Gothamist

In March, Brooklyn prosecutors signed off on their first exoneration of the year, freeing Kenneth Windley after nearly 20 years in prison. Such exonerations have been a proud hallmark of the Brooklyn DA’s office since its Conviction Review Unit was established in 2014. But lately, they’ve been rarer. While the unit has exonerated as many as 10 people in a single year, it only exonerated one person in 2025. Brooklyn is not alone in its slowdown in overturning convictions.

A bipartisan group of congressmembers has introduced a bill that would raise safety standards in the helicopter industry long criticized for lax regulation — one year after a helicopter crashed into the Hudson River, killing the pilot and a family of five visiting from Spain. U.S. Rep. Jerry Nadler and his allies are the latest in a long line of lawmakers and advocates who have tried to rein in the helicopter industry in the New York City area with little success.

A group of lawmakers rallied Friday to stop the eviction of Jimmy’s Corner, the last remaining dive bar near Times Square. Jimmy's has been serving beers and shots since 1971, when the Crossroads of the World was a notorious epicenter of porn shops and skullduggery. The bar's founder, Jimmy Glenn, died of COVID-19 in 2020, and his son Adam Glenn has since taken over.

Just under half of New Yorkers approved of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s performance during his first three months in office, according to a poll published Wednesday by Marist University. The poll, which was released two days before Mamdani’s 100th day in office, also found 30% of city residents disapproved of his job performance, while another 23% were still unsure. A far higher percentage — 74% — said they thought Mamdani was working hard as mayor.

A Westchester County man has been charged with making pipe bombs in his apartment, after months of complaints from neighbors about loud explosions. Raymond Elders, 65, was arrested at his apartment building early on Monday after the White Plains Police Department received multiple reports of explosions around 5:30 a.m., according to federal prosecutors.

It’s inadvisable, let alone impossible, to ignore the news, but during this particularly distressing season, we all need at least a few nights’ worth of escape. New York City’s April show calendar promises many opportunities to let go, whether you’re in the market for in-your-feelings pop, hip-hop-infused jazz or skull-rattling ambient metal. Read on for our top show picks for the month.

The redevelopment of two NYCHA complexes in Chelsea has emerged as a wedge issue in the high-profile race to succeed retiring U.S. Rep. Jerry Nadler. The city plans to demolish and rebuild the Fulton and Elliott-Chelsea Houses, replacing 2,056 units with brand new apartments in six high-rise buildings. The NYCHA residents would be guaranteed new homes — and new neighbors in the complex that would include as many as 3,500 affordable and market-rate apartments.

There’s already Broadway Week, Restaurant Week and even Must-See Week — now get ready for the first-ever Art House Cinema Week. From March 20 to 26, New Yorkers can enjoy special programming and discounts at more than 30 participating theaters. In an effort to support small businesses and the film industry, the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment is funding 5,000 free movie tickets for qualifying New Yorkers. Promotions and programming differ across cinemas.

“If you want to build your capacity for peace, you build your capacity for chaos,” said Mistress Francesa. The professional dominatrix and “sexologist” spoke to a group of head-nodding, note-scribbling onlookers, giving a lecture titled “The Pleasure of Pain: Reclaiming Sadism and Masochism" as part of the French-salon-inspired monthly queer lecture series Living Room Lectures.

For months, Staten Island residents and environmental officials have tried and failed to identify the source of a stench described as a revolting combo of rotten eggs and broccoli. The malodorous mystery seems to be emanating from sewers on Merrill Avenue near Graham Avenue. The city’s Department of Environmental Protection has installed filters in manholes to reduce the stench and is continuing to investigate.