NYC Press Releases

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NYC Expands Free Child Care to 10,000 More Children

New York City will expand free child care to more than 10,000 children by beginning to move families off the city's child care voucher waitlist. The expansion is supported by $1.2 billion in state funding for New York City's child care initiatives, including $475 million designated for child care vouchers. Over the coming weeks, the Administration for Children's Services will begin inviting families on the waitlist to apply, with eligible families receiving vouchers that can cover care at a provider of their choice. The city has also updated its online child care map, allowing parents to search licensed programs and identify providers that accept vouchers. Families will be invited to apply on a rolling basis over the next several months.

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ComicConnect Heads to NY Comic Con Oct. 8-11

ComicConnect and Metropolis Collectibles will bring rare comics, original comic book art and high-end collectibles to New York Comic Con, Oct. 8-11 at the Javits Center in Manhattan.

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Assemblywoman Nikki Lucas Elected Brooklyn Party Chair

Assemblywoman Nikki Lucas was elected Chair of the Kings County Democratic Party and is calling for unity, expanded participation and a stronger Democratic Party focused on communities across Brooklyn.

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NYC Artists Can Now Apply for Grants Up to $10,000

New York City is doubling the maximum amount available through city-funded grants for individual artists and small nonprofits, increasing awards from $5,000 to as much as $10,000 for the first time in nearly two decades. The Department of Cultural Affairs provides the funding through local partners in each borough, supporting filmmakers, musicians, dancers, writers, painters and other creative professionals. Applications are currently open in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan and Queens, while Staten Island's application cycle will begin in November. The city is also expanding support through Materials for the Arts, giving current artist grantees dedicated opportunities to obtain free supplies. Eligibility requirements and application deadlines vary by borough.

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CUNY Gets $1.5M for Paid STEM Research Program

CUNY has received $1.5 million from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation to extend its Transfer to STEM Student Success program for another three years. The initiative supports students moving from CUNY community colleges into STEM bachelor's degree programs at City College, Hunter College, Lehman College and Queens College. The renewed funding is expected to provide research and professional development opportunities to 84 transfer students over the grant period. Participants who complete a full year receive $7,000 and take part in workshops, faculty-mentored summer research and a university-wide symposium. The program, launched in 2023, has already provided year-long experiences and laboratory research opportunities to more than 100 students.

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NY Secures $400M Sandoz Generic Drug Settlement

New York has joined a $400 million settlement with Sandoz Inc. and Fougera Pharmaceuticals stemming from multistate litigation over generic drug pricing. Attorney General Letitia James and a coalition of 47 other attorneys general alleged that pharmaceutical companies coordinated the supply and sale of generic drugs to inflate prices and reduce competition. Sandoz will pay approximately $320.6 million plus interest over seven years, bringing the total to $400 million, with funds designated for impacted consumers across participating states and territories. New Yorkers who purchased certain generic prescription drugs between May 2009 and December 2019 may qualify for compensation. The broader litigation against other generic drug manufacturers remains ongoing.

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NYU Launches NYC Center to Study Microplastics and Health

NYU has launched a new research center bringing engineers and medical researchers together to study the health and environmental effects of plastics and develop safer materials. The NYC Center for Healthier Plastic Solutions is a joint initiative of NYU Tandon School of Engineering and NYU Grossman School of Medicine and is described by NYU as the first U.S. research center dedicated to addressing the full range of health and environmental threats posed by plastics. Researchers will develop and test hundreds of new plastic formulations, including non-petroleum materials, while using artificial intelligence to analyze results and identify promising alternatives. The initiative is supported by more than a dozen active NYU Grossman research projects and nearly $20 million in funding underway in 2026.

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900,000 NYC Medicaid Enrollees Could Risk Coverage

The New York City Health Department is expanding outreach to help Medicaid recipients prepare for new federal requirements taking effect in 2027. Of nearly 3.6 million Medicaid enrollees in the city, the department estimates that up to 900,000 could be at risk of coverage termination under the new requirements. Certain adults ages 19 to 64 will be required to document at least 80 hours per month of work, school, job training or community service, meet an income threshold, or qualify for an exemption. The requirements begin January 1 for new applicants and apply to existing Medicaid recipients beginning with March 2027 renewals. NYC Health has launched resources to help New Yorkers understand the changes and maintain coverage.

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NYC Upgrades Brooklyn Bridge Bike Route in Brooklyn

NYC DOT is beginning work on major bike lane upgrades connecting Brooklyn neighborhoods to the Brooklyn Bridge, where an average of 5,625 cyclists cross each day. The project will redesign Adams Street and Boerum Place between Bergen and Front streets, ultimately creating just over a mile of upgraded cycling infrastructure from Boerum Hill to DUMBO. A two-way protected bike path will replace portions of the existing standard bike lane, which the agency says is frequently blocked by illegally parked vehicles. Work beginning in 2026 will focus on the section between Atlantic Avenue and Tillary Street, with additional improvements planned for 2027. NYC DOT announced the project as part of its annual Biketober cycling initiative.