Early voting kicks off Saturday in the general election—the culmination of what’s been a dramatic 2025 race for the city’s next mayor, where much of the conversation has centered around housing and affordability. 

An early voting site in The Bronx during the June primaries. (Adi Talwar/City Limits)

Early voting kicks off Saturday in the general election—the culmination of what’s been a dramatic 2025 race for the city’s next mayor, where much of the conversation has centered around housing and affordability. 

The cost of housing is the top issue New Yorkers want the city’s next leader to address, a recent voter survey found, followed by street homelessness. The survey, conducted by the nonprofit Community Service Society (a City Limits funder), questioned 2,000 city residents in September and October. Reducing crime and expanding access to mental health care were also top priorities. 

“I wish that elected officials understood that public housing and even low income housing is still very high for renters to be able to afford,” one survey respondent wrote. “When your monthly rent is over half of your monthly salary, it’s impossible to get ahead,” said another. 

The three mayoral candidates—Democratic nominee and Queens Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani; former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, running as an independent; and Guardian Angels founder and Republican Curtis Sliwa—have each laid out their own plans to address the housing crisis.

In addition to casting a vote for mayor and other elected officials, voters can flip their ballots to weigh in on six ballot measures, three of which modify the city’s process for permitting new housing.

Ballot proposal 1 would amend the New York State Constitution to allow new ski trails in Essex County, New York.

Ballot proposal 2 would fast track publicly financed affordable housing projects and affordable housing projects in the 12 city community districts with the lowest rates of affordable housing development.

Ballot proposal 3 would create a faster review for smaller housing projects that increase housing by less than 30 percent. It would also speed up review for some climate resiliency projects, like raising streets.

Ballot proposal 4 would allow a tribunal of the mayor, City Council speaker, and representative borough president to override City Council decisions that reject or change affordable housing projects.

Ballot proposal 5 would create a single digitized city map for planning.

Ballot proposal 6 would move election dates for city offices to the same year as federal presidential elections.

Proposals two through four, which touch on affordable housing, have generated significant debate. On one side, many housing groups and citywide public officials say that the changes will accelerate housing growth in the city.

“We have a system now that allows communities that are politically and economically powerful to stop housing,” said Manhattan Borough President and incoming comptroller Mark Levine in a rally for the housing proposals last week.

The City Council opposes the measures, saying they would weaken lawmakers’ ability to negotiate with developers to secure benefits for their districts in housing deals. “They eliminate communities’ power,” City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams countered in a rally earlier this month.

Cuomo has come out for the housing proposals. Sliwa has urged voters to vote no. Mamdani has yet to take a stance.

Early voting will run from Saturday, Oct. 25 to Sunday, Nov. 2. Election Day is Nov. 4.
Here are some helpful links if you’re headed to the polls this weekend:

Check here to make sure you’re registered to vote, or call 1-866-868-3692. The last day to register online or by mail is Saturday, Oct. 25. You can do so here. The last day to register in person at your county board of elections is Nov. 3. 

Find your poll site and view a sample ballot here (note: your early voting site is typically a different location from your Election Day site).

If you experience trouble voting, call the Attorney General’s Election Protection Hotline at (866) 390-2992, or report an incident online here. 

Here’s what else happened this week in housing—

ICYMI, from City Limits:

The number of homeless children attending New York City public schools increased again in 2024-2025, surpassing 150,000 for the first time. Here’s a look at the latest data by neighborhood.

The partial building collapse at NYCHA’s Mitchel Houses earlier this month is a grim reminder of the precarious state of the city’s public housing stock. But most NYCHA developments have the same or an even greater level of repair needs than those at Mitchel, a City Limits investigation found.

New Yorkers’ heating bill rates are going up. But a program that helps low-income households pay their winter utility costs is being delayed thanks to the government shutdown.

Last year, 4,655 New York City children under the age of 6 tested positive for elevated lead levels in their blood. Here’s what tenants should know about their risk of lead paint exposure.

ICYMI, from other local newsrooms:

A growing number of government subsidized and nonprofit-operated affordable housing developments are in financial distress, according a new analysis from the Association for Neighborhood and Housing Development, The City reports.

The Adams administration is looking to rezone a flood-prone neighborhood that straddles Brooklyn and Queens dubbed “The Hole,” the New York Times reports.

Efforts to expand rent stabilization beyond the five boroughs are hitting hurdles, according to City and State.

Climate disasters are among the factors driving migration to New York, according a Documented investigation.

To reach the reporter behind this story, contact Patrick@citylimits.org. To reach the editor, contact Jeanmarie@citylimits.org. Want to republish this story? Find City Limits’ reprint policy here.

The post Your Early Voting Guide, And What Else Happened This Week in Housing appeared first on City Limits.

NEW YORK (AP) — The stunning indictment that led to the arrest of more than 30 people, including Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and other NBA figures, on charges of illegal sports betting has drawn new scrutiny of the booming business of professional sports gambling across the U.S.

