In the latest incident, nearly three dozen flags were found broken or stolen around 8 a.m. Sunday morning, according to police.

It comes after other recent and troubling acts of vandalism during Pride Month. The first incident occurred on June 10, in which neighbors in the area discovered about 60 Pride flags torn down from the fence, broken apart and thrown on the sidewalk.

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Police released images of alleged suspects in that incident. The group of men was seen in the area after the flags had been vandalized around 3 a.m. Saturday. They were last seen heading east on Waverly Place.

Then on 1 p.m. on June 15, officers responded to another call reporting vandalism, when again several Pride flags that had been displayed were broken and torn down across the street from the Stonewall Inn — a place many consider to be the birthplace of the gay rights movement.

The NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force was said to be looking into the incidents, but investigators are not considering the three incidents at the LGBTQ+ memorial to be connected.

There is also an investigation into two teenage suspects that were seen on camera ripping down and stealing a Pride flag in Queens, damaging the fixture attached to the front of the Fresh Meadows home where it had been hung. Police said the incident occurred Tuesday near 190th Street and 75th Avenue.

Richard Marzullo, the homeowner, said he can’t believe the flag is gone, saying it’s the first time vandals have actually taken the whole thing. He shared video from 2022 in which someone wearing all black took down the flag and threw it to the ground, as well as a group in 2021 running away after vandalism.

“A lesson needs to be learned, this is likely to keep happening if nothing else happens,” said Marzullo.

The search for the suspects in that incident is ongoing, and police said both are facing potential hate crime charges.

Each of the incidents come as the Human Rights Campaign, the largest advocacy organization of its kind across the nation, declared a state of emergency for LGBTQ+ people in the U.S. It’s the first time in its more than 40-year history that the group has made such a declaration, pointing out the rise of legislation in statehouses around the country directed at regulating the lives of queer people.

The Loeb Boathouse opened its doors once again on Saturday, or at least part of it, following the extensive work that was done after it closed toward the end of last year. Crushed by skyrocketing costs for labor and goods, the restaurant closed down in Oct. 2022, with all 163 employees at the restaurant laid off. That’s when the city’s Park’s Department started looking for a new operator.

They found a familiar and homegrown company to take over operating the boathouse: Legends Hospitality, which does the concessions at Yankee Stadium, One World Observatory and other venues throughout the country. They committed more than $3 million to overhaul the 150-year-old property, saying that they wanted to “restore it to its natural grandeur.”

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One planned change coming with the 10-year deal: Legends said they will start offering advanced ticketing for boat rentals, and debit and credit will be accepted. Boat rentals are expected to return later in the summer.

For now, the Boathouse Café was the first portion to officially reopen. The restaurant’s main dining room and bar are slated to be ready to go in the fall.

According to the license agreement between the city and Legends, the new restaurant is set to offer brunch, lunch and dinner options at the dining room, as well as market options that are more geared toward grab-and-go items. The brunch would include standard staples (spinach and cheese omelet, brioche French toast, quiche, cinnamon bun, etc.) while the lunch menu featured sandwiches, burgers and salads, as well as few entrees.

The dinner menu featured a variety of different options, including lamb loin, duck ragout, USDA prime filet, grilled salmon, a pork chop, chicken, New York strip and a Chilean sea bass. There were also dessert items listed: honey buttermilk panna cotta, Dulcey blonde chocolate tart and black velvet cake.

The market would offer breakfast sandwiches in the morning, as well as pizzas and bowls in the afternoon, along with a kids menu.

The location, New York City’s only lakefront venue that has been home to countless dates and weddings, was immortalized in several big Hollywood films, including “When Harry Met Sally” and the 1962 political thriller “The Manchurian Candidate.”

Even New York City Mayor Eric Adams has a history with the boathouse.

“In my rookie years, I didn’t have a lot of money, and nothing was more romantic than being able to rent a boat,” he said at a press conference in February. “It has been a landmark for generations in New York City.”

The mayor the return of the restaurant would bring back 200 union jobs.

Just in May, Americans saw rents grow by 4.8% to about $2,048 a month on average nationally, according to Zillow Observed Rent Index data.

Lawn Love, a yard care business, ranked 2023’s most expensive metro area for renters. It compared 172 based on three categories: average rent prices, year-over-year rent charges, and the share of renters spending over 30% of their income on rent and utilities.

Overall, the report found that if you’re looking to live on a coast, prepare to pay up. All of the top 10 most expensive metro areas for renters are near the shore.

Top 10 most expensive metro areas for renters

1. New York City, N.Y., Newark, Jersey City, N.J.
2. Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, Fla.
3. Oxnard, Thousand Oaks, Ventura, Calif.
4. San Diego, Chula Vista, Carlsbad, Calif.
5. Urban Honolulu, Hawaii
6. Los Angeles, Long Beach, Anaheim, Calif.
7. Napa, Calif.
8. Naples, Marco Island, Fla.
9. Washington D.C., Arlington, Alexandria, Virg.
10. Bridgeport, Stamford, Norwalk, Conn.

The New York City tri-state area ranked as the most expensive on the list. It has one of the highest shares of cost-burdened renters who are paying over 30% of their income on expenses like rent and utilities.

While the average rent in Newark is $1,850 and $2,500 in Jersey City, in New York City it is $3,610, according to Zillow’s rental manager.

According to Payscale, the cost of living in this area is 26% higher than the national average. Housing expenses are 74% higher than the national average and utility prices and transportation expenses are also 10% higher than the national average.

No. 2 on the list is the Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Pompano Beach, Florida metro area.

It has the highest share of cost-burdened renters, with over 62% spending most of their income on rent.

The rents in this Florida area range from $2,115 to $2,711, according to RentCafe. The overall score of this area is 55.68 out of 100.

Oxnard, Thousand Oaks and Ventura, California, which is part of the greater Los Angeles area, ranked third on the list. It scored 55.17 out of 100 and was the second least affordable area, according to Lawn Lovers.

The average rent for this California area ranged from $2,533 to $2,704.

