🌱 Inflation Lingers In NYC + Shamrock-Shaped Pizzas In Wash Heights

Good morning, New York City!

• Inflation is lingering as consumer prices rise slightly.
• A marathon Drag Queen Story Hour reading is scheduled for this weekend.
• An Upper Manhattan pizzeria is serving up seasonally-shaped pies.

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Now, today's weather: Windy with clearing. High: 44 Low: 32.

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

1. Inflation remained steady but persistently high in the New York City area last month, consistent with the national average, while energy prices fell by 2.7 percent, the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics report finds. Consumer prices also ticked up slightly. (New York City Patch)
2. New York Attorney General Letitia James is hosting a Drag Queen Story Hour 4-hour marathon reading on Sunday at the LGBTQ+ Center in West Manhattan, along with other elected officials. Drag Queen Story Hour has been the target of protestors, who vandalized a Councilman's house last fall, and in one case made a Nazi salute. (New York City Patch)
3. New York City public housing residents might get some of their unpaid back rent forgiven under a bill proposed in the state legislature. The Housing Authority estimates tenants owing rent owe on average $6,000, totaling up to $466 million, while the average household income is just $24,000. (THE CITY)
4. About 20 percent of all Long Island Railroad trains can't run on the tunnel to the new Grand Central terminal, which is part of what's been leading commuters to make more transfers in Jamaica. Some of the train cars are too tall and others have the wrong equipment, and records show the MTA knew about the problem as far back as 2016 but didn't order enough that were the right size. (Gothamist)
5. The State Senate has passed a bill that would create "scramble" crosswalks outside of all schools in New York City — meaning when the pedestrian lights are green students could walk in all directions at once, including diagonally. State lawmakers believe the proposal would reduce accidents, following a year that saw sixteen children killed in traffic collisions. (AMNY)

New York City pic of the day:

Remember to submit a photo from your neighborhood to newyorkcity@patch.com for a chance to be featured! We love skylines, bodega cats, coffee shops, streetscapes, parks and everything else that makes this city great.

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Today in New York City:

• The Women Who Created Broadway — Museum of Broadway (5 p.m.)
• Gators of Gotham: The History of Alligators in (and under) New York City (7 p.m.)
• Ars Longa de la Habana: Golumbá Gulumbé — free concert (7 p.m.)
• Ambush Comedy — stand up at Two Boots Pizza in Williamsburg (7:30 p.m.)
• Drag Bingo — MOXY NYC Chelsea (9 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Two groups collided on the Upper East Side this weekend over congestion pricing — with one against it and one in favor of the plan to charge a fee to drivers entering Manhattan below 59th Street. (Upper East Side Patch)
• St. Patrick's Day is this Friday, and one Washington Heights pizzeria is really getting into the spirit by offering shamrock shaped pies this week. (Washington Heights-Inwood Patch)
• A teenager wash shot in broad daylight outside of a Harlem school. Just hours prior another teen was shot near a school on the Upper West Side. (Harlem Patch)
• It's really hard for anyone to find housing in New York City — even Brooklyn Councilman Chi Ossé, who's currently searching for a one-bedroom. (Subscription/The New York Times)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Wednesday off right. I'll see you around!

— Dashiell Allen

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