Weekly COVID Tests For Kids + UN Traffic Mess + Mandate Challenge

Good morning, New York! It's Tuesday, Sept. 21.

Welcome to the inaugural issue of what we hope will be your go-to source of all things NYC. Our aim with this newsletter is to get you as informed as possible as you start your day. You'll find hyperlocal stories (our Patch specialty) and curated articles, too — covering events big, small and obscure —that provide the most in-depth and authentic flavor of the city that never sleeps!!

Your Headlines: Mayor Bill de Blasio is instituting weekly COVID-19 testing for all NYC area public schools starting next week. Here's what that means.

Expect traffic chaos as the world's elite converges on the city this week for the United Nations General Assembly 2021. World leaders will share the limelight this year with boyband sensation BTS, which is to K-Pop what the Beatles were to the British Invasion.

Are you a local business owner or marketer in New York City? Our premium local sponsorships will keep you at the top of inboxes around town every morning. Contact us here for the lowdown.

Now today's weather: Mostly cloudy throughout the day. High: 73 Low: 71.

Here are the top stories today in New York City:

1. Local theaters are challenging mandates for vaccination — using an argument of "free speech." (New York City Patch)
2. That viral altercation at Carmines? Some say the hostess began the brawl with a racial slur. (Eater NY)
3. One New Yorker decided to respond to excessive honking with a dance solo. (Secret NYC)
4. A dead man was found wrapped in bloody bedding at his girlfriend's New York apartment. (New York Post )
5. How did New York beat the deadly 1918 flu — without vaccines, lockdowns, mask mandates or school closures? (SILive.com)

Today's New York City Daily is brought to you by our friends at Ring, the home security company. Ring does a lot more than doorbells: check out their full suite of smart home products at Ring.com. And thank you Ring for helping to make local news happen in New York City!

Today in New York City:

• Underclass Photos/Advisory Groups - Eleanor Roosevelt High School (All Day).
• Hip Hop Dance - New York University Athletics (5 p.m.).
• P.A Meeting / Back to School Night (Events) (6 p.m.).
• NewFilmmakers NY [ Tuesday / September 21st / Online (6 p.m.)

New York City Patch Notebook

• New York Jets: "@thequincywilliams_ on the loose! #NEvsNYJ on CBS" (Instagram)
• Columbia University in the City of New York: "We welcome Oprah Winfrey and psychiatrist Bruce D. Perry on Weds. 9/22 6 p.m. to discuss their new book, "What Happened to You?" A The Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma event." (Facebook)
• NYC DOT: "Manhattan Bridge Notice: NYC DOT will continue the rehabilitation of Manhattan Bridge with lane closures as shown on the attached notice from Monday, September 20th to Saturday, September 25th." (Facebook)
• NYC Emergency Management: "NYC and its partners are working around the clock to help all New Yorkers recover from Ida. Here is the response by the numbers as of Sunday, September 19." (Facebook)
• NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment: "Congratulations to #MadeinNY productions Pose FX, Saturday Night Live, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, The Flight Attendant, Hamilton, David Byrne's American Utopia on Broadway, Stephen Colbert Election Night 2020 and more." (Facebook)

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Events:

• ANNUAL W. 83rd St. BLOCK ASSOCIATION FLEA MARKET! (September 25)
• Madison Avenue Welcome Back Saturday (September 25)
• Last Taste of Summer Music Festival (September 25)
• "Murdered By The Mob" Dinner Theater Show / Party (September 25)
• Free Jazz Concert in St. Nicholas Park GREEN / ARTS LIVE NYC (September 26)
• Yoga for Boomers with renowned yoga doctor, Loren Fishman (September 27)

For sale:

• Abstract Original Paintings $200-$600 (Details)
• Super Cute Modern Bunk Bed / Bed set. (Details)
• Add your item

Job listings:

• Local Jobs & Office Help (Details)
• Add your job listing

You're officially in the loop for today. I'll be in your inbox tomorrow with another update! If you're into these newsletters, consider inviting some of your friends and neighbors to follow along. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— 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? You can reach me at kevin.phinney@patch.com.