The Footprint
@nycfootprint.bsky.social
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NYC's environmental justice watchdog + independent news service
https://thefootprint.substack.com/
pinned post!
Welcome to The Footprint, an independent local news service providing original reporting on environmental justice issues in the New York area. All content by The Footprint is available to read for free on Substack. First four stories are linked below 🧵
26 days ago
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Project Salt Box
about 6 hours ago
h/t
@nancychadwick.bsky.social
YET ANOTHER REVERSAL: ICE retracted its claim of buying the Chester, NY site. That’s the 2nd walk-back in 48 hours (after Lebanon, TN). ICE can’t be trusted. Moving forward, we’ll only mark sites 🔴 on the map once a deed is officially recorded with the state.
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ICE retracts false claim that it purchased Hudson Valley warehouse
The federal agency said its statement that it bought a former Pep Boys building in Chester to use as a detention center was a “mistake.”
https://www.timesunion.com/hudsonvalley/news/article/ice-mistake-warehouse-chester-false-21359388.php
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Streetsblog NYC
about 8 hours ago
"It is by no means the limit," a senior Mamdani administration official said of the annual $5 million allotment for bus- and bike-lane projects. "I don't think we are saying that is the extent of where we want to invest."
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Mamdani Budget Adds Staff, Cash For More Bus And Bike Projects - Streetsblog New York City
Mayor Zohran Mamdani wants to fill a budget gap identified by fiscal watchdogs as a roadblock to making buses faster and biking safer.
https://buff.ly/oFCRkEx
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Mayor Zohran Mamdani appears to have abandoned his campaign promise of dedicating 1% of the city budget to parks. Mamdani's preliminary budget proposal includes a $55,272,471 cut to the Department of Parks and Recreation in 2027.
about 9 hours ago
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Guardian Environment
about 11 hours ago
Environmental groups sue Trump’s EPA over repeal of landmark climate finding
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Environmental groups sue Trump’s EPA over repeal of landmark climate finding
Lawsuit from health and environmental justice groups challenges the EPA’s rollback of the ‘endangerment finding’
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/18/trump-epa-environment-climate-lawsuit?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=bluesky&CMP=bsky_gu_env
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Dr. Robert D. Bullard
1 day ago
Claims that AI can help fix climate dismissed as greenwashing - The Guardian
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
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Claims that AI can help fix climate dismissed as greenwashing
Industry using ‘diversionary’ tactics, says analyst, as energy-hungry complex functions such as video generation and deep research proliferate
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/feb/17/tech-companies-traditional-ai-generative-climate-breakdown-report?CMP
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Sophia Lebowitz
1 day ago
NEW: Relay, a business to business delivery app, is shutting down operations in NYC, leaving all its workers without jobs starting April 1.
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Relay — The Delivery App You Didn't Know You Were Using — Pulls Out As NYC Ramps Up Worker Protections - Streetsblog New York City
Relay is shutting down operations in New York City, leaving thousands of workers without jobs.
https://nyc.streetsblog.org/2026/02/17/exclusive-relay-the-delivery-app-you-didnt-know-you-were-using-pulls-out-of-nyc-citing-worker-protections
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Samantha Maldonado
1 day ago
Whether developers can move on building out Hudson Yards is tied to $2 billion in tentative public subsidies that still need approval from Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
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Iconic Hudson Yards project tests Mamdani’s approach to development
The project by one of the city’s largest developers is tentatively backed by $2 billion in public financing, which some progressive have derided as corporate welfare.
https://www.politico.com/news/2026/02/16/hudson-yards-development-related-rail-yard-00782312?nname=new-york-playbook&nid=0000014f-1646-d88f-a1cf-5f46b74f0000&nrid=1045c91f-9960-4cad-9748-7243b5827f84
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Streetsblog NYC
3 days ago
Even in the city's historic deep freeze, New Yorkers are getting around by bicycle, according to publicly available data.
