The New York City Employees (NYCE) PPO plan, offered jointly by EmblemHealth and UnitedHealthcare, is now active. This plan provides streamlined services to New York City employees, non-Medicare retirees and their dependents.
Key features
Members will use 1 ID card for medical and lab services
Use the NYCE PPO plan provider portal for all plan transactions
Check the NYCE PPO Plan FAQ for details on claims, reconsiderations, prior authorizations and more
Network and rates
Network and rates depend on your practice location. EmblemHealth network and rates apply for care in the following counties:
A new year is an opportunity to start fresh — to right some wrongs, or to do things differently. That doesn’t just apply to you, but your home and yard too.
Resolve to show your home and landscape some love! Here’s a short and simple checklist to help you get started.
Keep fats, oils and grease out of your pipes! Learn more at saws.org/pipes.
It’s cool to compost — toss uncooked fresh fruit and veggie scraps into your green organics cart. Learn more at sa.gov/swmd.
Plan your landscape upgrade. Visit GardenStyleSA.com for lots of design ideas!
Save stamps and time — pay your water bill online. It’s easy with saws.org/myaccount. Or better yet: download the SAWS My Account mobile app from Google Play or the Apple App Store.
Look for leaks and waste to keep winter water use low — and to save money on your 2026 sewer bill.
Poorly built irrigation systems waste 20% of the water they use. To make sure we’re thoughtfully managing our resources, SAWS will begin inspecting all new in-ground sprinkler systems in 2026 to ensure they’re designed and installed according to state and local regulations.
These systems are complex — so much so that Texas is one of the few states that requires a license to work on them.
It’s important to make sure the workers designing and installing these systems are licensed and have undergone rigorous training on irrigation regulations. City code and the SAWS Utility Service Regulations require that a licensed individual be present and supervise the installation of a new system, and that a city permit has been issued for the work.
For more information about the requirements for both plan review and inspections, including the checklists we use, visit saws.org/irrigationplan.
There’s not much time left to prune your oak trees this winter, especially if you want to minimize the chance of oak wilt. During the coldest days of the year, the beetles that carry the spores of the oak wilt fungus are very few and unlikely to fly.
Pruning is done for three reasons (in order of importance): safety, tree health and appearance.
Some helpful dos and don’ts:
Prune narrow branch junctions that are V-shaped. These are structurally weak, especially if two or more of the branches are of equal diameters. Long branches that have been repeatedly stripped of their lateral branches should be shortened or removed completely.
Look for the “3-D” branches: dead, diseased and dying. These are a source of illness and insects, as well as a food source to attract more disease and insects.
Never cut through the branch collar. This donut-shaped ring at the junction of two branches or trunks is a zone of specialized cells and chemicals that reduces the potential for decay and disease.
Always paint fresh oak wounds. This is a must to preventing oak wilt. You don’t need to paint the wounds for elm, ash, sycamore, pine, tallow or pecan trees.
The largest single-day waterway cleanup in Texas has been rescheduled for better weather — Basura Bash 2026 will happen March 7!
Every year more than 1,500 volunteers diligently dedicate a Saturday morning to collect as much trash as possible from San Antonio’s rivers and streams — recycling what they can and discarding the rest.
You can join these trash-slashing superheroes in the citywide effort. Visit basurabash.org for more information and to sign up!
Money in Your Pockets: Governor Hochul Kicks Off 2026 With Affordability Agenda, New Tax Relief Efforts and Increased Wages Governor Kathy Hochul (.gov)
Minimum wage just went up in 19 states—workers in one state are getting a $2 an hour raise CNBC
New York employment law updates — are you ready for 2026? Nixon Peabody
Discussing upcoming increases to state minimum wages: Strain on Marketplace American Enterprise Institute – AEI
Opinion | The Minimum Wage Makes the Affordability Crisis Worse The Wall Street Journal
San Antoio’s 38th Annual MLK March (Andrew Wilson, KSAT 2025)
Welcome to 2026!
Did you pop some fireworks? Or did you check out fireworks displays around San Antonio? Wherever you may have gone, KSAT wants to see those photos and videos through KSAT Connect!
While the year is just getting started, there are plenty of activities and events to look forward to throughout January.
