Bronx News

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NYC Council Probes Rising Fires and E-Bike Batteries

The New York City Council has scheduled a November 20 oversight hearing to examine residential fire safety following deadly incidents in Brooklyn and the Bronx. Led by Speaker Julie Menin and two Council committees, the hearing will review enforcement of existing fire prevention laws, public education and lithium-ion battery safety. City data cited by the Council show residential structural fires increased six percent in fiscal year 2026, while battery-related fires have risen sharply compared with 2025. Officials plan to hear testimony from city agencies, safety specialists and residents. The review follows recent fires in Sunset Park and the South Bronx that killed ten people.

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NYC Hospital Opens New Mosque for Patients and Staff

NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi has opened a dedicated mosque on its Bronx campus, providing Muslim patients, families and hospital employees with a larger space for worship. The newly renovated prayer area accommodates up to 75 people and includes Qur'an copies, shoe storage and facilities for ritual washing before prayer. The opening follows decades of requests for a permanent Muslim worship space, dating back to 1999. Located on the hospital's third floor, the mosque joins existing Catholic, Jewish and non-denominational prayer facilities. Hospital leaders described the addition as part of their commitment to respecting the religious needs of the communities they serve.

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4 NYC Hospitals Earn Bariatric Surgery Recognition

Four hospitals in New York City's public healthcare system have received national recognition for their bariatric surgery services. Harlem and Woodhull earned their first Blue Distinction Center designations, joining Bellevue and Jacobi | North Central Bronx. The designation, awarded through Blue Cross Blue Shield, evaluates healthcare facilities against established standards for surgical quality, patient safety and treatment outcomes. All four hospitals also maintain accreditation through a national bariatric surgery quality improvement program. Their services include weight-loss procedures, medical evaluations and continued care after surgery. Bariatric treatment can help eligible patients manage obesity and related conditions, including diabetes and hypertension.

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Gotham Health Expands Child Development Care in Bronx

NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health is expanding developmental-behavioral pediatric care at its Morrisania location in the Bronx, building on services at St. Nicholas in Harlem. The multidisciplinary program brings together pediatric specialists, speech and occupational therapists, psychologists, physiatrists and social workers to support children with autism, developmental delays, learning difficulties and behavioral challenges. Between April and October 2026, the two locations recorded 5,151 developmental pediatrics encounters, including 4,441 at Morrisania and 710 at St. Nicholas. Dr. John Gaipa provides specialized developmental care at Morrisania, while Dr. Tyrone Bentley leads developmental evaluation services at St. Nicholas. Families can learn more or request appointments through Gotham Health's central scheduling line.

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NYCHA Reopens Edenwald Senior Center After 25 Years

Residents of Edenwald Houses in the Bronx are regaining important community services following the reopening of renovated senior, community and child care centers. The $8.1 million improvements are part of a larger $783 million modernization of the NYCHA development, which houses nearly 5,000 residents in 2,035 apartments. The senior center, closed for more than two decades, has reopened with a commercial kitchen, computer lab and expanded services, including meals and transportation assistance. It is named in honor of longtime tenant association president Walter J. McNeill, who advocated for its restoration. The community center will provide youth programming, while the child care facility received accessibility and safety upgrades. Additional housing renovations remain underway through NYCHA's PACT program.

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NYC to Add Real-Time Bus Arrival Screens at 700 Stops

New York City bus riders will soon have access to real-time arrival information at hundreds of additional stops, making it easier to plan trips without relying on a smartphone. The NYC Department of Transportation plans to work with bus shelter operator JCDecaux to double the number of stops offering arrival information from approximately 700 to 1,400, beginning this year and reaching all five boroughs. The expansion is part of the city's Next Stop bus improvement plan, which aims to provide real-time information at 2,900 stops by 2030. Digital screens will show expected bus arrival times, helping riders manage their wait and make more informed travel decisions. Additional displays are also planned for bus stop poles.

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NYC Voters Get Federal Election Protection Hotlines

New York City voters preparing for the November 3 general election will have direct access to federal prosecutors if they encounter possible voting rights violations, intimidation or election-related misconduct. The U.S. Attorney's Offices covering the city's five boroughs have designated attorneys to coordinate complaints during early voting, which begins October 24, and on Election Day. Separate telephone lines will serve Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island, and Manhattan and the Bronx, helping residents reach the appropriate federal district. The Justice Department's program addresses potential violations of federal election law, while local boards of elections remain responsible for routine voting questions. Federal officials also emphasize that immediate threats or violence at polling places should be reported to 911.

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CUNY Enrollment Rises for Fourth Straight Year

The City University of New York reported a fourth consecutive year of enrollment growth, with preliminary fall 2026 figures showing a 3.2% increase across the university system. Total enrollment reached approximately 253,000 students, up nearly 12% since 2022, representing about 27,000 additional students. Community colleges and graduate programs each recorded 5% growth, while Bronx Community College and Borough of Manhattan Community College reported 9% increases. Graduate enrollment climbed to nearly 31,000 students, exceeding pre-pandemic levels. Governor Kathy Hochul highlighted the expansion of CUNY Reconnect, a tuition-free community college initiative for eligible adults ages 25 to 55, which currently serves 9,786 students and has expanded to additional campuses.

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NYC Red Light Cameras Now at 600 Intersections

New York City has completed the expansion of its Red Light Camera Program, installing cameras at 600 intersections across all five boroughs, Mayor Zohran Mamdani and NYC Department of Transportation Commissioner Mike Flynn announced. The expansion reaches the maximum number of intersections permitted under current state law. According to NYC DOT, red light running has declined by more than 80% at camera locations, while injuries from rear-end collisions have fallen nearly 60% and injuries from T-bone crashes have decreased 70% since installation. The city selects camera locations based partly on crash and injury histories. Officials say the expanded program will strengthen efforts to prevent dangerous driving and improve street safety.