FINE, let's talk about Beyoncé's new video, because even though these hyped up whatevers are usually just a huge letdown, the video for "Countdown," off her album 4, really is as amazing as The Internet says. And it's fun! And there's a lot of fashion! And it's generating adorable headlines like: "Beyonce's 'Countdown' Video A Unanimous Hit With Fans." The song is a tribute to her husband Jay-Z, and within the first 40 seconds she proudly flashes her pregnant belly. Listen, watch, enjoy: more ›

Beyonce, who is taking a break from surprising kids in Harlem, has announced a special series of shows at the Roseland Ballroom later this month, dubbed "4 Intimate Nights With Beyonce." more ›

Due an "incident with a forklift at the Westchester Yard," the MTA says riders should be prepared for "extensive delays in service on the 4, 5 and 6 trains at this time." What kind of incident, you ask? Well, according to WNBC, "The forklift hit and damaged the third rail preventing trains from getting out of the yard for the afternoon rush hour." Oh, crap. Update: WABC 7 says everything's back to normal, but as of 5:16 p.m., the MTA's website still says there may be delays. Intrepid straphangers, let us know how it goes! more ›

NYPIRG's Straphangers Campaign released its 2007 report on Subway Schmutz today and there was reason for encouragement. Overall, car cleanliness improved slightly between 2005 and 2007, but there was significant improvement on the 7 and L lines. The L line actually has the cleanest cars in the system according to Straphangers, with 88% of cars earning a clean rating versus 61% in 2005. The 7 train line was tied for second place, with 78% getting a clean rating versus 22% in 2005.

Starting in mid-September 2007, "additional cleaners were deployed at both terminals for these lines, working in multiple shifts to provide 24-hour coverage," according to MTA New York City Transit. Beginning on December 10, 2007, two new "line general managers" were appointed with greater authority to run the L (Greg Lombardi) and the 7 (Lou Brusati).