It also ranked as the area with the fourth-highest average rent in the U.S., right behind two other California areas: Napa and San Jose, Sunnyvale and Santa Clara.

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Firefighters were called to a two-family home on Bulkeley Avenue shortly before 1 a.m. after getting a report of a working fire.

When crews arrived, they said they found a kitchen fire on the second floor with heavy smoke. The fire was extinguished and was contained to the area of origin.

Fire crews removed an adult and a child from the fire. Both were reportedly not breathing. CPR was performed and both were transported to the hospital in serious condition. Officials said the adult was later flown to the Bridgeport Burn Unit.

One other adult and one other child were transported to the hospital to be treated for possible smoke inhalation. Their current condition is unknown at this time.

Two firefighters were also injured and one was transported to the hospital. The injuries are described as minor.

The Special Services Unit is working with the American Red Cross to help seven adults and three children that are displaced from the fire.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

The beloved convenience store of the Philadelphia region and beyond is celebrating 15 years of its discounted hoagie promotion by offering up Shortis and Classics for less money.

“Summer has always been hoagie time at Wawa, and nothing quite captures the spirit of the season like Hoagiefest,” Wawa chief brand officer Jim Morey said in a news release. “For 15 years, Wawa Hoagiefest has helped us celebrate one of the most beloved food items at Wawa with great savings and fun, vibrant campaign elements that spread good ‘hoagie vibes’ this summer.”

Here are all the tasty details on the promotion that dates back to 2008:

When can I get a cheap Wawa hoagie this summer?

Hoagiefest 2023 runs for a month from Monday, June 19, to Sunday, July 16, 2023.

How much do hoagies cost during Wawa Hoagiefest?

Six-inch “Shorti” hoagies are $5 and 10-inch “Classic” hoagies are $6. The deal covers any hot or cold sandwich variety, Wawa said. You can order in store or on the app.

What’s on the menu?

Wawa’s online menu lists at least 20 different varieties that are included. You can check the touch-screen at your local Wawa or the app to see what savory creations you can bite into.

Want a free Wawa hoagie?

If a free hoagie is more your taste, head over to Indepedance Mall in Old City on Wednesday, June 28, for Wawa Welcome America’s Philly-favorite — Wawa Hoagie Day.

What’s different for the 2023 Hoagiefest?

Wawa is once again running ads and social media posts inspired by the 1960s, but this summer Wawa is “Celebrating 15 years of Hoagie Love” with “a blast from Hoagiefest past with groovy giveaways, dynamite deals, and far-out fun.”

“We can’t wait to relive the best of past campaigns with our customers, while continuing to provide the fantastic savings Hoagiefest has come to be known for,” Morey said.

Here are some of the Hoagiefest highlights care of Wawa:

• Hoagifest Throwback Moments: Get ready to relive the magic of past campaigns with the best of the “Fest” elements in every Wawa store.
• Hoagiefest Decorations: The Hoagiefest vibe will be present in Wawa stores with all-new decorations, and digital signage, and selfie stations to help set the unique Hoagiefest mood and generate excitement throughout the summer. In honor of Hoagiefest’s15th anniversary, retro elements like the famed Hoagie Man, Hoagiefest plane, and micro-bus will be featured on in-store decorations.
• Social Media: Wawa’s social media channels will feature giveaways of special merchandise, including Hoagiefest t-shirts, themed towels, water bottles, and tote bags. Look for retro design elements to relive the magic of Hoagiefests past across all campaign elements. Follow @Wawa social media channels for a chance to win t-shirts and other gear with vintage campaign designs.

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At work, toxic bosses, co-workers or clients can drive your brain into a stressed-out state, hurting your productivity and eroding your confidence, says Juliette Han, a Harvard-trained neuroscientist. 

“Toxic behavior isn’t limited to people who are intentionally hurtful or lashing out at you,” she adds. “People who gravitate towards drama or have a bad attitude about work can be just as bad for you.” 

Han, who is also a faculty member at Columbia Business School and an academic advisor at Harvard Medical School, says the key to dealing with such toxic people is to learn how to spot them early on.

Here are the three different types of toxic co-workers you should “avoid at all costs,” and how to handle them, according to Han: 

The paranoid performer

We all have our insecurities — but working with someone who is constantly self-critical and paranoid about their performance can be exhausting and distracting.

The signs: “If you’re surrounded by people who are constantly talking to you about their shortcomings and performance anxiety, those conversations are only going to make you paranoid about your own performance,” she says. The more time you spend with someone who is constantly worried about falling short or getting fired, Han warns, the more at-risk you are for absorbing their toxic behavior.

How to handle it: It’s important to remember that your co-worker’s victimhood mindset has nothing to do with you, Han says. Find time to decompress after spending time with them, whether it’s by taking a short walk or talking to encouraging, optimistic colleagues who counteract the difficult one.

The pot-stirrer

You might be getting roped into office drama without even realizing it. 

The signs: Pot-stirrers will try to quietly instigate drama, egging you on to talk negatively about your boss or other colleagues by acting like they’re coming from a place of “genuine care and concern,” says Han. “For example, after a meeting, they might approach you and say, ‘Hey, weren’t you offended by that person’s comment?'” explains Han. “They want to cause issues between you and another person, but act like they’re on your side.” 

How to handle it: Resist the urge to feed into their negativity, either by changing the subject or deflecting the gossip with a positive remark, says Han. “You can say, ‘I appreciate your concern, but I’d prefer to focus on the positive,’ she suggests. Or, a simple “That’s not something I’m worried about, but thank you for looking out for me” should suffice.

The naysayer

Naysayers at work aren’t just people who disagree with you on everything or weigh in on every plan. They might frame their doubts as an attempt to shield you from a bad situation when, in reality, it’s a good opportunity.

The signs: “This person is only going to support you to a restricted limit,” says Han. “They need you to stay within a short leash, and might discourage you from meeting new people in the company or going after new projects if it doesn’t benefit them directly.” If someone constantly dissuades you from taking on stretch assignments or learning about new roles at your company, especially without explaining their concerns, they could be a naysayer. 

