NYCity News Service: Local Stories on a Whole New Level

Fellow New Yorkers and those who are interested in news about New York,  in case you haven’t heard, there are journalists scouring the five boroughs to bring stories that need to be heard to light. NYCity News Service is operated by students from the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism.

It has everything from Print for those who like a good reading, Video for the visually inclined, Audio Slideshows for interactive media enthusiasts.

Here are just some of the stories that are being produced on the site:

New Asthma Fears in East Harlem

It’s being seen as part of a development and job boom for East Harlem.
But a new Costco is also creating concerns in a community with some of the highest asthma rates in the city.

Help and Hope for the Jobless

Brooklyn – As jobs continue to vanish, job hunters in New York City need someone to give them hope and practical advice. For many, Khalil Rashid is that person.

In a government office building on Fulton Street at the Labor Services Resource Room, it is the responsibility of Mr. Rashid and the other labor services representatives to help people find jobs — no easy task as unemployment rises.

A Dream Delayed for Latino Laborers

Queens – The recession has slammed New Yorkers, especially working-class folks without a lot of savings to cushion the blow of sudden unemployment or a reduction in work hours.

Latino immigrants, who are predominately employed in the ailing construction, manufacturing and hospitality industries, are among the groups hardest hit by the downturn. A recent report by the Pew Hispanic Center in Washington found the unemployment rate for foreign-born Latinos rose over the past year, with about 35 percent of working-age people unemployed.

Making Green by Going Green

Manhattan – Standing next to 30-pound sacks of organic soil on the 49th floor of 7 World Trade Center, Dominic Vigliotti talked excitedly how his Long Island company is selling tons of compost for roof gardens.

Ten feet away, Ken Hillman of Green Street Construction showed floor tiles made of recycled glass, and a piece of carpet woven entirely from wool. “It’s sustainable and it grows back every year,” Hillman noted. “Instead of wearing a sweater, we can make a carpet.”

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For other stories, go to the NYCity News Service site.