News without the noise · New York Edition
Wednesday, March 25, 2026 · 71 stories
Mayor Zohran Mamdani is proposing $1.3 billion in reductions to initiatives he previously supported, including seeking to postpone a state requirement for smaller class sizes and scaling back expansion of rental assistance programs. These cuts represent significant adjustments to key municipal priorities in education and housing support.
City attorneys argued in a court filing that the NYPD has no legal duty to protect individual New Yorkers, responding to a lawsuit by Amanda Luci alleging officers failed to intervene during a 2025 mob attack in Crown Heights. The legal position centers on a long-standing interpretation of police responsibilities under state law.
Mayor Mamdani appears unlikely to pursue a property tax increase to address a $5.4 billion budget shortfall over two years, signaling a shift from earlier proposals. This decision affects New York City's approach to municipal finance and housing affordability.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani is appealing a court order to expand the city's rent voucher program, citing a $5.4 billion budget deficit and potential costs exceeding $4 billion. He announced a 'Neighborhood Builders Fast Track' program to accelerate affordable housing construction on city-owned land in Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Queens, aiming to reduce development time by up to two and a half years.
NYPD is investigating a hate crime robbery that occurred on March 25, 2026, at the 9th Avenue D train station in Borough Park, Brooklyn. The suspect allegedly made anti-Islamic statements, assaulted a 20-year-old woman, and damaged her phone before fleeing. Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul have issued statements condemning the attack and affirming the safety of Muslim New Yorkers.
Federal investigators identified multiple operational failures in a fatal runway collision at LaGuardia Airport. An air traffic controller cleared a fire truck to cross the runway just 12 seconds before an Air Canada flight landed, despite the plane having received landing clearance nearly two minutes earlier. The incident raises questions about airport safety protocols and coordination between ground and air operations.
A Los Angeles jury awarded $6 million in damages to a 20-year-old woman who sued Meta and Google's YouTube, finding the companies intentionally built addictive platforms that harmed her mental health. The verdict, which Meta and Google plan to appeal, could impact hundreds of similar cases pending in U.S. courts. The jury determined the companies acted with malice, oppression, or fraud, assigning Meta 70% and Google 30% of the damages.
The United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution designating the transatlantic slave trade as the gravest crime against humanity, with 123 votes in favor. The United States, Israel, and Argentina voted against the measure, while 52 countries including the United Kingdom abstained. The non-binding resolution urges member states to consider apologies and contributions to a reparations fund, though it does not specify monetary amounts.
Canada's prime minister criticized Air Canada's CEO for posting an English-only condolence message after a fatal crash in New York, calling it a lack of judgment and compassion. The airline executive's action has sparked calls for his resignation amid ongoing debates about linguistic rights in Canada.
The Australian government has declined to disclose the number of Chinese nationals arriving by boat since 2024, citing potential harm to bilateral relations. Indonesian authorities have reported an increase in attempts by Chinese nationals to organize such maritime journeys.
The New York Mets' 2026 MLB home opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates is scheduled for Thursday, March 26 at Citi Field. The game will be broadcast on NBC and Peacock.