🌱 NYC To Host 2026 FIFA World Cup + Robert De Niro's Nonunion Workers

Good morning New York City, and happy Friday. I'm pleased to report that New York (well, actually New Jersey) will serve as one of several hosts to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Actor Robert De Niro is being accused of hiring non-union labor to build a film studio, and New Yorkers say they're still struggling to pay gas prices despite a recent tax holiday.

First, today's weather:

A thunderstorm around. High: 89 Low: 64.

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

1. Play ball, New York! MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, the home of the Giants and Jets, will serve as a host venue for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The games will be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. (New York City Patch)
2. Labor organizers and a State Senator are accusing Robert De Niro of not hiring union workers to build his new massive film studio in Astoria. Records show that De Niro, a member of the Actor's Guild himself, promised to use union labor back when the project was first approved. (New York City Patch)
3. A new initiative to fund NYCHA public housing, known as the "preservation trust," was signed into law by Governor Kathy Hochul on Thursday. The plan, which she said would 'unlock billions' for the beleaguered agency, which requires $40 billion to complete all repairs. (New York City Patch)
4. A new bill in the City Council aims to curtail recreational helicopter flights, by restricting access at government-owned landing pads to essential flights only. The state legislature recently passed a bill proposing increased fines for helicopter companies over noise pollution. (AMNY)
5. Despite the recent suspension of New York's 16-cent per gallon gas tax, a majority of New Yorkers said they are still 'feeling the pain' at the pump in a survey conducted this month. Gas costs about $5.04 per gallon in the state, slightly above the national average. Sixty percent of respondents to the same survey said they would like to see abortion rights under Roe v. Wade upheld. (Gothamist)

New York City pic of the day:

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Today in New York City:

• United We Stand! The Love Wins International Film Festival Proudly Presents This Year's Screenings (5 p.m.)
• A Juneteenth Celebration in the Bronx: Songs in the Keys of Our Lives (FREE) (7 p.m.)
• Soul Sister Revue w/ Vievee Francis, Sheree Renée Thomas, Suzi Q. Smith & More! (7 p.m.)
• Friars Club Comedy Night (8 p.m.)
• Films on the Green | Free Outdoor Screening of BAND OF OUTSIDERS (8:30 p.m.)

Crime and safety corner:

• A man was dragged to death after his pants got caught in the door of a Q train at Midwood's Avenue M station late Wednesday night. (New York City Patch)
• Five witnesses could not identify Andrew Abdullah, 25, the man accused of fatally shooting Daniel Enriquez, 48, on the Q train. (New York City Patch)
• Authorities are searching for a woman, Margareta Bernadez Palacios, 68, who has been missing from Harlem for over a week. (New York City Patch)

From my notebook:

• This upcoming Monday is the federal Juneteenth holiday – but it will be commemorated in Harlem starting today. Here's what's on schedule, starting with the Historic Harlem Parks Juneteenth Festival. (New York City Patch)
• If you're looking for a magical experience check out ‘Downtown Stories.’ It's a series of interactive fictional walking tours and a "docs-play," hitting all of Lower Manhattan's historic landmarks. (Subscription: The New York Times Free: Patch)
• School applications to the city's Gifted & Talented programs are open until June 17, and students have until June 24 to accept their high school offers if they received multiple. (New York City Department of Education via Facebook)
• Speaking of schools, these students are none too happy about the "gross" meals they're being served. (New York Post)
• Vickie Paledino, a Republican City Councilwoman, takes issue with "Drag Queen Story Hour" taking place in her district's libraries, describing the program on Twitter as "child grooming and sexualization." (New York City Patch)
• Say hi to Tillie, a three-week-old peregrine falcon chick residing on top of a bridge in Queens. (New York City Patch)

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Events:

• Friars Club Comedy Night (June 17)
• NYC Dance under the Moonlight Jewel Yacht Midnight Friday Party 2022 (June 17)
• West Park Super Summer Tag Sale!!!! (June 18)
• SAT Practice Test. Proctored and Timed Live Online (June 18)
• The Largest Celebration of Cultural Diversity, Pride, Juneteenth & Father's Day In NYC! (June 18)
• Saturday Sunset Dance the Wave NYC Booze Cabana Yacht Party 2022 (June 18)
• Italian Cooking Class and Dinner with Tiramisu Finale, NY (June 18)
• NYC Jewel Yacht Hip Hop vs Reggae® Saturday Midnight Skyport Marina 2022 (June 18)
• Benefit Concert - Sweet Honey in the Rock & Nona Hendryx: 'Juneteenth 2022: The Struggle Continues' (June 19)
• Sweet Honey in the Rock! A Juneteenth Concert and Fundraiser to support the Harlem Mothers SAVE. (June 19)
• Crowd Control Jewel Yacht Party House Sunday Sunset Cruise 2022 (June 19)
• Hire A Pro To Clean Up The Yard For Dad (June 19)
• FREE Theatre [Untitled] Reading Series - The Firebird by Amanda Faye Martin (June 20)
• Five Free Historic Erben Pipe Organ Concerts for Make Music Day 2022 (June 21)
• White Collar Week Tuesday Speaker Series: John Monaghan (June 21)
• Free speech on hiring a personal injury lawyer in New York, NY (June 21)
• The Joyce Theater 14th Anniversary Gala at Lincoln Center (June 22)
• Beginning the College Essay (June 22)
• Manage Your Hand & Wrist Pain: Tips from Hospital for Special Surgery (June 23)
• Bistro Award Winner Quinn Lemley in Rita Hayworth: The Heat Is On! (June 23)
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Announcements:

• Want Clean Air? (Details)
• Living with someone with memory loss? Over 60? Paid study done over the phone! (Details)
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Housing:

• Fully renovated Mamaroneck home (Details)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Friday! I'll see you 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