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Mei Lin
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Health Officials Warn of Tick Surge in City Parks After Mild Winter
A booming tick population and rising Lyme disease cases have prompted new signage, trail treatments, and guidance for park-goers across the outer boroughs.
AI Data-Center Boom Tests the Limits of the City's Power Grid
A wave of new computing facilities in the outer boroughs is driving up electricity demand faster than utilities expected, forcing hard questions about capacity.
Brooklyn Rooftop Cinema Clubs Turn Summers Into Nightly Screenings
New rooftop venues in Williamsburg and Bushwick are curating classics and neighborhood premieres that trade late‑night bars for skyline viewings.
Entertainment · Mei Lin · May 1, 2026
How Off‑Broadway Labs Are Incubating New Musicals in Chelsea
Experimental workshops in Chelsea are fast-tracking composers and directors into commercial pipelines with stripped-back productions and audience feedback loops.
Entertainment · Mei Lin · April 28, 2026
Manhattan Restaurants Test Dynamic Pricing to Weather Wage Shock
A handful of high-volume eateries are piloting time-based menus and variable reservation rates to offset rising labor and supply costs.
Brooklyn Manufacturing Revives Along Gowanus Canal
Small-batch factories and makerspaces are moving into retrofitted warehouses even as concerns about flood risk and zoning remain unresolved.
Astoria Film Clubs Keep Diaspora Cinema Alive
Community-run cinemas and cultural centers in Astoria are programming Greek and Middle Eastern films to serve older residents while engaging young cinephiles.
Entertainment · Mei Lin · April 4, 2026
Hackensack River Murals Turn Industrial Corridors into Open-Air Galleries
Artists, municipalities and advocacy groups are collaborating on large-scale works that rebrand formerly neglected waterfronts along the NJ-NY commuter belt.
Micro-Apartments Surge in Jersey City as Young Professionals Seek Transit-Accessible Housing
Developers are converting old office and warehouse floors into compact units with shared amenity spaces to meet demand near PATH stops.
The Bronx Jazz Revival: Small Clubs Balance Tradition and New Audiences
A mix of veteran musicians and young promoters in the South Bronx are programming late-night shows and educational outreach to revive the borough's jazz scene.
PATH Upgrades to Predictive Maintenance After Months of Mechanical Failures
Engineers are installing vibration and temperature sensors along tunnels and rolling stock to forecast faults and reduce weekend closures for commuters between NJ and Manhattan.
Subway Wi‑Fi Upgrade Stalls as Signal Vendors Clash Over Contracts
An ambitious plan to boost underground connectivity faces delays and competing proprietary systems.
Rockaway Residents Challenge FEMA Flood-Relief Allocations as Recovery Lags
Local lawmakers accuse federal agencies of sending insufficient funds after recent storms, prompting calls for new oversight hearings.