Reform the New York State Scaffold Law
For the first time in a long time, New York is dreaming big. From building hundreds of thousands of affordable housing units to expanding our aging transit system, the ambitions…
Why this nonprofit CEO says Philly ‘cannot just be a place of eds and meds and Comcast’
Philadelphia is often referred to as an “eds and meds” economy — the region’s colleges, universities, and health systems employ hundreds of thousands. But Sean Vereen, president and CEO of…
Mamdani’s A+ on mayoral control: A welcome flip-flop to the correct position
Today is the first day for New York City public schools back from winter break, with a new mayor, Zohran Mamdani, and a new schools chancellor, Kamar Samuels. And what…
Mayor Mamdani creates ‘Office of Mass Engagement’ to help drive community participation
Mayor Mamdani announced a new Office of Mass Engagement Friday to foster community participation as he looks to retain the grassroots momentum that helped him win in November. The mayor,…
Philadelphia records the fewest homicides in 60 years, plus other insights to 2025’s crime
For the first time in more than half a century, Philadelphia has recorded fewer than 225 homicides in a single year. In 2025, 222 people were killed — the fewest…
Fix outdoor dining and protect the tip credit
New York City’s redesigned outdoor dining program is too expensive and too bureaucratic for many small, diverse, neighborhood establishments across the five boroughs to participate in. The result has been…
Despite high winds that canceled the string band competition, the 2026 Mummers Parade drew thousands to a Philly tradition
With sequins and glitter, music and pageantry, the nation’s oldest folk parade strutted through downtown Philadelphia on Thursday, delighting thousands who lined Broad Street despite fierce, damaging, and bitter winds.…
How Social Security has gotten worse under Trump
The Social Security Administration — the sprawling federal agency that delivers retirement, disability, and survivor benefits to 74 million Americans — began the second Trump administration with a hostile takeover.…
Once a precocious theater kid from West Philly, Hollywood production designer Wynn Thomas has won an overdue Oscar at 72
When famed production designer Wynn Thomas prepared an acceptance speech for his long-awaited Oscar at the age of 72, he wanted to highlight his own Philadelphia story. “My journey to…
Mamdani picking Hochul infrastructure adviser as top operations deputy: sources
Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani announced a number of key appointments to his administration Wednesday afternoon, including Julia Kerson, an infrastructure adviser to Gov. Hochul, who will serve as his top operations…