Award-winning journalist with a demonstrated history of working in reporting and editing. Strong interest in community, environmental and political reporting. Has a bachelor's in journalism and political science and a master's in health and science reporting.
Crime, Development and More Discussed at Mill Basin Civic Meeting
The Mill Basin Civic Association held its monthly meeting on Tuesday, March 10th, at the Thomas Jefferson Democratic Club, at 5809 Avenue T, to discuss neighborhood news spanning the topics of crime, commercial development and more.
Mill Basin Civic Meets for First Time Since Big Snow
The Mill Basin Civic Association (MBCA) met for the first time since January’s big snow on Tuesday, February 10th, at the Thomas Jefferson Democratic Club office, located at 5809 Avenue T, where the board and guests discussed a number of community issues.
The 2026 50 Over 50
Making it halfway to 100 is no small feat. That’s why City & State is celebrating 50 distinguished New Yorkers over the age of 50.
Marine Park — Love is in the Air — and Adorning the Houses
With the dreary weather that’s been hammering Brooklyn lately — mounds of clumpy snow, overcast gray skies and below-freezing temperatures — it seems that light, color and joy are in high demand right now. Well, that’s exactly what some households in the Marine Park area are supplying the neighborhood with through their Valentine’s Day decorations.
Flatlands — Customers Accuse Local Supply Store of Fraud
When Nora Kernisant’s 81-year-old father’s Kenmore refrigerator began having trouble in December 2024, he found a local business that sold replacement filters for the old appliance. What started as a routine purchase — albeit an upcharged one — has become a long, stressful ordeal where both customer and owner accuse the other of fraud, and other scorned customers are coming forward to share their stories.
Procurement reform is Lincoln Restler’s problem now.
New York City is infamously bad at paying contractors on time. The backlog of payments to nonprofits contracted with city government reached a high of $11 billion in 2022, but has since been reduced to under $3 billion by efforts from the mayor’s office, city agencies and the City Council. When the council announced its committee assignments for the new term last month, Lincoln Restler was named the chair of the Committee on Contracts.
Sheepshead Bay — Community Supports Marine Park Alliance at IHOP Fundraiser
Community members and park enthusiasts showed up to support the Marine Park Alliance (MPA) at its IHOP fundraiser, at 2951 Avenue U, on Tuesday, January 27th, fighting both the cold and difficult driving conditions from the snow leftover from the weekend’s storm.
WFP backs Jibreel Jalloh in challenge to Jaime Williams
The New York Working Families Party on Thursday endorsed community organizer Jibreel Jalloh, who is challenging southeast Brooklyn Assembly Member Jaime Williams in the June Democratic primary.
Overcoming leadership challenges and creating nonprofit succession plans
Experienced nonprofit leader Jeffrey Reynolds has been at the helm of Long Island’s Family & Children’s Association for over 11 years, leading the organization in providing a range of services for vulnerable residents. He was a speaker at New York Nonprofit Media’s BoardCon event on Jan. 20. Ahead of the conference, Reynolds spoke with NYN about the Family & Children’s Association, its board and how personal challenges changed his perspective on work.
2025 Winners & Losers of the Year
A group of Young Republicans’ racist and antisemitic messages, uncovered by Politico, had vast repercussions for the party, its affiliated organizations and the group chat participants.
Holiday Cheer and Community News Combined at Mill Basin Civic Meeting
Spirits were high at the last Mill Basin Civic Association (MBCA) meeting of the year on Tuesday, December 9th, at the Thomas Jefferson Democratic Club, located at 5809 Avenue T, as the organization meshed its usual slate of community updates with an upbeat holiday party.
New York City has reduced its nonprofit contract backlog by 52% this year
The New York City Mayor’s Office of Nonprofit Services hosted a meeting recently with City Hall leadership, department commissioners and nonprofit leaders to discuss the results of the office’s efforts to get nonprofit organizations contracting with the government paid on time. Mayor’s Office of Nonprofit Services Executive Director Michael Sedillo spoke with City & State about this improvement.
Mill Basin Civic Meets for First Time at New Location
The Mill Basin Civic Association (MBCA) met for the first time at its new home, the recently relocated Thomas Jefferson Democratic Club — which now resides at 5809 Avenue T in a storefront that suffered a roof collapse two years ago — on Tuesday, November 18th.
The 2025 Women Power 100
City & State’s Women Power 100 puts a spotlight on these and many other influential women in the world of New York politics and policy. This year’s edition adds dozens of new names, including the incoming mayors of Syracuse and Albany, the leader of one of the state’s most powerful labor unions and key advisers to New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani. This ranked list also features top government appointees, business executives, nonprofit heads, advocates, experts and many other movers and shakers.
Canarsie Community Leader Shares Story of her Veteran Father’s Service
When Valerie Woodford, of Canarsie, and her siblings were little, they didn’t fully understand the point of military service or what it meant to be a veteran. Her late father, William Vincent Woodford, served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, and he made sure to emphasize to his children the importance of serving and protecting one’s country. As she grew up, Valerie began to understand what her father meant by this, and what a sacrifice he made.