About The Big Apple Gazette
The Big Apple Gazette is a nonprofit journalism publication covering civic life, public affairs, and community stories across New York City.
Founded in May 2024 and formally established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit journalism organization in January 2025, the Gazette was created to report from the ground level of the city and provide a platform for the people and communities that shape New York every day.
The publication reports across all five boroughs, covering local politics, community issues, public policy, and cultural developments. Its mission is to connect communities, businesses, and local voices through journalism that informs the public and brings attention to stories that might otherwise go unheard.
Leadership
The Big Apple Gazette was founded by Gonzalo Duran, who serves as the publication’s Editor-in-Chief.
A Bronx native and former United States Marine Corps sergeant, Duran entered journalism through community advocacy. While working with homeless student veterans more than a decade ago, he observed that many of the issues affecting returning service members received little sustained media attention. In response, he began writing independently about veteran services, housing access, and overlooked policy concerns.
His writing gradually expanded into structured reporting and political coverage. Duran contributed to local publications including the Bronx Chronicle and later served as a senior reporter at the Bronx Daily, where he reported on community events, civic forums, and municipal developments. During this period he conducted an interview with New York City Mayor Eric Adams, marking an important milestone in his reporting career.
As his reporting expanded, so did the vision for an independent publication focused on community journalism.
The Big Apple Gazette was conceived in 2023 and launched the following year. In March 2026, Duran was named Editor-in-Chief, formalizing the leadership role he had already developed as the publication expanded its coverage across New York City’s civic and political landscape.
Newsroom and Contributors
The Big Apple Gazette operates as a collaborative newsroom made up of journalists, photographers, producers, writers, and community contributors working together to document stories across New York City.
Contributors participate in reporting, photography, multimedia production, and research, helping the publication cover events, civic issues, and community developments throughout the five boroughs. Volunteers and interns also assist with reporting and production while gaining experience in journalism and media.
Community Journalism
The Gazette covers a wide range of stories reflecting the diversity and complexity of New York City. Reporting includes community events, policy debates, political interviews, and issues affecting neighborhoods across the five boroughs.
The publication also accepts submissions and contributions from writers, photographers, and community members interested in sharing stories that affect their communities.
Media and Public Affairs Programming
In addition to written reporting, the Gazette produces two long-running public affairs programs hosted by Gonzalo Duran. Vet Talk and Political Chit Chat explore issues affecting veterans, local politics, and community life through interviews with public officials, nonprofit leaders, and community members.
The programs air on BronxNet, Manhattan Neighborhood Network, and BRIC TV, with Gary Lutz serving as executive producer.
Mission
As the publication continues to grow, the Gazette aims to expand reporting across all five boroughs while strengthening its digital reach and producing more investigative and long-form journalism.
In a city as large and complex as New York, many important stories never reach wider audiences.
The Big Apple Gazette exists to make sure those stories are heard.