Tracey Porpora

The Advance is embarking on a series of stories pertaining to massive zoning changes that could take place as part of NYC's "City of Yes" plan. One portion of the plan will allow people to build backyard cottages, or tiny homes in their backyards.

If anyone is interested in speaking with me about their interest in this being allowed (or possibly having the opportunity to do this on their own property), please reach out to me at [email protected], and put "Tiny House" in the subject line.

Mayor Eric Adams reached a “handshake” deal with Council Speaker Adrienne Adams on a $112.4 billion budget adopted for Fiscal Year 2025 that includes reversing several of the mayor’s proposed cuts, like library hours, and invests billions in housing, early childhood education and healthcare.

NYC $112.4B budget includes $$$ for housing, early childhood education, libraries, health care Here are the highlights of the NYC 2025 Fiscal Year budget that reverses some of Mayor Eric Adams' proposed cuts.

In light of states across the country passing anti-LGBTQ+ laws, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand introduced legislation that would outlaw discriminatory practices against both LGBTQ+ children and adopters in the foster care system.

Proposed law would outlaw discrimination against LGBTQ+ couples who want to adopt 'This bill will solidify protections for some of our most marginalized and vulnerable children and enable them to find loving homes.'

If you're a Staten Islander who has launched your own business, I may want to feature your story in my new business column. Please reach out via email at [email protected].

Julie Moody Lewis labored outside a white weathered ranch home on Woodrow Road recently with a small army of volunteers to cleanup and beautify what’s left of the once fertile ground on which her ancestors reaped and harvested fresh fruit and vegetables.

That land, named Sandy Ground for its appearance and texture in the 1820s, is the oldest free Black settlement in the country still inhabited by descendants of its pioneers.

Emancipation Day: Volunteers clean up Sandy Ground ahead of July 5 community event Emancipation Day in New York commemorates the Empire State’s abolition of slavery in 1827.

Do you have a cool new business on Staten Island? If you're interested in being featured in my new business column, email at [email protected]. Please put "new business" in the subject line. Thanks!

Let your voice be heard in this crucial presidential election.

Election 2024: Are you voting for Trump or Biden, Staten Islanders? We want to know

When it comes to the national housing market, it all goes back to the rule of supply and demand.

When there is a huge demand and low supply, prices are going to rise. And throw in the high mortgage rates as of late, and you’ll find some areas of the country where homes are being “overvalued.”

This N.Y. location made the most overvalued housing market list Houses are considered 'overvalued' when the median existing-home sale price exceeds house-buying power.

With recent news that the bird flu could be the next pandemic, it’s important for people to know the facts about the disease and its potential to spread to humans.

6 things to know about bird flu and pandemic potential Avian influenza, or bird flu, is an infection from a type of influenza virus that usually spreads in birds and other animals, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

If you’ve been trying to find ways to dodge the intense heat over the last few days, keep searching.

N.Y. Weather: Will the heat wave continue? A heat wave is officially declared after a period of abnormally hot weather that lasts more than two days.

An accidental “hit” by a City Department of Transportation (DOT) truck resulted in the gruesome decapitation of one-time Genovese family crime boss, Anthony Conigliaro, 86, known as “Tony Cakes,” “Tony the Dessert Man,” which was first reported by the NY Post.

Man, 86, decapitated by DOT truck identified as mafia crime boss, report says The deceased was nicknamed for his work in the dessert industry.

“We were looking for somewhere our children could play the way we played when we grew up,” said Angela Foo. “We were able to just go outside, run around and play with sticks and dirt. We just wanted something wholesome like that. And so we came up with an idea to share with our community.”

These Staten Island sisters encourage kids to get their ‘feet dirty and hands wet’ at outdoor classes 'We believe in growing up slowly and getting back to our roots of playing outside, like when we were young.'

Congrats to everyone who worked on “Rebuilding Sandy Ground,” a very important journalistic initiative to save the oldest free Black settlement still inhabited by its  descendants in the country!

Saving an important piece of history is no easy task. But Staten Islanders, especially those with the mission of saving Sandy Ground -- the nation’s oldest free Black settlement still inhabited by descendants of its pioneers -- aren’t scared away by a challenge.

Some strides made toward rebuilding Staten Island historic community, but more help is needed 'We know that we’re going to need larger contributions...but it’s important to have the support of the community, and every gift counts.'

"We want to put forth another vision of what a happy couple looks like," said Joey George, a renowned celebrity hairstylist, who is married to longtime Staten Islander Fernando Guzman.

