E-Biker Killed + Southwest Airlines Denies 'Sickout'•Daily Digest

Good morning, Queens! Today is Wednesday, Oct. 13. A teenager driving a pickup truck struck and killed an e-biker Monday morning, in what's now the third such incident in Northwest Queens during 2021. Get the details below.

First, today's weather: It's going to be pleasant with clouds and sun. High: 72 Low: 62.

Here are the top stories today in Queens:

1. A teenage pickup truck driver struck and killed an e-biker Monday morning. It's another incident in the deadliest year on the streets since Mayor Bill de Blasio took office. (Patch.com)
2. A 16-year-old girl jumped onto the subway tracks at an Upper East Side station Monday afternoon and walked all the way to Queens before she was apprehended. (Patch.com)
3. Were Southwest Airlines flights grounded at LaGuardia last weekend because of weather and air traffic control issues, or a "sickout" staged by disgruntled employees? (Patch.com)
4. Democrats are seeking to flip a City Council seat in Queens. (Spectrum News NY1)
5. Queens lawmakers are finding fault with the city's plan to replace its "Gifted and Talented Program." (QNS.com)
6. Here are 11 handpicked events of note this week — including a Warhol-themed corn maze. (artnet News)

Today's Queens 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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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Wednesday! I'll see you soon. If you're loving these newsletters, consider bringing some more friends and neighbors on board. 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 Queens Daily? I'm all ears. You can reach me at kevin.phinney@patch.com.