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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, New York’s long-running campaign to raise billions of dollars for transit upgrades by tolling motorists driving into the most car-clogged parts of Manhattan is finally taking tangible form. Just off Columbus Circle and above one of the city’s busiest subway hubs, E-Z Pass readers and license plate-scanning cameras — similar to those already in use at approaches to the MTA’s nine bridges and tunnels — have been installed. It’s a significant step for the Central Business District Tolling Program, which the Federal Highway Administration signed off on in late June after years of delays.  Devices will eventually be installed at around 120 detection points. The tolling zone will extend south from 60th Street, except for vehicles driving through using the FDR Drive, the West Side Highway and the Battery Park underpass. Tolling in what will be America’s first congestion pricing zone is scheduled to begin next spring. Read more here. In other news: Rents Rise (Again) Apartment rents rose again in July, setting new records in Manhattan and Brooklyn, according to monthly data from the Elliman report released Thursday. The average rent on a new lease in Manhattan reached $5,588, an increase of 2% from the previous month and of 9% from a year ago. In Brooklyn, average new-lease rents rose 6% to $4,347 and are almost 12% above the same month last year. Rents traditionally surge in the summer, when the most new leases are signed. But experts told THE CITY that after the seasonal run-up they expect to see rents remain stable for an extended period. In case you missed them, read THE CITY’s rundown of why rents are still rising and listen to Monday’s discussion of the article on WNYC’s Brian Lehrer Show. — Greg David Some other items of note: This Tuesday, a group of mostly conservative-leaning local lawmakers visited Rikers Island and declared conditions in the city’s beleaguered jails have so vastly improved that a looming potential takeover of the jail by a federal receiver is pointless. Almost all of those lawmakers have gotten campaign cash from the union representing jail personnel — and the union, and Mayor Eric Adams, vehemently oppose the proposed takeover. Court hearings considering it are set to begin today. Vendors around Corona Plaza are taking facing much heavier enforcement following a sudden crackdown by the Sanitation Department two weeks ago. Even licensed vendors were feeling the heat this week, while ousted ones replaced carts with clipboards as they petitioned to return. Merchandise licenses issued to non-veterans have long been capped at 853, and those for food vendors at 5,100, meaning there aren’t nearly enough licenses to go around. “The city has systematically failed our Corona Plaza street vendors for years,” Queens Borough President Donovan Richards said at a rally days after the recent sweep. Thank you to readers Maxine B. and Rikki M., who wrote in with additional questions after reading THE CITY’s guide to safely disposing of pet remains in New York. Our story has been updated with new information about pet cemeteries, plus what to do if you find a dead stray animal. Rockaway Beach closed this week following New York City’s first shark attack in recent memory. Here’s what you need to know about the growing number of sharks that have been spotted around our beaches. Last week, at THE CITY’s Open Newsroom event with the Queens Public Library, a panel of experts addressed New Yorker’s questions about climate change — and how to prepare. Read here for a recap if you missed it. We’re less than $6,000 away from reaching our $30,000 fundraising goal for our summer fundraising campaign. Thanks to a generous matching donation from a board member, every dollar donated to our newsroom today will be matched, dollar for dollar. So, if you can, give now to DOUBLE your impact and power our local reporting. For the latest local numbers on COVID-19 hospitalizations, positivity rates and more, check our coronavirus tracker.  Weather scoop by New York Metro Weather Thursday's Weather Rating: 3/10. It looks like we'll avoid a total washout today, but it's still damp with intermittent showers and storms. High temps near 80 and very uncomfortable humidity. Things start to improve later tonight. The vibes are...not great out there. Things To Do Here’s what’s going on around the city this week. Thursday, Aug. 10: Salsa in the Bronx, part of the Rise Up NYC Concert Series, featuring El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico and Hector Acosta “El Torito,” plus sets by DJs. Orchard Beach, 6-9 p.m. Free. Friday, Aug. 11: Jazz Está Morto: Arthur Verocai with Orchestra is the first-ever NYC performance by the renowned Brazilian artist, who will perform his seminal self-titled and often-sampled 1972 debut album in its entirety for Lincoln Center’s Hip-Hop Week. Damrosch Park, 7 p.m. Free. Friday, Aug. 11-Sunday, Aug. 13: The 10th annual Taiwan: A World of Orchids exhibition at the Queens Botanic Gardens. More than 900 pots of orchids, plus Taiwanese art, food and culture. Free with admission.   THE KICKER: A popular Los Angeles-based bookstore called The Ripped Bodice, with a focus on romance and inclusive literature, recently opened a Park Slope location. An estimated 1,000 people went on opening day. Thanks, as always, for reading. Make it a great Thursday. Love, THE CITY P.S. Love THE CITY? Our nonprofit newsroom runs on support from readers like you. Donate here.

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