Author: Gothamist

A newly discovered comet is heading Earth’s way, and should be visible from New York City. Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) will reach its closest distance to Earth – just 44 million miles away – on Oct. 12. If it doesn’t break apart, it will be easily visible from the five boroughs. “Comets are unusual, brilliant,…

The New Jersey State Police will implement an array of reforms aimed at weeding out racism and sexism among the agency’s top ranks, following decades of federal investigations, complaints and discrimination lawsuits. Two separate investigations found internal complaints made by troopers of color and women were “weaponized” against them. Now, the state attorney general’s office…

A total of 16 New York City schools — and another five from across the state — have been named National Blue Ribbon award winners, the U.S. Department of Education said on Monday. The honors recognize schools for their academic excellence and progress in closing achievement gaps among student groups. “The 2024 National Blue Ribbon…

Two men pleaded guilty on Monday to distributing drugs that killed a well-known advocate for transgender and sex worker rights, the U.S. attorney’s office for the Eastern District of New York said. Michael Kuilan, 44, and Antonio Venti, 52, were charged with distributing and possessing with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl that was sold…

New York City Health Commissioner Ashwin Vasan is planning to step down by early next year, City Hall confirmed on Monday, as Mayor Eric Adams’ administration faces multiple federal investigations involving top officials. In a statement on his resignation, Vasan said he needed to spend more time with his family, adding that his wife and…

Whether riding the subway or walking along a busy stretch of sidewalk, New Yorkers are likely to cross paths with people who have nowhere to sleep. Some of those people might also need mental health or substance abuse treatment. Those with unmet needs sometimes get stuck in a cycle of homelessness, hospitalization and jail. The…

Coney Island’s Cyclone roller-coaster finally reopened on Saturday morning after it was shut down following a malfunction last month. Inspectors with the city’s buildings department conducted several test runs without passengers and determined the Cyclone was safe to reopen to the public. An inspector remained on site as the first riders were allowed back on…

Fans of the New York Liberty are learning to be careful about what they wish for. After an explosive 2024 that has seen average home game attendance for “the best party in New York” more than double compared to just two years ago, season ticket membership holders – known as Liberty Loyals – are reporting…

A funeral home chain popular among Spanish-speaking New Yorkers has agreed to pay more than $700,000 in restitution to customers and civil penalties after the city sued it for allegedly preying on grieving families, officials said on Monday. R.G. Ortiz Funeral Home Inc., which has eight locations in the Bronx, Brooklyn and Manhattan, entered a…

The world’s largest rubber duck is coming to an amusement park in Westchester County, just outside of New York City, this weekend. The 61-foot, 15.5-ton Mama Duck – as well as her 10-foot-tall baby duckling named Timmy – will hang out at Playland’s Beach, in Rye, N.Y., from Friday through Sunday. “What I hear a…