Living as an example of the ‘change that’s needed,’ this S.I. couple is advocating for more inclusivity 'We want to put forth another vision of what a happy couple looks like,' said Joey George, a renowned celebrity hairstylist, who is married to longtime Staten Islander Fernando Guzman.

Staten Islanders joined groups from across the Big Apple to rally at City Hall on Friday against a long list of proposed changes to New York City’s zoning laws that could completely reshape the way housing is developed throughout the five boroughs.

‘Say No to City of Yes;’ Staten Islanders protest controversial NYC rezoning plan at City Hall The proposed zoning reforms have been met with fierce opposition by Staten Islanders who’ve argued they would change the character of the borough’s neighborhoods.

“I saw spray tanning as a lucrative and emerging market within the beauty industry. My passion for beauty, combined with the opportunity to work with celebrities and influencers, drew me to this field."

Spray tan artist with celebrity clientele opens new Staten Island studio 'My passion for beauty, combined with the opportunity to work with celebrities and influencers, drew me to this field.'

While the Advance/SILive.com covers issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community all year long, we’d like to hear from you, our readers, about the topics you’d like to see highlighted during Pride Month.

What are the biggest issues impacting the LGBTQ+ Staten Island community? We’d like to hear from you, our readers, about the topics you’d like to see highlighted during Pride Month.

“While the State Department is warning of foreign terrorist threats against LGBTQIA+ people, us q***r folk know full well that we are in danger from domestic threats as well,” said KC Hankins, a St. George resident.

Threats in ‘our own backyard’; LGBTQ+ Staten Islanders fearful after worldwide travel alert After the U.S. Department of State issued a worldwide caution alert on Friday for all LGBTQIA+ Americans, Staten Islanders expressed fear for themselves and loved ones.

The Advance/SILive.com asked Staten Islanders to weigh in on how the alleged hush money criminal trial of former President Donald Trump will impact their vote in the 2024 presidential election.

Election 2024: Here’s what Staten Islanders had to say about Trump’s trial and their vote for president '... I wish we had better options,' said one Staten Islander who responded to an Advance/SILive.com poll.

Gen Z: Take our poll!

According to Statista, as of 2022, there are nearly 70 million Gen Zers in the United States. Now, of course, not every person in Gen Z is over 18, which is the age you need to be to vote.

Gen Zers include anyone born between 1997 and 2012. So, for people born in 2006, and before Election Day — which falls on November 5 this year — you can join the ranks of the Staten Island electorate.

Also, feel free to reach out to Jillian Delaney [email protected] about your thoughts on the election!

Hey, Gen Z: We want to know how you feel about the 2024 presidential election Gen Z is the latest generation bestowed with the power to decide the fate of our country.

The Advance/SILive.com is pursuing topics that relate to issues important to the LGBTQ+ community on Staten Island. If you have a topic you’d like to see us address, please email me at
[email protected]. If you are a member of the LGBTQ+ community or an ally and would like to be interviewed about a particular topic, please email us by May 27.

“My life took a turn when I discovered the role of a doula. Intrigued by the profession, I enrolled in doula classes and upon completion, I dedicated myself to making doula care more accessible to those in need,” said Maria Tompkins.

Staten Island doula, 22, says she is ‘a life coach’ for pregnant mothers and parents-to-be 'The role of a doula is to not necessarily speak for the client...but to encourage and remind the pregnant woman that she has a voice.'

Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (R-Staten Island/South Brooklyn), has sponsored a bill that would lower the cost of prescription drugs and increase telehealth services for mental health appointments.

Malliotakis introduces bill to lower prescription drug costs, increase access to telehealth Malliotakis maintains that this policy will save taxpayers roughly $700 million and help reduce seniors’ out-of-pocket drug costs.

We want to hear from Staten Islanders! Please take the poll in this story.

How will Trump’s criminal trial affect your vote in the 2024 presidential election? Has Trump’s support waned on Staten Island since he’s been brought up criminal and other charges?

From workshops to pajama parties,The Pride Center of Staten Island is gearing up for a host of PrideFest 2024 events, which start in May to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community.

PrideFest 2024 starts in May on Staten Island: here’s a list of events 'We are the first to kick off Pride every year in the five boroughs. That way, we can all enjoy each other’s events in the different boroughs.'

“It’s so much fun to have my own money,” said Gabriella Zangla. “People make requests for specific items. I also look up videos on YouTube on how to make certain items that I want.”

‘I’m so proud of her’; This 10-year-old Staten Islander has launched her own business 'Gabriella is learning things now that she would normally be learning at 18 years old.'