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Data: New Yorkers Keep Biking In This Cold, Cold World - Streetsblog New York City
Even in the city's historic deep freeze, New Yorkers are getting around by bicycle, according to publicly available data.
https://buff.ly/96nQufQ
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In January the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation warned that the planned ICE facility in Chester NY could pose major environmental risks including potential threats to endangered species, freshwater wetlands, and the municipal water supply.
wjffradio.org/new-york-dec...
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3 days ago
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David Roberts
5 days ago
It seems like a good time to remind folks that Volts is 100% listener supported. My only obligation is to you. Subscribe & help me keep doing it!
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Subscribe to Volts
A newsletter, podcast, & community focused on the technology, politics, and policy of decarbonization. In your inbox once or twice a week. Click to read Volts, a Substack publication with tens of thou...
https://www.volts.wtf/subscribe
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Gothamist
4 days ago
New York begins planning for data center boom, and its strain on the electric grid
https://gothamist.com/news/new-york-begins-planning-for-data-center-boom-and-its-strain-on-the-electric-grid
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New York begins planning for data center boom, and its strain on the electric grid
Cooling fans of the roof of a data center in Virginia. Gov. Kathy Hochul says she wants tech companies to foot the bill for the mammoth energy costs that come with the facilities. [ more › ]
https://gothamist.com/news/new-york-begins-planning-for-data-center-boom-and-its-strain-on-the-electric-grid
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Floodlight
4 days ago
Yesterday, Floodlight and The Guardian published a first-of-its-kind visual investigation. Using thermal drone imagery captured in Mississippi, our reporting shows how gas turbines are powering Musk’s AI operations — and why the findings raise serious legal questions.
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'A different set of rules': Thermal drone footage shows Musk's AI power plant flouting clean air regulations
Images confirm xAI is continuing to defy EPA regulations in Mississippi to power its flagship data centers.
https://floodlightnews.org/thermal-drone-footage-musk-ai-plant-epa-rules/
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Grist
5 days ago
It just got harder for shareholders to push companies on climate
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It just got harder for shareholders to push companies on climate
New SEC restrictions could sideline the small shareholders who have driven high-profile climate fights in recent years.
http://dlvr.it/TQxWmC
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Samantha Maldonado
5 days ago
New York State was supposed to pick its next offshore wind project today through a competitive process, but ended up not making any awards. Why?
@nyserda.bsky.social
cited the "federal actions disrupting the offshore wind market," which make developing new projects uncertain.
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The EPA has reversed its own landmark determination that gives the government the ability to regulate climate-heating pollution. Check out this article from HEATED about why oil corporations may end up regretting the decision:
heated.world/p/trump-is-w...
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Trump is wiping out all climate regulation. Big Oil may regret it.
For decades, oil majors fought climate regulation. Now, they’re afraid Trump’s extreme rollbacks could leave them on the hook to pay for what they’ve done.
https://heated.world/p/trump-is-wiping-out-all-climate-regulation
5 days ago
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Aaron Rupar
5 days ago
FOX NEWS: Do you believe climate change is a hoax? EPA ADMINISTRATOR LEE ZELDIN: It has been a con job of using this for more power and control
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Samantha Maldonado
5 days ago
NYCHA has no concrete plan to replace rental assistance for the thousands of people set to lose it.
gothamist.com/news/nyc-sti...
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NYC still struggling to replace emergency housing vouchers set to expire under Trump
Just as one city housing agency devised a “stopgap” for replacing a federal housing assistance program for thousands of New Yorkers, NYCHA’s plan collapsed.
https://gothamist.com/news/nyc-still-struggling-to-replace-emergency-housing-vouchers-set-to-expire-under-trump?utm_source=sfmc&utm_medium=nypr-email&utm_campaign=Newsletter+-+Early+Addition+-+20260213&utm_term=First+headline&utm_id=546925&sfmc_id=54672439&utm_content=2026213&nypr_member=Unknown
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New York Amsterdam News
5 days ago
The head of a local
#mentalhealth
clubhouse plans to deliver a letter to Mayor Zohran
#Mamdani
calling for him to employ a voluntary state mental healthcare program as a solution to encourage unhoused individuals to voluntarily seek shelter during freezing temperatures.
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Phoenix House propose Supportive Crisis Stabilization Centers as solution to housing New Yorkers during freeze
A mental health clubhouse plans to deliver a letter to Mayor Mamdani calling for him to employ a voluntary state mental healthcare program.
https://amsterdamnews.com/news/2026/02/12/phoenix-house-propose-supportive-crisis-stabilization-centers-as-solution-to-housing-new-yorkers-during-freeze/
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Nick Pinto
6 days ago
Subscribe to
@hellgatenyc.com
, support worker-owned local NYC journalism, and get your open-streets-in-crisis news nearly a week before NYMag gets around to covering it!
hellgatenyc.com/open-street-...
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Sludge
6 days ago
The Trump administration repealed the endangerment finding that underpins climate regulation, setting up legal battles. The fossil fuel industry lobby attempted to sue the EPA over the rule in 2010, and more recently Project 2025 called for its repeal. Report from May:
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Trump EPA Threatens Decades of Climate Progress
Lee Zeldin, the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, announced plans to reconsider a ruling from the agency that underpins many of the federal government’s major climate change regula...
https://readsludge.com/2025/03/13/trump-epa-threatens-decades-of-climate-progress/
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NYC has contracts with at least 3 of these companies--SLS, Garner, and CDR--for on call disaster relief services. Garner's contract is currently up for a $50 million renewal "pending oversight approval."
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6 days ago
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Gothamist
6 days ago
The cases show even those with stable living situations can be vulnerable to extreme weather:
gothamist.visitlink.me/nFqyTg
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NYC is developing its first comprehensive "Environmental Justice Plan" to address environmental inequities. The Mayor's Office of Climate & Environmental Justice is currently gathering feedback for the plan here:
nycforms.cityofnewyork.us/f/ejnyc
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EJNYC Community Questionnaire
https://nycforms.cityofnewyork.us/f/ejnyc
6 days ago
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Streetsblog NYC
6 days ago
The city Department of Transportation may be underestimating the number of pedestrians on outer-borough streets, due to a Manhattan-first bias that may end up putting pedestrians at risk, a new study finds.
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Report: Pedestrians Are At Risk ... Where You'd Least Expect It - Streetsblog New York City
The city may be underestimating number of outer borough pedestrians and is biased towards Manhattan, a new report finds.
https://buff.ly/10rmXtO
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Canary Media Inc.
6 days ago
NineDot Energy just raised $431 million to build batteries in New York City’s vacant nooks and crannies — a critical endeavor as electricity shortages loom.
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NineDot Energy raises big money for small batteries in New York City
New York needs more reliable power, fast. NineDot’s $431 million in new financing will help solve that problem with batteries scattered across the city.
https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/batteries/ninedot-energy-raises-big-money-new-york-city
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Streetsblog NYC
6 days ago
On Thursday, a coalition of labor rights and environmental groups will rally on the City Hall steps to support the re-introduction of Council Member Tiffany Cabán's Delivery Protection Act, which would force Amazon to directly hire its delivery drivers.
buff.ly/9SjWGsE
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Thursday's Headlines: Down With DSPs Edition - Streetsblog New York City
New York City Council Member Tiffany Cabán will reintroduce a bill taking on Amazon's use of third-party delivery companies. Plus more news.
https://nyc.streetsblog.org/2026/02/12/thursdays-headlines-down-with-dsps-edition
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Samantha Maldonado
8 days ago
NYC
@mayor.nyc.gov
released a schedule for Rental Ripoff hearings. Testimonies shared "will directly inform policy changes to strengthen city policies to protect tenants."
www.nyc.gov/main/rental-...
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Rental Ripoff Hearings - nyc.gov
https://www.nyc.gov/main/rental-ripoff
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Sammy Roth
7 days ago
In case anyone's wondering how Jeff Bezos feels about climate policy these days, the Washington Post editorial board just heartily endorsed Trump ripping up the EPA's "endangerment finding," which allows the federal government to regulate greenhouse gases as pollutants.
