The 10 Biggest News Stories of 22
Biggest News Stories of 2022
With a population of 20.1million people and growing, there are many big stories in New York City. With so much happening, staying updated on the latest news and events that affect you, your family, and your friends is important.
Some incidents in the first few months of 2022 have shaken the entire state with the outset of the crime wave and the persisting economic setback. We have some interesting facts and stories for you here.
Let’s dive in to have a closer look.
Cancellation of Students Loan:
A huge relief for the students who owe money on student loans set the air on fire when President Joe Biden recently announced student loan forgiveness. The idea has raised serious concerns among the people. Some consider it a great initiative for students struggling to pay high tuition and school fees due to inflation. Others believe that student loan relief will make common taxpayers suffer more than adults who must be responsible for paying their debts.
Let’s have a detailed view of the nitty gritty.
As per the recent statics:
The COA at New York University has climbed up to 29.86% compared to the last year’s cost, which was estimated near $79,746, including the tuition, fees, books, supplies, and living facility( staying off or on campus).
The economic setback caused a rapid increase in tuition and fees at $56500 in 2022, and the estimated rise for the last 10 years is 38.22%.
The eligibility criteria conform to certain conditions needed to be satisfied to qualify the students seeking support for debt relief. Approximately 20,000 dollars will be deducted from their accounts in the name of student loan forgiveness.
Conversely, those who stood out and paid the money on student loan repayments during the pandemic can claim a refund from the loan servicer.
Build Back Better:
The Build Back Better bill was adopted by the Senate in early February and quickly passed by the House of Representatives.
According to recent reports, this bill will cost $50 billion over the next decade. That amount could cover up to 90% of all eligible damage claims under existing disaster aid programs like FEMA or HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development). However, it is still unclear how cities like New York City can access these funds if they do not have their own disaster insurance policies or reserves set aside for future damages caused by natural disasters.
Economic Stress giving rise to Extreme Crises:
The pandemic has seriously affected the economies of various countries that failed to keep up with the instant measures like initial lockdowns at the start of the covid rise.
No doubt, New York has evolved from the wave of the pandemic. At the same time, underneath the buzz, there is a persistent economic pain that has been suppressed under the renewed vibrancy of New York City.
People aren’t returning to their offices, and most affected employees lost their positions with the recurring quarantine imposition during the lockdown that doubled the unemployment rate compared to the seasonally adjusted U.S average.
As per the recent findings:
The unemployment rate jumps to 11.1%, not as per the seasonal adjustment; the impact of job losses during the pandemic seems to be the contributing factor. On the other hand, inflation has become a serious cause of extreme financial crises for the citizens.
Rolling out Safety Plans to cope with the Crime Wave:
The instant wave of crime is likely to prevail in 2022, as reported through the comparative analysis of incidents during 2021 in New York City.
The law and order reports reveal that the overall major crime rate has spiked nearly 41% through the first months of 2022, as previously recorded in 2021.
NYPD data shows:
85 hate crimes during the first two months of 2022 went on—similarly a significant increase from the 35 hate crimes reported during the same period last year.
Christopher Herrmann, a professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and a former crime analyst supervisor with the NYPD, Says:
Most of the incidents are discovered in a small fraction of the city’s neighborhoods with the outset and perpetuation of a crime wave.
The Mayor, eric Adam has introduced effective plans to combat the gun violence and havoc of crime in the city.
The Mayor plans to empower the NYPD’s efforts to fight crime with “targeted, precision policing” with a clear focus on 30 precincts expected to get affected by violence up to 80% and aims to expand the reinforcement of anti-violence Crisis Management System(CMS) to observe the symptoms of gun violence in order to control the crime rate successfully.
He further stated:
“We’ve got to get it right,” “Two months in, we’re executing our plan, and we’re going to defeat crime. I’m clear on that.”
Eviction Moratorium:
The Eviction Moratorium has been a big deal that was enacted as a part of pandemic relief efforts since the city passed a law that stops everyone from being evicted for 7 months, with exceptions for cases of discrimination and abuse.
New York City’s eviction moratorium was put into effect in December 2019. The program allows tenants to stay in their homes for six months for nonpayments and has been expended several times, which was expected to end on January 15, 2022.
Considerably highest rates of filed convictions were observed in Newyork than in any other city in the nation before the pandemic.
According to Eviction Lab at Princeton University,
Eviction in New York city fairly reduced to zero for 3 months ended June 30, 2022, as the number of cases were declined sharply during the period of Covid considering the moratoria both on the national and state levels.
However, the city’s eviction policy is ticking back up as the program to protect people from homelessness will expire soon.
Well, suppose the extensions are not revised. In that case, the home relief camps are critical to playing their role again while the decision to provide low-income Newyork a legal counsel in housing court is under evaluation.
A New Abortion UnderGround To Confront Ban:
The New York Times published a story late Friday about a new underground abortion network formed in the state’s largest cities. The network is working to provide at-home abortions for women at a lower cost by secretly distributing specific medications and abortion pills around the state. It is organizing to oppose the ban on abortion services that has been in effect since July 1.
Stephania Taladrid, after the period of Roe, has been supervising and managing the network of lady volunteers who call themselves “Pill Fairies,” having their roots in Mexico and sourcing medication first at Mexican pharmacies and later on bringing them over the border.
