NYC Press Releases

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Kota the Friend Announces Album Out July 30

Brooklyn's Kota the Friend, known globally for his independent success, will release his new album on July 30 while continuing his nationwide Just Happy To Be Here Tour. The upcoming project has also inspired him to showcase more of his musical background on stage, where fans are seeing him perform acoustic guitar alongside a live group of musicians for the first time. The release marks another chapter in Kota's independently built career and ongoing connection with audiences across the country.

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Farah Louis Introduces SCRIE, DRIE Expansion

A new bill introduced by New York City Council Member Farah N. Louis would expand access to the City's SCRIE and DRIE rent freeze programs by increasing the household income eligibility limit to $75,000. The proposal aligns New York City with recently approved state legislation and is intended to help more seniors and New Yorkers with disabilities remain in their homes despite rising housing costs. Supporters say the measure would reduce displacement, strengthen housing stability, and provide financial relief to residents living on fixed or limited incomes while maintaining reimbursement protections for landlords.

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Bellevue Expands ER CT Imaging for Faster Care

NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue has completed a nearly $7 million modernization of its Emergency Department CT suite by bringing a second advanced CT scanner online. The expanded imaging capacity is expected to speed the diagnosis of strokes, traumatic injuries, and other medical emergencies while improving patient flow in one of the nation's busiest emergency departments. Hospital leaders say the upgrade strengthens Bellevue's ability to provide uninterrupted, around-the-clock emergency imaging for the more than 110,000 patients treated annually.

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Kings County Performs First Sensation-Preserving Surgery

NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County has successfully performed its first sensation-preserving nipple-sparing mastectomy, expanding access to an advanced breast cancer surgery within New York City's public hospital system. The innovative procedure is designed to preserve or restore sensation while maintaining effective cancer treatment, helping improve patients' long-term quality of life. Hospital leaders say the milestone reflects Kings County's commitment to bringing advanced, patient-centered surgical care to the diverse communities it serves.

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NY AG James Sues Trump Admin Over Mental Health Cuts

New York Attorney General Letitia James has joined a coalition of 14 attorneys general in filing a new lawsuit to block the U.S. Department of Education from ending federal grants that support school-based mental health services. The coalition argues the administration is attempting to bypass a previous court ruling that prevented similar funding cuts by using a different legal approach. If the funding is eliminated, schools across New York could lose millions of dollars used to hire counselors, psychologists, and social workers, potentially reducing access to critical mental health services for thousands of students.