Mayor: Rikers Crisis 'Not New' + NYC Vax Cutoff • Daily Digest

Good morning, New York! Today is Wednesday, Sept. 29. Everyone's still talking about NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio's Monday visit to Rikers Island — without any press in tow. And the controversy is continuing to pick up momentum. See our coverage below.

Today's weather: One of those days you hope for in the early fall: Clear, with a high of 67 and a low touching down at 55.

Here are the top stories in New York City today:

1. Rikers' worsening crisis may be news to others, but NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio says the facility's problems are "not new" to him. And there's no need to speak with inmates and guards, he says. (Patch.com)
2. With COVID-19 vaccination deadlines now in effect, New York City hasn't experienced any major staff shortfalls — yet. (New York City Patch)
3. Imagine being tossed into an unmarked car by people who don't identify themselves as cops. That's what happened to Brooklynite and protester Stickers O'Neill last year, she says in a lawsuit. (Patch.com)
4. Check it out: Bruce Springsteen and Jon Stewart are among the headliners at the 15th Annual Stand Up for Heroes event in New York City. (WABC-TV)
5. Now you can view Basquiat drawings from the comfort of your laptop in a new online exhibition. (Spectrum News NY1)

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  Events

• WEBINAR: Sandwiched in the Middle: Strategies for the Sandwich Generation (September 29)
• Cornel West speaks on 60th Anniversary of "The Wretched of the Earth" (September 29)
• The Yoga of Meditation Bhagavad Gita 4 days Lecture (September 30)
• Oktoberfest (October 1)
• “Some Have Gone and Some Remain: The Vanishing Upper West Side” PHOTO EXHIBIT and wine tasting (October 1)
• Green/Arts Live NYC Outdoor Concert - Angelitos Negros (October 2)
• "Murdered By The Mob" Dinner Theater Show / Party (October 2)
• Fall Sturbridge MA Doll, Bear, Miniature and Toy Show & Sale (October 3)
• WEBINAR: Quarterly Investment Outlook (October 6)
• Four Seasons in Music: Connected Play at Sands Point Preserve (October 10)
• Add your event

Announcements:

• Behind The Scoreboard – A Very Special Ironman (Details)
• Add your announcement

For sale:

• ASUS 24-inch Flat-Screen Monitor -- $95.00 (Details)
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Housing:

• Got Water-Damage From Hurricane Ida? (Details)
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That's it for today. I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow morning with your next update! If you're enjoying these newsletters, consider inviting some of your friends and neighbors to follow along. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— Kevin Phinney

About me: Kevin Phinney has lived and worked as a writer and editor in Austin, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Seattle and New York City. He was born in Brooklyn, New York and was raised in El Paso. Phinney attended college in Austin. He has done television work as a reporter and commentator, and is a former host of a weekday drive-time radio show called "Kevin & Kevin in the Morning" on KGSR-FM (now known as Austin City Limits Radio). He is also the author of "Souled American, " a book tracking race relations in America through music. It was published by BILLBOARD Books, and is often used in college classrooms across the country.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming New York City Daily? I'm all ears. You can email me at kevin.phinney@patch.com.