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Tracey Porpora @traceyporpora.bsky.social · 22h

After the release of alleged comments made in a text thread among some of the nation’s top young GOP leaders, including at least three Staten Islanders, the Richmond County Republican Party condemned the alleged hate speech in the chat.

Staten Island GOP condemns hate speech in Young Republican leaders’ text thread

“Their views do not represent the values of our Republican Party or the residents of our community."

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Tracey Porpora @traceyporpora.bsky.social · 1d

After the release of alleged comments made in a text thread among some of the nation’s young Republican leaders, including two from Staten Island, the Richmond County Democratic Party is demanding an end to hate speech.

Staten Island Democrats call on GOP to address alleged hate speech in leaked texts

'It is tragic that this type of speech appears to be commonplace among the next generation of Republican leaders," said Assemblymember Charles D. Fall.

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Tracey Porpora @traceyporpora.bsky.social · 1d

Assemblymember Mike Reilly has fired his chief of staff due to alleged comments made in a text thread among a group of young Republican leaders from across the country.

Staten Island Republican fires chief of staff over alleged ‘troubling’ comments, including ‘I love Hitler’

The alleged texts exchanged via Telegram chats among young Republican leaders was obtained by Politico over a seven month period.

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Tracey Porpora @traceyporpora.bsky.social · 3d

As much as any other issue, such as transportation, cost of living, and affordable housing, debates over the remaining Christopher Columbus statues in the city are a sticking point for the mayoral candidates.

NYC’s Columbus statues have become an unexpected flashpoint in the city’s heated mayoral race

Columbus has become a controversial figure due to his treatment of Indigenous peoples, including acts of violence and enslavement.

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Tracey Porpora @traceyporpora.bsky.social · 4d

Jasmine Ray, 41, says she was searching for the meaning of “life, leadership and love” when she put pen to paper in 2020 during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

She lost her 16-year-old brother in a tragic accident, dated the mayor, and is now telling all in a revealing memoir

She describes the book, "Political Humanity," as “part memoir, part political reflection, and a call for grace and unity in a divided society.”

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Tracey Porpora @traceyporpora.bsky.social · 6d

As Bay Terrace resident Marylu Hegazy embraced her daughter, Leila, 35 -- who was wearing only prison sandals and pajamas given to her by the Jordanian government -- in JFK Airport in Queens, she breathed a sigh of relief.

S.I. mom recounts daughter’s detention by Israel during Gaza aid mission: “I was terrified, but I am so proud of her.”

Bay Terrace resident Marylu Hegazy embraced her daughter, Leila, 35, in JFK Airport in Queens after she was detained in an Israeli prison.

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Tracey Porpora @traceyporpora.bsky.social · 15d

It’s likely Ann Perine lay awake in her bed at night, nervously listening to the banter among the many British soldiers who occupied her white, stone- and wood-framed 17th century farmhouse during the Revolutionary War.

This Staten Island home, still standing today, played a pivotal role in the Revolutionary War

“It’s so uncommon in a metropolis like ours, to have houses from that period of our history still standing, still in the original location."

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Tracey Porpora @traceyporpora.bsky.social · 16d

When Heather Butts was studying at Princeton University she was able to explore her deep-rooted passion for African American history, particularly from the 1800s.

Sharing ‘untold stories’ of a Staten Island historic community is this professor’s mission

“It’s incredible to see these stories of resiliency passed down from generation to generation. It’s really, really meaningful."

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Tracey Porpora @traceyporpora.bsky.social · 16d

The Adams Administration’s controversial City of Yes housing plan has come to fruition, as homeowners now have the green light to add ancillary dwelling units (ADUs) to their property.

NYC homeowners can now legally convert attics, basements into apartments, build backyard tiny houses

To encourage homeowners who are interested in constructing a legal ADU on their property, Adams launched "ADU For You."

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Tracey Porpora @traceyporpora.bsky.social · 18d

Huddled in the dark while drone fire filled the sky above her ship headed for Gaza, St. George resident
Leila Hegazy didn’t know if she was about to die.

Staten Islander says risking her life is worth it to bring aid to civilians in Gaza

“We’re all on these boats knowing what the risks are...[it's] a little taste of the way that Palestinians live under constant fear of bombardment."

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Tracey Porpora @traceyporpora.bsky.social · 19d

The daylighting bill, officially known as Intro 1138, is a proposed piece of legislation that seeks to improve street safety by banning parking within 20 feet of crosswalks at intersections. Its goal is to decrease the number of pedestrian deaths in the city.

Community board opposes ‘daylighting’, fears loss of 49,000 parking spaces on Staten Island

The daylighting bill seeks to improve street safety by banning parking within 20 feet of crosswalks at intersections.

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Tracey Porpora @traceyporpora.bsky.social · 23d

President Donald Trump on Monday promoted an unproven and in some cases completely discredited link between Tylenol and autism, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and intellectual disabilities.

Acetaminophen safety during pregnancy: What to know after Trump’s Tylenol claims

“Suggestions that acetaminophen use in pregnancy causes autism are not only highly concerning to clinicians, but also irresponsible..."

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Tracey Porpora @traceyporpora.bsky.social · Sep 14

This year, the parade organizers, the Richmond County St. Patrick’s Parade Committee, organized the borough’s very first inclusive parade to celebrate Irish heritage. And for their efforts, the committee was honored with the first Circle of Pride Award.

