Zohran Mamdani launches child care pilot and opera ticket giveaway

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is implementing several new public programs, including a universal child care initiative and a large-scale ticket giveaway for the Metropolitan Opera.

The child care program includes a pilot called ‘The Little Apple,’ which provides free, year-round, full-day care for city workers' children aged 6 weeks to 3 years. Additional programs offer free full-day care for two-year-olds in high-need school districts and services for children from age three through kindergarten. Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic League, has criticized the initiative, characterizing the expansion of state-run child care as an attempt to nationalize child-rearing.

Additionally, the Mayor has announced a lottery to distribute 70,000 free tickets to the Metropolitan Opera during the 2026-27 season. The plan involves releasing 10,000 tickets each month to ensure that residents can experience the art form regardless of their financial status. This follows previous efforts by the administration to provide discounted access to Broadway, sporting events, and the U.S. Open.