Community Corner

🌱 Jordan Neely Death Ruled Homicide + MTA Alerts Returning To Twitter

NYC Patch: The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in New York City.

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Good morning, New York City!

  • The chokehold death of Jordan Neely was ruled a homicide.
  • MTA transit alerts are coming back to Twitter.
  • "New York City Day of Prayer."

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Now, today's weather: Variable clouds with a shower. High: 60 Low: 48.


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

  1. The chokehold death of Jordan Neely, a Michael Jackson impersonator, on a Manhattan subway was ruled a homicide by the NYC Chief Medical Examiner's Office, while District Attorney Alvin Bragg considers whether to arrest the man with his arm around him for over 15 minutes, reported by multiple outlets to have been a former Marine. (New York City Patch)
  2. The MTA's transit alerts are headed back to Twitter, the agency announced. The social media company reportedly reversed course in asking the MTA to pay more than half a million dollars to continue its service, and also provided written assurance of its reliability. Twitter apparently responded with a "poop" emoji to Gothamist's request for comment. (Gothamist)
  3. Speaking of the subway, the MTA is planning on increasing train frequency overnight and during the weekends this summer, starting with the G, J and M lines in July and more lines in following months. (AMNY)
  4. New York City public schools have called the police over 1,000 times since 2017 over incidents of students in emotional crisis, according to NYPD data. That's despite a 2014 settlement requiring schools only call 911 in the most extreme of circumstances. In many of these incidents' students were placed in handcuffs while waiting for an ambulance to arrive. (THE CITY)
  5. Mayor Eric Adams declared yesterday, known as the "National Day of Prayer," to also be the "New York City Day of Prayer," speaking once again at a public event about the close relationship he has with God. (subscription/The New York Times)

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.

"My Room with a view at NYU 1st Ave." Photo courtesy of Patricia Ellams.

Today in New York City:

  • The Lower East Side Film Festival — Day 2 (3 p.m.)
  • Asian Comedy Fest — Hosted by Andrew Fung and featuring Kaneez Surka and Peng Dang (6:30 p.m.)
  • The Clarion Choir Presents Rachmaninoff @ 150 All Night Vigil (‘Vespers’) (8 p.m.)
  • Queens Theatre Presents “Eight Tales of Pedro” (8 p.m.)
  • Super Crazy Funtime Show (9:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

  • A former American Airlines mechanic at J.F.K. airport was convicted on Tuesday after trying to import 10 bricks of cocaine through the cockpit of an airplane in 2020. (Queens Patch)
  • A school on the Upper West Side is launching a garden and farm stand — and announced a chicken-naming ceremony for its 11 new feathered friends. (Upper West Side Patch)
  • The residents of this Brooklyn neighborhood want in on the city's new "rat zone" designation. (Prospect Heights-Crown Heights Patch)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Friday! I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow with another update.

Dashiell Allen

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

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