Sam Mellins, New York Focus, Author at THE CITY

Robyn Hodgson at a rally in Lancaster, Pa.

Health

‘I Thought I Was In-Network’: The Insurance Scheme That Could Leave New Yorkers With Mountains of Debt

June 12, 2025, 12:56 p.m.June 12, 2025, 12:56 p.m.

A company with a history of lawsuits and unpaid claims is now managing health insurance for thousands of New Yorkers on the taxpayers’ dime.

City Hall

Health Care Costs Could Rise for NYC Employees as City Scrambles for Funds

March 31, 2025, 5:30 a.m.March 28, 2025, 4:16 p.m.

Funding shortfall stems from aborted switch to Medicare Advantage for retired workers — with $1,500 in annual charges now on the table in union-management discussions.

The Bronx

After a Catastrophic Fire in The Bronx, Nearly $400,000 in Donations Remains Unspent

Jan. 22, 2025, 10:45 a.m.Jan. 22, 2025, 10:45 a.m.

The Bronx Community Foundation spent almost none of the funds it raised for victims of the 2022 Twin Parks apartment fire.

London House and Collado Consultants & Co. have collected nearly half of the total campaign spending by winning Bronx Civil Court candidates since 2021.

Politics

Want to Be a Judge in the Bronx? Better Pay These Firms.

Nov. 13, 2024, 2:02 p.m.Nov. 13, 2024, 2:39 p.m.

A Bronx political firm close to the borough’s Democratic party chair, Jamaal Bailey, is cashing in on local civil court races.

Governor Kathy Hochul speaks at a Bronx law enforcement warehouse about the city and state’s efforts to seize illegal cannabis products.

Transportation

Trump Plans to Kill Congestion Pricing. Hochul’s Pause Could Let Him.

Aug. 27, 2024, 12:28 p.m.Aug. 27, 2024, 5:20 p.m.

There are at least three ways a Trump istration could try to stop the transit-funding toll.

Albany

Senate Leadership Doubles Down on Secret Committee Exposed by New York Focus

June 6, 2024, 10:29 a.m.June 6, 2024, 10:48 a.m.

An inner circle of Albany lawmakers helped decide the fate of nearly 650 bills over the last month. Just don’t ask any questions.

Albany

This Secret Senate Committee Decides Whether Bills Live or Die

May 30, 2024, 11:54 a.m.May 30, 2024, 11:54 a.m.

You haven’t heard of it, and your state senator might not have either. The Working Rules group helps determine the fate of hundreds of bills at the end of each legislative session.

The Bronx

Combative Bronx Judge Faces Calls for Removal

Oct. 6, 2023, 10:00 a.m.Oct. 11, 2023, 3:37 p.m.

Acting Supreme Court Justice Ralph Fabrizio rattled onlookers with threat to cut off and remove a defense lawyer. “He started screaming,” recounts a witness.

State Senate

Hector LaSalle’s Chief Judge Shot Ends With Historic Rejection by State Senate

Feb. 15, 2023, 5:28 p.m.Feb. 15, 2023, 5:28 p.m.

This was a stinging rebuke to Governor Kathy Hochul, who pushed aggressively for LaSalle’s confirmation.

Albany

State Senate Committee Rejects Hector LaSalle for NY Chief Judge

Jan. 18, 2023, 5:01 p.m.Jan. 18, 2023, 8:11 p.m.

The judiciary committee voted Gov. Kathy Hochul’s nominee down 10 to 9. Senate Democrats say his candidacy is dead, but Hochul says the full Senate needs to vote.

Sam Mellins, New York Focus

‘I Thought I Was In-Network’: The Insurance Scheme That Could Leave New Yorkers With Mountains of Debt

Health Care Costs Could Rise for NYC Employees as City Scrambles for Funds

After a Catastrophic Fire in The Bronx, Nearly $400,000 in Donations Remains Unspent

Want to Be a Judge in the Bronx? Better Pay These Firms.

Trump Plans to Kill Congestion Pricing. Hochul’s Pause Could Let Him.

Senate Leadership Doubles Down on Secret Committee Exposed by New York Focus

This Secret Senate Committee Decides Whether Bills Live or Die

Combative Bronx Judge Faces Calls for Removal

Hector LaSalle’s Chief Judge Shot Ends With Historic Rejection by State Senate

State Senate Committee Rejects Hector LaSalle for NY Chief Judge

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