NYC Press Releases

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Mount Sinai Expert Joins National COVID Brain Study

A Mount Sinai researcher in New York City will help evaluate what scientists currently understand about the potential effects of COVID-19 infection on memory, attention, learning and other areas of cognitive functioning. Jacqueline Becker, PhD, of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, has been selected to serve on a National Academies committee reviewing research involving people from childhood through older adulthood. The panel’s work will explore how cognitive outcomes may vary with infection severity, reinfection and long COVID, while also assessing evidence surrounding vaccination and neurological risks. Becker brings extensive experience studying post-COVID cognitive impairment and infection-related chronic conditions, including leadership roles in major federally funded research programs. The committee’s findings are expected to inform understanding of COVID-related cognitive health issues and their potential implications for military personnel, veterans and health care planning.

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SPAM Hot Honey Hits Win Son Bakery in NYC This Week

SPAM is introducing its new Hot Honey variety to New York City through a limited-time collaboration with Win Son Bakery, bringing the sweet-and-spicy flavor to both Brooklyn and Manhattan. Running through September 20, the promotion gives New Yorkers a chance to try the product in dishes created specifically for the partnership, including a breakfast sandwich built on Win Son’s scallion pancake and a Taiwanese-inspired rice roll. The collaboration extends beyond food with a small collection of co-branded apparel and accessories available online and at the bakery’s locations. For Brooklyn diners, the campaign pairs a nationally recognized food brand with a local restaurant known for putting a contemporary spin on Taiwanese-American flavors.

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New York AG Wins Supreme Court Mail-In Voting Fight

The U.S. Supreme Court has allowed a lower-court injunction against a new U.S. Postal Service mail-in voting rule to remain in effect for the 2026 election. New York Attorney General Letitia James and a multistate coalition challenged the policy in August, arguing that it could interfere with states’ election procedures and prevent otherwise eligible voters from successfully receiving or returning ballots. A federal court initially halted the rule and later issued a preliminary injunction while the lawsuit proceeds. The Supreme Court declined to stay that injunction, meaning the disputed USPS requirements will remain blocked through the November election as the underlying legal challenge continues. James characterized the decision as a protection for voters and urged eligible Americans to participate in the election.

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SL Green NYC Office Leasing Nears 1.8M Square Feet

SL Green is reporting significant leasing activity across its Manhattan office portfolio in 2026, providing another indicator of demand for high-end commercial space in New York City. The real estate company has completed nearly 1.8 million square feet of office leasing this year, while maintaining an additional pipeline of prospective transactions. Several prominent Manhattan addresses are contributing to that performance, including 245 Park Avenue and One Vanderbilt, where major corporate tenants continue to occupy substantial space. The results are particularly noteworthy as landlords, businesses and investors watch the pace of New York City’s office-market recovery and the performance of premium properties. SL Green’s latest figures provide a snapshot of how one of Manhattan’s largest commercial landlords is performing amid the evolving workplace and real estate environmen

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651 ARTS Names 3 New Board Members in Brooklyn

651 ARTS is strengthening its leadership with the addition of three professionals whose careers span communications, media, arts, corporate community relations and nonprofit governance. Tashion Macon, Cori Murray and Toni Yuille Williams bring experience connected to prominent brands and institutions across the cultural and civic landscape, with particularly strong ties to Brooklyn and Black media. The appointments expand the expertise available to the Brooklyn-based performing arts organization as it plans for its next phase of growth and community engagement. The new board members also deepen 651 ARTS’ connections across entertainment, journalism, philanthropy and New York City’s cultural sector.

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Columbia: NYC Loses $300M in Natural Gas Annually

A Columbia University study offers new insight into a major source of methane emissions across the New York City metropolitan area, pointing to natural gas consumption in buildings rather than primarily to leaks from underground pipelines. Researchers found that methane releases closely followed seasonal gas demand, including during both winter heating and summer cooling periods. Their analysis suggests inefficient combustion in building systems may account for a significant share of emissions that previous inventories have underestimated. The researchers estimate methane associated with natural gas represents about 1.7% of gas delivered across the system, with the lost fuel potentially worth nearly $300 million based on recent retail prices. The findings could give New York City another avenue for reducing greenhouse-gas emissions while improving energy efficiency and lowering the economic cost of wasted natural gas.

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NYC Teacher Awards Open With $400K in Prizes

Nominations are now open for the 2026-2027 FLAG Award for Teaching Excellence, a citywide program recognizing exceptional New York City public school educators from 3-K through 12th grade. The program will distribute $400,000 in prizes to winning teachers, finalists and their schools, with six grand-prize educators each receiving $25,000 and additional funding going toward school arts initiatives. Students, families, educators and other members of school communities can submit nominations through November 29, 2026. Eligible nominees must be full-time NYC public school teachers with at least five years of classroom experience. Finalists will be selected through an independent review process, with the 2026-2027 winners scheduled to be announced in June 2027.

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Calvin Klein Spring 2027 Runway Show Hits NYC

Calvin Klein Collection unveiled its Spring 2027 collection in New York City under Creative Director Veronica Leoni, bringing the fashion house’s evolving interpretation of American minimalism to Terminal Warehouse. The runway presentation focused on streamlined silhouettes, refined tailoring and familiar wardrobe staples reworked through proportion, fabric and construction. The historic Manhattan venue incorporated artwork by Walter De Maria, creating an industrial setting for a show that blended fashion, art and music. The event also attracted a high-profile audience spanning entertainment, fashion, dance and digital culture, including Rosalía, Teyana Taylor, Solange, Emily Ratajkowski, Pamela Anderson, Katie Holmes, Misty Copeland and St. Vincent. The presentation positions Calvin Klein’s Spring 2027 collection firmly within New York’s global fashion conversation.

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NYC Labor Rally Honors 9/11 Workers, Draws 5,000

More than 5,000 union members representing over 50 unions gathered in Lower Manhattan for the New York City Central Labor Council’s 2026 Labor Day Rally and March, combining a celebration of organized labor with remembrance of the workers who responded to the September 11 attacks. The event highlighted the role union members played in the city’s rescue, recovery and rebuilding efforts while connecting that legacy to current concerns facing New York workers. Participants marched past the World Trade Center site on their way to Foley Square, with labor leaders, rank-and-file members and elected officials taking part. Governor Kathy Hochul, Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Attorney General Letitia James and other city and state leaders were among those attending the gathering.