Brooklyn News

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NYC Council Probes Rising Fires and E-Bike Batteries

The New York City Council has scheduled a November 20 oversight hearing to examine residential fire safety following deadly incidents in Brooklyn and the Bronx. Led by Speaker Julie Menin and two Council committees, the hearing will review enforcement of existing fire prevention laws, public education and lithium-ion battery safety. City data cited by the Council show residential structural fires increased six percent in fiscal year 2026, while battery-related fires have risen sharply compared with 2025. Officials plan to hear testimony from city agencies, safety specialists and residents. The review follows recent fires in Sunset Park and the South Bronx that killed ten people.

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4 NYC Hospitals Earn Bariatric Surgery Recognition

Four hospitals in New York City's public healthcare system have received national recognition for their bariatric surgery services. Harlem and Woodhull earned their first Blue Distinction Center designations, joining Bellevue and Jacobi | North Central Bronx. The designation, awarded through Blue Cross Blue Shield, evaluates healthcare facilities against established standards for surgical quality, patient safety and treatment outcomes. All four hospitals also maintain accreditation through a national bariatric surgery quality improvement program. Their services include weight-loss procedures, medical evaluations and continued care after surgery. Bariatric treatment can help eligible patients manage obesity and related conditions, including diabetes and hypertension.

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Brooklyn Nets Fund $2.89M NYC Court Renovations

Three basketball courts at Brooklyn's Fish Playground have reopened following improvements supported by the Joe and Clara Tsai Foundation's Social Justice Fund. The project replaces aging playing surfaces and equipment while adding spectator seating, drinking water access and upgraded fencing. It completes a broader $2.89 million initiative that renovated 13 courts at five Brooklyn parks, including locations in East New York, Crown Heights, Flatlands and Sunset Park. NYC Parks coordinated the improvements with funding from the foundation, whose founder Clara Wu Tsai also owns the Brooklyn Nets and New York Liberty. The investment expands recreational facilities for neighborhood residents.

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Brooklyn's Floyd Bennett Field Gets $10M for Restoration

New York State is committing $10 million toward restoring two historic aircraft hangars at Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn, advancing plans to expand public access to the former airport. The funding will support initial interior improvements to Hangars 3 and 4, allowing the spaces to accommodate educational activities, workforce training and community programs as redevelopment continues. The Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy is coordinating the initiative with the National Park Service and other partners. Located within Gateway National Recreation Area, Floyd Bennett Field is being positioned as a destination for environmental research, cultural programming and recreation while preserving its aviation heritage.

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NYC Plans 2.1-Mile Third Avenue Redesign in Brooklyn

New York City plans to overhaul a dangerous stretch of Brooklyn's Third Avenue following years of fatal traffic crashes. The 2.1-mile project, spanning 20th Street to 62nd Street, will introduce protected bicycle lanes, redesigned intersections and shorter pedestrian crossings. City officials report that 17 people have died along the corridor over the past decade, prompting calls for stronger safety measures. Construction will begin in 2027, with additional improvements scheduled for 2028. The project also includes a new bicycle connection along 60th Street and forms part of the city's broader Vision Zero initiative to reduce traffic deaths and serious injuries.

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NYC Begins Installing 700 Empire Bins in Brooklyn

Brooklyn is beginning a major change in residential garbage collection as New York City installs more than 700 large, enclosed Empire Bins throughout Community District 2. The new containers will serve eligible apartment buildings in neighborhoods including Downtown Brooklyn, Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, DUMBO and Brooklyn Heights. Designed to replace trash bags left along sidewalks, the system uses secure containers and specialized collection trucks. City officials expect installation across the district to finish by late fall. The Brooklyn rollout follows a similar program in Manhattan and precedes expansion into six additional community districts in 2027, with citywide implementation targeted for 2031.

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Nikki Lucas Urges Albany To Back Her Self-Checkout Bill

New York State Assemblywoman Nikki Lucas is seeking additional legislative backing for a proposal that would give shoppers a 10% discount when using self-checkout at grocery and retailers. Her legislation, Assembly Bill A11501, would require retailers offering self-service checkout to reduce customers' purchase totals. Lucas is encouraging fellow Assembly members to co-sponsor the measure while seeking a Senate sponsor to advance companion legislation. The Brooklyn lawmaker says growing public interest reflects concerns about grocery affordability and the responsibilities customers assume at self-checkout stations. The proposal remains pending and would require legislative approval before becoming law.

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Tracy Morgan Named 2026 NYC Marathon Grand Marshal

Comedian and actor Tracy Morgan will take on a special role at the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon as this year's Grand Marshal. New York Road Runners selected the Brooklyn-born entertainer for the November 1 event, which celebrates 50 years since the marathon expanded into all five boroughs. Morgan will cheer on participants alongside thousands of supporters as runners complete the race in Central Park. The celebration will also recognize individuals connected to the marathon's founding and feature celebrity participants supporting charitable organizations. The annual event brings together athletes, entertainers, volunteers, and spectators from across New York City and beyond.

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Hochul Announces $14M for Brooklyn Cultural Projects

Governor Kathy Hochul announced $14 million in New York State funding for infrastructure and expansion projects at three Brooklyn cultural institutions. The investments include $7 million for the Brooklyn Children's Museum to develop its Earth Science Garden and upgrade museum infrastructure, $5 million for the Hispanic Information and Telecommunications Network (HITN) to expand its production facilities at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, and $2 million for repairs to the Brooklyn Academy of Music's Peter Jay Sharp Building. The funding, administered by the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York, is intended to expand educational programming, support workforce development and preserve cultural facilities serving Brooklyn communities. The projects will be implemented by the respective institutions.