The NYC Thorn is a weekly roundup of local political news compiled by members of NYC-DSA. We Are Looking for New Volunteers to Join our Editorial Team! If you are interested, please contact us:
Local News
Federal corruption charges against Mayor Eric Adams have been dismissed. WNYC examined what will happen next.
New York's State legislature passed a $17 billion budget extender after missing the April 1 deadline for a new budget. Governor Kathy Hochul reached an agreement on a school cellphone ban, but other key budget issues remain unresolved. Hochul is holding the budget hostage over her desire to gut the landmark 2019 discovery reform law. A judge has also blocked the Governor’s proposed mask mandate for schools and certain public places as part of the ongoing budget negotiations.
New York State is set to enforce looser educational rules for yeshivas despite long-running concerns that they fail to provide equal access to education.
The stalled Atlantic Yards development project in Brooklyn is now facing additional challenges and uncertainties about its future.
A judge has given Columbia University students, including detained permanent resident Mahmoud Khalil, 30 days to challenge a Congressional request for their educational records.
New York State has refused to comply with President Trump’s executive demands on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in K-12 classrooms.
Immigrant advocates are pushing for New York City jails to end cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has entered a data-sharing agreement with immigration enforcement agencies that puts New Yorkers at risk.
There has been a revival of NYPD’s stop-and-frisk practices under Mayor Adams, primarily targeting immigrants and minority communities.
AMNY explains how Trump’s sweeping new tariffs may impact NYC supermarket prices.
President Trump's anti-trans policies are at odds with New York State law regarding transgender healthcare.
Mayor Adams and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy took a ride on the MTA subway but neglected to tell anyone at the MTA.
A Harlem activist remains in ICE detention, even though a judge has recommended his release.
Cuts in federal funding under the Trump administration are having a devastating impact on mental health services across New York State.
The population at Rikers Island continues to grow, and shuttered facilities have been reopened as state prisons face overcrowding, exacerbating New York City's incarceration crisis and the dire conditions within the system.
A new program allows eligible New Yorkers to get a reduced-fare OMNY card for subway and bus rides.
The MTA has unveiled a redesigned subway map for New York City, marking the first update in 45 years.
Election News
After myriad corruption scandals, dismal approval ratings, anemic fundraising, and an overall unserious campaign, Mayor Eric Adams announced he is running for re-election as an independent, all but assuring he will fail to win a second term.
Mayor Adams, Zohran Mamdani, Andrew Cuomo, and other mayoral candidates appeared together at Al Sharpton’s National Action Network to answer questions about the race.
Zohran answered questions from 18 notable New Yorkers and spent an evening campaigning with a journalist from Slate.
Governor Kathy Hochul defended her party leadership role, despite Mayor Eric Adams breaking from the Democratic Party line.
After endorsing a four-candidate slate, including Zohran Mamdani, in the Democratic primary, The Working Families Party has announced the intention to use its ballot line for its own candidate in the general election if none of the candidates win in the Democratic primary.
The DREAM PAC (Don't Rank Eric or Andrew for Mayor) is now the DREAM PAC (Don't Rank Evil Andrew for Mayor).
Trump didn’t know Cuomo was running for mayor but assured reporters that they get along great.
The Thorn is published weekly by the Electoral Working Group of the NYC Democratic Socialists of America. Join the Electoral Working Group! Volunteer for NYC-DSA-endorsed mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani and NYC-DSA-endorsed City Council candidate Alexa Aviles (District 38, Sunset Park)!
The NYC Local
Our chapter's labor newsletter, The Local, arrives every other week with a focus on labor organizing, bargaining, and local legislation that impacts NYC's workers. Give them a follow here.