Howard Thompson made his first appearance on PIX11 in April, 1995 when it was called WPIX 11.  A little less than a month later, he became Help Me Howard, helping people across our area with problems large and small. Getting people refunds from landlords, realtors, car dealers and many others. He also helped viewers with life or death crises – people who were denied insurance benefits and needed transplants. Now, Howard decided he will leave TV news. After 38 years in the business, the last 23 years at PIX11. Here are some of “Help Me Howard” memorable moments.

Howard Thompson of ‘Help Me Howard’ signs off PIX11 after 23 years

It’s the end of an era for a historic Manhattan department store, and that means shoppers can score some major deals. Lord and Taylor launched its store closing sale starting today at the flagship location on Fifth Avenue. The 104-year-old store is shutting down for good after the holidays, but it’s starting to say goodbye now. There are even plans to scale back the iconic holiday decor from six window displays to just two. The window displays will be dedicated to thanking New Yorkers for decades of loyal business.

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Dunkin’ is dropping the donuts – The 68-year-old chain has toyed with the idea for a while. In 2006, it released a new motto – “America runs on Dunkin’ – that didn’t mention doughnuts. Last fall, it tested the “Dunkin'” logo on a new store in Pasadena, California; it has put the name on a few other stores since then. Doughnuts are still on the menu, but the company is renaming itself “Dunkin'” to reflect its increasing emphasis on coffee and other drinks. The name change will officially take place in January, when it will start appearing on napkins, boxes and signs at U.S. stores. The change will eventually be adopted by international stores.

Via is going back to 2013 giving $5 rides when they first hit the road for there 5th Year Anniversary. The promotion is only for rides in Manhattan until Friday.

You already know the number of Via, Uber, Lyft and black car drivers in the city are multiplying rapidly every single year. Many drivers are working  24/7 . If they’re driving in the wee hours of the morning, where do they find a bathroom when everything’s closed? This makes it very difficult for drivers. Drivers say the case underscores just how rough it can be for Uber, Lyft and other for-hire drivers when you have to go. There are fewer than 20 designated “FHV relief stands” in Manhattan where those drivers can park for up to hour to take care of their business. Drivers want the Department of Transportation to change signs allowing drivers to relieve themselves but they have to count on the mercy of businesses that welcome them, like El Barrio Car Service on East 116th Street in East Harlem.

The American Heart Association issued a new warning on the potential health dangers of too much screen time for kids. Eight to 18-year-olds on average spend more than seven hours a day looking at screens. That includes phones, computers and video games. The association recommends children have no more than two hours of recreational screen time each day. Dr. Tara Narula joins “CBS This Morning” to discuss the new guidelines.

It may take another ten years before we see the second avenue subway makes it way northbound from 96th street, according to The Daily News.  It took about a century to get the 2nd Avenue Subway completed up to 96th Street and those in East Harlem will have to wait about 11 years to see the trains running up to 125th Street. The estimated $6 billion second phase will include new stations at 106th Street, 116th Street and a connection to the 125th Street Lexington Station.Groundbreaking should happen early next year and we can all expect full service on the east side by 2029 if all goes according to plan.

Summer Streets are back on for the first three Saturdays in August between the hours of 7 am and 1 pm, nearly seven miles of New York City’s streets are open to the public to play, run, walk and bike. Summer Streets provides space for healthy recreation and encourages New Yorkers to use more sustainable forms of transportation. This is an annual celebration of New York City’s most valuable public space.

What was once the largest video rental chain in the U.S. with thousands of stores will soon be down to just one. Bend, Oregon, is the home of what will be the last Blockbuster in the country. Jamie Yuccas from CBS News has more about the once largest video rental chain in the country.