Manhattan Marriage Bureau reopens for in-person ceremonies, licenses

For the first time since March 2020, in-person weddings and marriage license appointments are back at the bureau located in Lower Manhattan.

More than 1.5M children lost at least 1 caregiver from a death related to COVID-19 last year

A recent study funded by the National Institutes of Health estimated that 1.5 million around the globe lost at least one caregiver to a death related to COVID-19 in the first 14 months of the pandemic.

Dad with lightning-fast reflexes catches toddler on slip ‘n slide

Footage by Rachel Nicole Ohl shows her husband and kids having a blast on the beloved outdoor children’s toy, with even the tiniest member of the family getting in on the action.

Couples turn to family and friends ordained online to officiate their weddings

More than half of couples getting married in 2020 asked either a friend or family member to serve as their wedding officiant. That means online ordinations to become a minister are gaining steam.

Child tax credit: Biden, Harris mark first day of payments

Thursday marks the first day President Biden’s expanded child tax credit takes effect, giving more families access to monthly payments.

ICE to avoid detaining most pregnant, postpartum women in new policy

ICE will avoid detaining most undocumented people who are pregnant, postpartum or nursing under a new policy announced Friday.

NYC salutes pandemic essential workers with Hometown Heroes Parade

Thousands marched along the street and waved from floats moving up the Canyon of Heroes on Wednesday as New York City honored all pandemic essential workers with the ‘Hometown Heroes Parade.’

CDC warns parents to keep sick kids from contaminating pools

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is warning parents to not let their sick kids swim this summer to avoid spreading diseases such as crypto or norovirus.

Spanking worsens children’s behavior, study finds

The study’s senior author Elizabeth Gershoff said her team realized that physical punishment led to "increased aggression, increased antisocial behavior, and increased disruptive behavior in school."

France legalizes IVF for lesbians and single women

France has approved a law that will allow single women and lesbians access to medically assisted reproduction for the first time. The National Assembly adopted the wide-ranging bioethics law in a 326–115 vote.

Rye Playland amusement park to reopen

Playland Park officials say 2021 is less about profit and more about celebrating a return to normal. So the price of a ride wristband has dropped to $20.

250 gators removed from Walt Disney World since boy died in 2016 attack

Wildlife officials have removed 250 alligators from Disney properties in the five years since a 2-year-old boy was killed by an alligator at the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, according to the Orlando Sentinel.

Latinas left workforce more than other demographics amid COVID-19 pandemic, report says

A new report finds that Latinas have left the workforce at rates higher than any other demographic and also have had some of the highest unemployment rates throughout the pandemic.

3 NYC besties celebrate their 100th birthdays together

Friends Ruth Schwartz, Lorraine Perrillo and Edith Moscou all turn 100 years old around the same time.

Special-needs families in NJ and NY await word on pending 'aging out' bills

Many special-needs families in New Jersey are hoping the governor signs a bill that would give special-needs adults more time before they age out of the educational system. New York families are facing a similar dilemma.