🌱 NYC Subways, MTA Go Mask-Optional + New School Safety Plan

Good morning, New York City, and happy first day back at school!

• 🚊 NYC's public transit is now mask optional.
• 🎓 There's a new school security plan in place this year, with added trainings and safety guards.
• 🚢 Staten Island Ferry workers are working overtime to keep their boats running on time.

First, today's weather:

Sun and clouds. High: 78 Low: 64.

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

1. Masks are now optional on New York's public transit, as well as in correctional facilities, shelters, airports and more, Governor Kathy Hochul announced Wednesday, while unveiling new signage for the subway system. Her announcement coincides with the release of a new and improved COVID-19 vaccine booster shot, which specifically targets the BA. 4 and BA. 5 omicron variants. (New York City Patch)
2. Public school students are headed back to the classroom today with a new safety plan in place. It includes hiring hundreds more school safety officers, improving communication to students and parents and new emergency preparedness trainings in partnership with the NYPD and Louisiana State University. (Gothamist)
3. The most recent water contamination tests at Jacob Riis Houses, a public housing complex on The Lower East Side, came back negative for arsenic on Tuesday – but the Adams administration is still recommending that the complex's roughly 2,700 residents refrain from drinking the water. Samples containing high levels of arsenic were first announced on Sept. 2. (AMNY)
4. Some Staten Island Ferry workers claim they're often asked by their employers to sleep in their cars in the terminal's parking lot between shifts, due to severe staffing shortages. The ferry system appears to rely heavily overtime work to remain on schedule. (NBC New York)
   • In other ferry-related news, the Economic Development Corporation is searching for a new NYC Ferry operator that can generate the most money. This price for a ticket is also going up–from $2.75 to $4. (THE CITY)
5. Former Trump advisor Steve Bannon is expected to turn himself in to authorities today to face criminal charges in New York City. Details of the sealed indictment were unclear on Wednesday, but it may resemble a past federal case accusing him of "defrauding contributors in a $25 million fundraising effort to build a wall between the United States and Mexico." (New York City Patch)

New York City pic of the day:

Remember to submit a photo from your neighborhood to newyorkcity@patch.com for a chance to be featured! We love skylines, bodega cats, coffee shops, streetscapes, parks and everything else that makes this citygreat. Please include your full name and an optional description.

Today in New York City:

• Take a selfie with (a wax statue of) Anna Wintour, Kendall Jenner, and more in Hudson Yards. (8 a.m. - 8 p.m.)
• MoMA Presents: The Films of Beth B and Scott B (10:30 a.m.)
• Kindergarten Admissions Virtual Workshop (6:30 p.m.)
• Community Track Night at Randall's Island (7 p.m.)
• Films on the Green - Free Outdoor Screening of THE VELVET QUEEN at Columbia University (7:30 p.m.)

Crime and safety corner:

• Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez is planning to toss out close to 400 convictions due to their links with 13 police officers that have been convicted of misconduct. (New York City Patch)
• A charter school student was shot in the abdomen in a park in Downtown Brooklyn on Wednesday and taken to the hospital in critical condition. (New York City Patch)
• Six people were injured in a Queens apartment fire on Tuesday evening. (New York Post)

From my notebook:

• Labor Day passed Monday–but New York City's celebrating the occasion Saturday with a parade featuring US Labor Secretary Marty Walsh as grand marshal. (AMNY)
• A new siena poll found that a majority of New Yorkers are happy with President Biden's student loan forgiveness plan. (New York Post)
• Get excited–the only corn maze in NYC is opening up for the season this weekend at the Queens County Farm Museum. (Pix 11)
• The owner of the New York Knicks basketball team, James Dolan, is supporting NYC's loan GOP Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis, campaign records show. (THE CITY)
• Progressive Assemblywoman Yuh-Line Niou will not be challenging Dan Goldman on the Working Families Party line in NYC's Manhattan and Brooklyn 10th Congressional District. (New York City Patch)

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Events:

• Kindergarten Admissions Virtual Workshop (September 8)
• Dance under the Moonlight Jewel Yacht NYC Midnight Yacht Friday Party 2022 (September 9)
• Harlem Wellness Fest (September 10)
• Opening Reception (September 10)
• Free Event! WMI and SummerStage Present Adam Rudolph's Go: Organic Orchestra and Guests (September 10)
• NYC Saturday Midnight Cruise Jewel Yacht Hip Hop vs Reggae® 2022 (September 10)
• North Fork Foodie Tour (September 11)
• The Izo Ehi Collection presents "A Fashion Forward Gala" NYFW (September 11)
• White Collar Week Tuesday Speaker Series - Tom Hardin, Tipper X (September 13)
• Open House - Investment Opportunity - Log Cabin With 30+ Acres in Susquehanna County, PA (September 17)
• Sea Turtle Recovery Brunch Gala (September 18)
• 7th Annual Imagine This Women's Film Festival 2022 (September 23)
• Add your event

Announcements:

• HOLD THE DATE! Children's Book Reading/Signing by Author! (Details)
• Tara's School for Dogs REAL DEAL Back to School (Details)
• A great location for your organization.( No congestion driving charge here.) (Details)
• Behind The Scoreboard – A True Broadway Blue (Details)
• Add your announcement

Gigs & services:

• Dreamed of Owning Your Own Marijuana Dispensary! (Details)
• Add your gig or service

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Thursday off right! I'll see you around.

— Dashiell Allen

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