The free daily New York newsletter that explains the city.

Yes. The full morning brief is free, and nothing is paywalled. Readers who want to keep it independent can become members, but the daily read stays open.

Each morning email links to the full New York Explained brief: the Front Page, the main story clusters, Around the Boroughs, and one Only in New York item. The brief is built from the same ten categories shown on the site.

Every morning. Each issue also lives at a permanent dated URL, so you can read it on the web, send it to someone, or come back later.

New York Explained reads across local desks instead of sending one newsroom lens. The point is not more links. It is one short read that says what changed, why it matters, and who benefits or pays.

Yes. Every email includes an unsubscribe link, and the signup uses double opt-in so nobody is quietly added without confirming.