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To Meet Climate Mandate, New York Needs to Learn How to Build Clean Energy Again
After a decade of building virtually no large-scale renewables, New York is planning to build enough to power millions of homes over the next eight years. What will it take to pull it off?
Colin Kinniburgh · November 21, 2022
Republicans Won Big on Long Island. So Did Affordable Housing.
Even as Long Island veers right, the Hamptons just voted to tax the wealthy to fund mid-range housing.
Sam Mellins · November 17, 2022
Bomb Dogs, ‘Goon Squad,’ Subway Cops: Who’s Making a Killing in NYPD Overtime
Eric Adams pledged to cut police overtime in half. Instead, his initiatives helped it soar to the second-highest level on record.
Chris Gelardi · November 16, 2022
Rats, Roaches, Leaks: Rent-Stabilized Building Owners Whose Bets Went Sour Delay Repairs
Crumbling conditions in two Bronx buildings show how tenants pay the price when real estate speculation doesn’t work out.
Olivia Bensimon · November 11, 2022
The ‘Red Wave’ Hit Southern Brooklyn. Some Blame the County Democrats.
After the Brooklyn Democratic Party did almost nothing to mobilize voters, Republicans swept the borough’s southern points.
Sam Mellins · November 9, 2022
What’s the Plan, Kathy?
New Yorkers picked Governor Kathy Hochul on Tuesday. New York Focus staff picked ten questions we’ll be watching for her tenure.
New York Focus · November 9, 2022
Landfill Fight Illustrates New York’s Heaping Trash Problem
New York planned to slash its trash. Instead, we’re producing more garbage than ever.
Sam Mellins · November 8, 2022
New York’s Prison Chief Ordered Guards to Illegally Shackle People to Desks
Anthony Annucci’s internal memo tells staff to restrain incarcerated people during any out-of-cell time, affecting at least 5,000.
Chris Gelardi · November 7, 2022
New York’s Prison Chief Ordered Guards to Illegally Shackle People to Desks
Anthony Annucci’s internal memo tells staff to restrain incarcerated people during any out-of-cell time, affecting at least 5,000.
Chris Gelardi · November 7, 2022
Meet the Moguls Fueling Lee Zeldin’s Super PAC Boost
New York Focus found six big spenders who have poured money into PACs backing Kathy Hochul’s Republican challenger.
Colin Kinniburgh · November 4, 2022
Blind Spots: Sexual Assault Allegation Exposes Self-Policing Prison System
Robert Adams alleges that a guard sodomized him with a baton. A year-long investigation into his story uncovered a system plagued by retaliation and primed for abuse.
Victoria Law · November 3, 2022
‘Voters Are Lethargic’: Poll Suggests A Missing Economic Message In Governor’s Race
A new poll suggests a missing economic message is contributing to an unexpectedly close governor’s race.
Lee Harris · November 3, 2022
Has Anyone Told the Brooklyn Democratic Party There’s an Election Next Week?
Downstate turnout could decide the governor’s race. The Brooklyn Democratic Party is mounting almost no campaign effort.
Sam Mellins · November 2, 2022
Mayor Issues Ultimatum on Retiree Health Care, Seeking End to Standoff
The City Council must enable budget-cutting new health insurance options for retirees, warns Eric Adams’s chief labor negotiator — or City Hall will eliminate existing insurance plans.
Sam Mellins · October 31, 2022
‘They Lied to All of Us’: Ten Years After Hurricane Sandy, Construction Begins on Staten Island’s Promised Wetland
Staten Island residents who sold their homes to the state as part of one of the country’s first major “managed retreats” were promised the land would be returned to nature. Instead, part of it is being turned into a soccer complex.
[email protected] · October 29, 2022
City Council Moves Forward With Gowanus Rezoning After Slashing Affordable Housing
A proposal to build dozens of units on a block near the Gowanus industrial zone was cut in half after locals lobbied Councilmember Shahana Hanif.
Sam Mellins and George Joseph · October 27, 2022
Most of New York Gas Tax Holiday Savings Don’t Go to New Yorkers, Analysis Finds
Out of every dollar the gas tax suspension costs the state, less than 50 cents are going into New Yorkers’ pockets.
Colin Kinniburgh · October 26, 2022
Some Suburbs Are Actually Trying to Solve the Housing Shortage
New York suburbs have long lagged their peers in building new housing. A few towns are eyeing a different approach.
Sam Mellins · October 25, 2022
Lesser Infractions Aren’t Supposed to Land You in Solitary Confinement. They Do Anyway.
New York prisons have illegally sent at least 1,100 people to solitary confinement for infractions that aren’t eligible for the punishment, a New York Focus analysis has found.
Chris Gelardi · October 24, 2022
New York May Drop JPay, The Scandal-Plagued Prison Banking Company
A one-year extension could be the prison contractor’s last, ending a 15-year run.
Eli Tan · October 21, 2022