How to handle it: Never take advice about an important career decision from one person — always seek out multiple perspectives. Also, consider using their negativity as motivation. As Han points out, “The desire to prove someone wrong can really light a fire under you.”

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New video released Monday morning shows the man police are looking for in connection to the attacks on the women on Sunday, seen jumping over a turnstile at the East 86th Street subway station near Lexington Avenue. Investigators said that the suspect approached two women, a 48-year-old and a 19-year-old, from behind and slashed them both in the right leg with a sharp object around 4 p.m.

“I just felt like a slice. I grabbed my thigh and I looked back and he was there. And I had the blood, and the blood was dripping everywhere,” said the teen victim, who did not wish to be identified. She said she was on the downtown train to pick up a cake for her dad on Father’s Day.

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“I noticed [the suspect] come in, he was kind of staring at me, I wasn’t trying to make eye contact with him. It was me, him and a lady that got off with a service dog,” said the teen. “I got off first and then he was behind me. I was walking up the stairs and he slashed me…I looked back and he was just there, standing, and I was crying and he just walked across the platform.”

She said the man never said a word, and moments later, the 48-year-old woman at the same station.

About 20 minutes after that initial attack, officers said a 28-year-old woman was stabbed by the same suspect at the Chambers Street station in lower Manhattan. The man ran from the scene and exited the train at the Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall station. He has not yet been identified.

The victim was rushed to the hospital with a severe cut to her left leg, according to police. Each of the three victims is expected to recover.

“NYC Transit cameras grabbed good pictures of this perpetrator jumping the turnstile and I’m confident the NYPD will track him down in short order,” said NYC Transit President Richard Davey.

Those incidents came after Father’s Day weekend started with a deadly attack on a 4 train at Union Square. The victim, identified by police as 32-year-old Tavon Silver, was found unconscious inside a train car Saturday morning with a stab wound to his chest. It was not immediately clear what led to the fatal confrontation.

On Monday, police arrested 33-year-old Claude White in connection with the deadly attack. White, who police said is homeless, was charged with murder and weapon possession. Attorney information was not immediately available.

No arrests have been made in any of the stabbings involving the female victims. It was unclear if police believed White to be connected to the other stabbings, but police were concerned it would only be a matter of time before the man involved strikes again. There was an increased police presence along the 4/5/6 line on Monday, with officers patrolling platforms, boarding trains and looking for the suspect.

Anyone with information regarding the case or the suspect, who is considered to be armed and dangerous, is urged to contact police.

The incident occurred around 6:30 p.m. Sunday in East Harlem’s Thomas Jefferson Park, near East 111th Street and First Avenue, according to police. A man was riding the motorized vehicle while on a walkway for pedestrians inside the park when he struck the young boy from behind.

The child, identified by his mother as Henry Diaz, was thrown to the ground and was immediately rushed to the hospital in critical condition. He was diagnosed with a brain bleed and multiple skull fractures before being transferred to the pediatric care unit at NY-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center, where he was clinging to life as of Monday afternoon.

The boy’s mother, Nereida Marin, said they were celebrating Father’s Day in the park — a place where Henry, who is autistic, likes to go because he can be surrounded by nature. They were leaving when they heard a noise and next thing she knew, her son was down. She said her husband tried to lunge for him and pull the boy out of the way, but missed.

“He wasn’t in time to catch my son,” Marin said.

Marin told NBC New York that her son opened his eyes Monday morning, so she’s hopeful he will survive. But she also said she knows it will be a long road ahead of him — and is worried what happened may have changed her child forever.

“He likes to play with kids, even though they don’t pay attention to him. Calling them friends. He likes to see the plants. He’s a happy child,” she said.

Henry’s 1-year-old brother, who was in a stroller at the time, was not injured.

The driver of the motorbike initially remained at the scene for a few minutes, but took off before officers arrived. The mother said the driver stopped and started at the injured child, but didn’t say a word before he left when he heard sirens.

“I got angry and I feel bad because he’s the one that caused the accident to my son. He was the cause of it and he didn’t ask how my son was doing,” Marin said.

Police are searching for the man who was last seen riding the vehicle north in the park toward East 114th Street and Pleasant Avenue. Many who live in the area and frequent the park said that mopeds and motorbikes are a common issue in the area, and they want more police or park supervision.

No arrests have yet been made. An investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information in regard to this incident is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website.

Video showed what happened at the Brooklyn-born artist’s performance at The Rooftop at Pier 17 in lower Manhattan Sunday night, as she was in the middle of a song when the phone came flying in from the crowd, striking her very close to her left eye.

Rexha immediately turned and went to the floor after getting hit. She was taken by am ambulance to the hospital, where she was treated her for her injuries. As she was recovering on Monday, Rexha posted a video on TikTok showing the injuries, which appeared to include a cut above her eye as well as bruising to the area.

In the 5-second video, she said simply “I’m good, yea I’m feeling alright,” a nod to her 2022 hit song with David Guetta.

Police said that a 27-year-old New Jersey man threw the phone and was taken into custody. Nicolas Malvagna, of Manalapan, was charged with assault for the incident.

According to court documents, Malvagna chucked the phone at Rexha because he was “trying to see if I could hit her with the phone at the end of the show because it would be funny.” There have been similar incidents with other artists where fans have tossed their phones on stage, hoping for a photo.

Malvagna was represented by Todd Spodek at his arraignment Monday evening and faces multiple counts of assault and harassment.

Rexha is scheduled to perform Tuesday night in Philadelphia.

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Police were called to the 14th St./Union Square station just after 4 a.m. after receiving a 911 call about an unconscious man, a spokesperson said. The 32-year-old man was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His identity has not been released.

Authorities are investigating whether the stabbing occurred on the train or somewhere else. The man was found by a passenger who alerted the conductor. The conductor called 911 after he saw that the man had stab wounds to the torso.

As of Saturday morning, no arrests had been made and the stabbing remains under investigation.

Read the full story on NBCNews.com here.

Special mention was given to the piano bar circuit of Duplex, Marie’s Crisis and the Monster in the West Village, as well as Hell’s Kitchen bars like Rise and Industry, and Brooklyn hot spots Good Room, Elsewhere and 3 Dollar Bill.

