NYC Press Releases

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NYC Dashboard Tracks Employers With Labor Violations

New York City Comptroller Mark Levine has released the latest Employer Violations Dashboard, providing workers and the public with a centralized look at private-sector companies cited for breaking workplace laws across the five boroughs. The 2026 update draws on enforcement records from city, state and federal agencies covering issues such as unpaid wages, workplace safety, discrimination, scheduling practices and union-related disputes. Among the employers highlighted are Amazon, Starbucks, DoorDash and several construction, home care and retail companies. The searchable database also includes information about settlements, penalties and enforcement actions, giving New Yorkers a way to research employers' labor records and examine patterns of workplace violations documented by government agencies.

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Weight Loss Drug Use Rising Fast Among Young Children

GLP-1 medications, widely known as weight loss drugs, are still rarely prescribed to young children with obesity, but their use is increasing quickly across the United States. New research from NYU Langone Health examined prescribing patterns among children ages 8 to 11 and found substantial growth since 2019, particularly among those with severe obesity or related health problems. The findings also point to differences in access, with children in higher-income communities more likely to receive the medications. Researchers say GLP-1 drugs may help address serious long-term health risks associated with childhood obesity, while emphasizing the need for continued safety monitoring and broader access as prescribing expands and clinical trials include even younger children.

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NYC Establishes 9/11 Day of Remembrance and Service

As New York City prepares to mark 25 years since the September 11 terrorist attacks, Mayor Zohran Mamdani is taking new steps to formalize remembrance while strengthening the city’s emergency readiness. Two executive orders will establish September 11 as NYC’s first official Day of Remembrance and Service and update how city agencies prepare to maintain critical operations during emergencies. The annual observance will include a moment of silence while encouraging memorial events, educational programs, volunteerism and community service across the five boroughs. Separately, the city will create a new interagency Continuity and Mission Assurance Team to coordinate emergency planning among key agencies. Together, the initiatives connect the legacy of September 11 with public service, resilience and the city’s responsibility to remain operational during future crises.

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Crown Heights Tenants Move Closer to Homeownership

Three rent-stabilized Crown Heights apartment buildings with a history of serious housing violations have changed ownership, potentially opening a new chapter for 88 households that have spent years demanding better living conditions. The properties at 1018 Eastern Parkway, 1074 Eastern Parkway and 1392 Sterling Place collectively have nearly 1,000 open code violations and have required emergency intervention by the city. The transfer is particularly significant because members of the Dukler Tenant Union have organized for years around building repairs, stronger tenant oversight and ultimately resident ownership. New owner Mark Schwartz has reached an agreement with the tenant group that calls for rehabilitation of the properties with tenant involvement and movement toward ownership. HPD and the Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants are expected to remain involved as repairs and investment move forward.

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NYPD Reports Safest NYC Summer for Shootings

New York City recorded historic public safety gains during summer 2026, with the NYPD reporting the lowest number of shooting incidents, shooting victims and murders for a summer in recorded city history. The declines extended into August, when major crime dropped 6.6% compared with the same month last year. The department also reported record-setting results in public housing and the subway system, including an August with no murders or shootings in transit. While many major crime categories declined, felony assaults remained slightly higher and confirmed hate crimes increased year to date, providing important context to the broader improvements in the city’s crime statistics.

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NYU Study Links GLP-1 Drugs to Male Hair Loss Risk

A new NYU Langone Health study has identified a genetic connection that may help explain why some men experience hair loss while using GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Zepbound. Researchers found that men already genetically predisposed to androgenetic alopecia, commonly known as male-pattern hair loss, could face an additional 7 percent risk associated with GLP-1 activity. The findings go beyond previous theories that hair shedding among people taking the medications is primarily caused by rapid weight loss. Researchers say additional studies are needed to understand the biological mechanism and determine whether a similar genetic relationship exists in women.

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NYC Schools Pause Generative AI for Younger Students

New York City is putting new limits on how artificial intelligence and other technology are used in public school classrooms, with a one-year moratorium on student-facing generative AI for students from 2-K through eighth grade. The policy, which will affect nearly 600,000 students, also establishes screen-time guidelines while taking a more controlled approach to AI for older students. High school students will receive AI literacy instruction, and a limited number will participate in supervised pilot programs designed to test educational uses of the technology. A new Technology in Schools Coalition will evaluate the policy and pilots during the 2026-27 school year and make recommendations about the future role of AI in NYC schools.

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NYC Makes Outdoor Dining Permanent Year-Round

New York City restaurants will now be able to operate roadway dining throughout the year under newly signed legislation eliminating seasonal restrictions on outdoor setups. The change is designed to reduce costs and regulatory burdens for restaurants that previously had to dismantle roadway structures during the winter and rebuild them in the spring. NYC transportation officials are expected to develop guidelines for winterizing outdoor dining areas, potentially making participation more practical for restaurants across the five boroughs while expanding dining options for New Yorkers year-round.

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Mount Sinai Launches Genomic AI Research Center

Mount Sinai’s Icahn School of Medicine has established a new research center that will explore how genetics and the microorganisms living in the human gut may work together to influence disease development and patient outcomes. Using advanced sequencing technologies and artificial intelligence, researchers plan to analyze complex biological data in search of patterns that could help explain why diseases progress differently among patients and why individuals can respond differently to the same treatments. Initial research will concentrate on Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and gastrointestinal cancers, with the broader goal of supporting more personalized approaches to disease risk, diagnosis and treatment.