In Bed-Stuy News This Week

Here's a chance to catch up on all the news highlights you may have missed throughout the week. To follow is a quick recap of what made the headlines on Bed-Stuy Patch. Even if you recognize some of the stories, feel free to review and share your feedback.

1. This past Tuesday, mayor yesterday signed into law a ban on smoking in city parks, beaches and boardwalks. In 2002, the mayor banned smoking in restaurants, bars and other public indoor spaces. This latest law extends the no-smoke zone to all public plazas. In Bed-Stuy, the new smoking ban has been met with mixed reviews. See what residents have to say .

2. Mayor Michael Bloomberg presented a $65.6 billion preliminary budget for next fiscal year last Thursday that would dismiss more than 4,500 New York City public school teachers after this school year ends. The proposed budget is for the fiscal year that starts in July, and already, it is drawing criticism from parents in Bed-Stuy. Read more about it .

3. Last Friday, the Republican-controlled House of Representatives passed legislation which, if voted through by the Senate, would cut all funding for family planning programs, known as Title X (Title Ten). Eliminating Title X would strip federal funding from Planned Parenthood, cutting money for contraceptives, HIV tests, breast and cervical cancer screenings, annual exams and many other reproductive health and family planning services. Bed-Stuy residents weighed in. Click to hear what they had to say.

4. A gigantic billboard was erected in the heart of SoHo this week that read, "The Most Dangerous Place for an African American is in The Womb." It featured a picture of a little black girl and was sponsored by a pro-life group known as Life Always. The billboard was the cause of much controversy, as many New Yorkers, particularly African-American women, found it offensive. The backlash was so bad that it was taken down on Friday. But read to see the billboard for yourself and the reader feedback.

5. Residents of Bed-Stuy are divided around Mayor Bloomberg's move to overhaul how tenure is awarded to teachers in New York City public schools. The change would move away from the "last-in, first-out" model that guided hiring and firing practices in the past, and instead place more emphasis on a merit-based system guided by teacher performance. Read more about the new plan .