Queens pol’s bill to expand atty loan forgiveness program passed by Senate

Queens pol’s bill to expand atty loan forgiveness program passed by Senate

Both houses of the legislature took major steps this week toward approving legislation from a Queens lawmaker that would increase the amount of student loan forgiveness public interest attorneys who are saddled with debt from law school could receive from the state.

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Gov calls for broader enforcement against illegal pot shops

Gov calls for broader enforcement against illegal pot shops

Governor Kathy Hochul on Wednesday renewed her call for increased enforcement against illegal cannabis shops and announced steps to broaden the state’s enforcement through a proposal first introduced through her state budget plan last month.

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‘Exonerated but not vindicated’: Top court rejects Queens DA’s attempt to reverse wrongful conviction

‘Exonerated but not vindicated’: Top court rejects Queens DA’s attempt to reverse wrongful conviction

The Court of Appeals has rejected an attempt by Queens prosecutors to overturn a ruling made by a mid-level court earlier this year that found that a local man had been wrongfully convicted of a Bayside murder three decades ago. 

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Historic 12-week murder trial ends with two 50 year sentences

Historic 12-week murder trial ends with two 50 year sentences

The historically long 12-week Queens murder trial that wrapped six-years after the killing is now, finally finished after sentencing on Wednesday.  Judge Ira Margulis sentenced both defendants, Shakim Allen and Dreshaun Smith, both 29-years-old and from Jamaica, to 50 years in prison for the 2017 murder of Rocky Kalisaran and the wounding of his brother Sonny  – which was the first homicide of that year.

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'The War on Smoke Shops': Officials agree, illegal pot enforcement is needed, but how is it working?

'The War on Smoke Shops': Officials agree, illegal pot enforcement is needed, but how is it working?

Most officials agree – in order for the legal cannabis market to thrive, the unlicensed market must be tampered down. But enforcement of the unlicensed market has ruffled feathers on both sides of the issue – some have pushed for greater enforcement, while others say the current tactics mirror the enforcement of the failed war on drugs that marijuana legalization in New York State was aimed at rectifying.

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