Last week the Times reported on a new program in Princeton and Trenton, NJ, where the Latin American Legal Defense and Education Fund began distributing community ID cards to any resident—even the illegal ones. With no other way of proving where they lived, many illegal immigrants have been finding the cards useful for doing everything from cashing checks to taking out library books. Of course, with the heightened national attention on immigration policy, the program has been getting its fair share of backlash. more ›

Never leave home without it: City Councilman Hiram Monserrate is proposing a bill that would allow all NYC residents to have identification cards, regardless of legal status. more ›

Five years after September 11, there are three big stories: The state of development, the health of rescue workers, and what may remain of the victims. Unsurprisingly, the city's renewed search for remains at the World Trade Center site has yielded finding more remains. Yesterday, additional manholes were excavated and sifting the debris. Fifteen more pieces of remains were found; last Thursday, about 80 bones and bone fragments were found, along with wallets, ID cards and even shoes. People say that the temporary road at the site was built using fill from "The Pile", the massive amount of debris from the World Trade Center's wreckage. more ›

While excavating a manhole, Con Ed workers found more human remains from September 11. The manhole was in the northwest corner, near where the names of victims are reading during September 11 anniversary ceremonies. more ›

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All the foodies are in a tizzy today as the coveted James Beard Award nominees were announced last night. The actual awards ceremony and reception will be held on May 8, at an event celebrating "the culinary legacy of New Orleans." Reservations for the May 8th event can be made by calling 212-367-9490 or toll free at 1-866-362-6442. Admission is $375 ($325 for James Beard Foundation members/$120 for students - find your old ID cards fast!). A portion of the admission price will be donated to a charitable fund established to support the rebuilding of New Orleans’ restaurant community. more ›

A judge ruled that Met Life can start moving towards a photo ID system for residents at Peter Cooper Village, BUT residents won't be barred from the building if they don't have a photo ID. Huh? This is like King Solomon cutting the baby in half, because Gothamist can just imagine some serious clashes between tenants without IDs and the management. This judge's order will stand until April 14, when the entire case is more fully addressed. The tenants had filed a suit, claiming that needing to have their photographs on ID cards was invasive - and dangerous if their Social Security numbers were put on them as well. more ›

Yesterday, a 15 year old student at Edward R. Murrow High School was stabbed outside the cafeteria. It's unclear whether or not the 9:45AM attack was by a fellow student or an outsider. According to some police sources, the victim interrupted a conversation amongst two girls and a third person, possibly not a student. The third person argued with the victim, and then stabbed the him. The victim received three stitches. Murrow, one of the best schools in the city, does have a system where students swipe their ID cards as they enter, which alarms students about security issues. But what about the knife? Isn't that more alarming than an intruder coming in? Gothamist thought most NYC high schools had metal detectors. more ›