The cities were listed based on their vibrant queer community, as well as the support and protections available for LGBTQ+-identifying individuals.

While not exhaustive, the list includes cities from Puerto Vallarta in Mexico to Sao Paulo, Brazil. Interestingly, the only other city in the U.S. to make the list is San Francisco.

The list of the top 10 most queer friendly cities can be found below:

• #1 New York City, USA
• #2 Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
• #3 London, England
• #4 Melbourne, Australia
• #5 Sao Paulo, Brazil
• #6 Glasgow, Scotland
• #7 Vienna Austria
• #8 Johannesburg, South Africa
• #9 Bristol, England
• #10 Auckland, New Zealand

Salt Bae Burger opened its doors in Union Square a month before the coronavirus pandemic shuttered the entire city, and the rest of the world.

But the pandemic wasn’t the restaurant’s only battle. The restaurant opened to tough reviews, including one from Eater saying the burger joint had “all the charm of an airplane hanger,” and one from Gothamist calling it the Big Apple’s worst restaurant.

Manhattan’s Salt Bae Burger was the second opened by internet favorite, restaurant mogul Nusret Gökçe — the first was reportedly opened in Dubai in 2019, Eater reports. The burger restaurants opened on the heels of the wildly successful Nusr-Et Steakhouse, a chain with almost two dozen worldwide locations.

The hype and success of Gökçe’s previous restaurants did not appear to carry over to Salt Bae’s downtown opening. At the time, its menu boasted a wagyu beef burger wrapped in gold foil, a vegetarian “ladies burger,” and “golden” milkshakes. They all reportedly cost $99.

Eater reports a sign now covers the front door of Salt Bae Burger, at 220 Park Avenue South, that claims the burger restaurant is moving to a new location in the city.

The address? The same as a Nusr-Et Steakhouse in the Meatpacking District.

Cooper is a lifelong birder, and Black, a relative rarity for the pastime. The dog owner is Amy Cooper, who is white and no relation. His video of her pleading with a 911 operator to “send the cops” because, she falsely claimed, an African American man was threatening her life has been viewed more than 45 million times on social media.

Much has happened to each Cooper since.

She was fired by an investment firm and a judge tossed her lawsuit challenging the dismissal. Later, a misdemeanor charge against her was dropped after she completed a program on racial bias.

He scored a memoir, out this week, and has his own series on Nat Geo Wild, traveling the U.S. doing what he loves most: birding. “Extraordinary Birder with Christian Cooper” premieres Saturday.

Something else happened the day the two Coopers clashed. Just hours later, George Floyd was killed under the knee of a white police officer more than 1,000 miles away in Minneapolis. They had no way of knowing that, of course, but Christian Cooper told The Associated Press in a recent interview he had another Black man, Philando Castile, on his mind when he flipped his phone camera to record.

Castile was fatally shot in the Minneapolis area in 2016 by an officer who wrongly thought the 32-year-old was reaching for a gun during a traffic stop. Castile’s girlfriend, Diamond Reynolds, had the presence of mind to hit record on her phone, and her livestream on Facebook touched off protests around the country. (The officer who shot Castile was acquitted by a jury.)

Christian Cooper’s decision to record was personal but routine for birders trying to convince park officials to do something about dogs off leashes where signs clearly prohibited it to protect plantings in The Ramble and leave the birds undisturbed. He was polite but firm as he spoke off-camera while Amy Cooper raged.

“I thought to myself, you know what? They’re going to shoot us dead no matter what we do. And if that’s the case, I’m going out with my dignity intact,” he told the AP.

For a second, he added, “I was like, oh, yeah, when a white woman accuses a Black man, I know what that means. I know what trouble that can mean in my life. Maybe I should just stop recording and maybe this will all go away in a split second. Then I thought, nah, I’m not going to be complicit in my own dehumanization.”

Amy Cooper never apologized directly to him, though she issued a statement of regret. And since then, Christian Cooper has done some soul-searching on what it must be like, at least sometimes, for women to feel unsafe in public outdoor spaces.

“I would hate to think that I would go through a situation like that and not learn something myself. And so I try to keep in mind now that, yes, I’m perfectly comfortable in The Ramble. It’s my happy place. But that’s not necessarily true of everyone,” he said.

Amy Cooper demanded he stop recording, upset when he offered her cocker spaniel, Henry, a dog treat. It’s a tactic controversial among birders frustrated by unleashed dogs in The Ramble. “It’s a very in-your-face move. You know, no bones about that. I haven’t done it since,” he said.

He declined to cooperate with prosecutors in the criminal case against Amy Cooper. It was an election cycle, he said, so it felt performative. But also, he felt, she had been punished enough through public disgrace.

“I decided I kind of have to err on the side of mercy, particularly weighing with that a sense of proportionality because I had not been harmed. I had not been thrown to the ground by the police or, God forbid, worse. I had never even had to interact with the police. I’m sure my opinion would be different if I had,” he said.

Now, Cooper is all about spreading the gospel of birding once again. His book, “Better Living through Birding: Notes from a Black Man in the Natural World,” opens with the Central Park encounter, and then launches into his life:

How birding helped him connect to the world as a closeted gay child in his predominantly white Long Island hometown. How all things Star Trek, science fiction and Marvel Comics have sustained him to this day, at age 60.

“The cure to my outsider status was to go outside, outside of myself, outside of my own head, outside into nature. Because you can’t go looking for birds without really focusing on what you’re doing, and focusing on the natural world around you,” he said.

“And when you do that, you can’t be preoccupied anymore about, ‘Oh my God, I feel so horrible.’”

As a longtime board member of the New York City Audubon Society, Cooper has seen the ranks of Black birders increase, and he has participated in a movement among National Audubon Society chapters to cast off the name of John James Audubon. The 19th-century artist and naturalist known for his paintings of North American bird species was an anti-abolitionist who owned, purchased and sold enslaved people.

Cooper’s chapter of the society is in the process of coming up with a new name, though the parent organization declined to do the same.

