Cindy Rodriguez

New York, NY —

A proposal by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development could mean deep cuts for housing authorities across the state.

New York City's Housing Authority stands to lose $166 million or about 18 percent of its current operating costs according to an analysis of the ...

New York, NY —

New York City children are healthier and less likely to be victims of abuse and neglect that's according to a report by a child advocacy group. But as WNYC's Cindy Rodriguez reports, not all communities are thriving.

Infant mortality rates are down, teen violent deaths are ...

New York, NY —

Two supermarkets in the Bronx are coming under fire for allegedly locking in janitors who clean the stores overnight. A lawsuit has been initiated on behalf of three workers that used to clean the stores. WNYC's Cindy Rodriguez took a look at the alleged practice ...

New York, NY —

A group of former janitors is suing two C-Town Supermarkets in the Bronx for allegedly locking them overnight.

The three janitors used to clean the floors at the supermarkets. They say managers would lock them in and not let them out until the store opened in ...

New York, NY —

The newest Whole Foods Market to come to the city opened yesterday on the southside of Union Square.

The supermarket chain specializes in organic products and this could mean stiff competition for local farmers who sell their products at the popular green market less than a ...

New York, NY —

Recent state budget cuts mean New York City will have to reduce funding to programs for the mentally ill by more than 3.6 million dollars. WNYC's Cindy Rodriguez reports.

More than 20 programs City wide will be affected by the budget cuts that are supposed to ...

New York, NY —

Late last night and into this morning volunteers fanned out across the five boroughs to count the homeless on the streets.

It's the third year the city has conducted the survey which is supposed to create a measure for the size of the city's homeless problem. ...

New York, NY —

Noncitizens won't be able to get or renew a drivers license in New York now that state officials are appealing a judge's order. The Department of Motor Vehicles is reinstating its policy that requires immigration documents or a Social Security number to get a license.

A ...

New York, NY —

The deaths of five people in 2 different fires on consecutive Sundays has again focused attention on the growing problem of illegal apartment conversions. WNYC’s Cindy Rodriguez the dangerous problem is difficult to detect:

EVERYBODY HAD TO RUN. EVEN THOUGH THE FIRE WAS NOT ON OUR ...

Brooklyn, NY —

Some Brooklyn residents say hospitals that serve neighborhoods like Bedford Stuyvesant, East New York and Crown Heights are cutting back services, making it difficult to find healthcare. Within the last two years St. Mary's Hospital and Interfaith Medical Center have shutdown their OB-GYN units. Yusenia Gutierrez ...

Brooklyn, NY —

The public will get a chance to weigh in on the city's extensive plan for re-zoning Greenpoint and Williamsburg Brooklyn at a hearing being held today. The plan is supposed to generate 10,000 new apartment units, parks, a public esplanade and an aquatics center. During a ...

New York, NY —

Across the state thousands of immigrants who don't have valid social security numbers are fearful that their drivers licenses will soon be suspended. Different immigrant groups are trying to come up with solutions to this problem. Fernando Mateo - a Dominican businessman with strong Republican ...

New York, NY —

In early December , Federal Section 8 housing vouchers dried up and there was nothing available to replace them. Many homeless families sitting in shelters saw their hopes for housing disappear. But last week that all changed when the state approved a new city program ...

New York, NY —

Mayor Bloomberg recently sued to try to stop a law that will expand benefits for domestic partners. But a judge ruled against the city and the decision is being appealed. While the legal battles are being resolved, the law will proceed. WNYC's Cindy Rodriguez looks ...

Bronx, New York —

Last night in the South Bronx, local residents gathered inside a small church. They were expecting a two-hour debate between 79-year-old Republican State Senator Olga Mendez and the young democratic candidate challenging her, City Councilman Jose Serrano. But what they got was far from the ...

New York, NY —

For many of New York City's homeless families, the Section 8 voucher has been the ticket to getting out of a shelter and into a permanent apartment. Qualifying families pay 30 percent of their income toward rent, and the vouchers cover the rest. But yesterday, ...

New York, NY —

The first frost of the season hit the northern edges of the region this week - a signal the growing season is over for area farmers. Those who have been selling their fruits, vegetables and flowers to the various neighborhood green markets include immigrants attempting ...

New York, NY —

The captain of the Staten Island Ferry boat that crashed last October will escape criminal prosecution. The U.S. attorney's office plans to dismiss charges that he lied about where he was during the accident. WNYC's Cindy Rodriguez reports.

New York, NY —

Plans to store nuclear spent fuel at the Indian Point power plant were recently debated at a public meeting held by federal regulators. WNYC's Cindy Rodriguez reports.

New York, NY —

The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles is verifying social security numbers. And so far, close to one hundred and fifty thousand drivers are in danger of having their licenses suspended. The process has heightened a debate taking place across the country - what ...