NYC Press Releases

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NY Moves to Protect Historic Queens Burial Ground

A historic burial ground in Elmhurst, Queens, believed to contain the remains of more than 300 New Yorkers, many of whom were formerly enslaved, is at the center of a state legal effort as the property approaches a foreclosure sale. New York Attorney General Letitia James is seeking to intervene in the case involving 47-11 90th Street so prospective buyers are informed about the human remains and their responsibilities under state burial-site protections. The property’s history as a burial ground dates to 1818 and is connected to the United African Society of Newtown, which later became St. Mark African Methodist Episcopal Church. State officials are seeking safeguards intended to prevent additional disturbance of remains still believed to be at the site.

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AOC Helps Win $351M Authorization for NYC Flood Projects

Flood prevention and water infrastructure projects in the Bronx and Queens could receive a major federal boost under legislation passed by the U.S. House of Representatives. The Water Resources Development Act of 2026 includes authorization for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to spend up to $351 million on projects serving New York communities, including improvements to stormwater, wastewater and flood-control infrastructure. The provision was requested by Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and other members of New York’s congressional delegation following previous federal efforts to address flooding in Queens. The legislation also includes provisions involving community outreach and environmental restoration in local waterways. The House-passed measure must still go through additional congressional steps before becoming law.

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NYC Reaches 200,000 Pothole Repairs in Brooklyn

New York City has reached 200,000 pothole repairs for the year, marking the milestone on Troutman Street in Brooklyn’s Bushwick neighborhood. NYC Department of Transportation crews continue to address damaged roadways while carrying out a broader street repaving program across all five boroughs. The agency reports that crews are repairing an average of approximately 3,000 potholes each week and have paved 757 lane miles so far this year. The latest milestone follows the city’s 100,000th repair, completed earlier this year on Staten Island. Residents can report damaged street conditions through NYC311, which routes pothole complaints and other nonemergency service requests to the appropriate city agencies for review and response.

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NYC Weill Cornell Gets $17.4M for Tuberculosis Research

New York City researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine have received a $17.4 million federal grant to pursue new ways of shortening tuberculosis treatment and making therapy easier for patients to complete. The five-year research initiative will examine why some TB bacteria survive existing medications and identify biological vulnerabilities that could lead to faster and more effective drug combinations. Weill Cornell scientists will work with researchers from Rockefeller University, Tufts University and other collaborators, using approaches that include genomics, single-cell technologies and machine learning. The research could help address a persistent challenge in tuberculosis care: current antibiotic regimens can require months of treatment, increasing the likelihood that patients discontinue therapy before the infection has been fully eliminated.

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NYC Mount Sinai Studies Link Wildfire Smoke to Health Risks

New research led by the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai suggests that long-term exposure to wildfire smoke may carry greater health risks than comparable amounts of air pollution from other sources. Two large studies examined the effects of wildfire-related fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5, on patients with lung cancer and people hospitalized for cardiovascular and respiratory conditions. Researchers found associations between wildfire pollution and poorer survival following lung cancer diagnoses, as well as increased hospitalization risks for conditions affecting the heart and lungs. The findings are particularly relevant as smoke from major fires increasingly travels across large portions of the United States, potentially exposing communities far from active wildfires and raising new questions about how health systems address air-quality risks.

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Free East New York Concert Brings 4 Days of Music

East New York will host four days of free live music, health programming and community resources beginning September 17, as New York State Assemblywoman Nikki Lucas and legendary DJ Watkins bring the annual East New York Concert and Wellness Series back to Brooklyn. The celebration on Van Siclen Avenue will feature Caribbean and Latin music, House, Hip-Hop, R&B, Gospel and Jazz, with scheduled performers including Doug E. Fresh, Nice & Smooth, Angela Winbush, Howard Hewett, Crystal Waters, Byron Stingily and other artists and DJs. Saturday’s program will also include health screenings, while community organizations will connect residents with wellness, public-safety and neighborhood resources. Running through September 20, the free series combines entertainment with services for families from East New York, Starrett City, Brownsville, Canarsie and surrounding Brooklyn communities.

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NY Bill Would Ban Sales of Illegal High-Speed E-Motos

New York lawmakers have introduced legislation targeting the sale and marketing of high-speed electric vehicles that do not meet state requirements for legal e-bikes and scooters. Senate Bill S.10700, sponsored by State Senator Kristen Gonzalez, would establish definitions for e-motos and electric off-highway motorcycles while restricting how certain vehicles can be sold and advertised. The proposal follows growing concern over faster electric devices operating on New York City streets and bike lanes, including after a fatal collision on the Queensboro Bridge this summer. The legislation would also require consumer warnings and address retailers that market noncompliant vehicles as conventional e-bikes or scooters. Supporters say the approach focuses enforcement on sellers while preserving access to legal micromobility options.

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Ronald McDonald House New York Unveils Renovation

Ronald McDonald House New York has completed a major renovation of shared family spaces at its Upper East Side residence, where children undergoing treatment for cancer and other serious illnesses stay with their families. The redesigned second floor at 405 East 73rd Street includes expanded areas for meals, recreation, education and family activities, along with spaces where caregivers can work or take private calls. New amenities include updated kitchens, dedicated play and tutoring areas, and a soundproof studio for music and podcast activities. The project is intended to provide families staying in Manhattan for medical care with more opportunities to maintain everyday routines and spend time together while navigating lengthy or demanding periods of pediatric treatment.

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Harlem Hospital Expands Adult Sickle Cell Clinic Hours

Adults living with sickle cell disease have expanded access to specialized treatment at NYC Health + Hospitals/Harlem following an increase in operating hours for the hospital’s new adult clinic. Launched in January, the program now sees patients on Mondays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and combines management of sickle cell disease with routine primary and preventive healthcare. Patients can receive medications, screenings, pain-management support and assistance coordinating their care without having to navigate a separate medical practice for everyday health needs. The Harlem-based program also connects patients with social and community health workers who can assist with behavioral health concerns and challenges involving food or housing. Harlem is one of three NYC Health + Hospitals locations providing specialized adult sickle cell care.