Since widespread legalization, the multibillion-dollar industry has made it easy to place wagers on everything from the outcome of games to that of a single play with just a few taps of a cellphone. It’s just about impossible to go to a basketball, football, baseball or other pro game today — or watch a matchup on TV — without seeing ads for sports betting.

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Fans can place wagers from their stadium seats, while “Bet” tickers scroll on TV sports broadcasts. Star athletes are frequently at the center of ads promoting it all.

Regulating sports wagering has proven to be a challenge — and experts warn about the ramifications for gamblers who typically lose money. Professional leagues’ own role in promoting gambling has raised eyebrows.

Sports betting also faces criticism for opening the door to addictive gambling.

“The fact that it’s normalized, the advertising is aggressive, it’s available 24/7, the micro bets — all of this is adding up to tremendous increase in usage across individuals,”  Wayne Taylor, a professor of marketing at Southern Methodist University, told the Associated Press, citing algorithms and other incentives betting platforms use to increase engagement.

Isaac Rose-Berman, whose research focuses on sports betting as a fellow at the American Institute for Boys and Men, noted that platforms make the most off of returning “biggest losers.” Recent research suggests that young men in low-income communities are particularly affected by financial consequences tied to sports gambling.

“Upwards of 90% of sports bettors are not really going to experience significant negative impacts — but it’s really concentrated among those big losers and it’s going to be devastating for them,” he said.

So, how do you know if you have a gambling problem?

If you’re hiding the fact that you gamble to your friends and family, do it when you’re stressed and experience mood changes, you may be showing warning signs of a gambling addiction. The Associated Press explains in the video below:

Once the Gophers men’s basketball team completed its runaway 80-56 exhibition win over North Dakota State on Oct. 16 and Niko Medved wrapped up his news conference, the new head coach shared a parting thought as he left the Williams Arena interview room.

Gophers wing Cade Tyson poured in a game-high 28 points in Minnesota’s 80-54 exhibition win over North Dakota State at Williams Arena on Oct. 16, 2025. Tyson is a senior transfer from North Carolina. (Brad Rempel / Gophers Athletics)

“Wish it counted,” Medved said with a laugh.

Minnesota played well over the final 30 minutes in its first of two tune-up games. That was especially true for transfer wing Cade Tyson, who scored a game-high 28 points.

The Gophers’ second exhibition game is noon Saturday against North Dakota at The Barn. The season opener is Nov. 3 against Gardner-Webb.

Among the U’s nine new transfers, Tyson represents one of the most intriguing incoming players this season. The Monroe, N.C., native started his career at Belmont in Nashville, averaging 16.2 points and shooting 46% from 3-point range as a sophomore in 2023-24.

His first transfer move was to North Carolina, but didn’t play much while putting up 2.6 points in eight minutes per game, while shooting 29% from deep. So he hit the portal a second time.

“We always talk about fit matters,” Medved said after the NDSU win. “For whatever reason, it didn’t work out for him. If you remember a couple of years ago, he was one of the top transfers in the transfer portal. … North Carolina has a great program. It just wasn’t working out fit-wise. We thought he would be a great fit here. I think you are seeing that.”

Tyson didn’t look like a player searching for confidence after a down year with the Tar Heels. Against the Bison, he went 6 for 9 from behind the arc and made all four of his free throws.

“I felt confident out there on the floor,” Tyson said. “The most important thing that I felt was just having fun out there with my teammates. That was the best feeling.”

Tyson scored 11 straight points against NDSU, which is picked to finish in fourth of the Summit League this season.

“Every time he put up a three ball, I’m like, ‘Man, that’s money,” said guard Isaac Asuma said. “I’ve seen him rep it in practice.”

Medved listed a few things he likes about the 6-foot-7 Tyson, whose brother Hunter played at Clemson and is a reserve for the Denver Nuggets.

“(Cade’s) got great skill, great size,” Medved said. “He can shoot it. He’s a tough guy and you don’t see a kid that didn’t have confidence (vs. NDSU). He puts in the work and he believes in himself, and I think he’s going to have a really good year for us.”

Medved didn’t stop there. He said Tyson “kind of reminded” him of Nique Clifford, a guard who transferred from Colorado to Colorado State to play for Medved the previous two seasons.

Clifford, who was the Sacramento Kings’ 24th overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft, shot 40% from 3-point land for the Buffaloes in 2021-22, but that number dipped to 28% the following year.

Clifford’s 3-point shooting improved 38% across his two years in Fort Collins, Colo., but so did his overall game, with jumps in scoring and rebounding and assist numbers.

The Gophers would love to see a similar bounce back from their new wing over the course of the upcoming campaign.

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By TIM REYNOLDS

MIAMI (AP) — As a new NBA season opened this week, coach Rick Carlisle and the Indiana Pacers received their annual briefing on the do’s and don’ts of gambling.

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Betting in casinos is generally allowed. Betting on other sports, provided it is legal, is also allowed.

Betting on NBA basketball is not.

