Brooklyn

John Dewey Annex Adds 553 New Brooklyn School Seats

A new middle school facility in Gravesend is expanding public school capacity in southern Brooklyn as New York City prepares for the 2026–27 academic year. The John Dewey Annex at 106 Avenue X provides space for 553 students in grades six through eight and connects younger students with the neighboring John Dewey High School community. The $77.71 million project includes traditional classrooms along with science, arts, music, physical education, library and student-support spaces. The Brooklyn annex is part of a broader expansion of school facilities across the city intended to accommodate enrollment needs and help schools meet state class-size requirements. Ten new facilities opening this school year are expected to add 4,656 seats citywide.

$2.2B Maimonides, NYC Health + Hospitals Deal Advances

Maimonides Health is a step closer to becoming part of NYC Health + Hospitals after a New York State health planning committee unanimously approved the proposed transaction. The plan now heads to the full Public Health and Health Planning Council, which is scheduled to consider it on September 17. The partnership is supported by $2.2 billion in state funding over five years and is designed to strengthen Maimonides’ financial position while preserving critical hospital and specialty services in Brooklyn. The funding would also support major improvements, including a transition to the Epic electronic health record system and upgrades to hospital facilities, while bringing Maimonides access to higher Medicaid reimbursement rates.

Fusion East Hosts Live R&B for End-of-Summer Event

Fusion East is continuing its live entertainment programming with an end-of-summer performance by Out of the Blue on Tuesday September 1. The evening combines R&B singers and live musicians with the restaurant’s Caribbean and soul food offerings, a 4–7 p.m. happy hour and free admission. The event also reflects Fusion East’s commitment to bringing quality dining, nightlife and cultural experiences to East New York as the Brooklyn community continues to grow and develop.

NYP Brooklyn Methodist NY Nurses Ratify New Contract

Nearly 1,600 NYSNA nurses at NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital have approved a new three-year labor agreement following months of negotiations over working conditions and patient care. The deal strengthens staffing requirements, expands measures aimed at protecting hospital workers from violence, establishes protections concerning the use of artificial intelligence in clinical decision-making, and provides annual pay increases. The agreement also changes parts of the arbitration process, giving nurses additional mechanisms to address staffing disputes and other workplace concerns.

Rodneyse Bichotte Just Outmaneuvered Her Critics

As Brooklyn Democrats battle over proposed party rule changes, the outrage may be overshadowing a basic political reality: Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn found a strategic opening, proposed a change and put it up for a vote. Her opponents don't have to like the move, but they may have to respect it.

Nikki Lucas Condemns Hate, Calls for Party Unity

Assemblywoman Nikki Lucas is calling for greater responsibility in how political organizations identify and support candidates for party leadership positions following controversy surrounding newly elected District Leader Carmella Charrington. Lucas, who also serves as a district leader in Brooklyn’s 60th Assembly District, says the moment should prompt a broader discussion about experience, accountability and the responsibility Democratic leaders have to strengthen relationships across Brooklyn’s diverse communities.

Fusion East Expands Affordable Meals with Chick-All-Day

Fusion East is betting that affordability and variety can help keep customers engaged at a time when New Yorkers are watching their food budgets more closely. After finding an audience for its $7 Real Meal, the Brooklyn-based business is preparing to introduce Chick-All-Day in September, expanding its lower-cost offerings while continuing to experiment with new ways to reach customers.

Voices of NYC: Continuous Learning Should Be a Priority

This Voices of NYC submission was written by a Brooklyn resident from Park Slope, and reflects the views and opinions of the author.

Alafia Brooklyn Secures $217.8M for Phase III Housing

Construction is set to move ahead on the next stage of the Alafia Brooklyn redevelopment after the development team finalized more than $217 million in financing. The third phase will add 273 affordable apartments, expand public green space with a one-acre park, and continue the project's focus on environmentally sustainable design as part of the larger plan to transform the former Brooklyn Developmental Center site into a mixed-use, wellness-centered community in East New York.