# NYC Population Boom: 8.4 Million and Counting!

New data reveals New York City's population has climbed back above **8.4 million**, recovering from pandemic-era losses. This resurgence is attributed to two key factors:

*   **Reduced Outflow:** Fewer residents are leaving the city.
*   **Increased Immigration:** A rise in foreign newcomers is contributing significantly to the population growth.

This exciting development marks a turning point for the city, signifying a return to its vibrant and dynamic character.  The influx of new residents promises renewed energy and economic growth.

While the full implications of this population increase are yet to be seen, it certainly paints a promising picture for the future of New York City.


Fewer people leaving the city and more foreign newcomers have helped erase pandemic losses, new census data shows.

NYC Population Surges Past 8.4 Million: Pandemic Reversal?

# NYC's Casino Gold Rush: A $Billions Game

Ten high-roller bidders are vying for three coveted full casino licenses in downstate New York, a race that's become a marathon.  The licenses, expected to be awarded by the end of 2025, promise to reshape the NYC metro area's socioeconomic landscape.

## The Contenders

The competition is fierce, with bidders including some of the state's wealthiest interests, each proposing major public investments alongside their casinos:

* **Resorts World NYC (Queens):**  A $5 billion expansion plan includes a new park, concert center, and affordable housing.  Senator Joseph Addabbo supports their bid, highlighting their existing infrastructure and community presence.

<img src="https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Screen-Shot-2025-03-18-at-12.33.03-PM.jpg?w=1182" alt="Resorts World New York City Casino and Hyatt Regency Hotel in Queens." />

* **MGM Empire City (Yonkers):**  An expansion with new restaurants and entertainment, leveraging existing infrastructure.

<img src="https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Screen-Shot-2025-03-18-at-12.37.17-PM.jpg?w=1200" alt="MGM Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway" />

* **Caesars Palace Times Square (Manhattan):**  A redevelopment of 1515 Broadway, including a hotel, restaurants, and $250 million in community reinvestment.

<img src="https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/casino-in-times-square.jpg?w=1200" alt="rendering of casino in Times Square" />

* **Saks Fifth Avenue (Manhattan):**  A high-end casino on the top three floors of the Midtown store, aiming to attract wealthy tourists.

* **Wynn Resorts at Hudson Yards (Manhattan):** A new, upscale casino built from the ground up, featuring a significant green space.

<img src="https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Hudson-Yards-West-from-High-Line_Rendering-Courtesy-of-Related-Companies-and-Wynn-Resorts.jpg?w=1200" alt="rendering of green space with people walking in it" />

* **Freedom Plaza (Manhattan):** A project including a 1,200-room hotel, 1,300 apartments, an underground casino, and a democracy museum.

<img src="https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/FREEDOMPLAZA_Skyline_ZoomIn_Negativ-scaled.jpg?w=1200" alt="A rendering of Bjarke Ingels Group’s plans for Freedom Plaza" />

* **Metropolitan Park (Queens):**  Steve Cohen's plan for a 50-acre complex including a casino, public park, shops, and restaurants next to Citi Field.

<img src="https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/MP_HeroView.jpg?w=1200" alt="Mets owner Steve Cohen and Hard Rock Entertainment put out renderings" />

* **Bally’s (Bronx):**  A casino at Trump Golf Links in Throggs Neck, including a hotel, event center, and retail shops.

<img src="https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Screen-Shot-2025-03-19-at-8.54.22-AM.jpg?w=1200" alt="A rendering of the proposed Bally’s Casino" />

* **The Coney (Brooklyn):** A casino on Coney Island's boardwalk, aiming for year-round revitalization.

<img src="https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/casino.jpeg?w=700" alt="The Coney, a casino bid slated for Coney Island." />

* **Las Vegas Sands (Long Island):**  A redevelopment of the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum into a casino resort.

<img src="https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Screen-Shot-2025-03-18-at-12.47.40-PM.jpg?w=1200" alt="Rendering of an aerial view of the Sands proposed for Long Island" />

## The Process

A three-person state Gaming Facility Location Board will review proposals, considering community support (via Community Advisory Committees) and environmental factors.  A final decision is expected by the end of 2025.

## The Stakes

The winning bids represent billions of dollars in investment, thousands of jobs, and significant revenue for the state.  The quicker the licenses are approved, the faster these benefits can be realized.

Ten high rollers continue to vie for three lucrative full casino licenses in downstate New York in a years-long race that evolved from a sprint to a marathon. 

NYC's Casino Craze: Who Will Win the Big Bucks?

# New York Government Transparency: A Looming Darkness

This Sunshine Week, while Albany enjoys unusually warm weather, New York State's government remains shrouded in secrecy. A coalition of good-government groups is pushing for reforms to the 50-year-old Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), advocating for four key bills.  These reforms are desperately needed to address the consistent stonewalling of information requests.

