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196 storiesnewest firstlatest August 13, 2026page 5 of 10
Fergus Farrell, who recovered from a 2018 spinal injury after a year in a wheelchair, begins a nearly 3,000‑mile coast‑to‑coast walk today by crossing the Brooklyn Bridge, marking a major physical and spiritual milestone.
The NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission proposes removing the $200 fine for drivers whose licenses are suspended and who are over 30 days late on required drug tests or vehicle inspections, aiming to lessen financial strain on the city’s 180,000 taxi and limousine drivers.
Retired New York Supreme Court Justice Charles J. Thomas died at 92 in New York City on August 13, 2026, leaving a legacy of judicial service and mentorship to legal professionals across the state.
Councilmember Christopher Marte reintroduced a bill on August 13, 2026, to block any move from traditional Medicare to a private plan for New York City’s 250,000 retired civil servants and families, as the city reviews a privatization proposal.
A fire ignited on the scaffolding surrounding Manhattan’s Flatiron Building on August 13, 2026, prompting a response from the FDNY and law‑enforcement officials. The blaze occurred amid ongoing renovation work on the historic structure.
July 2026 saw Manhattan and Brooklyn market‑rate rents reach record levels, with Manhattan's median rent hitting $5,000, a 6.4% year‑over‑year increase, while rent caps remain limited to stabilized apartments.
Costco Wholesale opened a new warehouse at 1701 Western Avenue in Albany on August 6, 2026, attracting 14,000 members before opening—a record for the chain. The store aims to serve Capital Region shoppers with a broad selection of goods and create local jobs.
Local coffee chains in New York's Capital Region have launched pumpkin‑flavored drinks in August, responding to customer demand and part of a regional trend toward early fall menus.
More than 160 Planned Parenthood of Greater New York staff picketed the Downtown Brooklyn clinic on August 11, demanding a fair contract after months without an agreement. Negotiations have stalled since June, with workers seeking better pay and protections.
The New York City Fire Museum reopened on August 12, 2026, after a two‑year closure due to safety concerns, restoring public access to its historic firefighting artifacts, including items from the horse‑drawn apparatus era.
The New York City Council, led by Speaker Julie Menin, launched an investigation on August 12, 2026 to determine if city law can regulate advertising by prediction‑market platforms like Polymarket and Kalshi. The probe seeks to assess legal options for restricting promotional practices while acknowledging the council cannot ban the markets themselves.
Jeff Stier presented a regulatory law Lunch‑and‑Learn to New York State Supreme Court judicial interns at the Manhattan Supreme Court on May 26, 2026, offering practical insight into the duties of legal professionals. The session was part of a summer series aimed at enhancing the interns’ understanding of regulatory practice.
Supreme Court’s February 2026 decision nullified many Trump‑era tariffs, but New York City small businesses still face high costs despite importers claiming $121.75 billion in refunds.
New York City senior centers, including Encore Aging Through Arts Center, are seeing fewer attendees on Tuesdays after a city mandate required plant‑based meals, which many seniors find less appealing.
Puppetworks shut its Park Slope store, moving its puppets and horses to Harlem where a new passageway has opened, reflecting a citywide shift of businesses from Brooklyn to Manhattan.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani's first New York City budget was praised for its transparency but officials warned that a spending‑revenue gap remains unresolved.
Brad Alvelo operates Pizza Pod NYC, a micro‑pizzeria run from the trunk of his Smart car, adding a mobile slice option to the city’s extensive pizza scene.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced the city is seeking an operator for five municipal grocery stores to lower food prices, as part of a plan to provide cheaper groceries for New York residents.
A partial solar eclipse will dim daylight in New York City on August 12, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., as the Moon partially covers the Sun.
The NYC Parks Department reports a sharp rise in fallen and damaged trees across city parks, including Prospect Park, due to more frequent severe storms in 2026, prompting extensive removal and safety efforts.
