credit – Campbell Jensen Of all the challenges Zohran Mamdani will face taking charge of the biggest city in the US, shootings isn’t one of them, as the Big Apple recorded fewer in 2025 than any year on record. “In 2025, New York City recorded 688 shooting incidents, the lowest number in the city’s … Read more
Confetti in Times Square January 1 by Anthony Quintano / Flickr (CC BY 2.0) As the famous New York City ball dropped downward to deliver 2026, a deluge of hopes, dreams, and wishes rained down in Times Square. I wish for more love and kindness in 2026… I wish for a good year with good … Read more
Zohran Mamdani is sworn in as New York City’s 112th mayor by New York Attorney General Letitia James, left, alongside his wife Rama Duwaji, right, in the former City Hall subway station on January 1, 2026 in New York City. Pool | Getty Images News | Getty Images Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as New … Read more
As the restaurant industry endured another difficult year, many chains opted to close underperforming locations as they try to turn around their businesses. Inflation-weary consumers have pulled back their restaurant spending, choosing to eat at home or chasing deals when they go out for a meal. While some restaurants have won over reluctant diners, the … Read more
Mortgage rates are lower, home prices are easing, and there is more supply on the market for sale. All of that adds up to improved affordability for today’s homebuyers. Saving for a down payment, however, is still the biggest hurdle for first-time buyers. Prices nationally are basically flat compared with where they were a year … Read more
A traveler near a departures board at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in Newark, New Jersey, US, on Monday, Nov. 24, 2025. Victor J. Blue | Bloomberg | Getty Images Airlines are letting flyers change their trips ahead of a major winter storm that will put carriers to the test during one of the busiest … Read more
Bob Newhart and Will Ferrell star in “Elf.” Warner Bros. In the 2003 movie “Elf,” the lead character Buddy discovers he is human, though he has spent his life raised by elves. He travels to New York City to find his real family, including his father who shares an Upper West Side apartment with his … Read more
The economy cabin of American Airlines A321XLR. Leslie Josephs/CNBC American Airlines is about to fly passengers to California for the first time on a skinny, long-range plane that it hopes will change air travel. The airline’s head of network planning now has to decide where else it should fly. The first Airbus A321XLR for a … Read more
The Grandma Stand – credit, Graham Meyers for the City of McKinney From Canada’s “As it Happens” comes a story by way of Texas of a “Grandma Stand” where volunteer elders offer to lend an ear to anyone beset by troubles. Anyone can walk by the purple lemonade stand and sit down across from a … Read more
Bryan Reisberg with newly-adopted Bertha (left) – Credit: Bryan Reisberg It all started with a Corgi in a backpack in a crowded subway car. Bryan Reisberg noticed that his dog Maxine had a way of cheering people up, bringing some light into their lives during their daily commutes underground. Serious faces became smiles. Stress faded. … Read more