Erin Horan

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Dennis Papadatos, 74, owner of Dennis Hairstylist, poses with one of his customers in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn.

Olympic swimmer Lia Neal, the pride of Fort Greene, returned from London to an emotional celebration of her bronze medal victory in the summer games. Full story here.

For the first time in 60 years, Libyans around the world cast their ballots on July 7th, marking the first nationwide election since the fall of Col. Muammar Gadhafi. Libyan nationals living in Britain traveled to London to vote at one of six polling stations outside their country; the other stations located in United States, Canada, Jordan, Germany, and the United Arab Emirates.

Nearly 3 million people voted for a new national congress,  replacing Libya’s transitional council, with the task of drafting the country’s first constitution and appointing a new prime minister. The congress will comprise of 200 seats, 120 for individual candidates, and 80 for political parties.

Rawan Bouod, 21, shows off purple ink on her index finger after voting for the first time. Photo: Erin Horan

For Libyans living in the UK, voting in the country’s first democratic election was both monumental and emotional. “I’m hoping the system will move forward,” said Rawan Bouod, a 21-year-old from London, whose family is from Benghazi.  “It will be an honor to tell people that I took part in this election. I think for women, it’s a more thrilling experience,” she added.

Voters in the Britain didn’t have the advantage of seeing campaign posters on street corners, or hearing local candidates speak. Instead, social media played a major role in information dissimination. From fan pages for candidates to polling locations, the web was one of the 5 w’s on who, what, where, when, and why to vote.  One polling station attendant described it as, “Libya 2.0″.

In the gallery below, Libyans living in London discuss the significance of this first election and what it means to them.

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note: photos taken via iPhone

Three Ambassadors from the United Nations missions of Jamaica, Pakistan and Uganda, were interviewed this spring by CUNY Graduate School of Journalism students (Erin Horan, Gwen McClure, and Sarah Kazadi). The diplomats focused on topics relevant to their countries and regions and spoke unscripted. Full story here.

The mother of the man arrested for the first homicide of the year in the 88th Precinct says that her son was armed and arguing with the murdered man — but claims that another person actually fired the fatal bullet. Read more here.

Mother’s Day package on The Local:

“Another Mother’s Day is upon us — but the hard-working team at The Local isn’t going to just buy you flowers or recommend a good brunch spot. No, this morning, we’re tackling the real issue behind Mother’s Day: motherhood.”

Full event here.

Roles: Producer & Field Reporter

A city plan to mix cyclists with drivers on a narrow stretch of Ashland Place will actually make things worse for riders, cyclist advocates say. Full story here.

In 2008, millions of Americans across the U.S. found themselves rethinking their everyday routines. The recession crept into our offices, our homes, and our paychecks – leaving many without financial security, without money to pay for rent, bills, healthcare, or a place to call home. 

Photo credit: Brandon McGraw

With gas prices over $4.00 in 2008, many Americans began to take a serious look into using public transportation, cycling to work, and carpooling. However, with the spike in gas prices came higher fares, tolls, and budget cuts on transportation spending.

According to the American Public Transportation Association, in 2009, public transportation ridership climbed to it’s highest level in 52 years. Fast forward to 2012, and gas prices are down 13 cents from one year ago. 

But will declining gas prices change the way you commute? For many across the country, the recession still dictates how money is spent from day-to-day. From walking instead of riding the train, to skipping that cup of coffee – every dollar counts.

Check out the website below to see how people across the U.S. continue to cope with cost of commuting in wake of the recession:

Website URL: http://minutestomiles.posterous.com/

Rep. Ed Towns is ending his 30-year career in Congress to play more golf and spend time with his wife, his campaign manager told The Local yesterday. More on the story here.

Ta-Nehisi Coates, a Senior Editor for The Atlantic, linked to my “Stop the Violence” story that was originally featured on The Local,  The New York Times Hyperlocal Blog. Check out the full article here.

photo credit: Erin Horan

Hundreds of protestors marched through Fort Greene on Palm Sunday to protest three shootings in the Ingersoll and Whitman Houses that resulted in two deaths last month. Full story here.

The New York Times Education site, SchoolBook picked up my story on the new Urban Assembly Unison School. Check it out here. 

More than three dozen Clinton Hill parents and students gave a warm welcome to the new Urban Assembly Unison School, distancing themselves from a group of activists that hours earlier appealed a city ruling to close the existing middle school to make room for the new program in the same Gates Avenue building. Read more here. 

The alleged gunman wanted for the first homicide of the year in the 88th Precinct turned himself in after a two-day manhunt on Saturday — but his lawyer said cops have the wrong man. Read more here.

A Fort Greene Assemblyman whose current constituents were cut out of a proposed congressional district that he hopes to represent said on Thursday that his objection to the new lines is not about personal ambition but about justice for black voters. Read more here. 

The city will replace its failing Satellite Three middle school with a new intermediate program that will offer a collaborative curriculum designed by a New York University professor to nurture individual learning styles. Read more here. 

In honor of Black History Month, “The Local” has teamed up with the Fort Greene Association to produce profiles on influential Fort Greene Residents. Check out the profile I did on Isabella Lee of the Walt Whitman Houses.

Full story here.

Check out my recent story on the Brown Memorial Baptist Church Rededication in Fort Greene, Brooklyn.

Full story here.

The Huffington Post ran our vox-pop story today. My interview with Stephanie Coughlan is the first one listed in the article. Check it out!

Seasons change, and so do budgets.

In 2008, New York City eliminated it’s composting program due to undisclosed financial issues. Over 37 community districts saw their neighborhood collections disappear, including East Flatbush.

Project Leafdrop, Flatbush Brooklyn. Photo credit: Erin Horan

Read the full statement here.

Now, as a result of the suspension, yard waste such as leaves, mulch, and weeds are picked up by the Department of Sanitation and taken to the landfill.

To solve this issue, East Flatbush residents have come up with a new strategy to recycle their yard waste.  Project Leafdrop, sponsored by NYCLeaves, is a non-profit organization that helps community districts continue to compost.

In the video below, Kady Ferguson, Brooklyn resident and volunteer at Project Leafdrop, tells us why she became involved in the program, and how it helps the community.

Project Leafdrop, Flatbush, Brooklyn from Erin Horan on Vimeo.

Occupy Wall Street Protesters have erected a tent city in Zuccotti Park in preparation for December’s winter weather. Erin Horan reports for the NYCity News Service in lower Manhattan.

Occupy Wall Street Protesters Brace for Winter Weather from Erin Horan on Vimeo.

Role: Reporter, Producer, Final Cut Pro Editor, Videographer

Shot on: November 3rd, 2011

Despite the economic downturn, one New York City restaurant never appears to have an empty table. Katz’s Delicatessen, located on Houston Street, has been in establishment since 1888. They serve over 100 customers per day. The menu offers a variety of traditional Jewish cuisine, from matzo ball soup, to rueben sandwiches, and knishes. The average cost of a hot sandwich is between $15.00 and $17.00 dollars, which may seem expensive to residents and visitors, especially in the economic recession. I decided to take a behind-the-scenes look at a typical lunchtime at Katz’s deli, who makes it happen, and why people go there.

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