News without the noise · New York Edition
Sunday, March 22, 2026 · 25 stories
Parks advocates are preparing to oppose Mayor Zohran Mamdani's proposed budget cuts, which they say contradict his campaign promise to roughly double funding for the city's parks department. The issue involves municipal budget decisions affecting local public spaces and services.
TSA agents at LaGuardia Airport are calling out in large numbers as the partial government shutdown enters its second month, causing significant delays for travelers. The situation is affecting operations at New York City area airports, with passengers experiencing extended wait times.
A Brooklyn Supreme Court case is applying a new state law that allows courts to further shield jurors' identities, marking its first use amid increasing online threats. The law aims to protect jurors in high-profile cases where intimidation risks are elevated.
A new state law taking effect this weekend requires businesses in New York to accept cash payments from customers, prohibiting restaurants and other establishments from mandating credit card or cashless methods. Violators face civil fines of up to $1,000 for first offenses and $1,500 for repeat offenses, with the state attorney general emphasizing enforcement to protect consumers.
Over 85% of Latino infants and toddlers in low-income households in New York City depend on home-based child care businesses, according to the Hispanic Research Center. The Women's Housing and Economic Development Corporation (WHEDco), a Bronx-based nonprofit founded in 1992, offers training programs to help these providers successfully run their operations, serving over 40,000 people annually.
The Pentagon is requesting an additional $200 billion to fund the ongoing war with Iran, which has caused oil prices to soar and raised concerns about inflation affecting flights and groceries. Separately, NYC Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels discussed his plans for the school system, including Mayor Zohran Mamdani's push to expand 2-K and 3-K programs and issues around mayoral control of city schools.
Severe storms in Hawaii have caused an estimated $1 billion in damages, with over 230 people rescued and no fatalities reported. The flooding, described as the worst since 2004, led to road closures, evacuations, and significant property loss, with the Hawaii National Guard monitoring a dam for potential overflow.
Extremist Jewish settlers carried out attacks on Palestinian villages in the occupied West Bank, setting fire to homes, vehicles, and agricultural fields. The violence followed the death of a teenage settler, with over 20 attacks reported overnight and at least three Palestinians hospitalized with head wounds. Israeli forces were dispatched to several villages, but no preventive measures were taken and no suspects have been arrested.
A drone strike on el-Daein Teaching Hospital in Sudan during Eid killed 64 people, including 13 children and medical staff, and wounded 89 others, according to the World Health Organization. The attack has rendered the hospital non-functional, depriving thousands in East Darfur of vital medical care. The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces accused the Sudanese army of carrying out the strike, which the army denied, while WHO data shows over 2,000 people have been killed in 213 attacks on healthcare facilities during the nearly three-year conflict.
A hand injury affecting multiple MLB players has been explained by an orthopedic surgeon. The condition is linked to baseball hitters' pursuit of power at the plate.