New York City significantly missed its target processing times for food and cash benefit applications last fiscal year, achieving only 30% for cash assistance and 40% for SNAP against a 90% goal. Also, starting March 1st 2024, every business in New York City must use garbage cans with lids. Meanwhile, Newark will use an $8-million U.S. Forest Service grant to combat heat islands and plant more trees, also supporting community-based workforce programs to boost the local economy. Finally, over 1700 nurses are striking at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Jersey, and after over a month, the parties recently convened their first face-to-face bargaining meeting; Renee Bacany of the representing union provides an update.