Donald Trump announced plans to scrap federal funding for the Gateway Project, intended to build new Hudson River train tunnels between Manhattan and North Bergen, potentially halting America’s largest mass transit investment mid-dig. Chuck Schumer,…
New York’s Governor Kathy Hochul has signed a law barring landlords from using algorithm-based software, like RealPage’s, to set rents, a move prompted by federal lawsuits and claims it squeezed tenants for $3.8 billion more in 2023 alone. The Empire State joins California and assorted cities from Jersey City to Minneapolis in curbing digital rent hikes—a rare bipartisan quest to outwit the landlord’s new best friend: the algorithm.
A federal judge—Lewis Kaplan—has prolonged an order shielding $33 million in anti-terrorism funds for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority after the Department of Homeland Security threatened to yank them, allegedly for political reasons. New York's Attorney General Letitia James and Governor Kathy Hochul hailed the reprieve, bought until October 22, as a win for subway security—though we suspect D.C. and Albany will remain at cross-purposes long after the next train departs.
Protesters plan to assemble across New York City this Saturday for “No Kings” rallies, their second major demonstration since Donald Trump’s re-election, with organizers expecting up to 100,000 people in Manhattan and sister events nationwide. Federal agencies, uncharacteristically silent on deployment plans, are keeping a watchful eye, while the ACLU has schooled 20,000 would-be marchers on protest rights—proof that, in America, civics class occasionally spills out onto 42nd Street.
Thousands rallied across all 50 states, from Times Square and the Capitol to as far as Berlin, in the “No Kings” protests against Donald Trump’s perceived strongman turn—spurred by his deployment of troops to Democrat-led cities and controversial policy shifts. Organisers claim five million joined, though the day ended peacefully, save growing Republican alarm and eyebrow-raising costume choices that livened up America’s latest family quarrel over authority.
Governor Kathy Hochul has signed an executive order ensuring any New Yorker can access Covid-19 vaccines this flu season, as advice from the CDC, FDA and other authorities still resembles a noisy family dinner more than clear policy. With former President Donald Trump’s administration having trimmed mRNA funding, we note that, at least in New York, eligibility is open even if the federal house can’t settle its menu.
After three years of waiting, New York’s MTA is still hoping FEMA—or more precisely, the Trump administration—will cough up $600 million to cover COVID-era cleaning contracts, lest riders and taxpayers foot the bill. With financial watchdogs sceptical and the feds unresponsive, the agency may soon have to plug the gap itself—either by squeezing passengers, trimming service, or resorting to that perennial favorite, “new efficiencies.”
As New York City girds for another flu season—last year saw 43 million American cases and 1,500 to 2,000 local deaths—Staten Island health experts urge us to embrace the humble trivalent vaccine, now free through Medicaid and most insurers. The CDC expects more of the same; as ever, fever and body aches care little for vaccine hesitancy, nor for fevered debates about nasal sprays.
New York’s Education Department suggests math teachers ditch timed tests, rote drills, and explicit instruction—citing student stress and favoring exploratory learning. The advice, courtesy of University of Michigan academics, quickly drew fire from almost 200 mathematicians and educators, led by Benjamin Solomon, who demanded a retraction and warned it might produce anything but numeracy. We are left to wonder if calculators, too, will soon be deemed harrowing.
