News without the noise · New York Edition
Friday, May 15, 2026 · 66 stories
New York City's median rent has reached a record high of $4,120, reflecting the ongoing challenges in the housing market. This increase highlights the affordability crisis faced by many residents in the city.
Mayor Mamdani aims to address the challenges in New York City's special education system, with city spending on private education for children with disabilities projected to reach $1.5 billion this year. This issue has been a concern for previous mayors as well, highlighting ongoing challenges in managing costs associated with special education services.
A report from the Urban Institute indicates that most families in New York City are falling short of covering their living costs by approximately $40,000 annually. The estimated annual cost of living for a family with children in the city is $160,800.
An elderly driver lost control of his vehicle on Amsterdam Avenue in Manhattan's Upper West Side, striking parked cars and pedestrians. The incident resulted in the deaths of two men, while three others were injured and taken to St. Luke's Hospital. Authorities do not believe the crash was intentional, and the investigation is ongoing.
Service into Penn Station is expected to resume at 5 a.m. on Saturday following an electrical fire in the East River tunnels that disrupted Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) service. As of Friday evening, there was limited eastbound service and no westbound service at Penn Station, with some trains being diverted to Grand Central Terminal. The fire, which occurred on Thursday, affected power to signals and switches, but no injuries were reported.
Nonprofit housing advocates are urging city and state leaders to address a critical issue affecting 12,000 New Yorkers, as federal funding for housing vouchers has been cut, impacting 5,200 families. The New York City Housing Authority has advised affected voucher holders to apply for public housing, but many are already on a waitlist with no guarantee of housing. Mayor Zohran Mamdani acknowledged the situation and stated that the city is exploring options to mitigate the impact of the funding cuts.
Democratic candidates for governor in Colorado have expressed strong disapproval of the recent commutation of Tina Peters' sentence related to election interference. This decision has sparked significant political backlash among the candidates, who are voicing concerns about its implications for election integrity.
An Israeli air strike in southern Lebanon has resulted in the deaths of six individuals, including three paramedics, as reported by Lebanon's health ministry. This incident coincides with the announcement of a 45-day ceasefire agreement between the US, Israel, and Lebanon, following ongoing exchanges of fire between Hezbollah and Israeli forces. The health ministry also indicated that a fourth paramedic was critically injured during the attack on a civil defense center in Harouf.
A five-month investigation has identified 13 men killed by US military strikes on boats allegedly involved in drug trafficking. The report highlights that all victims came from impoverished communities across Latin America and the Caribbean, raising concerns about the impact of such military actions on vulnerable populations.
Florida's attorney general has stated that the NFL's Rooney Rule, which mandates that teams interview minority candidates for top positions, is discriminatory. This statement aligns with challenges to similar diversity, equity, and inclusion policies made by the Trump administration's EEOC in other contexts.