🌱 NYC Congestion Pricing Update + CUNY Law Grads Turn Back To Adams

Good morning, New York City!

• Daniel Penny, the man charged for manslaughter in the death of Jordan Neely, has pleaded not guilty.
• Congestion pricing is now one step closer to becoming a reality.
• CUNY law students turn their back and boo Eric Adams at their graduation.

On a personal note: Today will sadly be my last day writing the New York City Daily newsletter for Patch. As a lifelong New Yorkers, it's been an honor to bring you the latest in local news in the five boroughs over the past year. Thank you so much for reading along, providing feedback, and most of all for your beautiful 'pics of the day.'

- Dashiell

But first, today's weather: Not as warm with a shower. High: 79 Low: 57.

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

1. Daniel Penny, the man charged with manslaughter in the chokehold death of Jordan Neely, pleaded not guilty on Friday. Prosecutors said they will seek a grand jury indictment, which could lead to additional charges. The 24-year-old ex-Marine is due back in court on July 17. (New York City Patch)
2. Congestion pricing — the idea of charging vehicles entering Manhattan below 60th Street a fee to raise funds for mass transit — came one step closer to become a reality on Friday, after the latest “environmental assessment” was released by the MTA for federal official's 30-day review. The document lays out key details of the plan — including a once-per-day fee cap for taxis and for-hire vehicles. (THE CITY)
3. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is asking the Biden administration to house asylum seekers in "military instillations" across the Northeast, starting with Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn, an airfield now managed by a division of the National Park Service. (Gothamist)
4. NYC bus and subway workers' contracts expire on Monday, as negotiations are ongoing between the union that represents them and the MTA. The union wants hazard pay and six months of parental leave, among other issues. Meanwhile earlier this week, amid negotiations, 175 bus workers in Brooklyn participated in a sick-out, according to a source. (New York Daily News)
5. Mayor Eric Adams was booed by a large amount of City University of New York (CUNY) law school graduates on Friday during their graduation ceremony, where he was an invited speaker. Many students turned their backs to the mayor, who in turn said to them, "We’re watching a clear lack of desire to even participate in healthy dialogue." The speech came in the midst of budget negotiations, in which Adams's administration is also moving to cut funding to a plethora of city agencies, including CUNY. (subscription/The New York Times)

New York City pic of the day:

This weekend in New York City:

• Saturday - Blood Drive: New York Blood Center (8:30 a.m.)
• Saturday - Sheep Shearing Festival: Little Neck, Queens (11 a.m.)
• Saturday - Japan Parade: Upper West Side, Manhattan (1 p.m.)
• Sunday - Theo Von at the Beacon Theater: Upper West Side, Manhattan (7 p.m.)
• Sunday - The Museum of Failure: Brooklyn (all day)

From my notebook:

• Police came to the rescue of Bear, a horse that got stuck in the mud in Orchard Beach, the Bronx, on Friday. (New York Daily News)
• Congratulations to the 6-year-old Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen, Buddy Holly, the winner of this year's Westminster Dog Show. He was treated to an expensive roasted organic chicken dinner at Central Park's iconic Tavern on the Green. (Upper West Side Patch)
• Some "Chino Latino" restaurants in New York City are getting a boost thanks in part to TikTok. The NYC staple institutions combine Chinese and Latin American cuisine side-by-side on the same menu. (subscription/The New York Times)
• The Tony Awards, scheduled to take place on June 11, won't be televised this year due to the ongoing writers' strike, according to sources. The show was originally going to be held at the United Palace Theater in Washington Heights with Oscar winner Ariana DeBose as its host. (Spectrum News NY1)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Saturday! I hope to see you around town soon!

— Dashiell Allen

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