Good evening, New York City. We’re wrapping up the day for you with the most important stories you need to know about for tonight and tomorrow, as well as your weather outlook.
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Today’s Big Stories
1. City speed cameras to stay on for another five years
The city’s speed cameras will remain active for another five years, with Gov. Kathy Hochul signing legislation today extending the program through 2030.
Launched in 2013, the program authorizes automated speed enforcement in school zones and now includes about 2,200 cameras across 750 locations citywide. The initiative requires periodic legislative approval and was set to expire July 1 without the governor’s signature.
2. City to give away 100,000 free tickets to Macy’s July Fourth fireworks show
With Independence Day fast approaching, Mayor Eric Adams has announced that the city will distribute thousands of free tickets to the public for the annual Macy’s Fourth of July fireworks show.
Adams said the city will make 100,000 tickets for two official viewing sites available for free online beginning at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday. Those tickets will be given out on a first-come, first-served basis.
3. Queens man sentenced to 25 years to life for fatally stabbing EMS captain
A Queens man has been sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for fatally stabbing EMS Captain Alison Russo in 2022.
Peter Zisopoulos, of Astoria, was convicted in May of second-degree murder and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon in connection with the attack.
4. Queens residents take first weekday commute with new bus routes
A lot has changed in Queens since the 1950s, and now, so have the borough’s bus routes. Phase 1 of the Queens Bus Network Redesign is officially in effect.
All but three bus routes have been modified as part of the overhaul, with the first set of changes centered mostly on Eastern Queens and Ridgewood.
5. Rent Guidelines Board to hold final vote on proposed rent hikes
The city’s Rent Guidelines Board is expected to vote tonight on proposed rent increases for rent-stabilized apartments across the five boroughs.
The final vote follows a month of debate and public hearings, during which tenants urged the board to freeze rents and landlords called for higher increases to offset rising operating costs.
6. Staten Island family fighting with city to keep beloved pet pig
A Staten Island family is fighting with the city of New York to keep their beloved pet: a pygmy pig named Lucy.
Owner Michael Gannone rescued Lucy and registered her as his emotional support animal after recovering from several surgeries years ago. She now lives with the family in their Tottenville home as a pet, no different than their dog and cat.
7. Jury deliberations begin and quickly hit a snag at Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ sex trafficking trial
Barely an hour into jury deliberations today at Sean “Diddy” Combs’ federal sex trafficking trial, the foreperson alerted the court that a juror was having trouble following the judge’s instructions. That prompted the judge to send a note back reminding jurors that they must abide by what he said.
“We are concerned (the juror) cannot follow your honor’s instructions,” the foreperson wrote in a note just after 12:30 p.m.
8. New York pays off nearly $7B in unemployment insurance debt that piled up during pandemic
New York has paid off the nearly $7 billion in unemployment insurance debt to the federal government that ballooned in the state during the COVID-19 pandemic after it was included in the state budget that was passed in May, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced today.
After initially declaring the state would only pay off the interest on the unemployment insurance debt earlier this year, Hochul said she met with business leaders during state budget negotiations this spring and reasoned this payout would help businesses should an economic downturn take place.
Ali Wright is the organizer of the annual Turning the Tide swim-a-thon to benefit Asphalt Green’s swim instruction programs. (Spectrum News NY1/Chelsea Katz)
Ali Wright: Making a splash for water safety
Ali Wright’s annual “Turning the Tide” swim-a-thon has raised $80,000 for water safety classes at Asphalt Green, a nonprofit organization that offers sports and other fitness opportunities.
Wright, a lifelong swimmer, was inspired to jump in when she learned about the country’s first all-Black swim team. For diving into water safety advocacy, she is our New Yorker of the Week.