Consumer Costs

UPDATE Trump Administration Layoffs on Advice of DOGE Worry Bronx Vets

By DAVID GREENE
Hours after rumors circulated on social media on Feb. 13 that members of the new U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), run by unelected billionaire Elon Musk, a special federal government employee, would visit the Bronx VA Medical Center in Fordham Manor on Feb. 14, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced the dismissal of 1,000 employees at unspecified VA sites across the country. 

UPDATE Poultry Markets Reopen & Zoo Tackles Bird Flu

By DAVID GREENE
Live poultry markets in New York are back open after a five-day closure was implemented by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on Friday, Feb. 7, after the avian flu/bird flu or H5N1 virus was discovered in bird flocks at seven live bird markets in The Bronx, Queens, and Brooklyn. Officials said the ordered closures were mandated for testing, cleaning and disinfection of poultry markets in New York City, Westchester and Long Island.

Former Bronx Prosecutor Pleads Guilty to Fraud

By SÍLE MOLONEY
NYC Department of Investigation (“DOI”) officials announced Friday, Feb. 14, that a former Bronx County prosecutor, her brother, and her mother pleaded guilty to fraudulently obtaining affordable housing in Manhattan via NYC Department of Housing, Preservation & Development (HPD).

New Phone Area Code Selected for The Bronx Could Begin in Q4 2026

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) announced on Thursday, Feb. 13, that residential, business and wireless customers within the existing area codes that serve The Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and the Marble Hill section of Manhattan should begin to prepare for the introduction of a new area code (465), once the supply of central office codes under the existing area codes exhausts.