Esther Wang
@estherxlwang.bsky.social
editor at Hell Gate (@hellgatenyc.com) and freelance writer
pitch us: esther@hellgatenyc.com
pitch us: esther@hellgatenyc.com
Reposted by Esther Wang
Rats have infested the walls, bedrooms, and bathtubs of a Brooklyn housing complex – all the way up to the 10th floor. Now, there's a livestream!
For @hellgatenyc.com 👇
For @hellgatenyc.com 👇
A Crown Heights Building's Rat Infestation Gets a Livestream
A Crown Heights Building's Rat Infestation Gets a Livestream
Tenants of the Jewish Hospital complex in Crown Heights say the rat problem has gotten out of control, and one resident has even set up a livestream.
hellgatenyc.com
June 2, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Rats have infested the walls, bedrooms, and bathtubs of a Brooklyn housing complex – all the way up to the 10th floor. Now, there's a livestream!
For @hellgatenyc.com 👇
For @hellgatenyc.com 👇
"The hallways...were absolutely lined with ICE agents. And immigrants were scared to leave, even though their cases were still open. What happened was that ICE agents then stormed into the courtroom, kicked out the attorneys, and detained everyone in the courtroom over the judge's objections."
An immigration lawyer who tried to stave off ICE disappearances in Lower Manhattan last week spoke to Hell Gate about the trap that's being set for immigrants.
"This is so extreme, from both a legal perspective and one's conscience," she told Hell Gate.
hellgatenyc.com/immigration-...
"This is so extreme, from both a legal perspective and one's conscience," she told Hell Gate.
hellgatenyc.com/immigration-...
June 2, 2025 at 12:11 PM
"The hallways...were absolutely lined with ICE agents. And immigrants were scared to leave, even though their cases were still open. What happened was that ICE agents then stormed into the courtroom, kicked out the attorneys, and detained everyone in the courtroom over the judge's objections."
Reposted by Esther Wang
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch keeps insisting that 5-year-old discovery law reforms are driving a recidivist crime wave, causing cases to be "dismissed en masse" on "technicalities."
It's a big claim, and one for which she has offered zero evidence.
hellgatenyc.com/tisch-cant-s...
It's a big claim, and one for which she has offered zero evidence.
hellgatenyc.com/tisch-cant-s...
NYPD Commissioner Tisch Is Lobbying Hard to Bring Back the System That Failed Kalief Browder. Her Argument Doesn’t Add Up
Tisch keeps blaming recidivism on discovery reform, but offers no evidence.
hellgatenyc.com
April 4, 2025 at 3:33 PM
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch keeps insisting that 5-year-old discovery law reforms are driving a recidivist crime wave, causing cases to be "dismissed en masse" on "technicalities."
It's a big claim, and one for which she has offered zero evidence.
hellgatenyc.com/tisch-cant-s...
It's a big claim, and one for which she has offered zero evidence.
hellgatenyc.com/tisch-cant-s...
Reposted by Esther Wang
Amidst rising deaths once again on Rikers Island, Mayor Eric Adams seems content to just shrug his shoulders. Sometimes you put people in a cage for an indefinite period of time. Sometimes they die. What's everyone pointing the finger at him for?
hellgatenyc.com/rikers-death...
hellgatenyc.com/rikers-death...
Eric Adams Would Like to Remind Us That People on Rikers Are Just Gonna Die, OK?
And other links to start your day.
hellgatenyc.com
April 2, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Amidst rising deaths once again on Rikers Island, Mayor Eric Adams seems content to just shrug his shoulders. Sometimes you put people in a cage for an indefinite period of time. Sometimes they die. What's everyone pointing the finger at him for?
hellgatenyc.com/rikers-death...
hellgatenyc.com/rikers-death...
This leaves the real estate lobby's long-shot lawsuit pretty much dead in the water, legal experts told Hell Gate.
"The whole lawsuit is baloney, it's a lottery ticket,” said NYU public law professor Roderick M. Hills.
"The whole lawsuit is baloney, it's a lottery ticket,” said NYU public law professor Roderick M. Hills.