‘Together, we made history’: Staten Island St. Patrick’s Parade Committee honored by Pride Center

"The streets were filled with support, love and celebration—not just of Irish heritage, but of inclusion and community."

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Tracey Porpora @traceyporpora.bsky.social · Sep 1

Gov. Kathy Hochul is demanding the Trump Administration uphold permits already granted for off-shore wind projects in New York amid the president’s decision to pull funding for such projects.

N.Y. Gov. Hochul demands Trump Administration uphold off-shore wind permits

"Efforts to walk back these commitments jeopardize hardworking families, wasting years of progress and ceding leadership to foreign competitors."

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Tracey Porpora @traceyporpora.bsky.social · Sep 1

“We’re seeing new species we never used to catch that are coming up here. That is simply because of water cleanliness and the availability of bait, which is what brings everything in. There’s literally acres and acres of bait fish bunker, which is needed to attract the other fish."

This Staten Island fisherman has watched the bay transform over 40 years. Now he fears it’s all at risk.

"Any disruption of the marine environment is detrimental to its longevity. ...When you introduce a big project like this, it’s going to destroy a lot..."

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Tracey Porpora @traceyporpora.bsky.social · Aug 20

At just 4 years old, Omar Abukwaik lost his arm and suffered severe injuries when a bombing destroyed his home and killed his entire family in Gaza during the Israel-Hamas war.

Staten Island relief organization: Gaza travel ban threatens care for war-injured children

”This [travel ban] is very concerning. I’m personally upset that there’s lack of empathy and decency about what is happening."

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Tracey Porpora @traceyporpora.bsky.social · Aug 18

Councilmember David M. Carr announced the launch of Staten Island’s first ever integrated athletic league, which aims to help children with special needs integrate with neurotypical children in sporting activities.

New Staten Island athletic program bridges gap for special needs youth

Staten Island’s first ever integrated athletic league aims to help children with special needs integrate with neurotypical children in sporting activities.

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Tracey Porpora @traceyporpora.bsky.social · Aug 9

Is it an alien spaceship or an ancient comet? That’s the question puzzling UFO enthusiasts, NASA, and the European Space Agency since an interstellar visitor entered our solar system last month.

What we know about the interstellar object that has suddenly appeared in our solar system

Is it a spaceship carrying aliens from a alternate universe? Could it be an 11-billion- year-old comment suddenly visible in our solar system?

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Tracey Porpora @traceyporpora.bsky.social · Aug 6

“I wear this uniform not just for myself, but for every young girl told her dreams were too big, for every immigrant parent who sacrificed everything, and for the promise of our nation."

‘Don’t be fooled, she’s tough’; daughter of Mexican immigrants promoted to U.S. Army captain

“I wear this uniform not just for myself, but for every young girl told her dreams were too big, for every immigrant parent who sacrificed everything..."

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Tracey Porpora @traceyporpora.bsky.social · Jul 31

“The city is under a severe thunderstorm watch until 8 p.m., and a flood watch until tomorrow. A number of our highways and roadways are starting to flood, and we’re asking New Yorkers to stay off those areas..."

NYC Mayor Adams declares state of emergency as storms flood Staten Island

The Thursday storm wrought havoc across Staten Island, leaving some roads drowning in floodwater and multiple homes were struck by lightning.

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Tracey Porpora @traceyporpora.bsky.social · Jul 31

This is an important issue for New Yorkers!

Environmentalists: Proposed Staten Island gas pipeline would raise utility bills, stir toxic seabed

"The Williams NESE pipeline route would come within a mile of Staten Island where samples were taken and show unsafe concentrations of arsenic, lead, DDT, dioxins and PCBs that could be disturbed."

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Tracey Porpora @traceyporpora.bsky.social · Jul 28

The 13 states have filed an amicus brief supporting the plaintiffs in National TPS Alliance v. Noem. The brief opposes the U.S. Department of Homeland Security plan to take away TPS status for these groups, which NYC officials say is threatening their legal status in the country.

NYC fights plan to end Temporary Protected Status for immigrants from 3 countries

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security plans to take away TPS status from immigrants from three countries.

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Tracey Porpora @traceyporpora.bsky.social · Jul 19

What appears to be the first step in implementing backyard “tiny houses” -- officially called ADUs or ancillary dwelling units -- as part of the controversial City of Yes housing plan was announced this week by city officials.

NYC announces rules for backyard tiny houses on Staten Island amid City of Yes plan

The housing plan represents the most significant citywide zoning initiative since the 1960s.

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Tracey Porpora @traceyporpora.bsky.social · Jul 3

While thousands of Staten Islanders could lose access to health care as federal lawmakers continue to weigh proposed Medicaid cuts, hundreds of health care workers on Staten Island could also lose their jobs if the GOP budget reconciliation bill passes the Senate, said Gov. Kathy Hochul.

N.Y. Gov. Hochul: Trump tax bill will slash over 1,200 healthcare jobs on Staten Island, part of Brooklyn

"Hospitals may be forced to reduce or eliminate certain programs and services, further straining the system and compromising access to care.”

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Tracey Porpora @traceyporpora.bsky.social · Jul 3

A group of Staten Islanders say they are “undeterred” by the Trump Administration’s ramped up ICE enforcement.
In fact, they say they’re “ready to fight ICE with fire.”

Staten Island immigrant support group vows to “fight ICE with fire” amid deportation fears

"This is about immigrant rights, this is about health care, this is about the environment, arts, and more. We need to be in this together.”

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