As students head back to school, Assemblymember Stacey Pheffer Amato is reminding families in her district of two major changes: every child will be eligible for free school meals, and mobile phones and smart devices will no longer be allowed during the school day.

The implementation of universal free meals for all schools, including nonpublic and charter schools, has been a focus for Pheffer Amato for years. During the 2025 New York State budget, she worked on the issue to ensure the state would give every school district, including New York City, the resources to make universal free meals a reality. Now, free breakfast and lunch will be provided to all school-aged children at all schools participating in the national school lunch and breakfast program, guaranteeing that every child will be eligible for health and nutritious meals.

Sep. 3, 2025 By Ethan Marshall

Permits have been filed for the construction of a 4-story residential building with 18 housing units at 3-06 Beach 68th St. in Arverne.

Sep. 2, 2025 By Ethan Marshall

The average cost of homes for one to three families reached $1,013,558 in the second quarter of 2025, marking the first time that price has reached $1 million dating back to the second quarter of 2024, according to a report by the real estate firm Brown Harris Stevens.

Aug. 26, 2025 By Ethan Marshall

With the 2025-2026 school year swiftly approaching, it is important for New York City students and their families to know about some important dates related to the school year, including when it begins and ends, as well as what days the kids will have off.

Aug. 20, 2025 By Shane O’Brien

The US Open returns to Flushing Meadows Corona Park this Sunday, with more than 1 million attendees anticipated to take mass transit to the iconic annual tennis event. With hundreds of thousands of fans set to take the 7 out to the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, there is a world of delicious local eateries lying beneath the elevated train tracks should any fan wish to stop en-route to the US Open.

Aug. 19, 2025 By Jessica Militello

In Jackson Heights at 4 p.m. on a Thursday afternoon, Roosevelt Avenue is buzzing with energy as commuters file in and out of subway cars and onto the street and cars and trucks grapple to get down the busy road. The street is filled with rows of shops and restaurants, along with food carts, street vendors and food trucks along the avenue. The almost-but-not-quite the weekend lag leaves hungry commuters faced with another choice to make throughout their day and the array of food truck options in busy areas like Jackson Heights offers customers convenience and delicious food without breaking the bank, two features that can feel vital, particularly with rising costs of living and pressure from inflation.

Aug. 18, 2025 By Ethan Marshall

The United States Tennis Association (USTA) announced that the “Advantage Arena” immersive gaming lounge has returned for the 2025 US Open after debuting last year.

Aug. 18, 2025 By Bill Parry

Police from the 100th Precinct in Rockaway Beach are looking for an alleged gunman who opened fire on a crowd in broad daylight near a playground and a senior living residence in Arverne on Tuesday, Aug. 12.

Aug. 14, 2025 By Ethan Marshall

Episcopal Health Services (EHS) announced it has been awarded $27,181,465 through the New York State Health Care Facility Transformation Program IV to modernize and expand the critical care services offered at St. John’s Episcopal Hospital, located at 3-27 Beach 19th St. in Far Rockaway.

Aug. 13, 2025 By Ethan Marshall

Queens Borough President Donovan Richards announced Wednesday that a previously closed-off section of Rockaway Beach from Beach 43rd Street to Beach 47th Street in Edgemere has now been reopened for the pubic to use for the first time in multiple decades.