The leaves are changing color, and with that we change seasons. That typically signifies new beginnings, but even with coronavirus infection rates falling across the city, there are still fears another surge could be on the horizon. more

Some of New York City’s larger hotels that significantly cut staff or outright shut down in wake of the coronavirus pandemic will need to open by the end of the month, or could be forced to pay out severance for as much as $15,000 per employee. more

Jordan Dewbre wants to help as many people as possible during these difficult times. BronxWorks has joined a consortium of nonprofits to form the Bronx Rental Assistance Network — or BxRAN — to help connect those renters in need with the state’s emergency financial assistance program. more

It’s a name that might evoke serenity and relaxation. But Letchworth Village was anything but.

For decades, the massive complex was home to thousands diagnosed with physical or mental disabilities. Too many, in fact. Residents — especially children — were forced to live in filthy conditions, many times with no clothes to wear and nothing to do.

It was enough to create a national outcry so loud, an entire nation radically reformed disability services.

“I’ve visited penal institutions all over the country,” U.S. Rep. Mario Biaggi said. “I’ve visited hospitals all over the country. I’ve visited the worst brigs in the military. I’ve never seen anything like” Letchworth.

How could he know, less than a half-century later, his granddaughter would experience something tragically similar. But it wasn’t Letchworth Village state Sen. Alessandra Biaggi toured last month — instead, it was Rikers Island. A place also hidden far away from inquiring eyes, this time on a one-square-mile plot of mostly landfill-created dirt in the middle of the East River. But not hidden far enough. more

State Sen. Alessandra Biaggi has tested positive for the coronavirus, and says that although she is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, she's now isolating at home. more

One of the biggest fears coming out of the pandemic — at least as far as the government was concerned — were significant shortfalls in tax revenue to pay for state services. more

One of the Bronx’s largest cultural institutions, the Lehman Center for the Performing Arts, reopened this month after a 19-month hiatus in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. more

Mayor Bill de Blasio told reporters last week he’s convinced his mandate encouraged thousands of education department workers to get at least the first dose of the vaccine, leaving just a handful who still haven’t done it. Just in case, however, the education department brought in thousands of vaccinated substitute teachers. more

With a number of apartment tenants remain in arrears across the city since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, one might assume landlords looking to attract new renters might lower their monthly costs. Think again. more

Help couldn’t come sooner for Derek and Becky Woods. While many business owners found solace in government assistance such as the Paycheck Protection Program, some non-profits like Riverdale Children’s Theatre — which the Woods run — needed additional assistance to keep their organizations afloat. more