🌱 New York Supports Bronx Fire Victims + Hunger Strike At Rikers

Morning, New York City! Let's get this Wednesday started off right. Here's everything going on around New York City today.

First, today's weather:

Partly sunny and not as cold. High: 39 Low: 32.

Here are the top 5 stories in New York City today:

1. New Yorkers from across the city are banding together to support the victims and survivors of a fire at an apartment building in The Bronx that took at least 17 lives over the weekend. The majority of the building's residents hail from the West African countries of Gambia, Mali, and Guinea. (New York City Patch)
2. The same fire, which was started by a faulty space heater, spread quickly throughout the apartment building due to a self-closing door's failure to close, according to experts and politicians – including Congressman Ritchie Torres who, as a Councilmember in 2018, passed a law requiring mandating self-closing doors. (The City)
3. At least 200 inmates at Rikers Island jail went on a hunger strike that began on Friday, according to voicemail messages. Feeling they have no other options, they are protesting the jail's conditions, which have been widely criticized by lawmakers. (New York Daily News)
4. New York Governor Kathy Hochul confirmed on Tuesday that she plans on allowing a state-wide eviction moratorium to end next weekend. She called on the federal government to provide the state with more funding for rental assistance, and pointed out that if renters sign up for the state's Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) they will temporarily be protected against eviction while their application is pending. (AMNY)
5. It looks as if New York City may have reached the peek of its latest COVID-19 wave, with cases beginning to plateau and the overall positivity rate headed lower. But there's still far more daily cases than there were at this time last year. (New York City Patch)

From our sponsor:

Today's New York City Daily is brought to you in part by our friends at GoodRx — the best way to save money on your prescriptions. GoodRx helps you locate the lowest prices for medications at local pharmacies, so you're not overpaying. Works for pet medications too! To see how much you can save, go to GoodRx.com.

Today in New York City:

• Jarret Berg & Frank Giammanco on Anne Klein's "Women Who Do" series, via Instagram Live (2:00 PM)
• Tech Professionals After Work Happy Hour at The Bowery Electric, 327 Bowery (5:00 PM)
• The Eldridge Street Museum hosts a "Cinema Chat" about the documentary "Triangle: Remembering the Fire," which tells the story of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, at 12 Eldridge Street (6:00 PM)
• Webinar: 2022 Investment Outlook with Regent Atlantic (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• The New York Jets remember Don Maynard, a Hall of Fame receiver who passed away on Monday at 86. (Instagram)
• These colorful birds of Central Park certainly have interesting hairdos. (Instagram)
• Mayor Eric Adams personally walked New Yorkers through taking an at-home rapid COVID test in this informative video. (Instagram)
• Booking just opened for NYC Restaurant Week reservations, which runs from January 18 to February 13th (which is more than just a week), offering 2- and 3-course deals at over 400 restaurants. (Instagram)
• Now through February 17th the skating rink at Bryant Park will have free skating performances, on Tuesdays & Thursdays, 12:40 pm - 12:45 pm. (Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Collective by At the Venue (POP-UP Shop) — (Visit website)
• SuperReal — Stop Scrolling, Start Experiencing! — (Visit Website)
• Kate Oh Gallery — (Visit website)
• Fowl Play Entertainment, Inc. —
• Rescuing Leftover Cuisine — (Visit website)
• SAS & CO MOVING — (Visit website)
• Chronic Foot Pain Center - Dr. Robert Kornfeld — (Visit website)
• MyArtShare — (Visit website)
• Ken Boyar CPA — (Visit website)
• Add your business here

Events:

• Success Academy Bronx 2, In-Person School Tour (January 12)
• Success Academy Bronx 2, Virtual Information Session (January 12)
• WEBINAR: 2022 Investment Outlook (January 12)
• The Justin Alexander Signature Trunk Show - Spring/ Summer 2022!!! (January 13)
• Success Academy Bronx 1, Virtual Information Session (January 13)
• Well Appointed Bronxville, NY Online Auction (January 13)
• Success Academy Upper West, In-Person School Tour (January 14)
• Success Academy Washington Heights, Virtual Information Session (January 14)
• The Dinner Detective Comedy Murder Mystery Dinner Show (January 22)
• Simon Shaheen and the Near Eastern Music Ensemble (February 25)
• Add your event

Announcements:

• Whitmore's End-Year Media Blitz Features LI's Hospitality Clients (Details)
• Add your announcement

Gigs & services:

• The NeuroMuscular Center, Inc. (Details)
• Add your gig or service

Loving the New York City Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved:

• Send a friend or neighbor this link so they can subscribe
• Get your local business listed in front of readers
• Send me a news tip or suggestion at newyorkcity@patch.com

Alrighty, you're all good for today! See you all tomorrow morning for another update.

— Dashiell Allen