Governor Kathy Hochul this morning announced her support for the FARE Act, the law that'll ban broker fees from being lumped on unwilling NYC renters.
It's now likely the law will go into effect in June, despite a legal challenge from the real estate industry.
It's now likely the law will go into effect in June, despite a legal challenge from the real estate industry.
Governor Hochul Backs City Councilmember's Quest to Kill Bogus Broker Fees
It's looking likely that the FARE Act will go into effect in June.
hellgatenyc.com
April 2, 2025 at 3:25 PM
This leaves the real estate lobby's long-shot lawsuit pretty much dead in the water, legal experts told Hell Gate.
"The whole lawsuit is baloney, it's a lottery ticket,” said NYU public law professor Roderick M. Hills.
"The whole lawsuit is baloney, it's a lottery ticket,” said NYU public law professor Roderick M. Hills.
Reposted by Esther Wang
A law passed in 2020 was meant to prevent ICE from detaining people in NY courthouses without a warrant.
But a memo now tells court officers to "neither obstruct nor assist" if an ICE agent shows up without a warrant and insists on making an arrest:
hellgatenyc.com/ny-courts-me...
But a memo now tells court officers to "neither obstruct nor assist" if an ICE agent shows up without a warrant and insists on making an arrest:
hellgatenyc.com/ny-courts-me...
Statewide Memo Tells Court Officers to Let ICE Make Arrests in Courthouses
If federal officers try to execute an arrest without a warrant in a courthouse, the February 6 memo states, “UCS uniformed personnel should neither obstruct nor assist in any way.”
hellgatenyc.com
March 3, 2025 at 8:10 PM
A law passed in 2020 was meant to prevent ICE from detaining people in NY courthouses without a warrant.
But a memo now tells court officers to "neither obstruct nor assist" if an ICE agent shows up without a warrant and insists on making an arrest:
hellgatenyc.com/ny-courts-me...
But a memo now tells court officers to "neither obstruct nor assist" if an ICE agent shows up without a warrant and insists on making an arrest:
hellgatenyc.com/ny-courts-me...
Reposted by Esther Wang
Another staffer recalled how Cuomo wanted to enshrine Roe v. Wade into the state constitution...yet at the same time was backing the breakaway Dems in the IDC, which was blocking the Reproductive Health Act in the state legislature
hellgatenyc.com/andrew-cuomo...
hellgatenyc.com/andrew-cuomo...
March 3, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Another staffer recalled how Cuomo wanted to enshrine Roe v. Wade into the state constitution...yet at the same time was backing the breakaway Dems in the IDC, which was blocking the Reproductive Health Act in the state legislature
hellgatenyc.com/andrew-cuomo...
hellgatenyc.com/andrew-cuomo...
Reposted by Esther Wang
What's this? Cuomo's own people talking in specific and urgent terms about why he'd be a terrible mayor? hellgatenyc.com/andrew-cuomo...
Andrew Cuomo Would Be a Lousy Mayor, According to Former Cuomo Staffers
Several people who worked for Governor Cuomo say voters should be deeply skeptical of his candidacy.
hellgatenyc.com
March 3, 2025 at 2:59 PM
What's this? Cuomo's own people talking in specific and urgent terms about why he'd be a terrible mayor? hellgatenyc.com/andrew-cuomo...
truly thought this memo was a parody at first
February 28, 2025 at 7:11 PM
truly thought this memo was a parody at first
dream interview for @hellgatenyc.com: jonathan tarleton x timothee
A lot of people are talking these days about a "Mitchell-Lama 2.0."
Want to learn more about Mitchell-Lama? Read this excerpt from @jonathantarleton.bsky.social's new book "Homes for Living," on the battle over the privatization of Southbridge Towers in the 2010s:
hellgatenyc.com/excerpt-home...
Want to learn more about Mitchell-Lama? Read this excerpt from @jonathantarleton.bsky.social's new book "Homes for Living," on the battle over the privatization of Southbridge Towers in the 2010s:
hellgatenyc.com/excerpt-home...
