Riverdale Neighborhood House receives a historic $2 million grant from MacKenzie Scott's charity organization, Yield Giving, marking the largest one-time gift in the organization's history. The grant, awarded to just 360 organizations nationwide, offers significant opportunities for the neighborhood house to enhance its services and facilities, benefiting the local community. more

Local Democratic clubs urge voters to participate in the upcoming presidential primary on April 2, emphasizing the importance of civic engagement despite the presumptive nominees already being decided. The clubs highlight concerns over democracy, voting rights, and the future impact of the election on civil liberties. While the primary won't determine the final candidates, it serves as preparation for the general election in November. more

Amid concerns about its financial stability, Manhattan College's president, Milo Riverso, reassures faculty and students that the institution is not closing despite layoffs and budget cuts. The meeting aimed to address rumors and provide clarity on the college's future, but some students remain skeptical about the administration's transparency and effectiveness in managing the situation. more

Unionized workers in the Bronx, represented by 32BJ SEIU, rallied at the Bronx Supreme Court against the potential renegotiation of their contract by the Bronx Realty Advisory Board. Threats of strikes emerged as the board considered reopening negotiations, prompting concerns about lowered standards and benefits. Elected officials, including Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, voiced support for the union, emphasizing the importance of fair contracts and the role of unions in protecting workers' rights. However, the realty board cited rising expenses and regulatory challenges, urging collaboration with property owners to address housing affordability concerns. more

U.S. Rep. Ritchie Torres establishes the Congressional Clubhouse Caucus to advocate for improved mental health care, emphasizing the effectiveness of clubhouse models in supporting individuals with severe mental illness. The caucus aims to educate on the clubhouse model, address challenges in mental health care, and promote social integration. Torres, sharing his personal experience with depression, seeks to destigmatize mental illness and raise awareness in Congress and beyond, particularly crucial amid the mental health challenges exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. more

An advocacy group, the Empire State Local News Coalition, gathered in Albany to rally support for the Local Journalism Sustainability Act, aiming to provide tax credits to local news outlets employing journalists in New York communities. With bipartisan backing and inclusion in the Senate's One House budget resolution, the bill aims to address the crisis facing the local news industry, which has seen significant decline over the past decades, leading to job losses and diminished community coverage. The rally highlights the urgent need for legislative action to preserve local journalism and democracy. more

A petition by recently ousted BronxNet board chair Paul Gentile has caught the eye of the Attorney General Letitia James. And if her charities bureau does decide to investigate, the move has support from some very powerful political backers, which has hung a dark cloud over the cable public service entity. more

A new school can certainly change the look and feel of a neighborhood — especially when it replaces an infamous landmark like the Van Cortlandt Motel. more

An expelled member of congress sat on the House floor during President Joe Biden’s State of the Union last week. And as far as U.S. Rep. Ritchie Torres is concerned, that should not happen — and should never happen again. more

The TikTok bill that the United States House of Representatives approved last week will not ban the social media platform. more