## The Fight for Openness

A significant hurdle to transparency is the frequent practice of one house of the legislature passing FOIL reform measures while the other remains inactive. However, there's a glimmer of hope for joint action on a bill addressing FOIL requests involving commercial interests.  This is particularly relevant, given past experiences with Empire State Development (ESD) redacting crucial information under the guise of “trade secrets,” even when the entity in question is a government-owned monopoly like Amtrak. The proposed bill would limit such withholding to three years, a small but potentially significant step towards transparency. 

## Beyond Amtrak: A Broader Issue

The struggle for transparency goes beyond Amtrak. The article highlights several other instances of information blockage, including: 

*   The fight for public access to transcripts of the Donald Trump hush money trial (wrongly treated as copyrighted material).
*   The lack of automatic publication of government records, despite their digital availability. 
*   Mayor Adams' refusal to release 9/11 records held by city agencies.
*   Andrew Cuomo's past reluctance to respond to FOIL requests, which has only recently shifted as he now faces similar issues himself.

## The Path Forward

The core issue is the vast amount of government information that remains inaccessible to the public.  The article advocates for a shift towards default publication of all government records, with appropriate redaction of sensitive personal data.  The call is for a more proactive approach to transparency, a move away from the current reactive and often obstructive practices. This requires legislative action and a change in attitude from government officials at all levels.


Today is the halfway point of the annual Sunshine Week, to promote openness and transparency in government nationwide. While today’s forecast for Albany is for clear skies and unusually warm temperatures on this last day of winter, there is no sunshine. There is never sunshine on New York State’s government.

NY Government Transparency: Sunshine Week Reveals a Dark Side

# Trump's Anti-Canada Stance: A $600M Hit to NYC Tourism?

<img src="https://static01.nyt.com/images/2025/03/14/multimedia/00met-canada-tourism-fpzv/00met-canada-tourism-fpzv-articleLarge.jpg?quality=75&amp;auto=webp&amp;disable=upscale" alt="A view of Manhattan from Brooklyn Bridge Park in Brooklyn Heights, in 2023." />

Canadian tourism to NYC, a significant contributor to the city's economy, is plummeting.  Last year alone, Canadians spent an estimated **$600 million** in the city.  But now, trips are being canceled en masse.

**Why the decline?**  Many point to President Trump's hostile rhetoric toward Canada and repeated threats of annexation. This has fueled boycotts of American goods and a decrease in cross-border travel.

The impact extends beyond NYC.  Border towns and cities also rely heavily on Canadian tourism.  **New York State** saw over **$1.7 billion** in spending from Canadian visitors in 2023.

Matt Levy, owner of Spread Love Tours, reports a **50 percent** drop in business with Canadian groups, stating that "When you piss off a country and threaten to annex them, they are not going to want to travel here."

This downturn significantly impacts the city's economic recovery from the pandemic and poses a major challenge to the tourism industry.


Among international tourists, only the British visit New York City more than Canadians, who spent $600 million there last year.

Trump's Anti-Canada Stance: A $600M Hit to NYC Tourism?

# NYC Subway Safety in Jeopardy: Federal Funding on the Line?

**A potential showdown is brewing between the federal government and the MTA over the release of subway crime data.**  U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has demanded detailed information about crime statistics on NYC subways and buses.  This request raises concerns about potential federal funding cuts if the MTA doesn't comply with the stringent data requirements.

The demand comes amidst ongoing debates about the safety and security of the city's transit system.  The MTA's response and the potential consequences of non-compliance remain to be seen.  This situation highlights the complex interplay between federal oversight and local transit agencies, and the crucial need for transparent and reliable safety data.

This issue has significant implications for New Yorkers who rely on the MTA for daily commutes, underscoring the vital role of safe and efficient public transportation.



Sean Duffy, the U.S. transportation secretary, demanded a long list of details about crime in the subway and on buses in New York.

NYC Subway Safety Under Threat: Federal Funding on the Line?

# Bradley Cooper's Lower East Side Cheesesteak Hotspot Changes Hands

Alchemy Ventures recently purchased the five-story building housing Bradley Cooper's popular cheesesteak takeout spot, Danny & Coop's, for **$10.75 million**.  The deal is unlikely to affect the restaurant, as Cooper and co-owner Danny DiGiampietro have a long-term lease.

<img src="https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/bradley-coopers-new-cheesesteak-take-100681682.jpg?w=768" alt="Danny &amp; Coop's sign">

The building, located at 151 Avenue A, also features eight apartments.  Alchemy Ventures, known for its holdings in NYC and Kansas City, expressed excitement about having Cooper as a tenant.

<img src="https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/bradley-coopers-new-cheesesteak-take-100681681.jpg?w=768" alt="151 Avenue A">

## Danny & Coop's: A Lower East Side Phenomenon

Since opening, Danny & Coop's has attracted long lines of customers eager to try its **$17.45 cheesesteaks**. The restaurant's popularity, boosted by Instagram, has created a buzz around its unique, no-frills dining experience. The restaurant boasts a **4.3-star Yelp rating**.