How the Dream of Mitchell-Lama Died at Southbridge Towers
In this excerpt from Jonathan Tarleton's new book "Homes for Living: The Fight for Social Housing and a New American Commons," we drop into the battle over the privatization of the Lower Manhattan dev...
hellgatenyc.com
February 14, 2025 at 5:21 PM
dream interview for @hellgatenyc.com: jonathan tarleton x timothee
Reposted by Esther Wang
Threats from other Paul McCartney fans, waiting in the freezing rain for hours—read all about one fan's efforts to secure the hottest ticket in town:
hellgatenyc.com/my-journey-t...
hellgatenyc.com/my-journey-t...
My Three-Day Journey to Get a Paul McCartney Ticket
On Thursday, imbued with a grim determination, I got on line at 3:45 a.m. for a shot at the ticket to ride.
hellgatenyc.com
February 14, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Threats from other Paul McCartney fans, waiting in the freezing rain for hours—read all about one fan's efforts to secure the hottest ticket in town:
hellgatenyc.com/my-journey-t...
hellgatenyc.com/my-journey-t...
Reposted by Esther Wang
PBS Removes LGBTQ Teaching Resources in Response to Trump's Executive Orders
PBS Removes LGBTQ Teaching Resources in Response to Trump's Executive Orders
New York's PBS station, WNET, helped produce the materials with NYC Public Schools and the City Council.
hellgatenyc.com
February 13, 2025 at 4:32 PM
PBS Removes LGBTQ Teaching Resources in Response to Trump's Executive Orders
Reposted by Esther Wang
Eric Adams, who had no issues railing against the Biden administration for failing to give him enough federal aid to shelter migrants in New York City, can barely muster a light rebuke against Trump for taking $80 million out of the City's pocket.
Trump Just Stole $80 Million From NYC. What Is the Mayor Gonna Do About It?
Not shit. Plus, more news for your Thursday morning.
hellgatenyc.com
February 13, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Eric Adams, who had no issues railing against the Biden administration for failing to give him enough federal aid to shelter migrants in New York City, can barely muster a light rebuke against Trump for taking $80 million out of the City's pocket.
Reposted by Esther Wang
"It's important that New Yorkers take pride in the fact that we are a city that's founded on immigration, and then also understand that the people who are behind the scenes making delicious food for them should be respected and celebrated and protected."
hellgatenyc.com/new-york-res...
hellgatenyc.com/new-york-res...
New York's Kitchens Prep to Resist ICE
Organizers and immigrant rights advocates are teaming up to teach servers, kitchen staffers, restaurant owners, and delivery workers their rights when it comes to dealing with law enforcement.
hellgatenyc.com
February 12, 2025 at 4:13 PM
"It's important that New Yorkers take pride in the fact that we are a city that's founded on immigration, and then also understand that the people who are behind the scenes making delicious food for them should be respected and celebrated and protected."
hellgatenyc.com/new-york-res...
hellgatenyc.com/new-york-res...
from @nickpinto.bsky.social: "Trump controls the man elected to speak for New York City, and, when New Yorkers take to the streets to speak for themselves, Trump will control the man who directs the police who will greet us."
hellgatenyc.com/eric-adams-p...
hellgatenyc.com/eric-adams-p...
Eric Adams Played Himself—And Screwed New Yorkers in the Process
From mayor to hapless MAGA floor manager.
hellgatenyc.com
February 11, 2025 at 4:53 PM
from @nickpinto.bsky.social: "Trump controls the man elected to speak for New York City, and, when New Yorkers take to the streets to speak for themselves, Trump will control the man who directs the police who will greet us."
hellgatenyc.com/eric-adams-p...
hellgatenyc.com/eric-adams-p...
"We have management here that's making over a million dollars a year...The executives making millions of dollars say they're going to take a 10 to 20 percent cut, but we have no proof that there is any cut."
February 11, 2025 at 3:48 PM
"We have management here that's making over a million dollars a year...The executives making millions of dollars say they're going to take a 10 to 20 percent cut, but we have no proof that there is any cut."
