For Immigration Policy Experts and Immigrant New Yorkers, Hochul’s Silence in State of the State Address Was Loud

For Immigration Policy Experts and Immigrant New Yorkers, Hochul’s Silence in State of the State Address Was Loud

By Fisayo Okare, DOCUMENTED | Editorial credit: Ben Von Klemperer / shutterstock.com  In what is likely to be the most consequential year for immigrant New Yorkers in decades, Gov. Kathy Hochul said nothing about protecting immigrant New Yorkers, the state collaborating with or resisting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations, or anything related to Trump’s […]

Navigating Medicare and Medicaid for Affordable Healthcare in NYC Is Essential for Those Seeking Affordable Services

Navigating Medicare and Medicaid for Affordable Healthcare in NYC Is Essential for Those Seeking Affordable Services

By Esther Claudette Gittens Navigating healthcare coverage options like Medicare and Medicaid is essential for New York City residents seeking affordable medical services. This article outlines the eligibility criteria for both programs, provides a step-by-step guide to the application processes, and offers information on where to apply. Medicare Eligibility and Application in NYC Eligibility Criteria: […]

President Biden Signs Social Security Fairness Act into Law

President Biden Signs Social Security Fairness Act into Law

Photo credit: AFL-CIO  On Sunday, President Biden signed the bipartisan Social Security Fairness Act into law, making more than 2.5 million public sector workers who receive pension income also eligible for Social Security benefits. The new law repeals two provisions—the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset. This expands Social Security payments to dedicated public […]

Breaking News! FDA Bans Red No. 3 Dye in Food and Drugs, Citing Health Concerns

Breaking News! FDA Bans Red No. 3 Dye in Food and Drugs, Citing Health Concerns

By Staff Writer | Editorial credit: paulaah293 / shutterstock.com  Washington, D.C. — January 15, 2025: In a significant move aimed at improving public health, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has officially banned the use of Red No. 3, an artificial colorant commonly used to give food and beverages a bright, cherry-red hue. The ban, […]

My Beautiful ‘Practicing’ Christians: As Churchgoers’ Numbers Shrink, their Social Views Grow More Similar

My Beautiful ‘Practicing’ Christians: As Churchgoers’ Numbers Shrink, their Social Views Grow More Similar

By Michael Emerson, THE CONVERSATION  During the 2024 presidential campaign, Donald Trump spoke at a gathering of conservative Protestants, imploring them to vote for him “just this time.” In “four more years, it’ll be fixed, it’ll be fine, you won’t have to vote anymore, my beautiful Christians,” he said. As a scholar of religion and public life for […]

Catholic Cardinals Play a key Role in Secular Politics as well as the Catholic Church–and the Importance of Pope Francis’ Choice to Head the Church in DC

Catholic Cardinals Play a key Role in Secular Politics as well as the Catholic Church–and the Importance of Pope Francis’ Choice to Head the Church in DC

By Joanne M. Pierce, THE CONVERSATION  Pope Francis recently appointed Cardinal Robert McElroy, a harsh critic of President-elect Donald Trump’s immigration policy, to head the Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, D.C. The move has led to concerns among some Catholics about how he might interact with the new administration, especially since Trump has announced plans to appoint Brian Burch, the […]

New York City’s Demographics, Voter Registration, and Political Representation

New York City’s Demographics, Voter Registration, and Political Representation

By Esther Claudette Gittens | Editorial credit: rblfmr / shutterstock.com  New York City (NYC), the most populous city in the United States, is renowned for its cultural diversity and significant political influence. As of the 2020 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 8,804,190, marking an increase of 629,057 people since 2010.  This growth […]

“A Trojan Horse:” Key Quotes from Lawmakers, Media Observers, and Outside Experts Criticizing Sweeping Nature of “Laken Riley Act”

“A Trojan Horse:” Key Quotes from Lawmakers, Media Observers, and Outside Experts Criticizing Sweeping Nature of “Laken Riley Act”

By AV Press Releases | Editorial credit: Joe Benning / shutterstock.com  Washington, DC — Lawmakers, media observers, and outside experts are criticizing the dangerous and sweeping nature of the Laken Riley Act as well as the misguided political assessments undergirding some of its support. Among the key voices include: Senator Chris Murphy: “I don’t think […]

Trinidad and Tobago Extends State of Emergency Amid Escalating Violence

Trinidad and Tobago Extends State of Emergency Amid Escalating Violence

By Natricia Duncan and Kejan Haynes, The Guardian  Escalating violence in Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) has caused the country’s government to extend emergency security measures declared in December, after a week of bloody gang warfare that left at least six dead. Late on Monday evening, the T&T parliament unanimously agreed on a three-month extension of a state […]