Laura Ospina
Staff Reporter
Laura.ospina@yale.edu
Laura Ospina covers Yale-New Haven relations and the Latine community for the City desk. Originally from North Carolina's Research Triangle, she is a sophomore in Branford College majoring in Political Science.
Author Archive
LAURA OSPINA
Police union holds rally during Family Weekend

Eight months into contract negotiations, the Yale police union protested the University’s contract offers and also received criticism for their proposal to limit civilian complaints

October 9, 2023

LAURA OSPINA
Yale police union calls for more detective hires, attempts to limit civilian complaints 

Amid contract negotiations, the union characterized the YPD Investigative Services Unit as understaffed and inefficient in a letter to University officials while also attempting to impose a 60-day limit on filing civilian complaints of police misconduct.

October 6, 2023

LAURA OSPINA
Yale Shuttle operator fined $725,000 to settle lawsuit over alleged environmental violations

The Conservation Law Foundation sued First Transit, the Yale shuttle operator, for illegal idling practices that allegedly violated the Clean Air Act in areas surrounding two New Haven bus stops.

September 27, 2023

LAURA OSPINA
University, police union contract negotiations off to rocky start

After the Yale police union’s contract expired on June 30, negotiations have proceeded at a slow pace, with each side pointing to the difficult negotiations process as the other side’s fault.

September 6, 2023

LAURA OSPINA
After more than three decades of organizing, Yale’s graduate student union won recognition last January

Local 33, the graduate and professional student union, received 91 percent support in its official union election, triggering the beginning of contract negotiations with Yale and joining Locals 34 and 35 as recognized Yale unions.

September 1, 2023

LAURA OSPINA
Yale police union distributes flyers alleging a crime-ridden New Haven during contract negotiations

After handing out “Survival Guides” during first-year move-in, the Yale Police Benevolent Association drew criticisms of “fear-mongering” from community members and University and city officials. The union handed out similar leaflets during its four most recent collective bargaining periods.

August 25, 2023

LAURA OSPINA
Role of New Haven public libraries debated after proposed department shift

New Haven public libraries are preparing to enter the Community Services Administration while continuing to promote information accessibility for the New Haven community.

April 7, 2023

LAURA OSPINA
New Haveners react to proposed ban on the term “Latinx” in state general assembly

Following the proposed ban on state agencies using the term “Latinx,” some in the New Haven Latine community believe that the bill may work to erase non-binary identities.

February 20, 2023

LAURA OSPINA
“Community and connection”: LEAP leaps to provide free services to children

As its annual fundraising event approaches, LEAP aims to expand access to education, activities and resources for children from historically disinvested neighborhoods across the city.

February 10, 2023

LAURA OSPINA
Progreso Latino Fund celebrates 20th anniversary with a $20,000 match campaign and nearly $100,000 in grants

To honor this milestone, the Progreso Latino Fund will launch a $20,000 match campaign and up to 40 charitable funds, all with the goal of empowering the Latinx community and expanding Latinx philanthropy in New Haven.

January 27, 2023

LAURA OSPINA
John Martin, founder of Bradley Street Bicycle Co-op, to leave leadership role

Hoping to strengthen the Co-op’s adaptability and work on his mental health, Martin will step away from the community nonprofit in December.

November 10, 2022