Bitch Mayor, Now Trump's Bitch
It finally happened: President Donald Trump's Justice Department has ordered federal prosecutors in New York City to drop all criminal charges against Mayor Eric Adams.
"New Yorkers have to realize we're on our own."
hellgatenyc.com/mayor-adams-...
"New Yorkers have to realize we're on our own."
hellgatenyc.com/mayor-adams-...
February 11, 2025 at 2:47 AM
Bitch Mayor, Now Trump's Bitch
Reposted by Esther Wang
Mr. Marathon Is a 26-Mile Tribute to Cheap Produce
Mr. Marathon Is a 26-Mile Tribute to Cheap Produce
Mr. Marathon involves visiting all 13 stores in the Mr. Fruit chain, and buying (and consuming) a thematically appropriate product at each one.
hellgatenyc.com
February 10, 2025 at 9:14 PM
Mr. Marathon Is a 26-Mile Tribute to Cheap Produce
"do not interfere"
In response to fierce criticism of a memo to City agencies that stated that workers should allow ICE to enter NYC property without a warrant if the workers feel "threatened," the Adams administration just released this flowchart, which basically restates the premise of memo:
February 10, 2025 at 9:29 PM
"do not interfere"
Reposted by Esther Wang
"The mayor didn't go public with this because he knows it's in defiance of the existing law. To have a mayor do that, is really scary."
Dozens of local elected officials, healthcare workers, and immigrant groups rallied on Sunday against a new ICE guidance memo.
hellgatenyc.com/adams-city-h...
Dozens of local elected officials, healthcare workers, and immigrant groups rallied on Sunday against a new ICE guidance memo.
hellgatenyc.com/adams-city-h...
City Lawmakers Urge Mayor Adams to 'Grow a Damn Spine' in the Face of Trump's ICE Operations
The Sunday rally called on the mayor to rescind a controversial memo Hell Gate revealed last week.
hellgatenyc.com
February 10, 2025 at 3:05 PM
"The mayor didn't go public with this because he knows it's in defiance of the existing law. To have a mayor do that, is really scary."
Dozens of local elected officials, healthcare workers, and immigrant groups rallied on Sunday against a new ICE guidance memo.
hellgatenyc.com/adams-city-h...
Dozens of local elected officials, healthcare workers, and immigrant groups rallied on Sunday against a new ICE guidance memo.
hellgatenyc.com/adams-city-h...
Reposted by Esther Wang
🐦 @hellgatenyc.com with the crucial bird flu reporting
the lede is a winner too but you'll have to click through for that hellgatenyc.com/bird-flu-egg...
the lede is a winner too but you'll have to click through for that hellgatenyc.com/bird-flu-egg...
February 10, 2025 at 3:43 PM
🐦 @hellgatenyc.com with the crucial bird flu reporting
the lede is a winner too but you'll have to click through for that hellgatenyc.com/bird-flu-egg...
the lede is a winner too but you'll have to click through for that hellgatenyc.com/bird-flu-egg...
Reposted by Esther Wang
NEW:
A memo prepared by City Hall and recently distributed to migrant shelter operators gives workers a broad exception to allow ICE officers to enter shelters without a warrant, undercutting both the City's longstanding "sanctuary laws" and previous guidance.
hellgatenyc.com/new-memo-ice...
A memo prepared by City Hall and recently distributed to migrant shelter operators gives workers a broad exception to allow ICE officers to enter shelters without a warrant, undercutting both the City's longstanding "sanctuary laws" and previous guidance.
hellgatenyc.com/new-memo-ice...
February 6, 2025 at 1:03 AM
NEW:
A memo prepared by City Hall and recently distributed to migrant shelter operators gives workers a broad exception to allow ICE officers to enter shelters without a warrant, undercutting both the City's longstanding "sanctuary laws" and previous guidance.
hellgatenyc.com/new-memo-ice...
A memo prepared by City Hall and recently distributed to migrant shelter operators gives workers a broad exception to allow ICE officers to enter shelters without a warrant, undercutting both the City's longstanding "sanctuary laws" and previous guidance.
hellgatenyc.com/new-memo-ice...