Gothamist

Girls on Brooklyn playground struck by bullets intended for another, police say

Brittany Kriegstein

The Hilltop Playground in Brownsville where police say two girls were shot.

The two girls were playing as their mother watched from a nearby bench. [ more › ]

Brooklyn neighbors irked over migrant shelters gain a powerful new ally

Arya Sundaram

Neighbors of city shelters for migrants in the Clinton Hill section of Brooklyn gather in Brooklyn Masonic Temple to discuss their concerns over the facilities. Nearly 3,900 migrants occupy shelters in the community.

Attorney General Tish James pledges to do "whatever I can" to help address her Clinton Hill neighbors’ complaints over migrant shelters. [ more › ]

Free lawyers for low-income defendants are in 'crisis,' says New York's top judge

Samantha Max

Albany Times Union New Court of Appeals Judge Rowan Wilson points to portraits of past justices speaking during his swearing in ceremony Thursday June 1, 2017 in Albany, NY.

"We can and should do better." [ more › ]

Brooklyn BP rips DSNY for granting licenses to trash haulers with shoddy safety records

Catalina Gonella

Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso

The idea was to prevent trash haulers from sending trucks on long routes spanning several boroughs. [ more › ]

‘Very rare’: Queens has 3 new bears (at the zoo)

Charles Lane

Three Andean bear cubs hang with their mom at Queens Zoo.

The Queens Zoo is showing off three baby bears and may license their naming rights to raise money. [ more › ]

NYC parks officer reassigned after viral video shows physical altercation with 14-year-old girl

Giulia Heyward

A fruit vendor stand with cut fruit in clear plastic cups on a walking path under the shade trees in Battery Park.

Parks says the officer "has been assigned administrative duties while the investigation is ongoing." [ more › ]

NJ’s Sen. Menendez is seeking reelection despite ‘gold bar’ trial. Could he be a spoiler for Kim?

Nancy Solomon

U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) arrives at federal court on May 21, 2024.

The indicted senator has filed to run as an independent. [ more › ]

New York City unveils plan to solve its public bathroom emergency

Ramsey Khalifeh

Mayor Eric Adams spoke about his "Ur in luck" campaign in front of a public restroom in Harlem. He was joined by "bathroom influencer" Teddy Siegel (wearing an orange dress), who has highlighted the lack of public bathrooms around the city.

Mayor Eric Adams on Monday announced plans to build or renovate 82 restrooms over the next five years. [ more › ]

NYC launches monthly 'drops,' putting commemorative street signs on sale

Stephen Nessen

New York City's Department of Transportation says commemorative signs like this one deserve as much hype as a limited edition pair of sneakers.

The city Department of Transportation declared “sign drops are the new sneaker drops.” [ more › ]

Extra Extra: New York City high school cricket playoffs are heating up

James Ramsay

Because a champ will be crowned on June 15, here are your afternoon links: Queens Pride controversy, Sen. Menendez singing to himself outside courtroom, cold calling people and more. [ more › ]

Early Addition: Some people just like driving into the congestion zone

James Ramsay

Because they may not want to pay $15 but they still think it's cool to have a car, here are your early links: NYC's scooter crackdown hits delivery workers hard, French Open bans booze in the stands, male birth control might work and more. [ more › ]

In Astoria, a Brazilian restaurant that's been delighting locals for decades

Caroline Shin

Copacabana serves 15 cuts of sizzling meat off the grill.

A traditional Brazilian buffet-style restaurant serving stews, salads, and meats hot off the grill for 26 years. [ more › ]

Teen boy dies after being shot at Brooklyn NYCHA complex, NYPD says

Brittany Kriegstein — Mon, 03 Jun 2024 19:52:00 +0000

NYPD officers stand outside the Richmond County Clerk on Staten Island on March 8, 2024.

The 14-year-old was found unconscious and unresponsive on Sunday morning. [ more › ]

Everything you need to know to vote in New Jersey's primary election

Nancy Solomon

Election Ballot Drop Box in Hoboken, New Jersey.

The two major political parties will choose their candidates for president, Senate, Congress and many local offices. [ more › ]

19-year-old shoots and injures 2 NYPD officers in Queens, police say

Brittany Kriegstein — Mon, 03 Jun 2024 16:30:00 +0000

The Queens street where police say a 19-year-old exchanged gunfire with two officers early on the morning of June 3, 2024.

The officers shot the suspect and he was also expected to recover, according to the NYPD. [ more › ]

New housing designed to support young moms in foster care opens in the Bronx

Karen Yi

In total, 36 people will occupy the pair of buildings where moms and their children will have on site help.

The New York Foundling debuted two buildings in the Bronx designed to support young mothers in foster care in one place. [ more › ]

NY social media regulation, bottle refunds on deck as NY legislative session ends

Jon Campbell

The governor is pushing a ban on smart phones in schools and other measures aimed at limiting social media use among kids and teens.

With four days left in the session, lobbyists and advocates are making a last-second push. [ more › ]

Young families are fleeing NYC. Rising child care and housing costs are to blame.

Karen Yi — Mon, 03 Jun 2024 16:35:00 +0000

The report finds that young families are opting to relocate to Florida or New Jersey.

The Fiscal Policy Institute found households with young children are twice as likely to leave the city than those without kids. [ more › ]

DOT finishes road repairs early along section of Brooklyn BQE

Catalina Gonella

Road work begins on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway.

Officials said it’s expected to be the last planned repair work to this section of the highway this year. [ more › ]

New fight blooms over proposed tower next to Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Ramsey Khalifeh — Mon, 03 Jun 2024 15:01:00 +0000

The Brooklyn Botanic Garden dates back to the late 19th century, long before high rise buildings began casting long shadows in the borough.

