cities taking action

Walker, the patient advocate at Dollar For, said he's heartened by the county's effort. "I'm optimistic that we can make a better charity care system," he said. "And the fact that hospitals in LA County are willing to be innovative and creative about ways we can do that is super encouraging."

“Our administration is building a city where every neighborhood can find cool shade on a hot day, breathe clean air and enjoy the beauty of a healthy tree canopy,” Mamdani said. “Access to green space and relief from extreme heat should not depend on your ZIP code. Planting more trees, especially in the neighborhoods that need them most, will help make our city cooler, healthier and more beautiful for all New Yorkers.” 

“The only thing worse than waiting for your turn on the swings is waiting for the swing to be fixed,” Mamdani said. “Renew Crew’s team of 24 painters, plumbers, and other specialists recognizes that play is a City service and well-maintained parks are essential infrastructure. New Yorkers shouldn’t have to wait months for the basic repairs that make our parks better.”

“We’re going to get the job done quickly and make sure every neighborhood has public spaces that New Yorkers can be proud of,” he added.

“Serving more than 4,000 clients through the Citywide Doula Initiative is a testament to what’s possible when we commit to equity in maternal care,” said NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Alister F. Martin. “Ensuring doulas are recognized as valued members of the care team is critical to strengthening maternal care, so we are proud to recognize six hospitals for adopting doula-friendly policies and practices and increasing referrals to doulas. We also applaud MetroPlusHealth for further expanding access to doulas for City employees and their families, which will improve health outcomes for parents and their babies. The data is clear: expanding access to doula care leads to healthier outcomes, particularly for Black and Latino families, and a more equitable healthcare system, and the Mamdani administration is leaning in.”

All students in Seattle Public Schools will have access to free breakfasts and lunches at school, possibly as soon as September, following two weeks of back-and-forth negotiations among Seattle City Council members and Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson. At one point, it appeared the program, one of Wilson’s priorities, would not launch until at least the 2027-28 school year.

But last week the council approved the $5 million needed to start the program during the 2026-27 school year. With a 9-0 vote, the council approved funds to provide meals for kids during the school day and to feed low-income students on weekends and during school breaks.

The lottery program will distribute 2,000 free tickets to seven different shows, as part of a partnership between the City and the Theatre Development Fund.

All students who enter the lottery will automatically get a free, two-month TDF membership, gifting them access to "deeply discounted" tickets to Broadway, Off-Broadway and Off-Off Broadway shows.

"This is justice for the theater kids who have watched City Hall roll out lotteries for major sporting events all summer long," the mayor joked.