The Year Of The Rat

Will New York soon fall victim to an infestation of sharp-toothed vermin? (Or, I guess, a greater infestation.) “The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is slashing the number of pest control aides in an effort to save $1.5 million. 57 out of 84 full-time pest control aide positions will get the axe,” reports the local Fox affiliate. A department spokesman claims that the staff reduction will actually “enable the program to more effectively target properties contributing to neighborhood rat infestation,” because, you know, that’s always how things work. Anyway, find out more about the rats in your neighborhood at the city’s Rat Information Portal, which is about as slow and clunky as you would expect, but does include this adorable icon to keep you company while you wait for the information to load. I think I’m gonna call him Ratty.