With his book, Cooper said, “I hope to reach a whole mass of people who have never really thought about birds or maybe haven’t engaged with nature on that level. If I can communicate some of my passion for birding, for birds, and get them to sort of open their awareness just a little bit more to these creatures around them, because they are spectacular, then the book will have achieved its goal.”

On Nat Geo (the series hits Disney+ on June 21), Cooper serves as host and was a consulting producer. He’s a kid in a wonderful, winged candy shop.

The six episodes have him scaling a Manhattan bridge tagging peregrine falcon chicks, navigating volcanic terrain in Hawaii in search of elusive honeycreepers, and trekking rainforests in Puerto Rico to check on fertility issues among parrots. He also shot in Palm Springs, California, and Washington, D.C., as well as Selma, Alabama, where members of his father’s family once lived.

Cooper has spent time in public schools teaching kids about birding. He wants to reach even more with the fame he earned the hard way.

“I’m hopeful that a lot of young Black kids will see maybe one of the first big birding shows on TV with a black host leading the show and think, ‘Oh, maybe that’s something I can do, too.’ That would be awesome.”

“We have no control of the page, it’s no longer mine,” said Michelle DeSanti of Remember Me Rescue New York. “I’ve been locked out. I can’t get access to my rescue page.”

Two days ago, DeSanti received a message from Facebook that she had been hacked. And then she saw this post about a Frenchie that needed a home on her own page. But the problem was, she was not the one who made the post.

“Twelve-week-old expensive puppies,” she said. “Nobody would be giving that out for free. And first of all, I don’t take puppies, I re-home older pets who have been abandoned and I don’t ask for money ahead of time.”

After the post appeared, so did the texts and phone calls from strangers — some asking if this Frenchie was still available. Others told DeSanti they had left deposits for the dog; some spent hundreds, like Miana DeLucia of North Bellmore.

“I filled out this Google form that asked us a lot of questions,” explained DeLucia. “And then they messaged me to say I would need to leave a deposit to secure my spot. So we had to send them $300.”

When they asked for more money, DeLucia got suspicious and called Remember Me Rescue. DeSanti told her she did not post about the Frenchie and that she had probably been scammed. Another woman from Syracuse told DeSanti she sent them $1,200. 

Since the chaos began, DeSanti has had trouble getting Facebook to remove the page.  

“They’re the ones who said I was hacked,” said a frustrated DeSanti. “Why didn’t they shut my page down?”

News 4 is awaiting a response from Facebook, but DeSanti fears for the future of her rescue work and the 25 dogs she is currently trying to get adopted.

“I have 20,000 followers, seven years of building a good following and this is ruining my reputation because people think I am selling designer puppies,” she said.

Struggling to find something to do this weekend, or still feel like you haven’t truly explored the the city? We’ve got a list of activities to check out in and around New York City this Juneteenth weekend:

MANHATTAN

• Shakespeare in the Park: This year, from June 8 to August 6, Shakespeare in the Park will be staging one big play in Central Park: Hamlet. Free tickets are distributed on the day of the show, both in person and via digital lottery. 
• Adventures NYC: If you’re craving some adventure, head over to the Bandshell on Saturday, June 17 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for a free day of outdoor activities. Explore rock climbing, stand-up paddle boarding, archery, and roller skating regardless of your age and skill level.
• Japan FES: A culinary experience that transports you to Japan! Snack on foods from across Japan and come try brand new unique menus like Non-alcoholic Asahi beer, Japanese ganache, Japanese fish sausages, Cherry blossom cotton candy, and so on! Don’t forget to shop for Japanese crafts and gifts featured at the event. This weekend, you can find it in the East Village on June 17. 

BROOKLYN

• Juneteenth NY Festival: Thousands of attendees come to Brooklyn for the 14th Annual Juneteenth NY Festival: a vibrant day celebrating culture through music, dance, poetry, skits, history, vendors, and families. This year’s theme is “Kaleidoscope of Black Culture.” You can find more things to do commemorating Juneteenth here.
• Drunk Black History: Comedians Brandon Collins and Gordon Baker-Bone lead a booze-fueled lesson in Black history. The Juneteenth edition of Black History Month features guests including Keith Robinson (Judd Apatow’s “Trainwreck”), Tracy McClendon (MTV) and Dave Temple (Comedy Cellar). This is happening on Sunday, June 18 at The Bell House in Brooklyn.
• Coney Island Mermaid Parade: Returning for its 41st year, King Neptune and Queen Mermaid lead a procession of glittered semi-nude marchers in costumes along Surf Avenue. The Parade is kicking off at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 17.
• Japan FES: It’s coming to Brooklyn too! Snack on treats from 750 vendors and shop for Japanese crafts and gifts featured at the event. This weekend, you can find it in Park Slope on June 18. 

QUEENS

• Queerchella: The monthly music festival showcasing queer talent in NYC is hosting its first full-day outdoor summer festival during Pride Month. Alongside more than 20 musical acts of various genres on two stages, you can also enjoy a variety of vendors, a spiritual healing tent and a silent disco after party. You can find this free event at Culture Lab LIC in Long Island City on Saturday, June 17.
• Queen’s Night Market: For seven years, Queens Night Market has prided itself on offering the city’s best foods for under $6. Experience the food festival Saturday nights through the summer at the New York Hall of Science in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. Don’t forget to check out the vintage apparel, hand-poured candles, and NYC-themed apparel. 
• Noguchi Museum: Celebrate New York City’s Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) creative communities at The Noguchi Museum in Long Island City! It’s free during these upcoming Community Days on Saturday, June 17. The events include tours of the collection and interactive art-making activities.

BRONX

• Budgie Landing at the Bronx Zoo: Visit Budgie Landing, a new immersive experience that lets you connect with 1,000 boisterous birds known as budgerigars or “budgies.” Surround yourself with these small, talkative parrots that fly freely through the exhibit. 
• Mini Kiki Ball 2023: Join the Bronx Academy of Art and Dance for their “Out Like That Festival” in celebration of the queer community’s contributions to the arts. Attend the Mini Kiki Ball on June 17th at 5pm, where legendary judges determine who can give Banji Realness, rip the runway in Pride Colors, tell a story with Arms Control, serve Face like the legend of the 90s, and more!
• Orchard Beach: The Bronx’s only public beach, spanning 1.1 miles and 115 acres, is notable for its breathtaking views of City Island. You can enjoy concession stands, two picnic areas and 26 courts for basketball, volleyball and handball.

