🌱 NY State To Ban Guns In Times Square + July 4th Weekend Fun

Happy July 4th Weekend New York City!Here's your guide to the festivities, as well as seven fun things to do in Brooklyn.

State Lawmakers are expected to enact new legislation to restrict guns in Times Square and other locations across the city, NYC's COVID alert system was quietly ended, and the city's pools may finally be getting more lifeguards.

First, today's weather:

Showers and a heavier t-storm. High: 85 Low: 72.

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

1. A New York bill, announced by Governor Kathy Hochul on Friday, will ban guns from Times Square and a long list of other 'sensitive locations.' State lawmakers are also expected to enshrine abortion rights into the New York State constitution. (New York City Patch)
2. Mayoral control of New York City's schools was extended for another two years — a shorter time frame than what Mayor Adams had initially hoped for. The current arrangement will also allow for additional parental input into school operations by creating four advisory positions. (Gothamist)
3. NYC quietly ended its color coded COVID-19 alert system this week, despite a rise in cases. The city was last recorded as being at a "medium" level and a message on the city's website describes, "currently high transmission levels of COVID-19 throughout the city.” (Bloomberg)
4. First responders will now be allowed to work as lifeguards at the city's 53 outdoor pools, amid a widespread shortage that has led to many pool closures during the first week of the season. (THE CITY)
5. Two New Yorkers are sick amid a nationwide listeria outbreak. Listeria is a bacterial infection caused by eating contaminated foods. Of the 22 people diagnosed thus far, one person in Illinois has died. (New York City Patch)

New York City pic of the day:

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Today in New York City:

• Equinox Pilates (9 a.m.)
• The Dinner Detective Comedy Murder Mystery Dinner Show (6 p.m.)
• TarantinosNYC @ Otto's Shrunken Head (8 p.m.)
• Pre-Independence Day Party at Sentry Penthouse and Lounge (9 p.m.)

Food news:

• Wine Zine, Salad Days, Embutidos Capin: these are the most mouth-watering pop-up restaurants and shops in NYC this month. (Eater NY)
• A new bake shop from the co-founder of the iconic Magnolia Bakery is about to open on the Upper West Side. (New York City Patch)

Crime and safety corner:

• Fourteen people were hurt (including seven firefighters) in a five-alarm fire in Williamsburg on Friday, that ripped through the building housing the popular bar Union Pool. (New York City Patch)
• A group of men are accused of illegally selling 28 firearms across Brooklyn and Queens, including within the proximity of a K-8 school. (New York City Patch)

From my notebook:

• In honor of World UFO Day, Patch is sharing the account of an alien abduction by one Kew Gardens resident: "It was not a craft it was paralyzing I was visited by 4 or 5 4th or 5th dimensional beings they phased like some Kind of digital image and moved through my through furniture and my body as they tried to touch me." Read the full account here. (New York City Patch)
• After a "bro" from the Midwest complained on TikTok that bodegas aren't real grocery stores, he received so much backlash online that he ended up losing his tech job. (New York Post)
• Sandra Lindsay, the NYC nurse who received the first COVID-19 vaccine back in 2020 is set to receive a Medal of Freedom from President Biden. (NBC New York)
• Food prices are on the rise across New York City – but 20 percent of New Yorkers think it's "no big deal," according to a new poll. (New York City Patch)

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Events:

• July 4th Weekend Dance the Wave NYC Cabana Yacht Cruise 2022 (July 2)
• 4th of July Hip Hop vs Reggae® Jewel Yacht Party Skyport Marina 2022 (July 2)
• July 4th Weekend NYC Summer Midnight Cruise at Skyport Marina Cabana 2022 (July 2)
• 1ST OPEN HOUSE! Fully Renovated Van Court Tudor Home (July 3)
• Open House Sunday (July 3)
• Jewel Yacht EDM House meets Hip Hop 3rd of July Crowd Control Sunset Party (July 3)
• "The Pursuit of Happiness" Exhibition Date: June 28 - July 16, 2022 (July 5)
• Midsummer Musings: Of Fauns, Fairies and French Frolics (July 8)
• NYC Dance under the Moonlight Jewel Yacht Midnight Friday Party 2022 (July 8)
• Midsummer Musings: Of Fauns, fairies and French Frolics (July 9)
• Midsummer Musings: Of Fauns, Fairies and French Frolics (July 10)
• Add your event

Announcements:

• Best Cocktails and Bar Food in Astoria, Queens (Details)
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Job listings:

• Bartender (Details)
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Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow morning with your next update!

— Dashiell Allen

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