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Long Island Rail Road President Rob Free promised riders that trains leaving New York City just before midnight will get to their last stop even if unionized workers go on strike at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday.

As of early Friday evening, contract talks between five labor unions and the MTA were still underway.

“Even if those trains leave just before midnight, but are operating after midnight, they will continue to their final destination,” Free said at a Friday afternoon news conference. “We don’t want any customers getting stranded on board our trains, so we’ll ensure that they get home safely.”

If employees go on strike, the MTA will launch a limited contingency plan that involves shuttle buses at several LIRR stations. Even so, the agency is encouraging commuters to work from home in the event of a strike.

The Long Island Rail Road is encouraging commuters to work from home in the event of a strike, with officials saying the contingency plan wouldn’t handle the nearly 300,000 people who use the train daily.

“We are asking those to talk to your employer and work remotely if you can,” MTA Chief Customer Officer Shanifah Rieara asked of commuters during a Friday afternoon news conference. “And allow for our strike shuttle bus operation for essential workers; those who have to come in to the city who don’t have the way and means to come in by car.”

Unionized workers plan to strike at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday if they don’t reach a deal with the MTA.

LIRR riders could face massive travel disruptions as a potential union strike threatens to halt daily rail service. The LIRR unions want a 5% wage increase for the fourth year of their contract. The MTA, meanwhile, is offering a 3% increase — plus lump sum payments — to bring the actual total up to 4.5%, which the unions call a gimmick. Officials are working to find a resolution before the strike deadline impacts the morning commute.

The New York City Transit Lost and Found receives about 3,000 items per month, often reuniting them with their owners. @samiktv takes a look at what New Yorkers leave behind – including prosthetics, dentures and urns with human remains.

@jillhennessyofficial tells us about her busking days when she first moved to New York City 🏙️

On Wednesday, the NYPD crushed over 200 illegal mopeds and scooters on Staten Island.

Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the NYPD has seized over 57 hundred illegal mopeds and scooters across the city. The illegal mopeds and scooters that they confiscate are unregistered, uninsured and have fake license plates, according to the NYPD.

“These illegal mopeds and scooters have become a persistent public safety issue across the city and are often used in the commission of a crime,” Tisch said.

On Tuesday afternoon, Mayor Zohran Mamdani unveiled his executive budget proposal — a proposal which, according to the mayor, closes the city's budget gap.

@kellymenatv unpacks how the mayor was able to close the deficit with support from Gov. Kathy Hochul and state lawmakers, and also takes a look at what comes next.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani broke down how his administration balanced the proposed city budget in an executive address Tuesday.

The mayor said the city "scoured for savings and demanded greater efficiency from every part of city government," "partnered with Albany” and "taxed the rich — asking those with the most to contribute a little bit more to support those with the least.”

The budget is not final until the City Council votes to approve it.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani says his administration has balanced the city budget, closing an over $5 billion gap in the past three months.

“We have closed the gap entirely, down to zero. It has not been easy, but we balanced the budget and we have done so without placing the burden on the backs of working New Yorkers,” the mayor said while announcing his proposed budget Tuesday.

Mamdani said this proposed budget does not raise property taxes or slash services. The City Council still needs to vote to approve the budget before it's finalized.

New York state Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald told NY1 Tuesday that the three New Yorkers who were aboard a cruise ship at the center of a hantavirus outbreak have not tested positive for the virus.

McDonald said "we will be talking to them soon."

About three-quarters of the approximately 611 nursing homes in New York are operating at a loss, according to the New York State Health Facilities Association.

@emmab929 breaks down why one Staten Island nursing home is suing the New York state Department of Health.

@saraanneleeds tells us that creating @doormanstories changed her life.