Mia Cortés Castro
Staff Reporter
miacortescastro | mia.cortescastro@yale.edu
Mia Cortés Castro is City Editor for the News. She previously covered City Hall and State Politics, and Cops and Courts. Originally from Dorado, Puerto Rico, she is a junior in Branford College studying English.
Author Archive
MIA CORTÉS CASTRO, NATASHA KHAZZAM & YURII STASIUK
Proposed budget rethinks city housing programs

If approved, the new proposed budget will restructure the Livable City Initiative, creating an Office of Housing and Community Development and expanding staff for both programs.

March 8, 2024

MIA CORTÉS CASTRO & YURII STASIUK
City leaders react to Elicker’s budget proposal

New Haveners who spoke with the News generally approved of the proposed changes, including expanded housing funding, while top alders expressed hesitation about adding over 30 new jobs.

March 6, 2024

City hall
MIA CORTÉS CASTRO
New Haven and Yale announce executive director of Center for Inclusive Growth

More than two years after the Center was announced, Dawn Leaks Ragsdale was announced as executive director Tuesday, though the role’s responsibilities remain unclear.

March 6, 2024

MIA CORTÉS CASTRO
Board of Education announces two student improvement plans

The two new plans aim to improve diversity ratios in public schools around the city and student literacy in various subject areas.

February 28, 2024

MIA CORTÉS CASTRO
City Plan Commission passes amendment to increase accessory dwelling units

After previous efforts failed to produce new housing, the new amendment is intended to remove barriers to constructing accessible dwelling units, providing more housing in densely populated areas of New Haven.

February 9, 2024

MIA CORTÉS CASTRO & ARIELA LOPEZ
ANALYSIS: Four takeaways from State of the City

Amid a chaotic Board of Alders meeting, Elicker highlighted housing and growth as key priorities in his annual State of the City address.

February 6, 2024

MIA CORTÉS CASTRO
Hundreds call for a ceasefire on the New Haven Green

The protest, which organizers held on Holocaust Remembrance Day, was part of a nationwide call to action to stop what protestors described as a genocide in Gaza.

January 29, 2024

MIA CORTÉS CASTRO
Alder Alex Guzhnay ’24 reflects on his term

In a conversation with the News, Guzhnay discussed his successes and failures, Yale’s role in New Haven and his advice for his successor.

December 7, 2023

MIA CORTÉS CASTRO
Vigil for Palestinian lives held at New Haven Tree Lighting on the Green

As the city held its annual Christmas tree lighting celebration on the New Haven Green, hundreds stood in solidarity with those impacted by the Israel-Hamas war.

December 4, 2023

MIA CORTÉS CASTRO & YURII STASIUK
Elicker wins third mayoral term

In Tuesday’s election, incumbent Justin Elicker won in a landslide victory over challengers.

November 8, 2023

MIA CORTÉS CASTRO & ARIELA LOPEZ
Alder candidates clash in tense debate

The Democratic and Republican candidates for Ward 8 alder debated policy in Wooster Square, ultimately arriving at general arguments over their political parties.

November 3, 2023