🌱NYC's First Recreational Cannabis Shop + Carlos Correa Mets Contract

Good morning, New York City!

• The first legal cannabis dispensary in NYC is opening next week.
• Mayor Eric Adams is highlighting his public safety efforts over the past year.
• Carlos Correa has agreed to a 12-year, $315 million contract with the New York Mets.

But first, today's weather:

A little afternoon rain. High: 46 Low: 45.

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

1. The first legal cannabis dispensary in New York City is opening on Dec. 29 at 750 Broadway on Eighth Street in The Village, officials announced on Wednesday. It will be operated by the local HIV/AIDS nonprofit Housing Works. The state has so far approved 35 commercial dispensary licenses. (New York City Patch)
2. Mayor Eric Adams painted a positive end-of-the-year picture in a speech on Wednesday, touting his administration's ability to reduce violent crime in 2022. His remarks contrasted with his previous assertion last spring that he had “never witnessed crime at this level.” While violent crime involving guns is falling, others have risen over the year, NYPD statistics show. (New York City Patch)
3. New York City is permanently closing its schools COVID-19 "situation room" which it has used for the past two years to alert parents of new cases in their public schools. Principals will no longer need to alert parents starting on Friday, but cases will still be reported in an online tracker. (Gothamist)
4. Two men have been arrested on charges of hacking into the JFK Airport taxi dispatch system with the help of Russian nationals between 2019 and 2020, according to federal prosecutors. They could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted. (New York City Patch)
5. All-star shortstop Carlos Correa has agreed to a 12-year, $315 million contract with the New York Mets after a deal with the San Francisco Giants fell through, according to sources. That would put the Mets on track to pay a record tax of $110 million next year, more than doubling the current record high of $44 million set by the 2015 Los Angeles Dodgers. (Associated Press)

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 city great. Please include your full name and an optional description.

Today in New York City:

• MORUS Holiday Market — The East Village (1 p.m.)
• A Charlie Brown Christmas Live — Palladium Times Square (3 p.m.)
• Salsa Thursdays at Time Out Market New York (6 p.m.)
• Posada y Parranda — A Celebration of Holiday Traditions & Community with Los Pleneros de la 21 (7 p.m.)
• The Sixth Annual Chanukahstravaganza: Now As Much As Ever (8 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Many grocery store chains will be closed on Christmas Day with reduced hours Christmas Eve. Here's Patch's guide with the details. (New York City Patch)
• A 23-year-old social media guru is helping NYC's luxury real estate brokers reach new audiences on TikTok. (Curbed)
• State lawmakers are considering whether to seat Lester Cheng, a Republican elected to the Assembly in a south Brooklyn district, over concerns that he might have been a resident of Manhattan and not meet residency requirements. (Gothamist)
• The man accused of a subway train mass-shooting in April plans to plead guilty to terrorism and other charges at a Jan. 3 hearing, according to newly filed court documents. (New York City Patch)
• An MTA worker shot and critically wounded a straphanger in Park Slope who had allegedly stalked and threatened to disarm him on Tuesday, according to police. (New York City Patch)

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Alrighty, you're all caught up for today. 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