News without the noise · New York Edition
Wednesday, April 15, 2026 · 57 stories
The city's administration opposes expanding the CityFHEPS housing voucher program, citing excessive costs. This stance prevents potential beneficiaries, such as a 67-year-old resident, from accessing the assistance.
Approximately 34,000 building service workers, including doormen, concierges, and cleaners, are voting on whether to authorize a strike that could begin Monday. The potential work stoppage involves employees represented by Local 32BJ of the Service Employees International Union across residential and commercial buildings.
Governor Kathy Hochul and New York state lawmakers are in a dispute over auto insurance policy, which has contributed to a stalled state budget. The conflict involves accusations of financial influence, with Hochul stating that money does not affect their decisions.
Governor Kathy Hochul has proposed an annual tax surcharge on second homes in New York City valued at $5 million or more, which is estimated to generate at least $500 million in revenue annually. The proposal, aimed at helping close the city's $5.4 billion budget deficit, has received support from Mayor Zohran Mamdani and City Council Speaker Julie Menin, while real estate industry critics argue it could harm construction jobs and property values.
A report indicates NJ Transit may charge over $100 for round-trip tickets between New York Penn Station and MetLife Stadium during World Cup matches this summer. New York Governor Kathy Hochul commented that such pricing seems high and emphasized the event should be affordable and accessible.
Brooklyn prosecutors and the NYPD have charged 36 alleged members of rival gangs WOOO and CHOO in connection with 36 shootings, including one fatal incident and 10 non-fatal shootings that injured victims, some of whom were innocent bystanders. The indictments, announced by District Attorney Eric Gonzalez and Commissioner Jessica Tisch, stem from a long-term investigation into violence linked to NYCHA complexes in Brownsville, with charges including conspiracy to commit murder and criminal possession of a weapon.
A federal jury found Live Nation, which owns Ticketmaster, illegally operated as a monopoly and overcharged fans. The verdict could lead to the company divesting parts of its business or splitting from Ticketmaster, following a seven-week trial in New York City. The jury determined Ticketmaster overcharged customers by $1.72 per ticket, which will be used to calculate damages.
International donors pledged over £1 billion at a Berlin conference to address Sudan's humanitarian crisis, exceeding funding targets. UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized that funding alone cannot substitute for peace and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and an end to external arms flows. Egypt and the UAE are among states supporting Sudan's military.
Three paramedics were killed in southern Lebanon in a series of Israeli attacks on medical teams responding to a prior strike, according to Lebanese officials. The Lebanese health ministry states that over 90 health professionals have been killed and more than 120 attacks on ambulances and medical facilities have been recorded since the conflict began in March.