WORLD WORLDWIDE USA New York NY New York City NYC thecity THE CITY News Journal Update - THE CITY SCOOP: Detainees at Rikers Are Being Price-Gouged at the Commissary

 

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If you know anyone who might like this newsletter, send it to them. If this was sent to you by someone else, subscribe here — it's free!  Dear New Yorkers, Detainees at Rikers are being price-gouged at the jail commissary by a private contractor with a shady past, THE CITY has found. The Keefe Group runs food and basic-needs items services in jails across the country. And it has been taken to court in at least three states.  But that didn’t stop City Hall from awarding the company a $7 million no-bid contract for Rikers, which is now up for renewal. The contract, which Correction Commissioner Louis Molina said would transition “the commissary process into the 21st century,” includes a list of items with fixed prices set at a rate that should not “exceed the market prices of the same products in non-discount stores (i.e., corner stores) in the City of New York.”  Yet, every product listed through the new service is being sold at a price higher than the one stipulated in the contract, and many of the prices there and at Rikers commissary are more than double those at local grocery stores and online retailers, an investigation by THE CITY finds. Read more here. In the wake of New York City’s air quality alert, THE CITY was one of the first newsrooms to put out clear, reliable information on how to stay safe.  We did this as the city’s administration scrambled to inform New Yorkers on closures, cancellations, health and safety.  And we answered your most pressing questions, like whether the air in the subway system is any cleaner than the air aboveground, and whether it’s safe to turn on your A.C.  It’s been gratifying to see that our air quality safety guide resonated with hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers in less than 24 hours since we published it.  If this helped you in any way, please consider supporting our nonprofit newsroom with a donation. Your contributions help keep our journalism free to read for everyone. Sponsor message Some other items of note: The City Council passed a bill yesterday requiring the city jail system to provide transgender, gender-nonconforming, nonbinary and intersex (TGNCNBI) detainees with services to prepare them for reentry into society. Those services were previously gutted under Mayor Eric Adams’ administration. But following an investigation by THE CITY and New York magazine, lawmakers pushed back with new measures to restore services. At New York City’s lifeguard school, students aren’t just taught about how to save a drowning victim or spot a rip current. They’re also warned about Department of Parks and Recreation bosses — by leaders of the controversial unions that represent lifeguards at city-run beaches and pools. Officials encouraged New Yorkers to stay home amid ongoing air quality concerns, but there’s no guarantee the air inside is clean. Here’s a guide on keeping your indoor air as pollution-free as possible — including how to build a filter with a box fan. Speaking of air quality conditions, a PSA for tomorrow: The city has announced that in-person school will be shifted to remote learning. City Council primary elections are coming later this month, in redrawn districts. Look yours up in our Know Your District tool, which includes candidates as well as information about how redistricting shaped your area. Did you know? The Bronx’s District 17 is now a bit different. It no longer includes Port Morris, East Tremont or Crotona Park, but it added parts of Claremont Village. For the latest local numbers on COVID-19 hospitalizations, positivity rates and more, check our coronavirus tracker.  Weather scoop by New York Metro Weather Friday's Weather Rating: 6/10. Air quality will continue to gradually improve today (but remain suboptimal) as smoke slowly moves away from the area. High temperatures in the low 70s this afternoon, but we've got some clouds and showers to deal with at times as well. The vibes are still a bit unsettled today! THE KICKER: Want to explore art in Queens? Artists in Woodside are hosting the second-annual open studios event tomorrow, Saturday, June 10, from noon to 6 p.m. Thanks, as always, for reading. Make it a great Friday. Love, THE CITY P.S. If you liked something about today's newsletter, or didn't, let us know at zshah@thecity.nyc

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