For veterans of the sport, it’s the type of training that can seem routine — almost boring, perhaps. But the potential repercussions for breaking the rules are now abundantly clear after Portland coach Chauncey Billups and Miami guard Terry Rozier were among nearly three dozen people arrested Thursday for what federal law enforcement officials described as their involvement in various illicit gambling activities.

The developments pose an unexpected challenge for a league that hoped to begin its season on a strong note, fueled by an opening night game watched by millions as it went into a thrilling double overtime. There have been amazing performances already: Victor Wembanyama scoring 40 points in his season debut with San Antonio, reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scoring 55 for Oklahoma City, Golden State’s Stephen Curry and Denver’s Aaron Gordon putting on an I-can-top-this show.

Those should be the talk of the league right now. That’s not the case. All that has been overshadowed. The NBA now faces questions about the pervasiveness of gambling in basketball, and uncertainty about what might happen next.

“A shocking day,” said Carlisle, who said he unsuccessfully tried to connect with Billups to offer support. “This is a very serious situation.”

The accusations against Rozier and Billups

Rozier, who was arrested in Orlando, Florida, where the Heat opened the season against the Magic, stands accused of telling an associate that he was going to play sparingly in a game on March 23, 2023, when he was with the Charlotte Hornets. Rozier played just under 10 minutes and fell well short of many of the lines set for prop bets regarding his performance.

Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier leaves the U.S. Federal Courthouse through a side door after his arraignment, Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

More than $200,000 worth of wagers were won, federal officials said, based on the information Rozier shared.

Billups — a Hall of Fame player — was arrested in Lake Oswego, Oregon, and charged with being involved in a poker scheme that federal officials said cheated victims out of at least $7 million. Billups was one of 31 people arrested on the poker-related charges, and some of those arrested were, according to officials, members of three Mafia families.

The indictments for the insider betting and poker cases were separate, but it appears Billups was mentioned — albeit not by name — in the betting one as well. Someone who matches Billups’ resume, an Oregon resident who played in the NBA from 1997 through 2014 and has been a coach since 2021, was alleged to have given insider information to someone who used it to craft wagers involving Trail Blazers’ games in 2023.

That person is described in that document only as Co-Conspirator 8.

Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups leaves a federal court after his appearance on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Billups and Rozier appeared in court on Thursday and are out of the league indefinitely, being placed on leave by the NBA just hours after their arrests. An attorney for Billups called his client a “man of integrity” while a lawyer for Rozier said the player is “not a gambler” and “looks forward to winning this fight.”

In a statement, the NBA said it takes “these allegations with the utmost seriousness, and the integrity of our game remains our top priority.”

Betting is big in pro sports

Yet betting has become big business for the NBA, as it has with virtually all pro sports leagues in this era where sports wagering is legal in much of the country. The practice is allowed in some form in 38 states now. Missouri will join that list later this year, and it’s also permitted in the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

“It’s a world that’s a different world than it was a few years ago with the advent of legalized gambling,” Carlisle noted.

Some leaders in the league encouraged the growth of legalized gambling. In 2014, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver wrote an op-ed in The New York Times noting a “thriving underground business” of illegal sports gambling that “operates free from regulation or oversight.” He called for a “different approach.”

A 2018 Supreme Court decision ultimately cleared the way for the modern era of legalized sports gambling. Today, the NBA has two official gaming partners, FanDuel and DraftKings Sportsbook, and has relationships with at least 12 authorized gaming operators. There is even a portion of the NBA’s website devoted to gambling — NBABet.

As legalized gambling has taken off, Silver has expressed some worries about the implications.

“Obviously, I’m very concerned if there’s any illegal activity going on in our league,” he said in July. “But I’d say similar to the way a public financial market works, the fact that there might be insider trading doesn’t mean you’re necessarily going to shut down those public markets. Often the way they are catching insider traders is because they have a system, a complex system, that detects aberrational behavior.”

“But,” he added, “anybody in this league, any player who engages in that activity, there’s no question they are putting their livelihood at risk.”

Golden State coach Steve Kerr said an unfortunate reality for players and coaches in this betting era is that fans reach out — often angrily, sometimes while sitting courtside — to complain that this or that happened and they lost their bet or parlay.

Kerr has even gotten emails from people who want to complain about how they believe he has personally cost them money.

“Our guys get nasty social media posts from people who have bet on games,” Kerr said. “And that’s the thing that I don’t like about this the most. Our players should not have to deal with that, but they do. … It’s just kind of the modern life.”

Billups’ arrest hit home for the Denver Nuggets. Rodney Billups, Chauncey’s brother, is a member of Denver’s coaching staff.

Michael Porter Jr. was with the Nuggets in 2024 when his brother, Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter, was banned for life after a league probe found he disclosed confidential information to sports bettors and wagered on games — sometimes even betting on the Raptors to lose.

There have been other probes since, none quite like what the NBA finds itself dealing with now.

“This is not how we want to start the season in the NBA,” Nuggets coach David Adelman said.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba