New York City

Policy

How NYPD officers are blocking accountability

Covered badge numbers, body cameras turned off and a state law impede transparency.

New York City

Policy

What role should police play in New York’s mental health response?

The COVID-19 pandemic is creating a mental health crisis, and recent turmoil amid protests against police brutality may make it more acute.

Criminal Justice

Policy

NYPD officers eschew masks during protests

The large gatherings of cops and protesters could exacerbate the coronavirus threat.

New York State

Policy

What if Twitter fact-checked New York politicians?

We suggested a few tweets from New York lawmakers that might elicit a double-take from Twitter’s fact checkers.

Budget

Policy

A new pot of pot revenue unlikely to save the state budget

Legalizing recreational marijuana is unlikely this year, and wouldn’t provide immediate fiscal relief.

Technology

Policy

Is Elon Musk more flash than substance?

What we know and what we don’t know about Musk’s promises to help New York during the coronavirus crisis.

Education

Policy

1 in 6 students to attend remote NYC summer school

Lack of resources and too many home distractions contributed to the record number of students falling behind.

MTA

Policy

MTA tests high-tech super-cleaners

Ultraviolet machines, antimicrobials and disinfectants are all at the MTA’s disposal.

Homelessness

Policy

City Council and de Blasio battle over hotels for the homeless

There are concerns about the cost of providing homeless adults with their own rooms – and whether it’s even helpful.

New York City

Policy

De Blasio gets heat for keeping city beaches closed

Yet another example of a policy split between City Hall and Albany, the discord on whether or not New York’s beaches are ready to reopen has prompted criticism from city and state lawmakers who say that if local beaches in the five boroughs aren’t open, New Yorkers will travel to the nearest open beach, causing the potential for overcrowding at a time when that’s the very thing to avoid.

New York City

Policy

What happens when you die in New York City?

Here’s why bodies have piled up in bags on trucks during the COVID-19 outbreak.

New York State

Policy

Unemployment benefits loom large before reopening

Expanding eligibility could help redefine the balance of power in the workplace.

Bill de Blasio

Policy

New York City’s non-strategy to furloughing workers

There are political and practical impediments to immediately and temporarily trimming the New York City payroll – and perhaps tactical reasons for the de Blasio administration not to do so.

Health Care (Archived)

Policy

Critical medical procedures delayed by COVID-19

Everything from cancer treatments to organ transplants have been put off due to the pandemic.

New York State

Policy

How will the city’s most vulnerable weather the crisis?

Economic and health disparities create new challenges for New Yorkers amid the pandemic.

New York State

Policy

How to tackle COVID-19? Launch a task force

What you need to know about the federal, state and city groups responding to the pandemic.

New York State

Policy

Why are NYC’s EMS workers paid less than other first responders?

EMS workers make less than cops and firefighters and COVID-19 has hit them hard. That’s why they want a raise.

Education

Policy

What will NYC kids do this summer?

Without pools and summer camps, there’s no clear plan for the city’s youth after school ends.