Politics | The Lo-Down : News from the Lower East Side

Wendy Li's signs were all over Chinatown Thursday.

Wendy Li, Christopher Marte Victorious in Primary Election

You have likely heard about the high profile victors in yesterday’s New York State Primary Election. …

Make Your Voice Heard: There’s a State Primary Election Thursday

To borrow a phrase from Barack Obama, “Don’t put your head in the sand. Don’t boo — vote!” …

Rendering of new Union Square Tech Hub. Image via NYC EDC.

City Council Unanimously Approves Union Square Tech Training Center

The New York City Council voted 45-0 yesterday to approve plans for the Union Square Tech Training Center, a 21-story complex at 124 East 14th St. The support of local City Council member Carlina Rivera was critical in clearing the way for the controversial tech hub. …

Sheldon Silver Sentenced to Seven Years in Prison

The once powerful Lower East Side assemblyman, Sheldon Silver, was sentenced today to seven years in prison after a federal jury this past spring convicted him on public corruption charges. …

Sheldon Silver in happier times - at Chinatown's Lunar New Year Parade in 2012.

Sheldon Silver Pleads For Mercy Ahead of Sentencing in Public Corruption Case

In advance of his sentencing this coming Friday, July 27, Sheldon Silver is pleading with Federal Judge Valerie Caproni to consider alternatives to a lengthy prison sentence. …

City Council member Carlina Rivera with Council Speaker Corey Johnson at a news conference July 18, 2018. Photo by Emil Cohen/New York City Council.

Rivera’s Airbnb Bill Unanimously Approved By City Council

A bill sponsored by local City Council member Carlina Rivera aimed at Airbnb sailed through the Council yesterday. …

Maloney campaigning at Stuyvesant Town. Image from Rep. Maloney's Facebook page.

Rep. Maloney Defeats Patel in Congressional Primary

U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney, who represents parts of the Lower East Side, was victorious in last night’s primary election. …

Make Your Vote Count: Maloney, Patel Face Off in Today’s Congressional Primary

There’s a Primary Election today in New York City. In some parts of the Lower East Side, you have the opportunity to pick a Democratic nominee in the 12th Congressional District. …

Council Member Chin Asks Mayor For Meeting on Specialized High School Plan

The other day, we posted statements from local elected officials regarding Mayor de Blasio’s proposed changes in the admissions procedure for the city’s specialized high schools. …

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Maloney, Patel Debate on NY1 Tonight Ahead of Democratic Primary

There’s a televised debate tonight between U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney and Suraj Patel, her challenger in the upcoming Democratic Primary. …

Federal Jury is Deliberating Sheldon Silver’s Fate (Updated)

It’s the first full day of deliberations for the jury in the retrial of former Lower East Side Assemblyman Sheldon Silver. …

Sheldon Silver attended a rally in 2012 to protest the closure of the Cherry Street Pathmark store.

Prosecution in Sheldon Silver Trial Expected to Rest Today (Updated)

Federal prosecutors in Manhattan are expected to rest their case today against Sheldon Silver. The former Lower East Side assemblyman is undergoing a second trial after the first guilty verdict on corruption charges was nullified by an appeals court. …