Here’s to the new year! Take a look at what’s happening throughout January:
Jan. 1-4 events:
ALAMO CITY LX MOPAR CAR SHOW: The Tower of the Americas will host a free car show from 6-10 p.m. on Jan. 3 at the base of the tower. The car show will feature Dodge Mopar vehicles, including Chargers, Challengers, Magnums and Chrysler 300s.
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: There’s still time to check out holiday light displays at select locations, including the San Antonio Botanical Garden and San Antonio Zoo. For a full list of places to see the festive lights, click here.
HOLIDAYS AT HEMISFAIR: Civic Park at Hemisfair will transform into a winter wonderland through Jan. 3 with an ice rink open to the public. Guests can also enjoy a lighting ceremony, holiday gift markets and more. Tickets cost $15 per person and include skate rental. More information can be found here.
PEARL’S OUTDOOR ICE-SKATING RINK: The seasonal rink will be open to the public through Jan. 4. Tickets for the ice rink are available for purchase online. Admission varies by reservation time and includes skate rental and up to an hour of skating. The rink is located at the 1100 Springs Plaza, next to Stable Hall and across from Ladino. More information can be found here.
Jan. 5-11 events:
30TH ANNUAL VIRGEN DE GUADALUPE EXHIBITION: The free exhibit will be open to the public to view from Jan. 5-20, Monday through Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, click here.
MORRISSEY: The singer will perform at 8 p.m. on Jan. 10 at the Boeing Center at Tech Port. For tickets, click here.
MOVIE IN THE PARK: You and your family can enjoy a free movie screening of “Burlesque” from 6-9 p.m. on Jan. 10 at the base of the Tower of the Americas.
NAVY ALL-AMERICAN BOWL: The All-American Bowl will take place at 12:30 p.m. on Jan. 10 at the Alamodome. Keep up with KSAT Sports Now for the latest information.
SAN ANTONIO SPORTS ALL-STAR FOOTBALL GAME: The All-Star Football game is scheduled to take place at 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 10 at the Alamodome. One hundred seventeen of the top high school football seniors in the San Antonio area were selected for the event. For more information and tickets, click here.
Jan. 12-18 events:
ALI WONG: The actor and Golden Globe-winning comedian will perform her “Ali Wong Live 2026″ tour at 7 p.m. on Jan. 18 at the Majestic Theatre. Tickets can be purchased here.
Jan. 19-25 events:
MLK MARCH: The 39th-annual Martin Luther King, Jr. March will begin at 10 a.m. on Jan. 19, at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Academy. A park celebration at Pittman-Sullivan Park will follow it. The March lineup starts as early as 7:30 a.m. More information can be found here.
MONSTER JAM: The iconic Monster Jam competition returns to San Antonio with shows scheduled for 7 p.m. Jan. 24 and 3 p.m. Jan. 25 at the Alamodome. Families can enjoy watching amazing stunts from 12,000-pound trucks standing on their wheels and flying in the air. For more information on tickets, click here.
WILD WEST WILDLIFE FESTIVAL: The Briscoe Western Art Museum will hold a free community day on Jan. 24. All activities will center on Western wildlife, highlighting Texas habitats and animal species. More information can be found here.
Jan. 26-31 events:
BAR-B-QUE COOK OFF: The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo is bringing back the championship event from Jan. 29-31. The event features live music, family-friendly activities, a kids’ cook-off, shopping and much more. For ticket information, click here.
COWBOY BREAKFAST: The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo will host the annual breakfast from 5-10 a.m. Jan. 30 at 1 Frost Bank Center Drive, Lot 4. The event, which serves as a launch for the Rodeo Bar-B-Que Cookoff, will feature complimentary paved parking, breakfast tacos and free coffee. For more information, click here.
HISTORIC TOURS OF MAJESTIC THEATRE: Families curious about what happens behind the scenes at the Majestic Theatre can explore the historic venue during multiple tours offered on Jan. 26. The tours provide a unique look at the theatre’s history, architecture and backstage areas.
PARKER MCCOLLUM: The country singer, along with special guests Jake Worthington and Jackson Wendell, is set to perform at the Frost Bank Center at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 31. For tickets, click here.
