Police reform is one of the most fraught initiatives Zohran Mamdani could undertake as mayor. What could he do to meaningfully change the NYPD without triggering a politically costly firestorm? Quite a bit!

After a year in which we spent a lot of time focusing on electoral politics, we've definitely got victory and defeat on the brain. So without further ado, here's our final verdict on who's up and who's down as 2025 draws to a close.

We got you covered 👍 hellgatenyc.com/heres-why-yo...

Women in NY prisons were hopeful about chances for commutation under the state's 1st female governor. Now, said Sara Kielly, "when you mention a clemency application around here, or that you hope that she'll follow through on her promises, people roll their eyes."

This time on Hell Gate's nightlife column LEAVE YOUR APARTMENT: Brooklyn rapper OG recommends cassette shopping and live hip-hop.

A disturbing account from a Queens woman describes immigration detention with her first-grade daughter.

The state, represented by the office of Attorney General Letitia James, plans to ask judges to dismiss up to 500 prison sexual assault cases filed against it under the Adult Survivors Act, Hell Gate and New York Focus have learned.

Final podcast episode of the year!! This week, social media sensation and generally great guy Scott Lynch—force behind our $20 dinner map—joins us to talk restaurants and food trends in NYC. Plus, predictions for 2026! podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...

🚨JOB ALERT🚨 Enjoy writing clever headlines and assigning one-of-a-kind stories? Have an eye for detail and a knack for turning rough copy into sparkling prose? We're looking for another editor to join our small but elite team covering New York City news and culture.

This time on Hell Gate's nightlife column LEAVE YOUR APARTMENT: Brooklyn rapper OG recommends cassette shopping and live hip-hop. hellgatenyc.com/og-lya-hip-h...

After a year in which we spent a lot of time focusing on electoral politics, we've definitely got victory and defeat on the brain. So without further ado, here's our final verdict on who's up and who's down as 2025 draws to a close. hellgatenyc.com/hell-gate-20...

🚨 If there's someone you'd like to give something really nice to but you still don't have a present for them, all is not lost: You can get them a gift subscription to @hellgatenyc.com. They'll love reading it. You'll love supporting worker-owned local journalism. hellgatenyc.com/gift-subscri...

🚨JOB ALERT🚨 Enjoy writing clever headlines and assigning one-of-a-kind stories? Have an eye for detail and a knack for turning rough copy into sparkling prose? We're looking for another editor to join our small but elite team covering New York City news and culture.

Capping off our series on what Zohran Mamdani can accomplish in his first 100 days, here's a grab bag of actionable policy ideas ranging from immigration and homelessness to culture, schools, parks and reproductive justice. hellgatenyc.com/zohran-mamda...

Police reform is one of the most fraught initiatives Zohran Mamdani could undertake as mayor. What could he do to meaningfully change the NYPD without triggering a politically costly firestorm? Quite a bit! hellgatenyc.com/zohran-mamda...

My latest for @hellgatenyc.com hellgatenyc.com/kathy-hochul...

At first, women in NY prisons were hopeful about their chances for commutation under the state's first female governor. Now, said Sara Kielly, "when you mention a clemency application around here, or that you hope that she'll follow through on her promises, people roll their eyes."

Hell Gate Podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...

From Andrew Cuomo's campaign flameout, to a bizarre prison hoax, to cops staring at their phones, here are the stories that garnered the most eyeballs at Hell Gate in 2025. hellgatenyc.com/hell-gates-2...

For perhaps the final time: Where in the world is Eric Adams, and why? hellgatenyc.com/eric-adams-t...

Morning Spew for Night Owls—Elise! Elise! Why? What happened? And other links to start your holiday week.

A disturbing account from a Queens woman describes immigration detention with her first-grade daughter. hellgatenyc.com/from-queens-...

The state, represented by the office of Attorney General Letitia James, plans to ask judges to dismiss up to 500 prison sexual assault cases filed against it under the Adult Survivors Act, Hell Gate and New York Focus have learned.

🚨JOB ALERT🚨 Enjoy writing clever headlines and assigning one-of-a-kind stories? Have an eye for detail and a knack for turning rough copy into sparkling prose? We're looking for another editor to join our small but elite team covering New York City news and culture: hellgatenyc.com/hell-gate-is...

Hell Gate Podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...

