The Briefly for August 7, 2019 – The "A Bizzaro World Financial District" Edition
Tiffany Cabán conceded to Melinda Katz in the Queens DA primary. (amNY)
National Grid is denying new service for restaurants in the city who need natural gas until the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation approves a natural gas pipeline that was rejected over water quality concerns in May. (Bedford + Bowery)
If you read the quotes about the Financial District in this Times article about the "Village-like quality" to it, Next Wednesday's news will be saturated with child sex abuse lawsuits. Under the Child Victims Act, adult victims of child sex abuse will have one year to file lawsuits as the age to file changes from 21 to 55 moving forward. Catholic dioceses, the Boy Scouts, hospitals, and schools are all expected to be on the receiving end of hundreds of lawsuits. (Gothamist)
A woman in Queens' complaints about her state trooper neighbor's air conditioner resulted in her being arrested twice and strip-searched, according to a lawsuit against the neighbor, 14 members of the NYPD, and the city. (Patch)
When Bill de Blasio's daughter moved to Gracie Mansion from an apartment in Brooklyn, she had help from her personal NYPD security detail. According to Citizens Union, having police detectives assist in this would be a violation of the city's Conflicts of Interest Law. Another violation to add to the growing pile. (NY Times)
Portions of the old Kosciuszko Bridge are being used to form an artificial reef off Fire Island as part of the state's artificial reef program. Also buried at sea was pieces of the Staten Island Expressway. (Untapped Cities)
Barneys filed for bankruptcy and will close 15 of its 22 stores, but its Madison Ave store will remain open. (NY Times)
It was the focus of a 30 Rock Episode ("Sun Tea" S04E06) and countless other sitcoms. Is it okay to combine two apartments? (StreetEasy)
An NYPD sergeant filed a federal lawsuit against the city and two fellow officers, claiming he was told to "go back to where you belong" and that they prevented his career from advancing due to his age and nation of origin. (Gothamist)
On August 8, Burger Kings across the city (and country) will make the Impossible Whopper available for purchase. Where else you can find the Impossible Burger in the city. (Grub Street)
An NYPD judge recommend he be fired, there have been protests for five years calling for his firing, the speaker of the city council has called for his firing, the governor says he should be fired, you can add Elizabeth Warren's name to the list too, but NYPD Commissioner James O'Neill calls his decision about the cop who used a banned chokehold against Eric Garner that resulted in Garner's death a "difficult decision." (Politico)
Special education should be taken from the Department of Education and moved into the oversight of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, according to Bronx City Councilmember Andy King. The resolution follows 7,500 due process complaints against the DOE and a lawsuit against the DOE. (Brooklyn Daily Eagle)
The restraining order against the 14th St busway has been lifted and the city will move forward with its 18-month pilot program on August 12. (Gothamist)
City Councilmember Costa Constantinides is calling for the MTA's pilot program of installing netting under aging and elevated trains in Queens to be expanded to the entire elevated stretch of the N and W lines. There have been multiple reports of falling debris and construction ephemera, including the car that was impaled on Roosevelt Ave by a wooden beam. (Curbed)
Murder, rape, robbery, burglary, felony assault, grand larceny, and auto theft are down 4% across the city this year, but gun violence is up over 5%. (Patch)
De Blasio scored an impressive 6%, but not in voters who would prefer him as a presidential candidate. 6% of people say he was the worst performer during the Democratic presidential debates. His support is still below 1%. (Politico)
Self-driving cars at the Brooklyn Navy Yard launched, but not without a minor mistake. One of the vehicles reversed into another car. The kicker? It was being driven and was not in self-driving mode at the time. (Brooklyn Daily Eagle)
NYPD school safety officer Edward Peterson was arrested for allegedly forcing a teenager to perform oral sex on him back in 2013. (Bklyner)
Contact with the NYPD may be bad for your health. Poor physical and mental health, hypertension and binge drinking are all more prevalent among people who have been abused by police, put behind bars or on probation or parole than those who have not, according to a report by the city's Department of Health. (Patch)
The Metropolitan Opera and Conductor James Levine settled their lawsuit over Levine's firing after multiple allegations were made of sexual misconduct. The settlement was out of court, so no details are known. (NY Times)
Do you have an idea of how to improve the city's waterfront? Bring your ideas to a Waterfront Planning Camp on Governor's Island on August 17 from noon to 4. (amNY)