New York City to improve oversight of special education services in order to reduce fraud — New York City will improve oversight of special education services in response to concerns about fraudulent billing requests, the New York Times reported. According to an investigation published by the Times last year, some Haredi institutions urged parents to get their children diagnosed with disabilities, in order to qualify for government funding, and the schools then overbilled the government for unnecessary services.

Mayor Adams mourns death of former Shmira leader — New York City Mayor Eric Adams paid his respects on Sunday to a family mourning the death of Leib Skoblo, a former leader of the Jewish neighborhood patrol group Crown Heights Shmira, the Chabad-Lubavitch news site COLlive reported. “Hopefully you have big aspirations, because we have a lot of votes,” Orthodox activist Sam Stern told the mayor at the event.

Vernikov arraigned on illegal gun charge — Councilmember Inna Vernikov, who represents parts of southern Brooklyn, was arraigned last week on an illegal gun charge after she allegedly brought a firearm to a pro-Palestine rally at Brooklyn College, The City reported. Vernikov won reelection on Tuesday.

Chabad of Suffern raises awareness of Hamas captives — Chabad of Suffern, a Haredi organization in Rockland County, put up an exhibit to raise awareness of hostages kidnapped by Hamas, the news outlet Lohud reported. The exhibit, like others around the world, includes three Shabbat tables and 240 chairs, each one representing a hostage.

Fashion designer who left Haredi community launches shapewear line — Julia Haart, a fashion designer who left the Haredi community and became the subject of the controversial Netflix series My Unorthodox Life, recently launched a line of women’s underwear, the New York Post reported. “When I wear low-cut tops and miniskirts and short shorts, all of those things are my freedom flag,” she said.