What unique celebrations marked the New Year in Times Square for 2026?
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. Crowds packed Times Square in New York City last night to ring in 2026, and for the first time, they got two countdowns instead of one. As the clock struck midnight, cheers erupted, confetti flew, and the iconic Times Square ball made its usual descent to mark the start of 2026.
But this year, organizers had a second ball drop just minutes later, this one in red, white, and blue.
America!
The second drop honored the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States. It featured 2,000 pounds of patriotic confetti and a new ball design. The event was organized by the Times Square Alliance in partnership with America 250. a nonprofit planning this year's celebration. New York City is starting the year with a new mayor.
Elizabeth Kim of member station WNYC reports on Zoran Mamdani's swearing-in ceremony.
Mamdani, who focused on public transit during his campaign, arrived at his swearing-in ceremony by subway. He took the oath of office shortly after midnight, standing inside an abandoned subway station near City Hall.
This is truly the honor and the privilege of a lifetime.
Mamdani is now the city's first Muslim and Asian American mayor. He's promised to deliver a bold affordability agenda that includes a rent freeze for stabilized tenants, free and fast buses, and universal child care. For NPR News, I'm Elizabeth Kim in New York.
President Trump says he's dropping his push to deploy National Guard troops in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland, Oregon, at least for now. NPR's Giles Snyder reports.
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