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"Sanchez pointed out that since enforcement is determined by citizen participation, the language restriction for complaints can lead to chronically lower enforcement in areas with high rates of non-English speakers."
thefootprint.substack.com/p/nycs-air-q...
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NYC’s Air Quality Complaint Program Only Accepts Complaints in English
Bronx Council Member Calls It "Unacceptable and Discriminatory"
https://thefootprint.substack.com/p/nycs-air-quality-complaint-program
7 days ago
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Streetsblog NYC
8 days ago
If the city enacted consequences for Lyft neglecting its Citi Bike infrastructure, maybe we'd have a functioning bikeshare system the next time it snows.
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Opinion: The City, Not Just Lyft, Deserves Blame for Citi Bike’s Winter Mess - Streetsblog New York City
The Mamdani administration should fine Lyft for falling short of its contractual obligations — and reward it for meeting or surpassing them.
https://buff.ly/lYotT1J
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"several meeting attendees said they left feeling like their questions were unanswered, after the council spent less than seven minutes of the more than two-hour meeting discussing the issue. (It spent longer discussing the replacement of a field's astroturf.)"
hellgatenyc.com/morning-spew...
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Hudson River Park Trust Keeps Dodging Questions About Its ICE Contract
And more news for your Tuesday.
https://hellgatenyc.com/morning-spew-hudson-river-park-ice-contract/
8 days ago
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Hell Gate *subscribe today!*
8 days ago
At a public meeting Monday night, Hudson River Park Trust leaders dodged, deflected, and even laughed off questions about its ongoing contract with ICE that allows federal agents to park their vans at Pier 40, a popular public venue where dozens of local teams play soccer.
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Hudson River Park Trust Keeps Dodging Questions About Its ICE Contract
And more news for your Tuesday.
https://hellgatenyc.com/morning-spew-hudson-river-park-ice-contract/
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New York Focus
8 days ago
NEW: The Amawalk Reservoir, which provides drinking water to three northern Westchester County towns and New York City, has become the center of a battle over who pays for environmental cleanups in the state.
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A Real Estate Battle Tests the State’s New Superfund Powers
New York environmental regulators have deemed a developer liable for an $18 million Westchester cleanup — but they haven’t yet made the company pay.
https://nysfocus.com/2026/02/10/amawalk-reservoir-superfund-lead-contamination-cleanup
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talia jane ❤️🔥
10 days ago
ALL city hospitals are operating as warming centers. 311 is directing people to call 911 if unhoused folks are outdoors. Scattered power outages across the boroughs, density in Bushwick. DO NOT USE YOUR OVEN TO HEAT YOUR HOME
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Documented
12 days ago
Delivery workers risk life and limb during frigid weather – and still might be iced out of a good tip.
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The Hands That Feed New York in the Cold - Documented
Delivery workers risk life and limb during frigid weather – and still might be iced out of a good tip.
https://documentedny.com/2026/02/04/the-hands-that-feed-new-york-in-the-cold/
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Great reporting from
@documentedny.bsky.social
, but this list is incomplete. NYC also has active contracts worth hundreds of millions with Motorola Solutions, which has been widely reported as a major ICE contractor. This one is worth 323 million:
www.checkbooknyc.com/contracts_la...
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11 days ago
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Politico
12 days ago
New York Democrats propose sweeping pause on data center construction
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New York Democrats propose sweeping pause on data center construction
Lawmakers have introduced a bill to prohibit new data centers until regulations can be crafted to address potential environmental and energy cost impacts.
http://dlvr.it/TQpCyQ
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Some signs from a protest at New York Power Authority's HQ in December:
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13 days ago
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New York Power Authority's allocations of low-cost power to data centers produce ~156 times fewer jobs on average than allocations of low-cost power to hospitals.
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13 days ago
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As record numbers of New York residents struggle to afford their electric bills, NYPA allocates over 16 MW of low-cost electricity to data centers across New York State. That's enough electricity to power roughly 14-15 thousand homes.
thefootprint.substack.com/p/as-new-yor...
