Local Politics · New York, NY
Mayor Zohran Mamdani confirmed Wednesday that Linda Tigani will remain chair of New York City's independent Commission on Racial Equity (CORE) until at least summer 2027, after City Council members opposed her immediate replacement. The Black, Latino and Asian Caucus urged retention in an Oct. 27 letter, citing ongoing reparations and truth-and-reconciliation work. Mamdani expressed intent to nominate Christopher Alexander, executive director of the NAACP New York State Conference, for a potential August 2027 start, though no appointment has been finalized. The dispute follows months of tension between CORE and City Hall over missed racial equity plan deadlines, including an August Manhattan Supreme Court ruling that found both former Mayor Adams and Mamdani failed to meet charter requirements.
Public Safety · New York, NY
A disciplinary trial for off-duty NYPD officer Wayne Isaacs, who killed unarmed 37-year-old Delrawn Small in a July 4th weekend road confrontation in East New York, Brooklyn in 2016, is scheduled for Jan. 13, 2027. Isaacs was acquitted of second-degree murder and first-degree manslaughter charges in 2017, but the Civilian Complaint Review Board substantiated misconduct charges against him in 2020. NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Trials Rosmarie Maldonado recommended dropping the disciplinary charges late last year, but Commissioner Jessica Tisch overrode that recommendation to proceed with the trial. The proceedings will determine whether Isaacs violated department guidelines and could result in termination.
Community News · New York County
Residents and business owners in Manhattan's East Village continued complaining Thursday about hundreds of delivery-worker e-bikes parked at a makeshift staging area near East 11th Street and First Avenue, where workers have gathered since February 2024. NYPD officers inspected the site around 9 a.m. Wednesday without removing bikes, then returned later that afternoon to junk abandoned ones; the operation was prompted by community complaints. Residents cited obstructed sidewalks, sanitation problems, and rat issues, while some neighbors said the presence of workers made the block feel safer. Christine Renzi of the East Village Beautification Project called for more enforcement and bike-rack installation, and Jamy Bah, speaking for delivery workers, said language barriers contribute to confusion about parking rules.
Community News · New York, NY
As of October 12, the city authorized contractors at the supertall jail to work from 6 a.m. to midnight five days a week plus all day Saturday, replacing prior overnight restrictions. Early voting runs through Sunday, November 1, ahead of Election Day on November 3. A restaurant called The Thomas expects to open in January at 62 Thomas Street in the former Megu/Buddha-Bar space, and Wonder Kids Therapy Center opened last month on Jay and Hudson Streets serving children ages 0 to 12. Washington Market Park held its annual Pumpkin Carving Contest and Halloween parade to kick off the neighborhood's Halloween season.
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Social Events · New York, NY
The Colgate Women's Games, the country's largest track and field series for women, enters its sixth decade with registration beginning November 28 at the Nike Track & Field Center at the Armory (216 Ft. Washington Avenue) in Washington Heights, Manhattan. Founded in 1974 by Brooklyn coach Fred Thompson, the program has awarded over 5,000 scholarships to date. Events include sprints, hurdles, distance races, high jump, and shot put for participants from elementary school through world-class athletes. Additional registration occurs December 12 at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn; preliminary rounds are December 27 and January 3 at the Armory, with semi-finals January 24 and finals February 6 also at the Armory.
Community brief · New York, NY
Crif Dogs reopened at 113 St. Mark's Place in Manhattan's East Village after fallen trees from a late-September nor'easter temporarily shut down the shop and its speakeasy sibling, PDT. Owner Jeff Bell said one neighbor's tree fell into another's, leaving both resting precariously against the building between Avenue A and First Avenue. Crews were spotted mulching the tree remains the morning of the reopening. The return coincided with Crif Dogs'…
Community brief · New York, NY
Miami-based fast-casual chain Pura Vida has opened its 50th location at 255 Vesey Street in Battery Park City, occupying the former Blue Smoke space across from the Brookfield mall entrance. Founded by Jennifer and Omer Horev in 2012, the chain now operates eight locations in New York City, including its first in Nomad (opened 2024) and a Dumbo location that opened recently. The menu features all-day breakfast, bowls, wraps, sandwiches,…
