🌱 Election Day + New NY Schools COVID Guidelines + 'Cannabis NYC'

Good morning, New York City! Primary Election Day is finally here! The polls are open today until 9 p.m. On the ballot: State Senate and Congressional seats. 🗳

Here's everything else going on today:

• 🍎 New York schools have new, and significantly less stringent, COVID-19 guidelines.
• 🌿 A new initiative will help some New Yorkers apply for cannabis licenses.
• 🚕 Taxi drivers are concerned that congestion pricing could significantly hurt their industry.

First, today's weather:

Humid with a thunderstorm. High: 84 Low: 70.

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

1. New York schools will no longer require entire K-12 classrooms to quarantine if one students tests positive for COVID-19 this fall, Governor Kathy Hochul announced on Monday. The new guidance, which calls on students and teachers to wear masks in that circumstance, could be different–and potentially more stringent–in the city. (New York City Patch)
2. A new initiative, Cannabis NYC, will help "justice-involved" business owners and entrepreneurs, who were previously convicted of cannabis possession (or have family that were), to apply for licenses to sell marijuana, which will go live on Thursday, Mayor Eric Adams announced. No businesses are allowed to sell both cannabis and alcohol at the same time. (New York City Patch) BTW, did you know there's a museum dedicated to weed? "The House of Cannabis" is set to open in SOHO. (Curbed)
3. Some taxi drivers are concerned that congestion pricing — the plan to raise revenue for the MTA by charging most motor vehicles entering Manhattan below 61st street — could be a detriment to their already burdened industry. Under certain scenarios, laid out in a report, taxis could be charged $19 on every trip within the area, or a once-a-day fee of $9 to $23. (THE CITY)
4. Migrants arriving in New York City are struggling to find shelter, despite NYC laws that guarantee it to them. In some cases, they say they have been sent from one location to another, being forced to sleep on the streets. Some migrants, that don't technically fit the definition of a "family," say they have also been separated. Mayor Adams maintains they are receiving the services they are entitled to. (Documented NY)
5. New York Times reporters followed Mayor Adams' after-work activities for a month and found that, despite claims that he would support the entertainment and restaurant industries with his patronage, he spends the majority of his time at two establishments–an upscale restaurant in Midtown and an exclusive club in NOHO. (Subscription: The New York Times) At a Monday press conference the mayor downplayed The Times's reporting, calling it "silly." (New York Daily News)

New York City pic of the day:

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From our sponsor:

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Today in New York City:

• Honey Harvest Festival in Queens (1 p.m.)
• MoMA: 1st Kravis Studio Artist in Residence – Okwui Okpokwasili (3 p.m.)
• Free Broadway concert in Cooper Square Plaza (3:30 p.m.)
• Parker’s at Thompson Central Park Live Summer Jazz Nights (6 p.m.)
• Rhonda Hansome at "Funny Over 50" Comedy Showcase At Caveat In Manhattan (7 p.m.)

Crime and safety corner:

• Two police officers were put on desk duty after it was reported that they were involved in a crash that killed two men in Long Island City. (New York City Patch)
• A woman in Queens was robbed of $10,000 by two fake cops who entered her house and handcuffed her on July 23. (New York City Patch)

From my notebook:

• Here's a roundup with lots of art exhibits opening at museums and galleries in NYC this fall. (Gothamist)
• This is a pretty cool picture of an airplane flying low above Queens on its way into LaGuardia Airport. (NYCgo via Instagram)
• NYC Comptroller Brad Lander said the math 'doesn't add up' on the education department's budget cuts. He has estimated they add up to about $370 million. (AMNY)
• The owner of a lucky lottery ticket might not be so lucky if the ticket expires unclaimed on September 28. The winning number was purchased at Broadway Newsstand at 4766 Broadway, near Dyckman Street. (New York City Patch)
• You might be surprised to find out which famous works of art at museums such as The Met and MoMA were stolen by Nazis during World War II. (New York Post)

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Events:

• Smash Bash: A Celebration of Tennis with Tennis Champion Bianca Andreescu (August 25)
• Polarization Past and Present: What’s Changed? What’s Possible? (August 25)
• Summerland 2022- Headliners Phony Ppl & Sarah Kinsley (August 26)
• Summer Moonlight Jewel Yacht NYC Midnight Yacht Friday Party 2022 (August 26)
• Sunset Summer NYC Wave Cabana Yacht Booze Cruise Party 2022 (August 27)
• 2022 World Bboy Battle Extreme Breakdancing Championships (August 27)
• NYC Saturday Midnight Cruise Jewel Yacht Hip Hop vs Reggae® Skyport Marina (August 27)
• Jewel Yacht Sunday Funday House vs Hip Hop Crowd Control Party 2022 (August 28)
• Beginning Your Search for Middle School and High School in NYC (August 29)
• Virtual Independent School Fair & Kindergarten Admissions Panel Discussion (August 30)
• Take Me Back to Manhattan (September 3)
• Add your event

Announcements:

• Tara's School for Dogs REAL DEAL Back to School (Details)
• Add your announcement

For sale:

• Buying used furniture (Details)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Tuesday! I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow morning with another update.

— Dashiell Allen

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