No one thinks the New York City public school system's 64.7 percent high school graduation rate is a cause for celebration. But when Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced that achievement this week for the Class of 2012, school reformers in every part of every borough felt a powerful sense of relief.

That's because members of the Class of 2012 were the city's first to get their diplomas without... » more

The city updated its hurricane plan Tuesday that includes a bigger evacuation map and a new way to warn New Yorkers.

The Office of Emergency Management ditched its letter zone system with a number system that includes an additional 600,000 residents than the previous map in new locations such as southern Queens and Brooklyn.

The map is available for download at the nyc.gov and there... » more

Lil Wayne insists that he didn’t really mean to stomp all over the American flag during a video shoot, despite evidence to the contrary.

While filming a music video for the song “God Bless Amerika,” the 30-year-old raps in front of an American flag that drops to the ground, at which point he walks all over Old Glory for the better part of a minute.

But the New Orleans-based rapper swears... » more

Stars came out in droves on Monday night to celebrate the 10th anniversary of rap mogul Jay-Z's 40/40 Club.

Jay's gorgeous wife Beyoncé, funnyman Chris Rock and songstress Kylie Minogue were all on hand, as were a slew of New York athletes, including Carmelo Anthony, Amar'e Stoudemire and Victor Cruz. Partygoers also spotted Jay-Z sipping Armand de Brignac champagne with Yankees slugger Robinson... » more

You've heard of "Jock Jams," right? There's a reason those dance-music compilations were so popular. They got the party started right -- and quickly -- but they were also upbeat and fun to listen to, making what many dreaded, namely exercise, a bit easier.

While the songs may have changed somewhat, (despite the '90s musical renaissance), the point of kicking out the jams in workouts... » more

Charlie Sheen has put Selma Blair square in his crosshairs, claiming he fired his "Anger Management" co-star after she bad-mouthed him to the show's head honchos.

Sheen, 47, went on a rampage after learning of Blair's alleged powwow with the show's executives, during which she complained that Sheen is always late and has a "shoddy work ethic," according to TMZ.com.

Sheen was furious... » more

Governors Island administrators said last week's implosion of one of its oldest buildings was a Big Bang of sorts, signifying the start of a new era for the island.

The 30-acre section of the island that was once off-limits to civilians will be transformed into a new, modern $250 million park that's set to open for the public next summer, and there's more on the way.

And the excitement... » more

New York's mayoral candidates have paid surprisingly little attention to one issue that really sets the Big Apple apart: an extraordinarily heavy tax burden.

No other big city in the country imposes such a broad array of taxes at such high levels, piling its own levies on top of those collected by Albany. For example, corporations pay a combined rate of 17.5 percent on net income allocated... » more

Never mind those controversial touches like tables and chairs in Times Square and the bike lanes all over town that have slyly elbowed their way into street space once the sole province of motor traffic.

We'll remember Mayor Michael Bloomberg for all of that -- but when he leaves office at year's end, what we may remember him for most is his policy on table scraps.

The mayor is ratcheting... » more

A 17-year-old Bronx teen was arrested Sunday for a shooting last week that put a 9-year-old girl in the hospital.

Billie James was charged with attempted murder, assault, reckless endangerment and criminal possession of a weapon for allegedly firing several shots while riding a bicycle on Friday at 9:20 p.m. in the Kingsbridge section of the Bronx on Bailey Avenue and West 234th Street. A... » more