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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2025

Today's SCOOP is brought to you by our members.

Dear New Yorkers,

They went all in — and busted out big time.

Two major proposals for casinos in Manhattan are no longer in running after two community-based panels voted them down on Wednesday: Caesars Palace in Times Square and The Avenir near Hudson Yards.

“So grateful to our elected officials and committees who voted, because this wasn’t just a win for us, it was a win for the entire community,” said LaChanze, a mononymed Broadway actress and theatre producer, after the vote on the Times Square casino. “This is our home. When we come together, when we fight for our city, we win.”

That leaves just six casino projects left on the table, all hoping for a chance to move forward to a state board for approval — or not — to get one of three lucrative downstate gaming licenses.

Will it be Citi Field? Coney Island? Aqueduct?

The decision must be made very soon: The six-person committees created for each of the casino proposals are on a clock to give a thumbs-up or thumbs-down by the end of the month.

Read more here about why the two Manhattan gambling complexes were dealt a losing hand.

Weather 🌤️

Partly sunny, with a high near 76.

MTA 🚇

In Brooklyn, there will be no B train between Kings Hwy and Brighton Beach from 9:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. Find all the MTA’s planned changes and the latest delays here.

Alternate side parking 🚙

It’s in effect today, Sept. 18.

By the way…

Central Perk, the “Friends” inspired coffee shop, is opening a permanent location in Times Square.

Our Other Top Stories

As a critical deadline looms, family members, police reform advocates and nearly 40 elected officials are urging NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch to discipline the two officers who shot and killed Queens teen Win Rosario. Crime continues to drop, rat sightings are down, and more affordable housing is going up — but budget cuts last year also hurt things like cleanliness and tree planting, the latest Mayor’s Management Report shows. A federal judge Wednesday extended limits on the number of people U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials can hold at 26 Federal Plaza, and requirements that they provide detainees with basic humanitarian needs and access to legal representation.

Things To Do

Here are some free and low-cost things to do around the city this week.

Thursday, Sept. 18: Latin Grammy-winning all-female mariachi band Flor de Toloache will perform for free at Robert F. Wagner Jr. Park downtown, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19: Check out the fun activities at Le Carrousel Extravaganza in Bryant Park in Midtown. Free, from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 19: Watch “How to Train Your Dragon” under the stars in Browne Park in Queens. Free, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.

THE KICKER:  It’s a hit! John DeMarsico, the artistic director behind the Mets’ famed cinematic visuals, won an Emmy for his work.

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

Love,

THE CITY

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