🌱BK Congressman Could Be House Minority Leader + Bats Fall From Trees

Good morning, New York City!

• 🏠 Brooklyn Congressman Hakeem Jeffries appears set to become the House's top Democrat.
• 🦠 Respiratory syncytial virus cases are up 800 percent in the past two months, sparking fears of a "tridemic."
• 🦇 Don't be worried if you see bats falling from the trees, the Parks Department says.

But first, today's weather:

Windy with clouds and sun. High: 43 Low: 30.

Here are the top five stories in New York City today:

1. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg moved to overturn close to 200 convictions that were tied to eight police officers convicted of crimes tied to their jobs, following similar actions in Brooklyn and Queens. All the misdemeanor arrests and convictions unfolded between 2001 and 2016, and more than half resulted in fines or jail time, officials said. (New York City Patch)
2. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases have seen an 800 percent spike in the past two months across New York City, according to new data, with health officials worried about a COVID-19, RSV and flu "tridemic." In the first month of November there were more than 4,500 RSV cases, compared to just 500 in the same time span during September. The virus is particularly worrisome to infants, experts say. (New York City Patch)
3. Starbucks workers in Queens and across New York City went on strike yesterday against unfair labor practices and demanding Starbucks fully staff all stores, according to the Starbucks Workers United union. The strike coincides with “Red Cup Day,” a Starbucks campaign that gives customers a branded red cup with select purchases. (New York City Patch)
4. Brooklyn Congressman Hakeem Jeffries appears poised to become the Democratic Party's new House Minority Leader, after Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced she would step down from her leadership position, according to reports. Jeffries is currently the fifth ranking Democrat in the House of Representatives. (AMNY)
5. New York City security companies have been drilling electronic "tokens" into trees with trackers in them, the companies and a Parks Department official confirmed. That's technically not allowed under city laws, however some of the companies are contracted with the city itself. (Gothamist)

New York City pic of the day:

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Today in New York City:

• Rhonda “Passion” Hansome To Direct “Dust of Egypt” @ NY Theater Festival (4 p.m.)
• 5BMF Presents NYC Debut of Castle of our Skins in "Love Affects" (7 p.m.)
• Small Business Networking Mixer @ Mondrian Terrace (7 p.m.)
• VISIONS Contemporary Ballet presents Redemption (7 p.m.)
• Paul Feig and Ellie Kemper: Cocktail Time! — 92nd Street Y (7:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Don't be afraid if you see bats falling out of the trees in New York City parks. It's a common occurrence around this time of year when the weather suddenly turns cold, according to the Park Department. (New York City Patch)
• The Taylor Swift NYC concert ticket saga continues: Ticketmaster announced Thursday that the general public won't be able to buy tickets for Swift's "The Eras Tour," which includes three dates at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. (New York City Patch)
• Three former NYPD officers have pleaded guilty for their part in a scheme directing vehicles damaged in car accidents to a tow trucking business belonging to a former member of the force instead of the NYPD’s official program, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Breon Peace said. (New York City Patch)
• OkDongsik, a famous South Korean restaurant famous for its bork bone broth rice soup, is opening up a New York City pop-up starting on Nov. 22 through April 1, 2023. (Time Out)
• An investigation from THE CITY finds that Black and Latino students tend to make up the majority of those in New York City's public special education system while "wealthier families more often access a taxpayer-funded free private education" by sending their children to private school and later suing the city. (THE CITY)

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Events:

• "Spirit Drenched in Gold" 5Rhythms Dance & Movement Meditation Class (November 18)
• Paul Feig and Ellie Kemper: Cocktail Time! (November 18)
• Office Furniture & Soft Seating Weekend Warehouse Liquidation Sale (November 19)
• Berkeley College Open House (November 19)
• Rizos & Coquito Holiday Pop Up Shop (November 19)
• Please Give A F$%k! (A Comedy show benefitting Food Bank For New York City) (November 20)
• Olivia Harrison and Martin Scorsese on George Harrison: Came the Lightening (November 20)
• The Dean NYC Times Square Thanksgiving Eve party 2022 (November 23)
• 92NY May Center for Health and Fitness (November 28)
• HSS Free Workshop: The Power of Music! (November 29)
• Journaling to Health: Reflect & Connect! (November 30)
• Improve Your Posture with an HSS Physical Therapist & Protect Yourself from Health Misinformation! (December 1)
• Berkeley College Transfer Open House (December 1)
• Cristina Fontanelli's 19th-annual "Christmas in Italy®" (December 17)
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Other classifieds:

• Behind The Scoreboard — New Uses For Hockey Twigs (Details)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Friday off right! See you all tomorrow for another update.

— Dashiell Allen

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming New York City Daily? Contact me at patchnyc@patch.com