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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

All content by Blake Salesin
(Blake Salesin for WSN)

Photo: The best way to go on a pizza crawl across Manhattan

Stutee Oke, Contributing Writer April 19, 2024

(Blake Salesin for WSN)

(Blake Salesin for WSN)

Photo: 8 birthday bash ideas for every type of party-goer in New York City

Ashley Simons, Contributing Writer April 15, 2024

(Blake Salesin for WSN)

A hand holding a prosciutto sandwich, wrapped in paper.

Photo: All’Antico Vinaio: A taste of Florence in NYC

March 8, 2023

(Photo by Blake Salesin)

A hand holding a prosciutto sandwich, wrapped in paper.

Photo: All’Antico Vinaio: A taste of Florence in NYC

Roksaneh Salartash, Staff Writer March 8, 2023

(Photo by Blake Salesin)

In front of multiple wooden doors there are four low-rise beds with four males laying down on them.

New York City’s only refugee shelter is out of space

I sat down with We Are Not Afraid staff member Stephanie Gaitan to talk about the state of New York City’s only refugee shelter.
Blake Salesin, Staff Writer December 14, 2022

A seasonably cold and misty day gripped the city early Sunday afternoon. As I looked out my East Village window, I was preparing my desk to conduct an interview, opening my laptop...

The New Jersey side tower of the George Washington Bridge.

Opinion: New York housing programs shouldn’t exclude immigrants

One New York state assemblymember is introducing a bill that would help keep families out of overcrowded shelters, terrible conditions and in homes, regardless of their immigration status. The bill should be passed.
Blake Salesin, Staff Writer December 6, 2022

Many of the families staying at The Hotel Wolcott on West 31st Street in Manhattan’s Midtown are not in the Big Apple for a holiday vacation. They aren’t some of the thousands...

An illustration of a boy looking into an oven. In the oven is a cake shaped like New York state, with alternating blue and red patterns to represent the political party that is in the majority of each electoral district.

Opinion: The red wave did hit New York. Is this the new normal?

New York Republicans made immense gains during the midterm elections. But the results are far from the country’s status quo, where Democrats staved off a greater Republican takeover of congressional seats.
Blake Salesin, Staff Writer November 23, 2022

If you are the type of person who says “My vote doesn’t matter in New York,” consider yourself wrong. It seems that as the dust settles following this year’s midterm elections,...

An illustration of a boy looking into an oven. In the oven is a cake shaped like New York State with alternating blue and red patterns to represent the political party that is in the majority in each electoral district.

Opinion: New York could be facing a redder future

Redistricting failed to favor democrats, and a new congressional map threatens to break years of cemented Democratic stronghold in New York state.
Blake Salesin, Staff Writer October 25, 2022

New York is historically a blue state. It’s often considered one of the most liberal places in the country, and it hasn’t voted Republican in a presidential election since...

The interior of Buffalo Exchange. Clothes line the inside of the store, both on circular racks and against the wall.

Les Miss wants to be a ‘true‘ thrift store

As thrifting takes over the fashion world and Manhattan stores are popularized by social media, prices have risen sharply even as some stores are seeing a decrease in quality.
Blake Salesin, Staff Writer October 4, 2022

Young wardrobe stylist Sam Deutsch answered his phone as he took a new electric Citi Bike for a cruise down First Avenue in the East Village. When the pandemic began, Deutsch left...

Three men and two women sit on a stage with red drapes in the background while the man in the middle speaks using a microphone.

Opinion: Why you should care about the search for NYU’s next president

NYU’s presidential search committee is looking to define the characteristics of its next president through various open Q&A sessions, but no students are showing up.
Blake Salesin, Staff Writer September 22, 2022

I was taken aback. Was I in the wrong room? I could’ve sworn that the first student hearing session about NYU’s presidential search was in the Eisner & Lubin Auditorium...

The 6 subway train arrives at the Union Square station. People stand on the platform and walk on the overpass.

Opinion: College students should not have to pay for Metrocards

An NYU student government resolution last spring outlined a plan to bring university students discounted Metrocards. It should be implemented as soon as possible.
Blake Salesin, Staff Writer September 19, 2022

New York City is not cheap. We know that. As students in the nation’s largest city by population, we find ways to finesse every discount code for restaurant takeout and take...

A green outdoor dining structure on the street. Inside, three people are eating at a table.

Opinion: Despite its flaws, the city council’s outdoor dining proposal deserves to pass

As the City Council calls for permanent open restaurant stalls, city planners should focus on enhancing the street culture with regulated structures and more walkable streets.
Blake Salesin, Contributing Writer April 15, 2022

On April 12, I sat outside at one of the many cafes in Greenwich Village that offer temporary structure seating. I was outlining my argument for this piece, where I planned to...

An illustration of a woman at Washington Square Park wearing a purple cardigan and looking towards the left-hand side. Behind her, the Washington Square Arch is visible, as well as a man playing a piano.

Off-Third: The case against AirPods

This is the story of a student — a student who missed all of the wonders of the city, simply because they didn’t leave their AirPods case at home.
Blake Salesin, Contributing Writer April 7, 2022

On March 29, 2022, at 4:29 p.m., an unnamed NYU first-year retraced their daily path to Silver Center through Washington Square Park, AirPods in ears. As they hurriedly weaved...