🌱 Schumer Calls For Feds Response To RSV + Trees Cut In Hwy. Expansion

Good morning, New York City!

• 🦠 Senator Chuck Schumer wants the federal government to help respond to RSV cases in the state.
• 🌳 Environmentalists in Queens are concerned about trees being cut down in a highway expansion.
• 🍹 A margarita-themed resort is being sued for not including a synagogue in its premises.

But first, today's weather:

Sunny to partly cloudy. High: 48 Low: 43.

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

1. Senator Chuck Schumer is calling on the federal government to mount a response to an "unprecedented" increase in Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) cases in New York, noting that the state's largest children's hospital on Long Island is seeing about 300 children entering the emergency room daily, many of whom are testing positive for the virus. (AMNY)
2. Environmental advocates are concerned by the impact of a highway expansion in eastern Queens that is causing about 250 trees to be cut down as part of a $33 billion infrastructure plan. The trees along the Long Island Expressway will be replanted, a state Department of Transportation said, but they won't provide the same benefits as an older, more mature one would. (Gothamist)
3. Over 1,000 workers at The New York Times are threatening to go on a 24-hour strike if they don't reach a new contract agreement by Dec. 8, after 20 months of bargaining, the New York Times Guild says. (Subscription/New York Daily News) (Free/Axios)
4. At least 109 people were displaced by a five-alarm fire in Hamilton Heights, Manhattan early Saturday morning, which was responded to by an estimated 200 firefighters and EMTs. The FDNY says the blaze was accidental and caused by electric wiring on the top floor. (NBC New York)
5. A former prosecutor has pleaded guilty to participating in a "cross-country marijuana operation" before and during the time he was employed by the Brooklyn District Attorney's office in 2015 and 2016, court records show. He could now face up to six months in prison. (Subscription/New York Daily News)

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:

• Lincoln Square Holiday Tree Lighting Presented by Lincoln Square BID (5 p.m.)
• The MoMA Presents: Modern Mondays An Evening with Linda Goode Bryant (7 p.m.)
• Shooting Stars NYC opening for Christmas Spectacular starring the Radio City Rockettes (7:45 p.m.)
• Water Line NY: NYC Stand Up Show @ The Comedy Shop in Manhattan's West Village (8 p.m.)

Crime and safety corner:

• A man died after touching the third rail in a Midtown 6 train station on Sunday morning, according to police. (AMNY)
• A man driving an electric bike was killed after being hit by a car in Chelsea early Sunday morning. Police say the car's driver fled the scene and was later arrested. (WABC-TV)

From my notebook:

• A series of druggings, along with deaths and robberies, have put members of New York City's gay community on edge in recent months. Many incidents involved transferring money out of victims' bank accounts. (Subscription/The New York Times)
• Read all about Mayor Eric Adams’s "Mystery Tour" trip to Athens, Greece and Qatar, which may have involved its share of nightlife. In his own words, "When I do my dime, I can do my time and I don’t want to hear anyone whine." (Subscription/The New York Times)
• Parts of Fifth Avenue in Midtown will be car-free over three Sundays this month–the first one was yesterday. (Spectrum New York 1)
• The 31st annual Holiday Train Show is up and running at the New York Botanical Gardens, featuring miniature replicas of NYC landmarks. (Gothamist)
• A congregation is suing the developer of Margaritaville, a 32-story Midtown resort with five restaurants and bars, for not making space for a synagogue, which it alleges is part of the property's lease agreement. (Subscription/Curbed)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Chronic Foot Pain Center - Dr. Robert Kornfeld — (Visit website)
• Silver Stars Fitness — (Visit Website)
• Church of the Heavenly Rest — (Visit website)
• Add your business here

Events:

• We Didn't Start The Friars - Comedy and Karaoke at The Friars Club (December 6)
• Berkeley College MBA Information Session (December 6)
• White Collar Week Speaker Mike Kimelman All About Crypto, FTX, etc. (December 6)
• Living: Advance Screening and Conversation with Actor Bill Nighy and Director Oliver Hermanus (December 6)
• Author Aidan Levy on "Saxophone Colossus: The Life and Music of Sonny Rollins" (December 7)
• Fine & Decorative Arts Auction | Jewelry | Artwork | Furniture | Silver (December 8)
• Dan Wilbur - Live Album Recording (December 8)
• The SymphoNYChorus presents "All is Well": A Christmas Concert (December 9)
• "Murdered By The Mob" Dinner Theater Show / Party (December 9)
• NYC Santacon Pub Crawl 2022 only $20 (December 10)
• "Murdered By The Mob" Dinner Theater Show / Party (December 10)
• Screening and Conversation: Living | Starring Bill Nighy (December 11)
• Bach Vespers presents J.S. Bach's Magnificat (December 11)
• A Service of Lessons & Carols (December 11)
• You Can’t Go WRONG this Holiday Season with Broadway’s Funniest Smash Hit! (December 11)
• Berkeley College Legal and Justice Studies/National Security Career Seminar (December 14)
• Mid-Century Modern and Design | Online Auction (December 15)
• Cristina Fontanelli's 19th-annual "Christmas in Italy®" (December 17)
• Arts & Jazzfest NYC--Community Christmas Caroling At Montefiore Park & Year End Holiday Celebration (December 18)
• Holiday Lights At The Bronx Zoo (December 23)
• Add your event

Announcements:

• John’s Crazy Socks Celebrates the Holidays with 12 Days of Giving Back (Details)
• Add your announcement

Other classifieds:

• Behind The Scoreboard – Play Hockey, Ref Hockey, Eat Pizza (Details)
• Add your classified

Thanks for following along and staying informed! 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