Abetting abortion is considered perilous and can result in long prison sentences. However, Taladrid’s sources assume this work is imperative when no other option is left.
Remote Schooling:
The uncertain situation during the pandemic has significantly affected the educational sectors and schools. People are deeply concerned about their children’s health and will not trust the education department.
Parents demand remote learning, knowing that the Delta variant is no longer a threat as Omicron was.
The discussion related to the remote option is in the air for some reasons as, during the rollout of the omicron variant, New York city spiked high records. After winter breaks, the attendance record hasn’t even cracked 80% as compared to the estimate of 90% typically. ( Fla. school district, the nation’s sixth-largest).
NewYork City Mayor Eric Adam had a word with teachers union leaders, and they are planning to introduce a temporary remote learning option in less than a week, provided the fact that virtual lessons didn’t prove effective during the Covid period.
During a news conference, Adam stated:
“I am working closely with the president of the UFT. And we will find the right way to educate our children in a very safe environment, and if we can put a temporarily remote option in place, we’re welcome to do so.
The new chancellor of Newyork school, David Bank, said:
“If I could figure out a way to do a remote option starting tomorrow, I would,”
The chancellor and Mayor are on the same page and told chalk beat that providing some level of remote option is really important.
Adam further said:
“I want children in school because it’s not only the academics. You hear me say it all the time. It is the holistic approach to develop the personhood of the children fully. All the experts state they should be in school,”
Redistricting:
New York City was most likely to draw its political district based on the recent census data and the conflicts expected to heat up.
The New York Redistricting Commission has released its final plan for redistricting. It is a major step toward establishing a permanent map that will be used in 2022 till the next census occurs.
The recent take is New York Judge Patrick McAllister has approved the new congressional map. As per the details, Democrats are given an advantage in 19 districts and hoping to gain a path to about 22 seats under a blocked map the Democratic-controlled legislature drew earlier this year.
The Governer’s Race:
The NewYork Governer’s race has converted into a bare-knuckle brawl between the two opponents, Govt. Kathy Hochul and Rep. Lee Zeldin.
Hochul is moderately popular and leading with some early endorsements from city elected officials as she has also played as a lieutenant governor under Andrew Cumou until his resignation. However, New York Republican gubernatorial candidate Lee-Zeldin has got endorsed by former president Trump.
Trump wrote on Truth Social Account that says:
“I have watched and known Congressman Lee Zeldin for many years. He is a great and brilliant lawyer who was a “must-see” for others in Congress when they had a complex legal problem holding up legislation.”
The fingers are crossed until the gubernatorial elections, expected to be held on November 8, 2022. People are desperate to see one of them get the victory and proceed with their Agenda.
Retail Marijuana Rollout:
The marijuana legalization movement has been sweeping across the country for several years. It’s now come to New York City. The state government has already passed a bill that legalized recreational marijuana use in New York City and other parts of New York State.
The state has announced that it will roll out its first dispensaries within the next few months.
It means people will be able to buy marijuana products from stores that are licensed by state authorities and are located within New York City limits. This is huge news for the cannabis industry because it will mean more jobs and opportunities for people who want to work in this field.
According to a report by CBS News, New York City is expected to get its first licenses by January 2023. However, some complications may delay this timeline.
References:
- [ How New York University’s Tuition Changes. (n.d.). ] From College Tuition Compare
Link: https://www.collegetuitioncompare.com/trends/new-york-university/cost-of-attendance/
- Alicia Diaz, A.T. (22 march 2021). [ Why is New York City`s Unemployment rate is so high] from Bloomberg.
- Sam. (2022 September 14). Student Loans: [ Who is eligible to apply for up to $20k in cancelled student debt?] From Marca:
Link: https://www.marca.com/en/lifestyle/us-news/personal-finance/2022/09/14/632187a646163fbd498b45e2.html
- Emma Tucker and Mark Morals. ( March 5, 2022) . [New York City crime wave continues into 2022 as the city rolls out safety plan] Crime Wave
Link: https://edition.cnn.com/2022/03/05/us/new-york-city-crime-wave-2022/index.html
- Rachel Holiday Smith. (5. Jan. 2022) . [The Big Stories of 2022: What We’re Keeping an Eye On]
- David Remnick (17. October. 2022) [After Roe, A New Abortion Underground]
Link: https://www.newyorker.com/podcast/politics-and-more/after-roe-a-new-abortion-underground
- Christina Veiga ( January.19. 2022). [What’s going on with remote learning in NYC? (Hint: It’s confusing.)]
Link: https://ny.chalkbeat.org/2022/1/18/22890154/nyc-schools-adams-banks-remote-learning-option
- August 5, 2022. Redistricting in New York [Here’s how new congressional maps shift voting power in every state]
Link: https://edition.cnn.com/interactive/2022/politics/us-redistricting/new-york-redistricting-map/
- Marcia Kramer. October 17, 2022 [Tightening New York`s governor`s race turning into a bare-knuckle brawl between Govt. Kathy Hochul and Rep. Lee Zeldin]
- Erin Doherty. 16 October 2022 (Trump endorses Zeldin in New York governor’s race)
Link: https://www.axios.com/2022/10/16/trump-endorses-lee-zeldin-new-york-governor
- Morgan Mckay. July,15. 2022 [New York recreational marijuana sales set to begin by the end of 2022].
Link: https://www.fox5ny.com/news/new-york-marijuana-sales-2022
