News without the noise · New York Edition
Sunday, April 5, 2026 · 39 stories
On April 25, streets across all five boroughs will close to vehicles for a day of events, art, and free Citi Bike rides. The city's annual car-free Earth Day initiative returns, with activities planned at over 30 locations.
A bill that would cap damages in auto insurance cases is being opposed by a lawyers' association, while a ride-share company has spent millions lobbying state lawmakers to lower insurance rates that are among the highest nationally. The legislative action addresses insurance premiums affecting New York residents.
The piping plover, a threatened shorebird species, breeds on New York City beaches during nesting season. This annual event involves conservation efforts on local shorelines.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman, the Nassau County Executive and a staunch supporter of former President Donald Trump, is running against incumbent Democrat Kathy Hochul, who maintains a significant lead in recent polls. Concurrently, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is advocating for increased taxes on large corporations to address a projected $5 billion deficit and fund proposed city programs, raising concerns about potential business relocation to lower-tax states.
According to Lebanese authorities, at least 54 healthcare workers are among over 1,400 fatalities during the current conflict. Human rights organizations allege first responders are being deliberately targeted, a claim Israel denies.
The NYPD is searching for two sisters, 12-year-old Jerzayah Singleton and 11-year-old Jeliyeh Singleton, who were last seen in Coney Island around 12:30 a.m. Saturday. Authorities are asking for public assistance in locating the children.
U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a social media threat to destroy Iran's power plants and bridges if it does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz to all shipping by a Tuesday deadline. The closure of the strait has led to rising global oil prices and fears of higher inflation. The threat follows the rescue of a second U.S. crew member from a downed fighter jet in Iran, amid ongoing military exchanges between the U.S., Israel, and Iran.
A U.S. military operation rescued a missing crew member from a downed F-15E fighter jet in Iran, following the aircraft's shootdown over southern Iran. The rescue involved special forces, dozens of aircraft, and CIA tracking, with the airman extracted from a mountain crevice and flown to Kuwait for medical treatment. Iran claimed to have destroyed several U.S. transport planes and helicopters during the operation, though U.S. officials reported the mission's success.
A U.S. F-15 fighter jet was shot down over southern Iran on Friday, with both crew members ejecting. One crew member was rescued in an earlier operation, while the other was located and extracted in a subsequent combat search and rescue mission, involving dozens of special operations forces and aircraft, and was flown to Kuwait for treatment. Iranian officials stated the jet was downed by their air defense systems.
New York City officials have determined that four public housing developments in Chelsea are too deteriorated for renovation and propose demolishing and rebuilding them with mixed-income units. Some residents oppose this plan, preferring renovation over replacement of their current homes.