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As New Yorkers Face 'Skyrocketing' Electricity Bills, Data Centers Get Subsidized Electricity
Critics Call on the New York Power Authority to Cut the Flow of Low-Cost Power to Data Centers
https://thefootprint.substack.com/p/as-new-yorkers-face-skyrocketing
13 days ago
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Streetsblog NYC
20 days ago
Delivery workers are less likely to run red lights, ride on sidewalks and ride without helmets than their recreational counterparts — defying claims that they sow street chaos, according to a new observational study of more than 1,700 cyclists.
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Delivery Workers Are the Safest Cyclists On the Road, Study Finds - Streetsblog New York City
A new study from sociology researchers at Hunter University found that Delivery Workers are the safest cyclists on the road.
https://buff.ly/85zJQvx
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Emily Sanders
21 days ago
The US oil lobby will target the EU's landmark climate regs in 2026, per its new policy agenda. But US oil cos have already been leveraging Trump and trade tensions to tear apart the law behind the scenes, documents show. My latest with
@desmog.com
www.exxonknews.org/p/top-us-oil...
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Top U.S. oil lobby API targets landmark EU climate law, policy document shows
The declaration coincides with U.S. fossil fuel companies’ use of Trump’s trade tensions and international discord to undermine EU climate laws.
https://www.exxonknews.org/p/top-us-oil-lobby-api-targets-landmark
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5 more elected officials have called on Hudson River Park Trust to terminate their contract with ICE immediately, including congress members Dan Goldman and Jerry Nadler.
www.chelseanewsny.com/news/thirtee...
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21 days ago
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Jacqueline Sweet
22 days ago
A Trump-appointed district judge described the conditions of ICE detainees with no criminal history held in a temporary cell in the Central Islip federal courthouse on Long Island for days — putrid, cramped, inhumane and unlawful.
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Gothamist
22 days ago
Mayor Mamdani said city medical examiners are still looking into the causes of death:
gothamist.visitlink.me/g8L2rw
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Streetsblog NYC
23 days ago
We can apportion the blame later in the day, but the greatest walkable city in North America is completely impassible to people on foot or in wheelchairs as the workweek begins. Send us your stories and photos of snow blocking bus exits and sidewalks.
nyc.streetsblog.org/2026/01/26/c...
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Cycle of Rage: NYC Is A HELLSCAPE For Pedestrians - Streetsblog New York City
We can apportion the blame later in the day, but the greatest walkable city in North America is completely impassible to people on foot or in wheelchairs.
https://nyc.streetsblog.org/2026/01/26/cycle-of-rage-nyc-is-a-hellscape-for-pedestrians
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Gothamist
24 days ago
6 deaths outside in NYC being investigated for links to the extreme cold
https://gothamist.com/news/6-deaths-outside-in-nyc-being-investigated-for-links-to-the-extreme-cold
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6 deaths outside in NYC being investigated for links to the extreme cold
Snow-covered Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. The circumstances were under investigation, but Mayor Mamdani noted that for the unhoused, the intense cold can be fatal. [ more › ]
https://gothamist.com/news/6-deaths-outside-in-nyc-being-investigated-for-links-to-the-extreme-cold
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lauren dalban
23 days ago
As Mayor Mamdani put it in his inaugural address, “every blizzard and flood we withstand, together.” The question of how well New Yorkers withstand them, and how the city responds, rests in the hands of the Mamdani administration. And it’s a heavy burden.
insideclimatenews.org/news/2401202...
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‘Unbelievably Vulnerable’: The Climate Challenges Facing Mamdani’s New York City - Inside Climate News
Mayor Zohran Mamdani campaigned on an affordability platform, but climate issues may still define his term. %
https://insideclimatenews.org/news/24012026/climate-challenges-mamdani-new-york-city/
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Hudson River Park Trust, which is under scrutiny for letting ICE stash their vans on park property, was also involved in an NYPD crackdown on e-bike riders using the Hudson River Greenway, according to a
@nyc.streetsblog.org
report from 2021.
nyc.streetsblog.org/2021/03/15/c...
24 days ago
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