CONNECTICUT

• 2023 International Festival of Arts & Ideas: The International Festival of Arts & Ideas returns for its 28th Festival from June 10th through June 25th, with 150 events related to the theme “Rise” in New Haven. From art and music to dance, theater and more—there’s something for everyone.
• Summer Solstice Trail Run: Choose from 8 mile, 5 mile, and 3 mile trail runs this Saturday, June 17! The 8 Mile race is part of the 2023 Blue-Blazed Trail Running Series. Race participants earn a custom designed Happy Trails water bottle with an option to add on a Happy Trails customer designed short sleeve tee.

For more weekend inspiration, check out Time Out’s list of the “best things to do in NYC this week.”

The truck driver remained on scene after striking the 18-year-old cyclist around 12:40 p.m. in Gramercy, the man seen visibly distraught on a bus bench as police questioned the driver.

Live-saving measures were attempted, but officials say the injures to the young cyclist proved deadly.

“Medics came over and tried to resuscitate him, they were pressing on his chest,” a witness, Ash Alavi, said.

As first responders were trying to revive the injured teenager, police say someone took the victim’s electric Citi Bike and rode off.

“The medics put [the bike] on the side of the road and we were all seeing what was happening with the medics and after a couple minutes I noticed the bike wasn’t there, but I just assumed some of the emergency service folks took it,” Alavi said.

Police believe the cyclist was heading north 1st Avenue when he attempted a left turn onto East 17th Street. That’s when he was struck by the truck.

Brian Ferrari knows the teen who was killed. He got a phone call but refused to believe the horrific news, he had to see the scene for himself.

“I couldn’t believe it. Especially right here, this was we grew up. Played since he was a baby. An amazing person,” Ferrari said.

It does not appear there is any criminality at this point in the investigation, police say.

Vogue posted a position earlier this week for an assistant to the editor in chief, Anna Wintour. And while it may be the opportunity of a lifetime for those looking to get into the fashion industry, fans of “The Devil Wears Prada” are having flashbacks to Anne Hathaway’s character in the hit movie.

So what does the job entail? Well, you don’t have have to gird your loins to brace for the expectations — but there is a list of duties provided. Candidates will be responsible for the “administration and coordination of meetings, events/engagements, special projects, and overall flow of communication and information” for the Global Chief Content Officer at Vogue, a.k.a. Wintour.

Candidates will also be “extremely organized, efficient, deadline-oriented, and able to multitask and prioritize in a fast-paced, matrixed, digital media environment.” And while the job description doesn’t say it, applicants maybe should be prepared to get Starbucks — hot Starbucks. And hopefully they know how to spell Gabbana.

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The listing does say that the person will “at times may contribute to content assignments, research, and/or special projects.” It didn’t say anything about getting to go to Paris, like Hathaway’s character, Andy, got to do (or as Emily Blunt’s character, Emily, so badly wanted to).

Details of applicants’ incompetence will not interest those hiring. Those interested should act fast get their resumes in — don’t move at a glacial pace, you know how that thrills recruiters. And please bore someone else with your questions.

The salary expectation listed was from $60,000-$80,000, with a college degree and 1-2 years experience required.

That’s all.

Most people correlate the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863 to Abraham Lincoln freeing slaves. However, it was not that simple. In fact, most slave owners were aware of the proclamation, yet they refrained from letting slaves go or telling them the truth.

It wasn’t until Union Major General Gordon announced the General Order No.3 to Texas saying, “The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor.” Six months later, slavery became permanently abolished. 

Juneteenth had marked a day of celebration despite previously not being a federal holiday. Still, it did not stop those from celebrating their freedom. It wasn’t until 2021, just two years ago, that the U.S. made Juneteenth a federal holiday.

So, where can people celebrate Juneteenth in New York City?

Juneteenth NY Festival

The Juneteenth NY Festival will encapsulate the celebration of Juneteenth for three days in Brooklyn from Friday through Sunday. The festivities kick off Friday with an online summit that will discuss health and wellness for the community. Saturday will mark its festival day with over 100 vendors in Linden/Gershwin Park, and a kids zone. Continuing into Sunday, the festival will have a live concert, a fashion show, and a parade that will march through Prospect Park starting at Grand Army Plaza. This free Brooklyn festival will have food, dancing, artists, and more. 

Location/Time: 

• June 16 – Online (9 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
• June 17 – Linden Blvd. &, Vermont St, Brooklyn, NY 11207, (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
• June 18 – Enter through 105 Prospect Park Southwest, Brooklyn, NY 11215, (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.)

Juneteenth Food Festival

For those looking for food to celebrate the holiday, look no further. Black-Owned Brooklyn will host a food festival of 29 Black food businesses. These stands will hold the traditional African American dishes along with some dishes from Africa and the Caribbean. There will also be clothing, books, jewelry and more from other Black owned businesses. While at the food festival people will be able to listen to live music and participate in many activities. 

Location/Time: June 17 & 18 – 158 Buffalo Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11213, (12 p.m. to 7 p.m.)

Broadway Celebrates Juneteenth 

Broadway will be holding a free Juneteenth event with Black Broadway artists in Time Square. There will be plenty of performances by many actors from popular broadway shows such as: “MJ The Musical,” “SIX,” “Sweeny Todd,” “& Juliet,” “Chicago “and more. The show will be hosted by Michael James Scott who is best known for his Broadway role of the Genie from “Aladdin” the Disney Musical. 

Location/Time: June 18 – Time Square between 46th and 47th St, (11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.)

Juneteenth – Outdoor Freedom Fest NYC

This free outdoor fest in Harlem is perfect for friends and family to attend. There will be food, music, trivia and more, along with free giveaways and surprises. The event will also have a kids zone for the little ones to enjoy and plenty of small businesses to support. 

