NYC Press Releases

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NYC, Lake Placid Explore 2042 Winter Olympics

Governor Kathy Hochul announced the full membership of a nearly 90-member committee exploring whether New York State could host the 2042 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. The Lake Placid–New York City Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games Exploratory Committee held its first full meeting in New York City, bringing together representatives from government, business, sports and community organizations. Members will evaluate the opportunities, challenges and long-term considerations of a potential Games involving Lake Placid and New York City. Hochul also announced $2.5 million in state funding for the Monument to a Miracle project, which will honor the 1980 U.S. Olympic men's ice hockey team and five-time Olympic gold medalist Eric Heiden. No formal bid or host selection was announced.

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Brooklyn Opens Applications for 18 Community Boards

Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso has opened applications for New York City residents interested in serving on Brooklyn's 18 community boards. The volunteer boards provide input on neighborhood issues including land use, liquor licenses, transportation projects and local development. Each board can include up to 50 members who live, work or have a significant interest in the community they represent. Residents age 16 and older are encouraged to apply before the February 8, 2027 deadline at 11:59 p.m. Reynoso said he wants the boards to reflect Brooklyn's diverse neighborhoods and has directed Borough Hall resources toward supporting their operations and long-term sustainability. Applications and additional information are available through the Brooklyn Borough President's Office.

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NYC Expands Free 2-K With 10,000 New Seats in 2027

Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul announced plans to add 10,000 free 2-K seats in fall 2027, expanding New York City's early childhood education program to 22 school districts across all five boroughs. The expansion will introduce programs in 17 additional districts, including neighborhoods in East New York, Brownsville, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Crown Heights, Bushwick and parts of Queens, while extending coverage to every Bronx school district and all of Staten Island. The initiative builds on approximately 2,000 seats launched in fall 2026 and is supported by a $1.2 billion state investment. Programs are expected to operate full-day and full-year, with family application details to be announced in the coming weeks.

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CUNY Opens 14 NYC Campuses for 2026 Election Voting

The City University of New York will provide polling locations across 14 campuses for the November 3, 2026 general election, expanding access to voting across New York City. Ten CUNY locations will host early voting from October 24 through November 1, while seven locations will serve voters on Election Day. Participating campuses include Brooklyn College, Baruch College, Queens College, City College and Hostos Community College. Early voting hours vary by date, while Election Day polls are scheduled to operate from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. CUNY is also providing nonpartisan voter education through its CUNY Votes initiative. Residents should verify their assigned polling location through the NYC Board of Elections before traveling to a campus.

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Brooke Shields Joins Mount Sinai Prostate Cancer PSA

Actress Brooke Shields has partnered with Mount Sinai Health System to direct and appear in a public service announcement encouraging families to discuss prostate cancer screening. The 30-second video uses humor before Shields shares her personal experience of losing her father, who had prostate cancer. The campaign coincides with Mount Sinai's launch of EXPAND-PC, a five-year, $4.2 million federally funded research project examining ways to improve screening access in underserved communities. Researchers plan to conduct a feasibility trial involving 240 men across eight New York City Housing Authority communities, supported by mobile screening services and education. Mount Sinai's broader screening initiative aims to encourage informed conversations with health care providers and improve access to follow-up care.

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CUNY Raises Record $312M in Donations, Up 26%

The City University of New York raised a record $312 million in philanthropic support during fiscal year 2026, a 26% increase from the previous year and the first time the university surpassed $300 million in annual fundraising. CUNY has raised nearly $1.1 billion over four years, with donations supporting scholarships, student assistance and career development across its colleges. The year's largest contribution was a $50 million gift from MacKenzie Scott to Lehman College. Brooklyn College raised $32.4 million, while Baruch College received $34.8 million. Community colleges collectively raised $36.7 million, up from $30.3 million the previous year. CUNY officials said the fundraising growth will expand resources that help students complete degrees and prepare for careers.

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Mamdani Names 4 to NYC Police Oversight Board

Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced four appointments to New York City's Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB), the independent agency responsible for reviewing complaints of police misconduct. The appointees are Reginald Greene, a mediator and former Manhattan prosecutor; Lisa Hoyes, an NYU Law administrator and former public defender; Lisa Landau, a Fordham Law executive with experience in government and public-interest law; and Wesner Pierre, a nonprofit leader with a background in youth development and violence prevention. The board is chaired by Jennifer Jones Austin, while June Northern will continue serving as a member. The appointments bring professional experience in legal advocacy, public administration and community services to the city's civilian police oversight agency.

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NYC Launches $3M Medicaid and SNAP Assistance Team

New York City has launched a $3 million Health and Affordability Resource Team (HART) to help residents navigate federal changes to Medicaid and SNAP benefits. Announced by Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the NYC Health Department, the program will deploy trained community health workers to assist New Yorkers with maintaining health coverage, accessing food and cash assistance, obtaining housing support and seeking relief from hospital bills. City officials estimate that as many as 900,000 New Yorkers could be at risk of losing health coverage when new federal Medicaid requirements take effect January 1, 2027. HART workers, who collectively speak 13 languages, will focus on communities most likely to be affected. Residents can call 347-655-0124 for health insurance enrollment assistance.

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Brooklyn Navy Yard-Based NYC Ferry Workers Join TWU

Technical supervisors at NYC Ferry, whose workforce is primarily based at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, voted unanimously to join the Transport Workers Union of America (TWU). The vote follows successful organizing efforts involving ferry captains, technicians and welders over the past three months. According to TWU, the union now represents hundreds of NYC Ferry employees who work for ferry operator Hornblower. The union is preparing to negotiate initial labor contracts covering the newly organized workers while continuing efforts to organize deckhands. NYC Ferry, which launched in 2017, operates six regular routes and one seasonal route across New York City.