🌱 'Open Streets' Fails + NYC's Gifted Replacement • Daily Digest

Good morning, New York! Mayor Bill de Blasio's "Open Streets" program, which ambitiously promised to make space available for foot traffic, got a scathing rebuke. See all the details below.

Today's weather: Get ready for some patchy morning fog. High: 72 Low: 63.

Here are the top stories in New York City today:

1. The "Open Streets" program promised to surrender 100 miles of streets to pedestrian use. But a study issued Tuesday found only 24 miles of car-free streets — and those were in predominantly white neighborhoods. (New York City Patch)
2. Take a look at 'Brilliant NYC,' the initiative intended to replace the Gifted And Talented Program in city schools. (New York City Patch)
3. New York City's Right Of Way law survived a challenge in the state’s highest court. (New York City Patch)
4. See the results of a study on marijuana and breakthrough COVID-19 — and what it could mean for New York City. (New York City Patch)
5. The Nets decided to bar Kyrie Irving from play and practice until he's vaccinated against COVID-19. (New York City Patch)
6. A judge ruled that the current vaccine mandates aren't biased against Black and Hispanic New Yorkers. (Crain's New York Business)

Today's New York City Daily is brought to you by Verizon, a Patch Brand Partner. Learn more about how Black and Mobile, a food delivery app created by two brothers, is helping put the spotlight on Black-owned restaurants.

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— Kevin Phinney

About me: Kevin Phinney has lived and worked as a writer and editor in Austin, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Seattle and New York City. He was born in Brooklyn, New York and was raised in El Paso. Phinney attended college in Austin. He has done television work as a reporter and commentator, and is a former host of a weekday drive-time radio show called "Kevin & Kevin in the Morning" on KGSR-FM (now known as Austin City Limits Radio). He is also the author of "Souled American, " a book tracking race relations in America through music. It was published by BILLBOARD Books, and is often used in college classrooms across the country.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming New York City Daily? Reach out anytime to kevin.phinney@patch.com.