Federal disaster relief officials have ruled out deploying mobile homes to shelter city residents whose own homes have been damaged or destroyed by Sandy. Instead, the Federal Emergency Management Agency will rely on a combination of hotels, rental assistance and a new home repair program run by the city.

In the aftermath of Sandy, volunteers set up local donation centers where residents could pick up hot meals, dry clothes and cleaning supplies. In some cases, these centers have been run by churches and other formal organizations. But others have been led by volunteers and now there is a growing concern among these smaller-scale operations about increased scrutiny from the city.

Mormons are among the many faith-based organizations who've pitched in to assist in the post-Sandy relief effort. More than 5,000 are expected to volunteer this weekend in areas affected by the storm. Members say the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saint's tradition of preparedness has helped mobilize both volunteers and supplies quickly.

On Thursday, Joyce enthusiasts around the world will convene for Bloomsday, an annual celebration of the novelist and "Ulysses." Take a peek at a marathon at Symphony Space’s reading featuring more than 100 actors and all 18 episodes of Joyce's classic novel.

The festival, which kicks off on Friday, includes poetry, dance, music, art shows and literary readings created by, for the most part, Staten Island residents.

A roundtable discussion with reporters from across New York City on Mayor Bloomberg's State of the City address, with analysis from:  

• Tom Wrobleski, political editor at the Staten Island Advance;
• Peter Mastrosimone, editor-in-chief of the Queens Chronicle; 
• Elaine Rivera, full-time faculty member at Lehman College's journalism communications and theater department and former WNYC political reporter;
• Ron Geberer, managing editor of the Brooklyn Daily Eagle;
• Edward-Isaac Dovere, editor of City Hall.

→ Read More and Join the Discussion at It's A Free Country

A 10-mile-long ribbon of red tide has been spotted in the New York Harbor, according to the Associated Press.

Police say they've arrested a suspect in the latest alleged bias attack against Latinos on Staten Island. The NYPD says the suspect is 15 years old and is facing charges of second degree robbery, which includes assault and aggravated harassment as a hate crime.