🌱 NYC Crack-Down On Illegal Weed Shops + More Room For Car Sharing

Good morning, New York City!

• There's a new crack-down strategy for illegal weed shops
• Car sharing companies are getting more parking spaces
• NY lawmakers want to lower the state's DWI limit

Now, today's weather: Mostly sunny. High: 52 Low: 38.

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

1. NYC's illegal weed "free-for-all" market is coming to a close, Mayor Eric Adams and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Brag declared Tuesday, issuing civil lawsuits to four Downtown Manhattan smoke shops that allegedly sold marijuana without a license to underage auxiliary police officers. Four hundred other smoke shops have been put on notice that they could face eviction if caught selling cannabis. (New York City Patch)
2. The city is expanding curbside parking spaces for car sharing companies, after a pilot program showed "positive" results, including reducing carbon emissions. That could mean hundreds more dedicated spaces across the boroughs, with the first 80 being installed in Brooklyn. (Gothamist)
3. The city is opening a sixth facility for recently arrived asylum seekers at a Holiday Inn in the Financial District, Mayor Adams announced, as the total number of arrivals reaches 44,000. It will include "492 rooms for adult families and single women." (AMNY)
4. The NYC Commissioner of Social Services Gary Jenkins has announced he will resign, amid investigations into an alleged cover-up of violations that took place at a homeless shelter under his watch, and as migrants continue to arrive in the city. (NBC New York)
5. State Lawmakers are hoping to pass a bill that would lower the legal blood-alcohol limit for drivers to 0.5 from 0.8. The measure, which has the support of Mayor Adams, would match the National Transportation Safety Board's recommendations. Thus far, Utah is the only state following them. (Gothamist)

New York City pic of the day:

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Today in New York City:

• Mpox Research Roundtable — HelpNYC (12 p.m.)
• Kindergarten Admissions Workshop — Parents League virtual event (6:30 p.m.)
• Divine New York: Discovering the Art & Architecture of Manhattan’s Sacred Spaces — 92nd Street Y (7 p.m.)
• Tonight's opening night for "AMANI," at the Rattlestick Theater (read more on Patch)
• "How To Restaurant" — a sketch comedy show (9:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Elected officials marked National Black HIV Awareness Day on Tuesday by calling for increased rapid testing across the five boroughs. (News 12 Bronx)
• The off-duty NYPD officer who was shot at during a robbery in Brooklyn has died. Meanwhile a suspect has been arrested, police said. (CBS New York)
• Queens constituents of George Santos were in D.C. this week, calling on the embattled Congressman to be expelled from his seat. (New York City Patch)
• Flamingo, the pigeon that was dyed pink, has passed away. It is believed that he died of inhaling toxic fumes from the dye on his feathers, and some suspect his was color was changed in connection to a gender-reveal party. (AMNY)
• Queens Congresswoman Grace Meng brought Allison Sesso, a woman whose house was flooded during Hurricane Ida, as her guest to the State of the Union last night. (New York City Patch)

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Thanks for following along and staying informed. See you all tomorrow for another update!

— Dashiell Allen

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