Location/Time: June 17 – W. 125th Street & Adam Clayton Powell Blvd at The Harlem State Office Building Plaza, (12 p.m. to 7 p.m.)

Juneteenth in Battery Park 

This free experience tells the history of Juneteenth with the help of the Federation of Black Cowboys. These cowboys and cowgirls share the history while also demonstrating horsemanship and horseback riding. Those who come will get to make their own Juneteenth flag and other art, while listening to live music. 

Location/Time: June 17 – Rockefeller Park 75 Battery Place, New York, NY, (4 p.m. to 6 p.m.)

Juneteenth – Straight Joy. No Chasers

The Lay Out presents a Juneteenth event with plenty of fun activities including, meditation, a marketplace, Fort Greene walking tour, and DJ’s. The tour will include seeing Lil Kim’s old home and Spike Lee’s 40 acres of land. Along with that, the Lay Out has teamed up with Amazon Music, Scene in Black (HBO Max), Fort Greene Park Conservancy and more. 

Location/Time: June 18 – Dekalb Avenue &, S Portland Ave, 11205, (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.)

Brooklyn Museum Juneteenth Jubilee

The Brooklyn Museum celebrates Juneteenth with plenty of different events and activities. The free event will hold a schedule which will start off with dance performances by the Renegade Performance Group. People can get their photo taken, listen to DJ’s, grab a bite of food, make art, and more. 

Location/Time: June 18 – 200 Eastern Parkway Brooklyn, NY United States (2 p.m. to 6 p.m.)

The Louis Armstrong House Museum: Juneteenth Concert

The iconic Louis Armstrong House will be hosting a Juneteenth outdoor concert featuring Charles Turner and Uptown Swing. This music will get audiences in the Juneteenth celebration with its swing and jazz music. The museum will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., which will allow visitors to tour the museum before or after the show! Attendees will need to buy a ticket to enter the museum, however, the event is free. 

Location/Time: June 17 – 34-56 107th St, Queens, NY 11368 (2 p.m. to 3 p.m.)

Price: Adult $15 – Senior, Student, Active Military, Visitory with Disabilities $12 – 

Corona Residents $5 – Children free

Living History: Celebrate Juneteenth

These historical interpreters will allow visitors to immerse themselves into learning about Junteenth. The New York Historical Society Museum & Library will be holding an experience in order to educate people on the history behind Juneteenth and how people have celebrated it in the past. Visitors will be able to learn traditions of the holiday, how to set a Juneteenth table, and how to create a Juneteenth flag. 

Location/Time: June 17 – 170 Central Park West at Richard Gilder Way (77th Street) New York, NY 10024 (1 p.m. to 3 p.m.)

Juneteenth in Seneca Village

At Seneca Village, people will be able to celebrate Juneteenth through nature and health. This experience will focus primarily on one’s well-being. People will be able to create art, participate in yoga, watch comedians live, and listen to live jazz music. 

Location/Time: June 17 – Central Park, Central Park West, New York, NY 10024, (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.)

The pair of 15-week-old Chihuahuas, named Freddy and Tanto, were brought to a local animal hospital while suffering from symptoms of what a a toxicology report revealed to be cocaine overdoses, the Suffolk County SPCA said. It wasn’t clear how the two pups ate the opioids, but Narcan effectively reversed the overdose.

The county SPCA said that cocaine can be deadly to dogs.

On Thursday, 53-year-old Adam Dziomba was charged with two counts of animal cruelty, according to the county’s SPCA. The Port Jefferson man was scheduled to appear in court on Friday.

Around 1 p.m. Thursday, officers responded to a call reporting a second act of vandalism in the span of a week at the park where the Stonewall National Monument is located in the West Village. Police said that several Pride flags that had been displayed were broken and torn down across the street from the Stonewall Inn — a place many consider to be the birthplace of the gay rights movement.

It came after neighbors in the area discovered about 60 Pride flags torn down from the fence, broken apart and thrown on the sidewalk Saturday morning.

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Police released images of alleged suspects in the prior incident earlier in the week. The group of men was seen in the area after the flags had been vandalized around 3 a.m. Saturday. They were last seen heading east on Waverly Place.

Investigators are not considering the two incidents at the LGBTQ+ memorial to be connected.

There is an investigation into two teenage suspects that were seen on camera ripping down and stealing a Pride flag in Queens, damaging the fixture attached to the front of the Fresh Meadows home where it had been hung. Police said the incident occurred Tuesday near 190th Street and 75th Avenue.

Richard Marzullo, the homeowner, said he can’t believe the flag is gone, saying it’s the first time vandals have actually taken the whole thing. He shared video from 2022 in which someone wearing all black took down the flag and threw it to the ground, as well as a group in 2021 running away after vandalism.

“A lesson needs to be learned, this is likely to keep happening if nothing else happens,” said Marzullo.

The search for the suspects in that incident is ongoing, and police said both are facing hate crime charges.

The NYPD said that the Hate Crime Task Force is now investigating each of the incidents. it also comes as the Human Rights Campaign, the largest advocacy organization of its kind across the nation, declared a state of emergency for LGBTQ+ people in the U.S. It’s the first time in its more than 40-year history that the group has made such a declaration, pointing out the rise of legislation in statehouses around the country directed at regulating the lives of queer people.

The parade, which has been dubbed the largest art procession in the United States since its start in 1983, is Coney Island’s way to mark the unofficial start to the summer.

The coveted role of King Neptune for the 41st parade has been given to rapper Kool Keith, as part of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of hip hop. Kool Keith, from the Bronx, was part of the pioneering hip-hop group Ultramagnetic MCs in the late 1980s before starting his own solo career that has spanned decades,

The role of Queen Mermaid was given to Laurie Cumbo, the Commissioner of Cultural Affairs for the City of New York. She previously served as majority leader in the NYC Council and represented the City Council’s 35th district in Brooklyn for eight years.