Mamdani about to announce another Biden alum for his City Hall—Sam Levine, the former director of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection. He'll be named the commissioner of the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, which looks to play a major role in Mamdani's pro-worker agenda.

Elise! Elise! Why? What happened? And other links to start your holiday week. hellgatenyc.com/elise-well-h...

In March, Queens DA Melinda Katz made a big deal about indicting cops who allegedly robbed and groped a sex worker. Last week, her office quietly dismissed the case—and blamed discovery reform for letting the cops walk.

One Tuesday morning earlier this month, Michael Hassin decided to record how many giant trucks broke NYC's truck route rules and unlawfully rumbled past his apartment on the Lower East Side. By noon, he'd already filed 55 complaints into the 311 portal.

The craziest case in the Brooklyn courts, involving power broker Frank Seddio and $2 million in missing escrow money, keeps getting crazier. Yesterday, two more judges recused themselves, bringing the total judges who have been assigned the case to FIVE.

This sale ends TONIGHT!!!

We asked the experts, and they had a lot of ideas: "Tow some MTA workers' cars in Downtown Brooklyn as a statement!"

New York City's signature climate law needs someone to actually enforce it. Here's how incoming Mayor Mamdani can hit the ground running.

This week's $20 Dinner takes @scoboco.bsky.social to his own neighborhood, for meaty Dominican delights from Sajhoma #3's steam table.

Looking for a last-minute gift? Step one: Take advantage of our Hell Gate Hats for the Holidays gift subscription sale! hellgatenyc.com/gift-subscri... Step two: Check out the recommendations of our very discerning staff.

Three NYC casinos got their final approvals today—but they'll have to hire "independent monitors" to ensure they're keeping the promises they made during the bidding process. "We're holding their feet to the fire," a state regulator insisted.

NEW EPISODE OF THE HELL GATE PODCAST We discuss the last dregs of Eric Adams, and the new mayor’s first big oopsie before starting the job in just a few days. Then, an update on casinos (not good) and the latest efforts to hold cops accountable (also not good). podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/m...

Last Thursday marked the six-month anniversary of the historic day on which forced broker fees officially became illegal in New York City. Six months in, we look at how the FARE Act has changed the city's rental market (and how many brokers have been punished).

We asked the experts, and they had a lot of ideas: "Tow some MTA workers' cars in Downtown Brooklyn as a statement!" hellgatenyc.com/zohran-mamda...

Last night we let the Miller High Life talk! hellgatenyc.com/morning-spew...

Morning Spew for Night Owls—The Trump administration is stepping up its battle against NYC's immigrants—stopping asylum cases and filing motions to send them to other countries across the world. One Latin American woman was told she'd be sent to Uganda.

One Tuesday morning earlier this month, Michael Hassin decided to record how many giant trucks broke NYC's truck route rules and unlawfully rumbled past his apartment on the Lower East Side. By noon, he'd already filed 55 complaints into the 311 portal.

SCOOP: In March, Queens DA Melinda Katz made a big deal about indicting cops who allegedly robbed and groped a sex worker. Last week, her office quietly dismissed the case—and blamed discovery reform for letting the cops walk. hellgatenyc.com/melinda-katz...

NEW: The Trump administration is stepping up its battle against NYC's immigrants—stopping their asylum cases and instead filing motions to send them to other countries across the world. One Latin American woman was told this week she'd be sent to Uganda. hellgatenyc.com/trump-asylum...

Morning Spew for Night Owls—Hochul has a pile of homework (legislation) to get through that will affect everything from whether New Yorkers can die by medically-assisted suicide to imposing regulations on AI companies to prevent them from creating weapons.

The craziest case in the Brooklyn courts, involving power broker Frank Seddio and $2 million in missing escrow money, keeps getting crazier. Yesterday, two more judges recused themselves, bringing the total judges who have been assigned the case to FIVE. hellgatenyc.com/judges-dont-...

This week's $20 Dinner takes @scoboco.bsky.social to his own neighborhood, for meaty Dominican delights from Sajhoma #3's steam table. hellgatenyc.com/20-dinner-sa...

Our raffle prizes for tomorrow evening's Hell Gate Holiday Party will feature an array of gift cards for restaurants on our $20 Dinner Map, which you can always view here: hellgatenyc.com/20-dinner-map/

Do not sleep on this deal!!! Buy one for a loved one or situationship. hellgatenyc.com/gift-subscri...

Hell Gate Podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...