Happy Friday in New York City, where the train wars are going off the rails.
Amtrak and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (owner of MetroNorth) are familiar rivals for the hearts and dollars of New York commuters — Amtrak, the pricier, more reliable option; MetroNorth, the option that won’t break the bank, but might not get you everywhere you need to be.
The two railroads have been on a collision course for years. Last year, MTA CEO Janno Lieber railed against Amtrak during a news conference because Amtrak construction crews kept causing delays on the MTA’s Penn Access project.
“Their people don’t show up,” Lieber said. “We can’t get work done and the people in Co-Op City are waiting for a goddamn train and it’s outrageous and it’s been a problem from the start of that project.”
Earlier this year, Amtrak officials announced they would resume full service to Albany out of Grand Central, slamming the brakes on the MTA’s plan to expand service to the state capital. In April of last year, the MTA publicly condemned Amtrak for decommissioning one of its East River tunnels, forcing the Long Island Railroad to reduce services. And perhaps steamiest of all, the Trump administration chose to strip the MTA of its oversight of the Penn Station rebuild and handed control to Amtrak.
Which brings us to the latest skirmish. On Wednesday, Amtrak sued the MTA in a Manhattan federal court, accusing the New York railroad of blocking Amtrak from testing its new Acela trains on MetroNorth tracks. Amtrak is seeking a court injunction to force the MTA to open access to its tracks.
“Their actions are violating agreements we’ve had in place for more than 35 years, causing escalating harm to Amtrak’s operations, undermining safety‑critical rail activity, disrupting service needed by millions of passengers and putting the reliability of intercity rail service at risk,” Amtrak said in a statement.
The MTA quickly fired back. “It’s not clear who in the federal government is directing Amtrak’s lawyers to create distractions from the real issue — getting Bronxites the service they deserve,” said MTA external relations chief John McCarthy in a statement.
Can you find all six train puns hidden in this story? Scroll down for the answers!
Mayor Zohran Mamdani has until Sunday to sign, veto or allow to lapse into law a City Council bill directing the New York City Police Department to keep protesters away from schools and educational institutions.
Just one dining establishment in Brooklyn made Vogue’s “A Definitive Guide to the Best Omakase in New York City” list — and it’s in Boerum Hill.
The first of Mayor Mamdani’s proposed city-owned grocery stores, located in Harlem, is the first to be announced but will be the last to open. Experts continue to doubt the plan.
A U.S. Army special forces soldier involved with the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is due in court after being charged with using classified information about the mission to win more than $400,000 in an online prediction market.
Brooklyn Org, a nonprofit foundation, will host its annual Volunteer Day on Saturday, bringing together residents and partners for a day of service during National Volunteer Month.
A lovingly preserved 1790 home in Brooklyn Heights hits the market for $4.9 million — but the owner won’t sell it to anyone who wants to change the aesthetic.
Our World In Photos
Photo: Gene J. Puskar/AP
PITTSBURGH — Are we paying our college football players too much money? Alabama offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor shows off his dental jewelry while posing on the red carpet before the first round of the NFL football draft in Pittsburgh, Thursday, April 23, 2026.
For more pictures like this, see Our World in Photos.
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School gardens help students learn science and connect with agriculture, but making them happen isn’t easy
Raised planting beds hold different types of plants. Brooklyn Eagle photo by Loretta Chin
When the United States was formed, about 80% of the population lived and worked on farms. Within a century, the number had fallen to 40%. Today, less than 2% of the population lives on farms.
But gardens can be an excellent teaching tool. By integrating gardens into schools, students can grow up learning about agriculture and the food systems that shape their daily lives.
Many researchers have cataloged the benefits of school gardens, and they go far beyond seeing how food grows.
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For the Road
Car Free Earth Day: The city Department of Transportation unveiled programming details for this year’s annual Car Free Earth Day, which takes place on Saturday from 1-4 p.m. The event includes live music, arts and cultural experiences, fitness and health activities, environmental panels on select streets free from cars and free one-day passes for Citi Bike. In Brooklyn, the main event takes place on Fifth Avenue between 41st and 45th streets in Sunset Park, where attendees can engage with cycling and environmental organizations, NYC DOT, advocacy groups and community partners. Learn more.
Happy Birthday to Oscar-winning actress Barbra Streisand, who was born in Brooklyn in 1942!
On This Day in 1963, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle reported, “Mrs. Charles Shipman Payson, current leading lady of American sports, has two pets with a great deal in common. For one thing, no one knows what they’ll do next.”
Train puns: “off the rails,” “collision course,” “railed against,” “slamming the brakes,” “STEAMiest,” “inJUNCTION.”
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