The City Planning Commission shot down plans for a 34-story tower in Crown Heights in 2021. [ more › ]

Things the guys who stole my phone have texted me to try to get me to unlock it

Veronica de Souza

Scammers tried a variety of tactics, including posing as unwitting new owners of a stolen iPhone, to try to get me to unlock it.

Don’t fall for these texts from scammers trying to crack into your stolen phone. [ more › ]

NYC at risk for floods as forecasts call for a busy hurricane season

Rosemary Misdary

The Eltingville neighborhood of Staten Island was badly damaged by Hurricane Sandy.

National Weather Service experts anticipate “above-normal” hurricane activity starting this month. [ more › ]

Some of the world's best cricket players are in New York. Here’s what you need to know.

Priya Desai

Jos Buttler of England during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in 2022.

The men’s World Cup starts Saturday and runs through June. [ more › ]

Joro spiders are coming to NY and NJ as soon as this summer

Nancy Solomon

A large female Joro spider on her web. A male Joro spider can be seen in the background.

The large, colorful spiders are originally from East Asia, but have already proliferated throughout the southern United States. [ more › ]

Where to bike on and off the NYC grid this summer

Charles Lane

Get your bike on, NYC.

Summertime and the cyclin' is easy. [ more › ]

Doctors-in-training at NYC’s public hospital system to get raises as part of tentative contract

Michelle Bocanegra

Doctors in training at NYC Health and Hospitals could finally have a contract in a deal announced Saturday.

Interns and residents have been without a contract since 2021. [ more › ]

Summer stargazing season kicks off in June with solstice, strawberry moon

Rosemary Misdary

Grab a telescope. The Milky Way will be looking good this month.

A majestic moon, spectacular sunsets and a triangle of constellations are on this month's astronomy agenda. [ more › ]

It’s time to get vaccinated for mpox: Health experts urge care as Pride Month starts

Caroline Lewis

A vial of the Monkeypox vaccine is displayed by a medical professional at vaccination site at the Northwell Health offices at Cherry Grove on Fire Island, New York on July 13, 2022.

New York health officials say the city's in a much better position to deal with mpox than during 2022's outbreak, but cases are ticking up. [ more › ]

Lots of NYC street closures this weekend for Queens Pride, Israel parade, more events

Giulia Heyward

The annual Queens Pride parade helps kick off a month of LGBTQ celebrations in New York City. The 2023 event is seen here.

The events June 1 and June 2 will make it a bit harder for cars to get around. [ more › ]

NYPD says it solves 39% of crimes in NYC — but many more on Staten Island

Bahar Ostadan, Charles Lane — Fri, 31 May 2024 22:55:00 +0000

The NYPD has released its "clearance rates" for 2023 and part of 2024.

Police say they solve 76% of murders in Brooklyn. The “clearance rate” for murders on Staten Island is closer to 100%. [ more › ]

Extra security for Israel parade in New York City on Sunday

Matt Katz

2022 Israel Day Parade NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 22: Marchers wear blue and white in support of Israel during the 2022 Israel Day Parade on May 22, 2022 in New York City.

There have been 1,300 protests in NYC related to the war in Gaza. [ more › ]

Extra Extra: Fellas, we're doing long shorts again

James Ramsay

Because a new era in inseams has dawned, here are your afternoon links: Moms were texting about Trump, a full stegosaurus skeleton going up for auction, big lizard and more. [ more › ]

NY state could take financial control of a cash-strapped Rockland County school district

Giulia Heyward

The East Ramapo Central School District has faced accusations of mismanagement for years.

The landmark legislation is a Hail Mary attempt to stop the East Ramapo Central School District from shutting down in September. [ more › ]

New York's public campaign finance program doles out $5.8 million to candidates

Brigid Bergin

So far, $5.8 million in state funds has been distributed to campaigns with another two rounds of funding left to come.

More than 300 candidates registered for the nascent program in this first election cycle. [ more › ]

Turnstiles are wide open at JFK Airport, while the MTA keeps fighting fare evasion

Stephen Nessen

Open turnstiles at JFK airport allow commuters to go between the subway and Airtrain free of charge.

The Port Authority is taking a different approach to fare beating at JFK Airport by leaving some gates to the AirTrain wide open. [ more › ]

Early Addition: End of the Trump trial means the return of the Centre Street bike lane

James Ramsay

Bike messenger Timothy Ramirez said the NYPD's move to block the Centre Street bike lane during the trial of former President Donald Trump makes his job more dangerous.

Because that was a headache, here are your early links: City Council wants more public bathrooms now, Long Island high school picks new non-offensive mascot, you don't have to put all your condiments in the fridge and more. [ more › ]

Nine things to do in New York City this June that are (mostly) free and (mostly) cool

Ryan Kailath

On Saturday, 500 couples were married in a ceremony in Geffen Hall.

Get ready for Pride, Photoville, a mass wedding in Lincoln Center and so much more. [ more › ]

A New York City nonprofit helps blind riders take bike rides. I rolled with them.

Jeff Lunden

The group helps blind, low-vision and disabled riders enjoy cycling on tandem bikes, for free. [ more › ]

In NJ race to replace Sen. Menendez, MAGA and moderate Republicans seek the GOP nod

Nancy Solomon

"I Voted" stickers are seen on a table during the 2022 primary election in Hoboken, New Jersey.

Hotelier Curtis Bashaw has most of the party support, but Mendham Mayor Christine Serrano Glassner has Trump's backing. [ more › ]

‘12 everyday New Yorkers’ convicted Donald Trump. There are concerns for their safety.

Jon Campbell — Fri, 31 May 2024 00:48:00 +0000

Despite efforts to protect the identity of the 12 jurors, there's still concern that their identities may be made public.

The judge kept the jurors’ names and addresses anonymous, but some potentially identifying information was revealed in court. [ more › ]