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As Rikers Crisis Persists, Prosecutors Continue to Request High Bail

“We only ask, and the court sets the bail,” the president of the state prosecutors’ association said.

Sam Mellins   ·   September 24, 2021
He Says He Was Wrongfully Convicted. His Trial Prosecutor Led The Unit That Rejected His Petition.

Anthony Sims’ case shows the conflict of interest inherent in Conviction Review Units led by former prosecutors, critics say.

Ethan Corey and Elizabeth Weill-Greenberg   ·   September 23, 2021
Will ‘Blue Collar Mayor’ Adams Give City Unions What They Want?

With deep ties to both organized labor and the city’s business elite, Mayor Eric Adams will face tough tradeoffs on union contracts.

Doug Turetsky   ·   September 21, 2021
Senate #2 Joins Mounting Opposition to Hochul’s Pick for Top Financial Regulator

Adrienne Harris has worked for over a dozen financial technology firms that Hochul would put her in charge of regulating.

Sam Mellins   ·   September 14, 2021
Inside New York’s Messy Push to Clean Up Concrete

If concrete production were a country, it would be the world’s third largest carbon emitter. New York legislators want to clean it up.

Colin Kinniburgh   ·   September 9, 2021
Governor Hochul Promised a “New Era of Transparency.” So Far, Details are Scarce.

New York’s new leader has pledged to improve access to public records – but hasn’t yet committed to the policy reforms transparency experts say are needed.

Sam Mellins   ·   September 8, 2021
Why Isn’t New York Offering Paper Applications for COVID Rent Relief?

The $115 million state contract for administering the program required a paper application. Without it, tenants who can’t access technology may be getting left behind.

Andrew Giambrone   ·   September 2, 2021
How New York Lets Prosecutors Off The Hook for Misconduct

Not a single prosecutor appeared to have been disciplined for on-the-job misconduct in 2019. Even the state prosecutors association supports reforms.

Rory Fleming   ·   September 1, 2021
Lessons to be learned from New York’s climate policy laboratory

New York is seen as a model - but it also shows the challenges of green public-private partnerships

Lee Harris   ·   September 1, 2021
Rikers Staffing Crisis Limits Access to Medical Care

With thousands of officers not coming into work, incarcerated people aren’t getting escorted to their medical appointments, a New York Focus investigation finds.

Rachel Sherman   ·   August 26, 2021
Retired City Workers Brace for Shift to Privatized Health Care

City leaders have awarded a contract to provide city retirees private Medicare-like insurance to a corporate coalition termed “The Alliance.” Former public workers worry their coverage may change.

Sam Mellins and Rachel M. Cohen   ·   August 19, 2021
Who is Kathy Hochul? An Introduction to New York’s Next Governor

A political moderate and former Congressperson and bank executive, Hochul stands to make history as New York’s first woman governor, but may face fierce challengers in next year’s election.

Sam Mellins and Rory Nevins   ·   August 11, 2021
Cuomo Leaves, But a Corrupt Political Culture Remains in New York

The structure of state government, with its centralized power and few ethical checks, invites scandal after scandal.

Lee Harris   ·   August 11, 2021
New York Dairy Farms Skirt Clean Water Act Requirements

Farms in New York have used a form of legal arbitrage to shield their manure management practices from scrutiny.

Lee Harris   ·   August 11, 2021
Andrew Cuomo Picked His Own Impeachment Jury

The New York Court of Appeals participates in impeachment trials. Cuomo has appointed all seven members, including two of them in June

Sam Mellins   ·   August 6, 2021
Amid Intraparty Conflict, Brooklyn Democrats Issue Judgeship Recommendations

At a meeting that included an attempt by party leadership to prevent several district leaders from voting, the party made seven picks - six of whom were donors to the party and its leaders.

Sam Mellins and Rory Nevins   ·   August 5, 2021
Schumer Announces New York’s Latest Semiconductor Deal, to Subsidy Watchdogs’ Chagrin

New York is showering microchip manufacturers with billions in subsidies—on top of massive federal incentives.

Julia Rock   ·   July 26, 2021
New York Judges Lock the Accused Out of Their Homes, Skirting Review Required by Landmark Ruling, Critics Charge

An appellate court ordered hearings for defendants facing orders of protection that could separate them from their homes and families. But some judges — following a memo from state court officials — aren’t adhering to the ruling, defense lawyers say.

Sam Mellins   ·   July 23, 2021
Albany Passes ‘Good Cause Eviction,’ In a First for New York

Tenant groups are already turning to other upstate cities that could pass good cause this summer—and that could pave the way for statewide legislation.

Colin Kinniburgh   ·   July 21, 2021
Unlicensed Street Vendors Fear Steep Fines as Enforcement Escalates

More than a year after fines for unlicensed street vending were largely suspended when the pandemic struck, enforcement has begun again. Many street vendors say it threatens their only means of economic survival.

Luis Feliz Leon   ·   July 21, 2021