Recurring events:
AUTHOR VISITS AT THE TWIG BOOK SHOP: Pearl will host author appearances at the Twig Book Shop throughout January. To view a list of dates and authors, click here.
DREAMWEEK SAN ANTONIO: The annual city-wide summit will take place from Jan. 9-31. During this time, several events will encourage idea-sharing on global issues to promote tolerance, equality and diversity. This year’s theme is #Revelations. To view a full list of DreamWeek events happening in San Antonio, click here.
GEOLOGY JANUARY: From Jan. 2-25, San Antonio Parks and Rec will host Geology January. Activities will include a rock and fossil collection exhibit, a cave geology presentation, program classes and much more. For a full list of events, click here.
MAKERS MARKET: Shop from over 40 local artisans and makers from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Sunday at Pearl. More information can be found here.
MOVIE MONDAYS: Pearl will host an outdoor screening of “Twilight” from 6:30- 9 p.m. on Jan. 12. Movie Mondays will continue with “Ratatouille” on Jan. 19 and “Casablanca” on Jan. 26.
SAN ANTONIO SPURS: The Silver and Black will play against several NBA teams throughout January at the Frost Bank Center. To view a list of dates, tickets and more, click here.
This list will be updated as more events are announced throughout the month.
What’s trending?
Celebrate 2026 with a New Year’s Day hike at these Texas State Parks
Copyright 2025 by KSAT – All rights reserved.
About the Author
Andrea K. Moreno headshot
Andrea K. Moreno
Andrea K. Moreno is a Digital Journalist at KSAT. She graduated from Texas State University with an electronic media degree and a minor in psychology. She also attended San Antonio College, where she held several positions at The Ranger, now known as The Sundial, for three years.
The first babies of 2026 in Metro Detroit have arrived!
Five hospitals in the Metro Detroit area announced the first bundles of joy born on Jan. 1, 2026.
Corewell Health Beaumont Troy
Alayna Marie Dunbar was born on Jan. 1, 2026, at 12:15 a.m. at Corewell Health Beaumont Troy to Ashley and Andrew Dunbar from Rochester Hills.
Baby Alayna was born on Jan. 1, 2026, at Corewell Health Beaumont Troy (Corewell Health Beaumont Troy)
Baby Alayna weighed 8lbs 3.8 oz and is 20.5 inches long. She was initially supposed to arrive on Dec. 21, 2025, but she wanted to make her parents’ New Year’s Day extra special.
According to the hospital, Alayna and Mom are doing well.
Detroit Medical Center
Jakai Rieves was born at 12:34 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2026, at Detroit Medical Center Hutzel Women’s Hospital to Rakiah and Jarmel Rieves of Detroit.
Baby Jakai was born on Jan .1, 2026, at Detroit Medical Center (Detroit Medical Center)
Baby Jakai was born at 8 pounds and 2 ounces, and is 20.5 inches long. According to the hospital, he is the couple’s first bundle of joy.
Trinity Health Ann Arbor
Baby Gill, whose name is still being decided, entered the world on Jan. 1, 2026, at 2:13 a.m. at Trinity Health Ann Arbor to Harjot and Dick Gill from Superior Township.
Baby Gill was born on Jan. 1, 2026, at Trinity Health Ann Arbor (Trinity Health)
Baby Gill weighed 7 pounds and 5 ounces, and is the couple’s first child.
Trinity Health Livonia
Baby Crouch, whose name is still being decided, was born at Trinity Health Livonia on Jan. 1, 2026, at 3:30 a.m. to Chelsea and Parker Crouch of Livonia.
Baby Crouch was born on Jan. 1, 2026, at Trinity Health Livonia (Trinity Health)
He weighed 6 pounds and 12 ounces. He was welcomed by his parents and his big brother.
Trinity Health Oakland
Baby Kashton was born on Jan. 1, 2026, at 5:06 a.m. at Trinity Health Oakland to Kaylee Crane and Jereme Hayes of Pontiac.
Baby Kashton was born on Jan. 1, 2026, at Trinity Health Oakland (Trinity Health)
Kashton weighed 8 pounds and 9 ounces.
Copyright 2026 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit – All rights reserved.
