Anticipating news stories is a bit tricky in journalism. Stories involve truth, which is always stranger than fiction, making news predictions, well, tricky. But in looking ahead, the Norwood News is looking backward to determine what stories will spark ire, provoke further discussion, and signal change. So far, this could be the year of repeats.

With that, here are some stories that could get the presses going:

Securing the Oval: Let’s hope 2015 was the last year the neighborhood saw a string of violent incidents, brush fires, and fresh graffiti tags that bewildered neighbors around the park in the latter part of the year.

The offices of the Norwood News face the massive playground. We’ll be sure to keep an eye on any incidents that abound there.

Taking Out Gangs/Crews: In 2015, the 52nd Precinct, which covers Norwood, stressed that some violent acts were committed by members of gangs and crews, a blurry distinction with some similarities. While gang members have a hierarchy and involved in serious crime (i.e. drug running, gun smuggling), crews typically wreak havoc on quality of life crimes.

Over the summer, police rounded up 14 gang members on a litany of charges ranging from attempted gang assault, attempted murder, and carrying a concealed weapon. The gang operated on the outskirts of Bedford Park, a sleepy community that’s not without pockets of problems. At least four homicides within the 52nd Precinct were gang-related, which begs the question over whether authorities are pumping in more resources to smoking out gangs.

Statistics show that murder ran rampant in the 52nd Precinct, with 12 reported homicides in 2015, compared to seven the year before, a figure that could galvanize the stationhouse to decrease this year.

Kingsbridge Armory: Last year, not much came from developers of the Kingsbridge National Ice Center over how things for its giant-size project were going. Not much was said about the highly anticipated project that remains, at least on its surface, dormant. CEO Mark Messier assured that the project was happening, and many presumed shovels would hit the ground in grandiose fashion. Sadly, nothing happened.

Questions have been raised on whether there’s enough financing in place. We finally got affirmation, thanks to the $138 million loan the developers received to get construction going. That’s a good sign. Now all that awaits is the grandiose ribbon-cutting.

Gentrification: It’s a hot-button topic (notably in the South Bronx) that ramped up in 2015, especially after the de Blasio Administration released zoning proposals to execute its controversial Housing New York plan. Finding an affordable place to live is clearly becoming rougher in the Bronx, considered a bastion of cheaper living compared to the rest of the boroughs.

But the bigger question that remains unanswered by lawmakers, housing groups and developers is: Can working poor, working class and middle class exist in one neighborhood? Does a neighborhood demand only one demographic?

Election Races: The political season in 2015 went slightly unnoticed, especially if one looks at the troubling voting numbers in the closely watched race for Bronx District Attorney. Barely anyone came out to vote, which may not be the case in 2016 given it’s a presidential election year.

This will certainly lure voters to the polls come September, for the Primary vote, which matters the most in the Bronx. So far, intentions have been quietly made on the congressional front.

With Congressman Charles Rangel hanging up his hat following a long tenure at Capitol Hill, a race to replace him has commenced since early 2015. Rangel represents most of Norwood, but he’s been criticized for barely making himself available, save for a handful of town hall meetings at the Bronx Library Center. Capitalizing on that opportunity is state Senator Adriano Espaillat, running for the seat a third time around. This opens the door to another host of problems: a wide range of candidates looking to fill the seat, namely Clyde Williams, Adam Clayton Powell, and Keith Wright. The big question remains: Will the next Congressman ignore Norwood?

On state matters, many have been wondering whether longtime Assemblyman Jose Rivera, representing the 78th Assembly District, will face another challenger. He’s fended off plenty of challengers over the years. This time, insiders suggest he will win the September Primary so that his daughter, former Assemblywoman Naomi Rivera, can ascend to the seat in a special election. It could be a hard fought battle. No names have officially presented themselves, but should there be a contender, residents in Bedford Park are in desperate need of a full-time legislator.

While on the subject, the Norwood News predicts 2016 to be a quieter and perhaps cleaner political season when the Albany Legislative Session resumes sans former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and former Majority Leader of the New York State Senate, Dean Skelos, who had set the tone for Albany’s corruptible reputation over the years. Can’t imagine U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara is done with Albany, but he’ll be hard pressed to find corruption in Albany, not after acquiring two big fishes.

Those are some predictions for 2016. If you have one we missed, forward comments to David Cruz, at dcruz@norwoodnews.org.