🌱 Trump Found Liable For Sexual Abuse + NYC's New Approach To Reading

Good morning, New York City!

• Donald Trump was ruled liable for sexual abuse on Monday.
• NYC has a new "phonic" approach to teaching students to read.
• Gov. Kathy Hochul has declared a state of emergency ahead of an expected influx of asylum seekers.

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Now, today's weather: Mostly sunny. High: 71 Low: 56.

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

1. Former President Donald Trump was found liable by a New York jury on Tuesday for the sexual abuse of advice columnist E. Jean Carroll, who will receive $5 million in a judgment. The jury also rejected Carroll's accusation that raped her in a luxury department store during the 1990s. (New York City Patch)
2. New York City's public schools are introducing a new approach to teaching students how to read: "phonics, phonics, phonics" as Mayor Eric Adams puts it. More than half of New York City's students aren't reading at their grade level, according to officials, who hope a focus on "the building blocks of sounding out words and their meanings" rather than solely on exposure to books will help change that. (New York City Patch)
3. Eleven people were arrested at a protest on Monday night over the death of Jordan Neely, including a photojournalist. Police also seized what they alleged to be a Molotov cocktail. (New York City Patch)
   • A White House spokesperson called Neely's chokehold death "tragic and deeply disturbing" in a recent statement. (NBC New York)
4. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency yesterday, ahead of the expected expiration of Title 42, a COVID-era federal policy that allowed the U.S. government to turn away migrants, including asylum seekers, at the border. The state's expecting another large influx of asylum seekers as a result. Hochul's order suspends some laws, allowing the state to more easily lease buildings and buy goods for asylum seekers. (Gothamist)
5. Federal prosecutors have filed criminal charges against embattled Queens and Long Island GOP Rep. George Santos, according to sources, and he could appear in court as early as today. The exact charges weren't known on Tuesday, but CNN reports prosecutors have been "examining allegations of false statements in Santos’ campaign finance filings and other claims." (CNN)

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.

Today in New York City:

• Taste of the Lower East Side (6 p.m.)
• Neighborhood Darlings — "A standup show but also a community council meeting with cocktails" (7:30 p.m.)
• Ambush Comedy — Two Boots Pizza in Williamsburg (7:30 p.m.)
• Paige Siegwardt Sings Amy Winehouse! Plus Piano Karaoke! (8 p.m.)
• Butcher Brown with special guests (8 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• The iconic cube in Astor Place is gone — but it's coming back this summer and will spin again! (WABC-TV)
• A new (very scientific) study sought out to find how realistic the living situations in fictional TV shows like "Friends" would be in today's NYC housing market. The answer: not very. (West Village Patch)
• Roll up your mats! Twice-weekly yoga is returning to Bryant Park, starting on May 31. (New York City Patch)
• "Music of Curiosities" will bring a series of experimental and outsider theater and musical performances to Coney Island, Starting on May 12. (AMNY)

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Featured events:

• Preschool Admissions Virtual Workshop (May 10)
• Carl Dix Speaks on The Subway Lynching of Jordan Neely (May 10)
• "Flowering from Within" 5Rhythms Dance & Movement Class (May 12)
• Caili O'Doherty, jazz pianist and Tahira Clayton, vocalist (May 12)
• NYC Dance under the Moonlight Jewel Yacht Friday Party Skyport Marina (May 12)
• NYC Dance under the Moonlight Jewel Yacht Friday Party Skyport Marina (May 12)
• The Littlest Cove by Treehouse Shakers (May 13)
• Latin Vibes NYC Cabana Yacht Party Sunset Cruise Skyport Marina 2023 (May 13)
• NYC Hip Hop vs Reggae® Cabana Yacht Party Saturday Night Skyport Marina (May 13)
• Hip Hop vs Caribbean NYC Mother's Day Jewel Yacht Party Cruise 2023 (May 14)
• Prepare Your Child for the ISEE & SSAT: A Workshop for Parents (May 15)
• Business Career Seminar (May 16)
• High School and Middle School Admissions Workshop (May 16)
• The Classical Theatre of Harlem’s Annual Benefit Poker Tournament “Hold ‘Em In Harlem” (May 18)
• Discover Washington Heights for Free with Active Plus: Weekly Bike Rides with Citi Bike (June 6)
• Add your event

Featured gigs & services:

• Earn Money to Test an Innovative Voice Technology ($150) (Details)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Wednesday. I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow morning with another update!

— Dashiell Allen

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