Using parody lyrics, lots of Yuletide spirit and, of course, plenty of egg nog, these flamboyant flâneurs make a serious point about New York's sclerotic roadways: they don't have to be dangerous places for kids and lungs, but can be joyous spaces for people to walk around, shop, eat or just ... flâneur. So enjoy some of that seasonal spunk that the carolers spread all over 34th Avenue in Queens last week by singing along to these songs:
A judge scolded accused serial dine-and-dash diva Pei Chung as she traded her designer duds for prison scrubs in Brooklyn court Wednesday. Dressed in a drab olive-colored jail uniform, Chung, 34 - who allegedly skipped out on at least eight restaurant bills in a month - repeatedly interrupted Judge Orville Reynolds during her Brooklyn criminal court hearing. "When I speak you don't speak! Understand?!" Reynolds finally snapped.
When New Yorkers elected Zohran Mamdani as mayor in 2025, they did more than choose a political direction. They issued a mandate for structural change on housing, transit, affordability, and safety. Early voting check-ins reached historic levels, according to the NYC Board of Elections, and more than two million ballots were cast in the mayoral election, the highest turnout in at least 50 years.
Nov. 4, 2025, was a significant day for many Americans. As they do every two years, voters across the country carved out part of their day to visit their local polling places and cast ballots in their states' general elections. Often overshadowed by presidential elections, state legislative races tend to receive far less national attention. This is despite how local politics play a vital role in shaping the broader legislative landscape of the United States, one that ultimately influences decisions felt around the world.
Approval of all three New York City-area casino proposals became official on Monday when the state Gaming Commission green-lit plans for full table games and billions of dollars of new investment at three sites in Queens and the Bronx.
The project would repurpose an existing freight corridor running between Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, and Jackson Heights, Queens, one of New York's most diverse neighborhoods - a line currently used to transport goods including flour and beer, earning it the nickname the "pizza-and-beer railroad." Because existing infrastructure is already in place, the MTA notes that the line could be built more easily than a brand-new subway route.
BROOKLYN, NY - Four people were injured in a five-alarm fire that ripped through a Borough Park bakery in the early morning hours of Wednesday, FDNY officials said. The blaze sparked on the first floor of 1285 36th St., between Clara Street and 13th Avenue about 2 a.m., according to the FDNY. The flames quickly spread to the rear of the two-story building. FDNY firefighters were still battling the blaze as of this morning, officials said.
Parks around the borough are offering lots of activities this month, including celebrating the winter solstice, birding, and hiking with horses. Brooklyn parks don't go quiet during the winter season, and for those looking to head outside as the year winds to a close there are lots of activities to enjoy. We've rounded up a selection of free events that offer a chance to explore the borough's flora and fauna.
This year was not friendly to chain stores in NYC. Retail giants continued to decline in 2025, even as new and fun brands fueled their growth in certain sectors, according to a report released on Wednesday. An astonishing 18 national chains shuttered all of their shops in the five boroughs. The total number of chain stores across the five boroughs fell for the sixth time in the past eight yearsdeclining 1.3% citywide, or a net loss of 112 stores since last year, according to the Center for an Urban Future's (CUF) annual State of the Chains 2025 report on Dec. 17.
BROOKLYN, NY - Police are investigating a possible antisemitic assault after a Jewish man was stabbed on a Brooklyn street corner Tuesday afternoon, and are searching for a suspect who fled the scene. Police said the 35-year-old victim was involved in what appeared to be a random verbal altercation with another man around 4 p.m. near Kingston Avenue and Lincoln Place in Crown Heights, which escalated when the suspect allegedly pulled out a knife and stabbed him.
At the end of every year, we at Curbed like to take a close look at which stories our readers spent the most time with. Luxury Schadenfreude, glimpses into elite enclaves, and in-the-know hacks for thriving in the city were some of the recurring themes. This year, we answered burning questions you might not have known you had: What's it like to live in an empty Brooklyn supertall?
Under the proposal, city council members, the mayor, the public advocate, borough presidents and comptroller would get 16% raises, and district attorneys would see a 6% salary increase. Introduction 1493 would have council members give themselves their first raise since 2016, from $148,500 to $172,500. The council based that figure on cost of living, increased job expectations and increases to private, nonprofit and other electeds' salaries in comparable cities, like Chicago.
Get into the holiday spirit for an afternoon filled with creativity and cheer! Enjoy a warm cup of hot cocoa while customizing sugar cookies with colorful toppings and sprinkles and create holiday keepsakes that you'll hang on your tree for years to come. Make sure to bring your phone or camera to get a picture with Santa Claus! Friday, Dec. 19, Tot Session , 10 am - 12 pm, ages 1 - 5. Youth Session , 2 - 5 pm, ages 5 - 13. Advanced registration required.
The calendar year may be winding down, but luckily, such is not the case for New York City's bar and restaurant scene. As anyone who lives here can tell you, December is never quiet: just walk by Rockefeller Center or Bryant Park if you don't believe us. But tourist hordes and giant Christmas trees aside, this last month of the year is quite literally festive, which means dining and drinking out right now takes on an extra glittery and magical sheen.
State Sen. Kristen Gonzalez wants Manhattan to be safer. To get there, the city and state governments must understand traffic violence as a fundamental threat to public safety, she argues in a 14-page plan published today. The document, called the "Manhattan Community Safety Plan," focuses on the overall safety of the borough, with sections devoted to behavioral health, housing access, and firearm policy. The first section zeroes in on street safety, and calls for the passage of several relevant bills pending in Albany and City Hall:
Streetsblog provides high-quality journalism and analysis for free - which is something to be celebrated in an era of paywalls. Once a year, we ask for your tax-deductible donations to support our reporters and editors as they advance the movement to end car dependency in our communities. If you already support our work, thank you! If not, can we ask for your help? This year's fundraiser includes a special gift for our biggest supporters. Don't miss out.
