WORLD WORLDWIDE USA New York NY New York City the city THE CITY News Journal Update - Casinos, a federal takeover at Rikers, the ongoing migrant crisis, and more of what our reporters have on their radar for 2024

 

Dear New Yorkers,

Casinos, emission laws, the housing crisis, oh my.

Those are just a few of the storylines our newsroom will be tracking in this year, and some of what New York City will contend with in 2024.

Big challenges that dominated the past year will no doubt persist, including the ongoing migrant influx and obstacles to legal cannabis sales.

Others will come to a head in the coming year, including landmark energy-reduction rules that will affect thousands of buildings across the five boroughs.

Read more about what THE CITY newsroom is watching in 2024 — from the reporters covering these topics — here.

Weather scoop by New York Metro Weather Tuesday's Weather Rating: 5/10. Another decent day on tap, with high temps in the mid 40s and lots of sunshine. There's still a chill in the air (grab the winter coat again) but for early January the vibes aren’t bad at all!

Our Other Top Story

In the last of the FAQ NYC podcast’s year-end series about a “New York minute,” Michael Gartland and Ellen Moynihan of the Daily News tell yarns about found beef, cops and Batgirl the cat. They’re followed by Justin Miller of New York Magazine on hearing an unsolicited tale of massages and romances. Finally, Mark Jacobson (who, among other things, wrote the articles that became the television show “Taxi” and the movie “American Gangster”) discusses comedy in the city back in the day.

Things To Do

Here’s what’s going on around the city this week.

Friday, Jan. 5: “Vertigo of Color: Matisse, Derain and the Origins of Fauvism,” a drop-in drawing workshop with teaching artists and all materials provided. Free with museum admission from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Met Fifth Avenue, Gallery 963 in the Robert Lehman Wing. Saturday, Jan. 6: Winter Tea in Prospect Park, featuring a nature walk followed by tea, music and a multilingual poetry performance. Free (an RSVP is required due to limited space) from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Boathouse in Prospect Park. Saturday, Jan. 6 and Sunday, Jan. 7: Mulchfest: Chipping Weekend, in which the Parks Department will chip your Christmas tree and turn it into a bag of mulch for you to take home. Free from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at various locations in the five boroughs.

THE KICKER: For the first time in five years, NYC workers making minimum wage will see a pay increase this week. On Jan. 1, minimum wage in the city — and in Westchester and Long Island — was raised from $15 to $16 per hour.

Thanks, as always, for reading. Make it a great Tuesday.

Love,

THE CITY

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