. My parents taught me what it means to work hard and to carve out a place for yourself and your family. They taught me the spirit that so many of my neighbors in the Bronx shared—to work hard and build a better life. Decades later, I’m still here in the South Bronx, following my parents’ l ..read more

NEW YORK (AP) — Alex Verdugo homered and tied a career high with four RBIs, powering the New York Yankees past Justin Verlander and the skidding Houston Astros 10-3 on Tuesday night. Anthony Volpe and Giancarlo Stanton also went deep off Verlander as the Yankees won their fourth straight game. Volpe finished with three RBIs and Juan Soto had three hits. Verdugo accounted for New York’s first four runs with a three-run homer in the first and an RBI single in the third against Verlander (1-1). The three-time Cy Young Award winner lasted five innings and gave up seven runs — the second-most he’s ..read more

On May 2, Parkchester residents had the opportunity to see firsthand the residential zoning changes that might accompany the Metro-North megaproject. Dozens of Parkchester neighbors came to the cafeteria at P.S. 106 — many arriving well ahead of time and lining up at the door — on a warm evening for an open house sponsored by Council Member Amanda Farías, whose district includes Parkchester. Attendees were able to learn more about the massive Metro-North proposal, which would add new train stations, along with expanded commercial and public space, to the East Bronx neighborhoods of Parkchester ..read more

Bronx Week is back, unifying businesses, local institutions, politicians, celebrities and fellow Bronxites in their pride and appreciation for the Boogie Down. Canceled once in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 2024 marks the 53rd celebration of Bronx Week, which kicked off on Monday, May 6, with its 28th annual Walk of Fame inductees. Held at the newly renovated Chase Community Center at 128 E. Fordham Rd., Bronx Borough President, Vanessa Gibson and Bronx Economic Development Corporation President Rob Walsh, announced five Bronx-born-and-bred, stand-out individuals honored at this year’s Br ..read more

Crime continued to fall across the five boroughs during April, the NYPD reported Monday. The overall 4.9% decrease in major felonies around the five boroughs — nearly 500 fewer major crimes from the April 2023 total — also included a substantial 23% reduction in transit crime, according to the NYPD’s statistics. Murders fell in April by 30.3%, the NYPD reported, with 23 slayings reported last month — 10 fewer than the total reported in April 2023. Another violent crime, felony assaults, also fell during the month by 1.9%, with 2,270 such incidents reported — down from 2,314 in April 2023. Shoo ..read more

As building owners across New York City grapple with the challenges of Local Law 97 (LL97), it’s become increasingly evident that we’re in dire need of meaningful support from Mayor Eric Adams. While the state has made strides in recognizing the financial burdens and logistical hurdles posed by LL97 through the introduction of The Green Buildings Act (S943-A / A5050), the Mayor has been noticeably absent in offering concrete solutions. It’s time to ask the tough questions: Where is Mayor Adams on this issue? While his attention may be directed towards other matters in Albany, the urgency of LL ..read more