Author: Amber Kearns

A New York Police Department officer who rescued a small dog from the frigid waters of the East River has made the animal a permanent member of his family after six weeks passed with no owner coming forward. Officer Jared Desalvo of the NYPD Harbor Unit officially adopted the white Maltese, named Hudson, on May 10 at the Animal Care Centers of NYC facility in Ridgewood, Queens, turning a dramatic rescue into a heartwarming reunion. The story began on March 30 when a concerned citizen spotted the small dog struggling against the current near South Street Seaport. Desalvo and his…

Pandora, the Danish jewelry giant known for its charm bracelets, is warning that President Donald Trump’s proposed tariff increases could force significant price increases across the affordable jewelry sector, potentially reshaping the American market for budget-conscious consumers. “Some companies would go bankrupt if they did not raise prices. I think everybody is going to move ultimately, and there will be a major, major hike for the U.S. customer,” Alexander Lacik, Pandora’s chief executive officer, said after releasing the company’s first-quarter results. The company, which generates about one-third of its sales in the United States, manufactures approximately 95% of its products…

The gap between New York City’s rental market and the rest of the nation continues to widen, according to new data released this week. A comprehensive report from Apartments.com reveals that as of April 2025, the average monthly rent across New York City has climbed to $3,966, a staggering 144% higher than the national average of $1,625. This significant disparity means New Yorkers need substantial earnings to maintain standard budgeting practices. Financial advisors typically recommend spending no more than 30% of monthly income on housing costs. Under this guideline, city residents would need to earn approximately $13,206 monthly—translating to an…

Premium cannabis retailer The Travel Agency has expanded its New York City footprint with the grand opening of a new location in Soho at 598 Broadway. This marks the brand’s fourth retail outlet in the city, joining existing stores in Union Square (835 Broadway), Downtown Brooklyn (122 Flatbush Ave.), and Fifth Avenue (587 Fifth Ave.). The new Soho store continues The Travel Agency’s tradition of offering customers premium cannabis products from leading local and national brands, with expert budtenders available to guide shoppers through their purchase decisions. Since first launching in February 2023, The Travel Agency has worked to redefine…

Adopting a dog in New York City requires more consideration than simply choosing a breed that catches your eye. The commitment resembles a marriage more than a casual relationship, according to dog owner and reporter Fern Watt. “Do you, Human, promise to love, cherish, and feed Nacho so many snackies for as long as you both shall live?” Watt imagines shelter workers asking potential adopters, highlighting the seriousness of the commitment. In a metropolis where living spaces are limited and public parks serve as shared backyards, dogs become more than pets—they’re roommates and social companions. While a husky’s distinctive eyes…

New York State has recorded its deadliest flu season for children in history, with health officials reporting 25 pediatric deaths from influenza-related illnesses between October and May. This includes 10 deaths in New York City alone, according to city health department data. The grim milestone comes as part of a troubling national trend. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports 216 children have died from flu complications nationwide, marking the highest number in 15 years and surpassing the previous non-pandemic record of 207 deaths set during the 2023-2024 season. New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald addressed the…

The Living Room Bar at the W Hotel Times Square was buzzing with excitement last Thursday as East Village artist Scooter LaForge personalized t-shirts for a select group of influencers. The event celebrated LaForge’s recent surge in popularity after his hand-painted shirts appeared on HBO’s hit series “The White Lotus,” worn by characters Chelsea and Chloe in the latest season. “I’m just ecstatic,” said LaForge, who is typically reserved. “The show is the most exposure that I’ve had for my work.” The gathering, organized by Lindsey Alm, head of marketing and partnership at the W, coincided with Earth Month sustainability…

In a city known for culinary innovation, New York restaurants are entering a new frontier where artificial intelligence and robotics are reshaping how we eat. At Sweetgreen’s Wall Street location, salads materialize in under two minutes, assembled not by human hands but by the chain’s “Infinite Kitchen” – an automated system capable of serving 50 customers in less than 20 minutes. The robotic kitchen, introduced in December 2024, represents just one facet of the technological revolution transforming Manhattan’s dining landscape. “A lot of people are multitasking mentally, so they might mess up something. Versus if they put their order in,…

NEW YORK — The New York Knicks’ switching defense forced the Boston Celtics into an NBA playoff record 60 three-point attempts in their stunning 108-105 overtime victory in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. After falling behind by 20 points in the third quarter, the Knicks flipped the script on the defending champions by adjusting their defensive approach. Boston, which swept New York in the regular season, shot a dismal 15-for-60 from beyond the arc, setting postseason records for both attempts and misses. “This team has fought all year, and been a pretty good road team,” Knicks coach Tom…

Pharmacy chain struggles to recover from second bankruptcy in two years Rite Aid announced this week it will close all 178 of its remaining New York stores as part of a new bankruptcy proceeding, marking another significant contraction for the troubled pharmacy retailer that once operated thousands of locations nationwide. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Monday in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey, its second such filing in less than two years. According to company statements, Rite Aid will be “pursuing a strategic and value-maximizing sale process for substantially all of its…