Commentary

Original essays, new research and data analysis on many of the biggest questions facing New York and other cities

People sit on benches and others stand near benches at Newark, NJ's Penn Station

Community Safety

For Inspiration on Mayor Mamdani’s Vision for Community Safety, Look to Newark

Dan Hafetz Jul. 29 2026

A disheveled man is seen from behind with a bouquet of clovers stuffed inside his shirt

Community Safety

Modern Community Safety Includes More than Police

Tahir Duckett, Christy Lopez, Mariela Ruiz-Angel Jul. 29 2026

Mayor Mamdani's First 200 Days and What Comes Next

interview

Mayor Mamdani's First 200 Days and What Comes Next

New York Editorial Board Jul. 28 2026

A view of an office seen through the pink walls of a cubicle

Borrow and Steal

How New Jersey Got a Head Start on AI

Cara Eckholm Jul. 22 2026

In the right of frame, two people in black raincoats dig beneath floodwater up to their calves with shovels; in the left of frame, a man in a yellow raincoat approaches

Climate Change

Flooding in New York is a Policy Choice. Mayor Mamdani Should Reject It.

Amy Chester, Tyler Taba Jul. 22 2026

Swirled paint on a window reflecting a city building

City Government

Government Efficiency Through Stronger Ethics

Jocelyn Strauber Jul. 22 2026

An inmate at the Michigan Reformatory sits crouched with his head bent down in his arms in front of a painted backdrop of a city and a window with bars; a corrections officer is seen standin

Book Review

A Sweeping Critique of America's Justice System

Michael Jacobson Jul. 22 2026

A man in a sports jersey stands at a street corner and holds up a radio while a group of Hasidic men gather on the sidewalk behind him

Quality of Life

New York Needs a Better Noise Strategy

Daniel Loehr Jul. 15 2026

A close-up of a lifeguard with a whistle in her mouth whose sunglasses reflect the image of a pool full of swimmers

Podcast

The Lifeguard Fiefdom

Jamie Rubin Jul. 15 2026

A woman wearing a shirt depicting a panda stands at the corner of a busy sidewalk, looking into the distance and holding her hand above her brow to block the sun

City Planning

An Agenda for New York City’s Sidewalks

Michael Pollack Jul. 15 2026

Mayor Zohran Mamdani speaks with families applying for 2-K

Politics

The Origins of ‘Lived Experience’

Sage Lattman Jul. 08 2026

Police graduation.

Crime

Cities Aren’t Putting Police Officers Where They’re Needed Most

Richard Day Jul. 07 2026