Author: Amber Kearns

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…

From waterfront cruises to rooftop views, the city’s restaurants prepare special menus for the holiday weekend. As Mother’s Day approaches this Sunday, restaurants throughout New York City are preparing special menus and experiences for families celebrating maternal figures in their lives. The holiday presents a culinary opportunity for chefs to showcase seasonal offerings, with many venues creating prix fixe menus specifically for the occasion. At Bottino in Chelsea, guests can enjoy a three-course Italian-style brunch featuring bavette cacio pepe and brioche French toast while overlooking the restaurant’s garden. Prices begin at $95 for adults and $50 for children. Those seeking…

Rising inventory and persistent high rates create complex landscape for prospective homebuyers The American housing market in 2025 presents a mixed bag of opportunities and challenges for potential buyers, with real estate agents offering nuanced guidance based on economic realities rather than the traditional “buy now” mentality. “The prospect of elevated mortgage rates throughout 2025 suggests that housing market activity will continue to be challenged,” says Selma Hepp, chief economist for real estate data firm Cotality. The combination of high mortgage rates hovering near 6.9% and steep home prices has created what many industry professionals describe as a “new normal”…

Stock market fluctuations, inflation concerns, and fears of economic slowdown have made discussing finances with children more challenging for many parents. But experts say these uncertain times present valuable teaching opportunities. As economic indicators send mixed signals across the country, children may overhear their parents discussing financial matters without fully grasping how these issues might affect their family. Parents shouldn’t assume their children are oblivious to these concerns, according to Rebecca Maxcy, director at the University of Chicago’s Financial Education Initiative. “Kids pick up on stress and worry, even when we think they aren’t listening,” said Maxcy in a recent…

Despite record-high graduation rates approaching 90% nationwide, American schools are failing to adequately prepare students for life after receiving their diplomas, according to education expert Siri Fiske. “It doesn’t matter how many kids obtain a high school diploma if they’re not ready for the world that awaits,” says Fiske, founder of Mysa Schools and the Micro School Network. Evidence supports her concern – in California last year, only 44% of graduating seniors demonstrated college or career readiness. The disconnect between graduation statistics and actual student preparedness highlights a fundamental problem: many educational institutions remain anchored in outdated approaches while the…

In a significant change to New York City’s rental landscape, the City Council has voted to prohibit landlords from forcing tenants to pay broker fees when renting apartments. The legislation, which passed with a decisive 42-8 vote, addresses a long-standing burden for New York renters who have historically paid fees that can reach up to 15% of a year’s rent – often adding thousands of dollars to the upfront costs of securing housing in one of America’s most expensive rental markets. “Anyone who has paid 15% of their annual rent for someone to let you in an apartment for 10…

Apple is reportedly planning a significant shift in how it releases iPhones, moving away from its traditional strategy of launching all models simultaneously. According to industry sources, this change will begin with the iPhone 18 lineup expected next year. Sources speaking to The Information have revealed that Apple intends to release its Pro models first during the customary fall window, while pushing the standard models to the following spring. This represents a major departure from Apple’s long-established practice of unveiling its entire iPhone lineup at once. If accurate, this means consumers could see the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18…