Topics Reporting
Surprise Trump Move Will Upend New York Food Stamps

New York counties thought they had months to prepare to implement SNAP work requirements. Now, they have weeks.

Jie Jenny Zou   ·   October 9, 2025
A box of books with a label reading "return to sender" sits on a metal table in front of prison bars.
New York’s Biggest ICE Detention Center Bans Book Deliveries

Rejected books include a Spanish-English dictionary, a Spanish translation of a George R.R. Martin novel, and “The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work.”

Isabelle Taft   ·   October 8, 2025
An unreachable phone seen from inside a jail cell.
ICE Detainees in New York Jails Can’t Talk to Their Lawyers

Some immigrants held in county jails are struggling to access legal advice, phone calls, and even their own court hearings.

Julia Rock and Isabelle Taft   ·   October 6, 2025
Lawmakers Scrutinize Secretive Process Behind Energy Bill Hikes

In a state Senate hearing on spiraling energy bills, consumer advocates lamented the closed-door negotiations at the heart of New York’s ratemaking process.

Colin Kinniburgh   ·   October 2, 2025
Two city officials at a council hearing
NYPD Plans Massive Expansion of Real-Time Surveillance in NYCHA Housing

The City Council held an emergency hearing on the NYPD’s use of a free internet program to gain real-time access to public housing cameras, in response to New York Focus’s reporting.

Zachary Groz   ·   October 1, 2025
Apple Pickers Are Still Waiting for Promised Union Protections

An entire season has come and nearly gone, and Wafler Farms still isn’t following its union contract.

Julia Rock   ·   October 1, 2025
Adams Locks In Big Apple Connect Through 2028, One Day Before Oversight Hearing

The renewal locks New York City into well over $100 million in costs for the controversial program.

Zachary Groz   ·   September 29, 2025
Shadows over an asylum application form
Asylum Seekers in Panic Over Trump’s Unclear $100 Fee

The Trump administration’s lack of clarity about when and how to pay new fees sparked chaos and misinformation among immigrants with pending asylum applications.

Liv Veazey   ·   September 29, 2025
Whatever Happened With the State’s ‘Migrant Relocation’ Program?

The initiative to resettle asylum seekers outside New York City reached half the targeted number of familes. ICE has deported some participants.

Isabelle Taft   ·   September 29, 2025
The State Spent Millions to Resettle Asylum Seekers. ICE Is Arresting Them.

The Migrant Relocation Assistance Program helped families leave crowded shelters and put down roots. Trump’s immigration crackdown is upending that.

Isabelle Taft   ·   September 29, 2025
Climate Hawks Vow Election Showdown If Hochul Greenlights Gas Pipeline

Pipeline opponents say that approving NESE could bite Hochul in next year’s elections.

Colin Kinniburgh   ·   September 26, 2025
The State Commission of Correction's logo
Five Sleepy Minutes With New York’s Jail Watchdog

Jails and prisons across the state are facing many crises. Someone should tell the Commission of Correction.

Chris Gelardi   ·   September 25, 2025
Half-Billion Dollar Casino Rescue Plan Hinges on Boom. Analysts Predict Bust.

Sullivan County is telling investors there will be massive growth at a Catskills casino resort, but its own consultants predict decline.

Chris Bragg   ·   September 25, 2025
Assembly Staff Receive Raises After New York Focus Reporting on Low Pay, Long Hours

The first significant pay increase in years could strengthen the office responsible for reviewing major legislation.

Sam Mellins   ·   September 23, 2025
‘We Must Escalate’: Arrested Legislators Call Out ICE and Albany

Three months after the state legislature ended session without passing immigration protections, 15 elected officials faced down arrest to protest ICE and state inaction.

Isabelle Taft   ·   September 19, 2025
Why Your Energy Bills Are Going Up — Again

Electric bills in New York haven’t been this high for a decade, and they’re about to rise even more. Here’s why.

Colin Kinniburgh   ·   September 18, 2025
Insurance Said His Treatment Was Covered. Then They Sent a $17,000 Bill.

Thousands of New Yorkers have new health insurance from the company Leading Edge Administrators. One Massachusetts retiree’s battle with the company highlights the risks they face.

Sam Mellins   ·   September 17, 2025
5 Takeaways From Our Investigation Into the Attorney General’s Conviction Review Bureau

A once-touted statewide conviction review unit lacks independence, authority, and transparency — and Albany hasn’t moved to fix it.

Willow Higgins and Curtis Brodner   ·   September 16, 2025
ICE Detentions in New York County Jails Have Exploded

So far this year, the state’s county jails have held six times more people for federal immigration authorities than they did in all of 2024.

Julia Rock and Isabelle Taft   ·   September 16, 2025
How New York’s Attorney General Lets Innocence Claims Slip Through the Cracks

Prisoners seeking help from the AG’s office have little chance of review. Here’s one applicant’s story.

Curtis Brodner   ·   September 11, 2025
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