<img src="https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/bonnie-donaldson-age-35-mhtn-73351830.jpg?w=1024" alt="Bradley Cooper">

<img src="https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/angelos-pizzeria-south-philly-pictured-73351693.jpg?w=570" alt="Angelo's Pizzeria">

## Alchemy Ventures' NYC Investments

Alchemy Ventures, an affiliate of Alchemy Properties, is actively investing in NYC real estate. This purchase adds to their portfolio, which includes properties in various Manhattan locations.

The sale was handled by Marcus & Millichap brokers Joe Koicim and Matt Berger.

Hollywood star Bradley Cooper’s wildly popular cheesesteak takeout spot on the Lower East Side has a new landlord, The Post has learned. Alchemy Ventures gobbled up the five-story apartment building at 151 Avenue A for $10.75 million, reps for the company revealed.

Bradley Cooper's NYC Cheesesteak Joint: $10.7M Deal for Landlord!

# Tracy Morgan's Health Scare at Madison Square Garden

<img src="https://cdn.abcotvs.com/dip/images/16042884_031825-wpvi-tracy-morgan-sick-630a-vo-video-vid.jpg" alt="Comedian Tracy Morgan appears to fall ill during Knicks game at Madison Square Garden">

Comedian and actor **Tracy Morgan**, known for his roles in *30 Rock* and *Saturday Night Live*, experienced a health incident during a New York Knicks game at Madison Square Garden.  The incident, which briefly paused the game, initially led to speculation. 

**Morgan later took to Instagram**, revealing that doctors diagnosed him with **food poisoning**.  He posted a photo of himself in a hospital bed, expressing gratitude for the MSG staff and jokingly mentioning the Knicks' winning record when he's ill.

**A spokesperson for Madison Square Garden** wished Morgan a speedy recovery and expressed anticipation for his return.

Morgan, a devoted Knicks fan, has a history of health challenges, including a near-fatal car accident in 2014 and past battles with diabetes.

The Knicks ultimately won the game against the Miami Heat.

This incident highlights the unpredictable nature of health issues, even for public figures.  While food poisoning seems to be the culprit this time, Morgan's past health struggles underscore the importance of vigilance and care.


Tracy Morgan appeared to fall ill while sitting courtside at Madison Square Garden.

Tracy Morgan's MSG Health Scare: Food Poisoning or More?

# NYC's New War on License Plate Obstruction

New York City is getting tough on drivers who obscure their license plates.  Starting April 16th, any obstruction—even see-through covers or dirt—making plates unreadable will result in a **$50 fine**. This move aims to improve the effectiveness of automated speed and red-light cameras. 

**DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez** stated that drivers who obscure their plates are breaking the law and endangering others.  The new rule mirrors a state law passed last year.

While the city enacts stricter rules, it's worth noting that illegal license plate covers remain readily available online.  The effectiveness of this crackdown remains to be seen.

## Other NYC News:

* **Congestion Pricing:** Governor Hochul reaffirmed her commitment to congestion pricing, dismissing President Trump's deadline to shut it down.
* **Sidewalk Dining:** The city council's decision to revoke a Manhattan bar's sidewalk dining permit is raising questions.
* **Hit-and-Run:** NYPD is searching for a driver who fatally struck a pedestrian in Queens.
* **Housing Crisis Spillover:** A New Jersey forest faces development plans to address NYC's housing shortage.
* **Taxi Driver Lawsuit:** The city settled a long-running lawsuit with taxi drivers for **$140 million**.

[Link to video about Gov. Hochul's stance on Congestion Pricing](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZvDKtAfZLM)

[Link to article about the Manhattan bar's sidewalk dining permit being revoked](https://hellgatenyc.com/le-dive-dimes-square-sidewalk-dining-denied/)


New York City tightened its rules targeting drivers who block their license plates. Plus more news.

NYC Population Surges Past 8.4 Million: Pandemic Reversal?

Summary:

NYC Population Boom: 8.4 Million and Counting!

Comments

Join Our Community

Subscribe our newsletter to receive our daily digested news

NewYorkNews.app

Other Latest News

NYC's Casino Craze: Who Will Win the Big Bucks?

NY Government Transparency: Sunshine Week Reveals a Dark Side

Trump's Anti-Canada Stance: A $600M Hit to NYC Tourism?

NYC Subway Safety Under Threat: Federal Funding on the Line?

Bradley Cooper's NYC Cheesesteak Joint: $10.7M Deal for Landlord!

Tracy Morgan's MSG Health Scare: Food Poisoning or More?

NYC Cracks Down on Obstructed License Plates: $50 Fines Coming!

Other Latest News

NYC's Casino Craze: Who Will Win the Big Bucks?

NY Government Transparency: Sunshine Week Reveals a Dark Side

Trump's Anti-Canada Stance: A $600M Hit to NYC Tourism?

NYC Subway Safety Under Threat: Federal Funding on the Line?

Bradley Cooper's NYC Cheesesteak Joint: $10.7M Deal for Landlord!

Tracy Morgan's MSG Health Scare: Food Poisoning or More?

NYC Cracks Down on Obstructed License Plates: $50 Fines Coming!