🌱 Stop Silencing Survivors Act + Idlewild Park Nature Center + Rent

Rise and shine, Queens! Here's everything you need to know to get this Tuesday started off right.

First, today's weather:

Intervals of clouds and sun. High: 60 Low: 51.

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Here are the top three stories today in Queens:

1. A Queens Assemblymember has introduced a bill to ban non-disclosure agreements. Jackson Heights assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas's bill, called the Stop Silencing Survivors Act, would bar employers from including an NDA or non-disparagement agreement in a settlement pertaining to an alleged violation of human rights law or labor law. In a statement, González-Rojas said, “Employers across all sectors in New York frequently weaponize non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) to silence employees who’ve experienced workplace harassment or discrimination.” (Sunnyside Post)
2. The city has opened a brand new $8.1 million nature center in southeast Queens. On Apr. 28, city and elected officials joined together for a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Idlewild Park along the Thurston Basin at the northeast corner of Jamaica Bay. The new 5,400 square foot single-story building, which began construction in 2018, was funded with $3.173 million from the Mayor’s office and $5 million from the Queens Borough President’s office. (Subscription: QNS.com)
3. A Queens landlord has coughed up $1.15 million in settlement over rent-stabilized apartments, according to the Daily News. 39 tenants will receive the payout as part of rent refunds — up to $80,000 for some tenants — after a Queens landlord was accused of overcharging dozens of tenants in rent-stabilized apartments for years. The landlord of the 83rd Avenue building in Kew Gardens, Lefferts LLC, flouted a law requiring the entire building to be rent-stabilized in exchange for tax breaks. (New York Daily News)

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Today in Queens:

• Ageless Inspirations: Topical Discussion Group For Seniors, At Glen Oaks Branch Library (2:00 PM)
• Celebrate EID With Pakistani Music, At North Forest Park Branch Library (6:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• On Thursday, Apr. 28, the New York City Department of Veterans’ Services (DVS) reopened its satellite office at Queens Borough Hall in Kew Gardens, following a two-year closure due to COVID-19. (QNS.com)
• See who's hiring in the Queens area by browsing this week's list of local jobs! (Queens Patch)
• Yeah Yeah Yeahs will be coming to Forest Hills Stadium on Oct. 1. (JamBase)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Faith the Competitive Edge (May 4)
• The Learning Experience- Summer Camp Ages 2-10 years old (May 6)
• Freedom Party® NYC MAY 6! (May 6)
• Bourbon At Belmont (May 7)
• Hire A Pro To Tackle Mom's To-Do List (May 8)
• Add your event

Announcements:

• National Football Foundation Honors Suffolk County Players (Details)
• Add your announcement

You're all caught up for today. See you all tomorrow morning for another update!

— Miranda Fraraccio

About me: Miranda Fraraccio is a born and raised Rhode Islander, now living in New York. She works as a staff writer for content creation agency Lightning Media Partners and is a graduate of The University of Rhode Island, where she earned a degree in Writing & Rhetoric and Communication Studies. In her free time, you can find her traveling, drinking tea, or photographing her neighborhood as a street photographer.