🌱 NYC Travel Advisory + Push For Stricter Blood Alcohol Driving Limit

Good morning, New York City!

• ☔️ Heavy rain is expected this morning ahead of a cold front over the weekend.
• 🍺 Lawmakers want to lower New York's blood alcohol limit.
• 🎤 A new comedy show "Bago Briefs" shines a spotlight on Washington Heights.

But first, today's weather:

Very windy; rain, then snow. High: 52 Low: 10.

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

1. The city is under a travel advisory as heavy rain is projected to hit the region, potentially leading to coastal flooding in some areas. Airports have already begun to see delays and cancellations. The rain is expected to be followed by some snow and frigid below freezing temperatures and the chance for some snow heading into Christmas Eve. (New York City Patch)
   • The sanitation department plans to aggressively salt the streets in preparation for the possibility of "black ice." (Gothamist)
2. City lawmakers and Mayor Eric Adams announced on Thursday they plan on lobbying the state to lower New York's drunk driving threshold from a blood alcohol level of 0.08 to 0.05, in hopes it will make the streets safer. New York City has seen at least 231 traffic fatalities in 2022, according to city Vision Zero data. (New York City Patch)
3. Gov. Kathy Hochul has nominated Hector LaSalle as the next Chief Justice of the New York State Supreme Court of Appeals. If confirmed by the state senate, he would be the first Latino to hold that position. Some progressive and Working Families Party lawmakers have raised concerns over what they consider to be his past "conservative" record. (AMNY)
4. A New York Times investigation found that the nonprofit NYU Langone Hospital has been giving preferential medical care to donors and trustees, while tending to turn away low-income and homeless patients, according to accounts given by doctors. (Subscription/The New York Times)
5. Nearly 50 percent of NYCHA public housing residents are late on paying rent, according to the housing authority, which relies on rent revenue for a large portion of its operating budget, including to make apartment repairs. NYCHA residents have also not received compensation from New York's pandemic-era Emergency Rental Assistance Program. (THE CITY)

New York City pic of the day:

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Today in New York City:

• Holiday Lights At The Bronx Zoo (3 p.m.)
• Free comedy — East Village at Cellar 77 (5:30 p.m.)
• Live Latin Music — Industry City, Brooklyn (6 p.m.)
• Christmas Party with Live Music and Caroling — Bar Marseille Rockaway (8 p.m.)
• Santa Whine: A Caribbean Christmas Party at Bar Schimmi, Brooklyn (10 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• State lawmakers voted to approve their own pay raise in Albany yesterday, giving themselves a potential $32,000 salary increase. (Spectrum New York 1)
• New York City's coyotes appear happy where they are, as they adapt to a diet of human food. (Gothamist)
• The Times Square New Year's Eve ball drop is back on, without any apparent COVID-19 restrictions in contrast to the past two years. (New York City Patch)
• "Bago Briefs," a new online comedy series, shines a light on Washington Heights' Latino community. Long-time resident Juan Bago asks his neighbors questions about cryptocurrency, yoga and more. (New York City Patch)
• The Queens shelter where a Venezuelan asylum seeker committed suicide earlier this week has suffered from numerous unresolved problems, ranging from mold to disease to a lack of Spanish-speaking staff, local Councilwoman Julie Won alleged yesterday. (New York City Patch)

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Events:

• Holiday Lights At The Bronx Zoo (December 23)
• Kate Oh Gallery Exhibition Dec 23rd 3-6PM (December 23)
• Celebrate Christmas Eve at Marble Collegiate Church (December 24)
• Christmas Eve Candlelight Service (December 24)
• Christmas Eve Candlelight Service (December 24)
• Christmas Day Services at Marble Collegiate Church (December 25)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Friday off right. I'll see you soon!

— Dashiell Allen

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