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A parking garage in New York's West Village is being converted into luxury condos, with contracts already signed for three units totaling over $100 million. The building, which has served as a garage since the 1930s, will maintain its industrial facade while the rear of the property will be demolished to make way for high-end residences. The completed project will have two penthouses, two townhouse-style residences, and three loft-style homes, with amenities including a doorman, gym, sports court, and parking spaces. The project has attracted local buyers who appreciate the privacy and low-key appearance of the building. [Extracted from the article]

Research universities and hospitals are opposing a proposal by the Office of Research Integrity (ORI) to increase oversight of investigations into fraud and plagiarism. The ORI, which oversees over $40 billion in research funds, is calling for more transparency in research misconduct investigations. However, institutions such as Harvard Medical School argue that their current processes are sufficient and that the proposed changes would constitute government overreach. The debate over who should police researchers has intensified in recent years, with some arguing for more public disclosure of misconduct reports, while others emphasize the need for confidentiality to protect complainants and researchers. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the differences between two major blackouts in New York City, one in 1965 and another in 1977. The author, Steven S. Kron, reflects on his experience during the 1965 blackout, where despite the darkness and absence of traffic lights, people drove safely and even helped direct traffic at major intersections. In contrast, the 1977 blackout was marked by fires, looting, and fear. Kron suggests that the sense of shared citizenship and concern for others that existed in 1965 had disappeared by 1977. [Extracted from the article]

In "Write Like a Man: Jewish Masculinity and the New York Intellectuals," Ronnie A. Grinberg explores how members of the mid-20th century New York intellectual circle embraced a secular Jewish machismo in response to Cold War politics. The focus is on Diana Trilling, a prominent essayist and wife of cultural critic Lionel Trilling, who navigated the challenges of establishing her own reputation in a male-dominated literary world. Grinberg also examines other intellectuals, such as Norman Podhoretz and Midge Decter, who helped shape neoconservatism and held antipathy towards the feminist movement. The book highlights how these writers sought to redefine American and Jewish identities through their writing. [Extracted from the article]

New York Attorney General Letitia James is facing criticism for her pursuit of former President Donald Trump's assets. Critics argue that her actions may violate the Eighth Amendment's prohibition against excessive fines and cruel punishment, as well as the Fifth Amendment. Some believe that James ran on a platform targeting Trump and is now using creative interpretations of the law to go after him. However, others applaud James for holding Trump accountable and suggest that he should consider filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to protect his assets. [Extracted from the article]

The luxury real estate market in Manhattan, particularly in Midtown, has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Sellers have had to lower prices on high-end properties to attract buyers, and the market in Midtown has been slower due to people working from home and desiring more residential neighborhoods. There is also a large number of unsold new development units in Midtown. The co-op market remains subdued due to restrictive rules imposed by co-op boards. However, there has been a decrease in new luxury condo developments, leading to a decrease in inventory. Some neighborhoods still have significant new development inventory. Despite the challenges, the market is gradually improving, but developers are being cautious in selecting projects. [Extracted from the article]

Finding lodging in New York City has become more complicated and expensive since the city cracked down on Airbnb and other short-term rentals. The number of available short-term Airbnbs has decreased significantly, causing travelers to be wary of the legality of the places they are considering. As a result, visitors are turning to hotels, which have raised their prices due to less competition. The crackdown on Airbnb has also had an impact on hosts, with many experiencing a decline in bookings and having to lower their rates. [Extracted from the article]

New York Attorney General Letitia James is threatening to seize former President Donald Trump's assets after he was effectively denied the ability to appeal a $464 million civil-fraud judgment against him. Trump's lawyers have been unable to obtain a bond to guarantee the judgment, as most of his assets are illiquid and insurance companies are unwilling to underwrite a bond of this magnitude. If Trump wants to appeal the judgment, he may have to sell his properties at a loss. Critics argue that the judgment is excessive and that James is trying to circumvent due process. [Extracted from the article]

In this review of the Broadway production of Henrik Ibsen's "An Enemy of the People," the author praises Jeremy Strong's performance as Dr. Thomas Stockmann, the whistleblower who uncovers dangerous bacteria in the town's spa waters. The adaptation by Amy Herzog and direction by Sam Gold are commended for their intelligence and restraint. The play's themes of self-interest, corruption, and the spread of disinformation are noted as relevant to contemporary issues, such as the skepticism towards doctors' recommendations during the Covid-19 pandemic. The review also mentions the strong performances of other cast members and the small touches that add depth to the characters. [Extracted from the article]

This article provides a summary of various arts and entertainment events happening in the week of March 17. It includes information on upcoming films, TV shows, theater productions, music releases, exhibitions, and art shows. Some notable highlights include the release of the new Ghostbusters film, the adaptation of the sci-fi novel "3 Body Problem," and the Whitney Biennial 2024 art exhibition. [Extracted from the article]

A consortium of media giants, including Fox, Warner Bros., and ESPN, has announced plans for a new streaming service that aims to simplify sports watching. The service, set to launch in the fall, will bundle ESPN+ with 14 sports-heavy channels owned by its parent companies. While the new service will offer access to most major sports content, it will not include regional sports networks, which may be a drawback for some fans. The monthly cost of the service is estimated to be around $50, but it remains to be seen if consumers will find this appealing compared to other online cable bundles. [Extracted from the article]

The Notebook is a new musical adaptation of the popular Nicholas Sparks novel and film. The show features a score by Ingrid Michaelson and a book by Bekah Brunstetter. While the performance is elevated by the delicate and truthful performance of Maryann Plunkett, who plays a woman suffering from Alzheimer's disease, the overall production falls short of truly transporting the audience. The musical moves the story forward in time and makes changes to the characters' races, but fails to explore their lives in depth. The abundance of love songs in the show tends to blur together, although some may find success on the pop charts. Despite its flaws, the musical is notable for its depiction of the suffering of the main character and the devotion of her husband. However, even these moments are softened by sentimentality. [Extracted from the article]

Increasing numbers of Americans are using various methods to avoid paying toll fares, such as using devices to hide or cover their license plates. This type of toll evasion has cost government agencies millions of dollars, prompting officials to crack down on these tactics. Toll avoidance has become more prevalent since the shift to all-electronic tolling during the Covid-19 pandemic. Some drivers have been power-washing paint off their plates or using household items to obstruct them. Authorities are exploring ways to address this issue, including increasing fines and implementing new legislation. [Extracted from the article]