Friday, October 2, 2026
Welcome to another Friday edition of the Tech:NYC Digest, featuring our favorite five highlights in New York and tech this week.
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New York had fastest-growing economy in nation last quarter (News 12)
New York’s economy is putting up championship numbers. 📈 New data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis found that New York’s GDP grew 4% from the first quarter to the second — the fastest growth of any state and nearly double the national rate.
State officials pointed to investments from companies like Micron, IBM, Regeneron, Chobani, and Fairlife as part of the broader jobs-and-innovation story powering the growth.
Are you a New Yorker? The Department of New Yorker Verification will now decide (Gothamist)
Finally, someone is settling New York’s oldest argument (well... sort of). 🗽😂
A tongue-in-cheek new project called the Department of New Yorker Verification lets people apply for an unofficial digital New Yorker ID by proving they’ve truly earned the title (and not just lived here).
Applicants rack up points for years in the city and quintessential New York experiences (yes, alternate-side parking counts, and surviving a rat encounter is worth even more), while lifelong New Yorkers can qualify by birth.
One of our favorite parts: Your certification can be revoked if you show contempt for the city or its people, because as the site puts it: “Geography is an accident. Respect is a choice.”
This $1,000-a-night NYC suite comes with a steak dinner, a private chauffeur, and diamond jewelry — and it’s all for your dog (Time Out New York)
Your dog may not understand money, but they definitely understand steak. 🐶
K9 Resorts will open its first New York City location in Dumbo this month with a $1,000-a-night Founders Suite for dogs, complete with chauffeured transportation, gold wallpaper, a chandelier, filet mignon, and ice cream turndown service.
The ultra-luxe package also includes a portrait session in a $150,000 diamond collar, a custom sleep menu, wellness add-ons, and a checkout gift bag with Wagyu treats.
“This city has officially gone to the dogs,” said a local cat.
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Bronx Zoo welcomes adorable snow leopard cub threatened by extinction (NY Post)
Speaking of cats, there’s a new star at the Bronx Zoo, and she’s already stealing hearts. 🐆
Four-month old snow leopard Sarka made her public debut in the Himalayan Highlands exhibit, where visitors can watch her climb rocks, explore her habitat, and stick close to her mother, Dariga.
The Bronx Zoo is now home to eight snow leopards total, helping raise awareness for a species considered vulnerable to extinction, with only an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 remaining in the wild.
NYC is shutting down 160 streets & plazas to cars for its largest-ever Trick-or-Streets celebration (Secret NYC)
New York is going all out for Halloween this year, and as an added “treat,” giving the streets back to the people. 🎃
The city’s biggest-ever Trick-or-Streets celebration will transform a record 160 Open Streets and plazas into car-free Halloween destinations featuring trick-or-treating, live entertainment, games, face painting, and 75,000 pieces of free candy.
The month-long celebration adds free neighborhood walking tours highlighting local history and architecture, plus Halloween programming outside public schools across the five boroughs.
Now go treat yourself this weekend, New York! 🎉
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