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New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

City

(Kiara Mujica for WSN)

Opinion: The urgency of NYC’s water scarcity

For the first time in over two decades, New York City is facing its first drought warning, with dangerously low reservoir levels fueling wildfires. The city, and its people, should be attempting to minimize the damages.
Steven Wang, Staff Writer March 10, 2025

Since the start of 2025, wildfires have spread at an alarming rate across the United States, with over 8,000 wildfires and over 160,000 acres burned. Fires have devastated cities...

(Danny Arensberg for WSN)

Opinion: How the NYPD evades accountability for misconduct

Legislatures need to address the department’s internal corruption of dodging disciplinary consequences for police misconduct.
Steven Wang, Staff Writer March 6, 2025

Since 2000, there have been 180,700 New York City Police Department misconduct complaints that included 59,244 separate incidents and 35,435 officers. Out of 50 million police...

(Charlotte Nichols for WSN)

Opinion: NYU gentrifies as New Yorkers suffer

NYU’s geographical dominance impacts both affordable housing and the progression of gentrification in lower Manhattan.
Steven Wang, Staff Writer February 24, 2025

Last month, NYU finalized its purchase of the Hebrew Union College building on West Fourth Street for $75.5 million. This addition to the university's already-massive real estate...

(Natalia Kempthorne-Curiel for WSN)

Opinion: Hustle culture is harming us, and self-care isn’t helping

In our performance-driven world, students find themselves on the receiving end of two toxic trends — hustle culture and its commercialized counterpart, self-care.
Mehr Kotval and Noah Zaldivar February 21, 2025

As college students, academic stress, burnout and demanding expectations are all familiar experiences. The job market has raised its standards, and the constant pressure...

Opinion: Students need to rethink their relationship with weed

Opinion: Students need to rethink their relationship with weed

As marijuana use increases among college students, including at NYU, it's important to consider the risks that often go overlooked.
Konrad Zawadzki, Contributing Writer February 19, 2025

At NYU, marijuana is a large part of campus culture. When I walked through campus for the first time, the pungent smell of cannabis lingered in the air, emanating from dorms, elevators...

(Kevin Wu for WSN)

Opinion: Subway safety is a manufactured crisis

New York City is spending millions on subway policing and surveillance, but these measures do more to ease public anxiety than actually reduce crime.
Steven Wang, Staff Writer February 12, 2025

Anyone who turns on the news might think that the New York City subway system is more dangerous than ever. Every few weeks, a violent subway crime becomes the subject of alarmist...

Opinion: A lack of accessibility leaves disabled commuters behind

Opinion: A lack of accessibility leaves disabled commuters behind

New York City’s transit system has an accessibility problem. What can the MTA do to fix it?
Sam Kats, Contributing Writer February 5, 2025

Nearly 1 in 6 New York City residents have a disability, and for many, the subway system remains a source of exclusion rather than access. As of January, 336 subway stations in...

(Marva Shi for WSN)

Opinion: The exploitation of prison labor

The prison labor system in New York state exploits incarcerated individuals, denying them fair wages, workplace protections and dignity.
Mehr Kotval, Opinion Editor January 28, 2025

In New York, chairs in classrooms, street signs and license plates have one thing in common:  They are all produced by prison labor. As of 2024, around 1.8 million people were...

(Kevin Wu for WSN)

How you can help NYC’s homeless crisis

Homelessness in New York City has reached an unprecedented scale. However, there is a way for us to support those without shelter for just one night.
Steven Wang, Staff Writer January 24, 2025

For most NYU students, the worst of a cold January night will be facing the bitter winds as we walk into the warmth of our own dorms. Inside, it’s cozy with the radiators turned...

President Donald Trump addresses the press outside of the courtroom during his New York civil fraud case in New York City on Oct. 17, 2023. (Jason Alpert-Wisnia for WSN)

Opinion: New York City under Trump’s second term

As our country undergoes a second Trump administration, New York City faces threats to its economy, climate and progressive values.
Mehr Kotval, Opinion Editor January 23, 2025

Just days into his second term, President Donald Trump signed executive orders that will change the fundamental principles of the United States as we know it. In an alarming string...

The number 6 train arrives at the Union Square station. People stand on the platform and walk on an overpass above the tracks.

Opinion: Congestion pricing is the cure to NYC’s traffic crisis

For the second year in a row, New York City has been named the world’s most congested urban area, harming citizens every day. It’s time to change that with congestion pricing.
Steven Wang, Staff Writer December 12, 2024

In 2024, New York City claimed the title of the world’s most congested urban area once again, surpassing other major cities like Paris, Mexico City and Chicago. However, we may...

An illustration of a rainbow-colored circle of holding hands. Inside the circle, there is an illustration of two people next to each other with a heart between them.

Opinion: Mutual aid keeps our communities alive — it’s time to get involved

Whether you want to volunteer your time, donate resources or simply learn more about mutual aid, here is the information you need to know about how to help you make a positive community impact.
Noor Maahin, Staff Writer December 5, 2024

In a school in the heart of New York City, students are surrounded by the manifestation of many social injustices with every block they turn. With thousands suffering on...