NYC Housing: The Rent Guidelines Board voted 7-1 to freeze rents on one- and two-year leases for about 1 million rent-stabilized apartments, starting with leases beginning Oct. 1, 2026—an affordability win that’s already sparking debate over impacts on landlords and future supply. Medicaid & Disability: Democrats in 25 states and DC sued the Trump administration over Medicaid work requirements, arguing the rules will block coverage for people with disabilities and serious illnesses. Energy & Climate Compliance: City building owners may soon use hydropower credits (RECs) to meet Local Law 97—climate advocates warn the credits could become a substitute for actual building upgrades. Solar vs Prime Farmland: Federal officials accused New York of violating USDA prime farmland standards in approving large-scale solar projects, demanding explanations from the Hochul administration. Courts & Federal Power: The Supreme Court expanded presidential power by allowing Trump to fire leaders of some independent agencies, while also ruling against Trump’s bid to remove Fed Governor Lisa Cook for now. Elections & Ballots: The Court rejected Trump’s push to block counting mail-in ballots arriving after Election Day, dealing another blow to his election-rule overhaul efforts. Public Safety & Courts: New York’s judicial system will require judges to visit jails and prisons starting in 2028. NYPD Leadership: A City & State retrospective revisits 20 years of top NYPD cops, including the legacy of stop-and-frisk and counterterrorism reforms. Business/Tech: Shopify banned all vaping products on its platform after a coalition push led by state AGs. Aviation: Multiple drone incidents near JFK, including a JetBlue collision during landing, keep pressure on airport and drone safety.