While online registration closed, day-of registration goes from 10am-1pm at 21st and Surf Avenue parking lot, on Saturday, and is cash only. The parade starts at 1 p.m., rain or shine, with assembly starting at 10 a.m. at Surf Avenue and West 21st Street near the Ford Ampitheater.

For those who can’t attend in person, there will be a livestream available here.

Police are looking for a dad and son duo who allegedly beat a teenager in Staten Island during a violent mugging.

The incident occurred around 6 p.m. Tuesday in the Arden Heights neighborhood, as a 17-year-old was walking in the area of Arthur Kill Road and Token Street, police said, and was approached by two males.

One of the individuals punched the victim and held him down, as the other kicked him in the head, according to police. The dastardly duo then repeatedly punched the victim before stealing his cellphone and keys, then took off in a white van with New Jersey license plate XEGV57.

The victim was taken to the hospital, where he was treated for injuries to his head. He is expected to recover.

Police believe the suspects are believed to be father and son. It was not immediately clear whether they and the victim had previously known each other.

The older suspect was described as around 50 years old with a medium build and bald, while the younger one is believed to be around 17 years old with a slim build and brown hair.

Anyone with information in regard to this incident is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website.

The infant, identified as Paulie Khan, was found inside a condo on Arden Avenue around noon on March 8, police said. The child was unconscious and unresponsive by first responders, with no obvious signs of injuries at the time.

The baby boy was taken to Staten Island University South Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

While the nature of death was determined to be a homicide, a cause of death has not yet been determined. An investigation remains ongoing.

Uncovered surveillance video from the area now proves what was believed to be an accidental death, was actually murder, according to law enforcement.

Officers found 63-year-old Charles Cunningham lying on the sidewalk near death at the corner of 5th Avenue and East 105th Street in East Harlem. He had fallen and hit his head, and investigators thought his death was an accident.

But detectives recently uncovered video of the encounter that suggests otherwise. They say the footage shows a man sucker punch Cunningham in the head — a move that ultimately killed him.

Neighbors at Cunningham’s apartment building located just a few blocks away were shocked to learn the cause of his death. Many remember Cunningham and his brothers as good people.

“Wow, they were quiet brothers. They never bothered nobody, but like I said, that stayed to they self,” Gwinette Thomas said.

Police say the video shows Cunningham bump into someone as he was walking down 5th Avenue around 11:30 p.m., then the other man immediately turns around and takes two swings. Cunningham is seen on video falling to the ground and slamming his head against the pavement.

Cunningham laid motionless on the ground for about 10 minutes before first responders arrived. He later died. The medical examiner determined that he suffered fractures to the back of the skull as well as internal brain bleeding.

The NYPD eventually caught the man allegedly behind the fatal punch, 49-year-old Ariel Nunez, whose facing murder, reckless endangerment and assault charges. He was arraigned Friday morning, and granted supervise release.

According to police, Nunez is from Middletown, New York, and it is not yet clear what he was doing in Manhattan the night of April 21.

But several months ago, at an event that got little attention, Sewell shared what it really felt like to be the first woman in the top job at Mayor Eric Adams’ NYPD.

In her speech last November, Commissioner Sewell described feeling second guessed, micromanaged, and dismissed. Several of her current and former NYPD colleagues say listening to her words, her resignation should come as no surprise. The writing, they say, was on the well.

“Dear second woman to be the New York City Police commissioner,” Sewell offered. “You are different. You will be treated as such.”

In remarks posted by the NYPD Policewoman’s Endowment Association, Sewell made it clear she was speaking from her personal experience — just 11 months into her history-making new role — in a letter to the next woman who takes the commissioner role.

“You are no experiment. You are no box checker,” she continued.

“Understand that you will be second guessed, told what you should say, told what you should write by some with half your experience,” the speech went on.

Sewell’s speech was met with loud applause.

Though the commissioner never explicitly stated who was second guessing or undermining her, several of her NYPD coworkers say the speech reflected some of her specific frustrations. Those frustrations, they say, included City Hall pushing out her close allies, overruling her decisions on promotions and hiring standards, a deputy mayor who felt like a shadow commissioner, and subordinates enabled to go around her to the mayor.

“When you are no pushover, you will be called difficult. When you do things your own way, you don’t listen. You are paranoid. Your very existence is a problem for many,” Sewell said in November.

Mayor Eric Adams has dismissed reports that Sewell was sidelined and unempowered to lead the department.

A high-ranking retired law enforcement source told News 4, “I know for a fact Sewell was told that her appearance was too businesslike and that she should soften her image.”

The feedback of her image, the source said, was referenced in her speech in the fall.

“You will get free unsolicited personal advice: your hairstyle is wrong, you should wear different clothes,” she said.

News 4 reached out for clarification on what Sewell was specifically referring to throughout the November speech, but the NYPD refused to comment on the speech or any aspect of the police commissioner’s departure.

In a statement, the mayor’s spokesperson said:

“When Police Commissioner Sewell gave her speech last year, Mayor Adams praised her comments and appreciated her honesty. That speech should serve as an important reminder to everyone that we should listen to the words of those speaking instead of those whispering in the shadows who are simply regurgitating a story written over six months ago. Commissioner Sewell wrote that speech on her own, with no help, and anyone claiming to know who or what she was referring to should stop spreading rumors and putting words in her mouth. The Police commissioner has had Mayor Adams’ full support and she, like every commissioner in the city, has been trusted to lead her agency.”

Sewell plans to leave her post at the end of June.

The hefty fine is the largest ever handed out by New York’s Conflicts of Interest Board, capping off a yearslong investigation into the two-term mayor’s use of taxpayer dollars to cover the travel costs of NYPD officers who accompanied him on cross-country campaign stops.

Under the ruling, which he has vowed to appeal, de Blasio, a Democrat, will be forced to reimburse the city for $320,000 spent on the officers’ flights, hotels, meals and rental cars during the four-month campaign. He will also have to pay a fine of $25,000 for each of the security detail’s 31 out-of-state trips, amounting to $155,000.

The order was handed down by the Conflicts of Interest Board Chair, Milton Williams, who found that de Blasio “plainly violated” the city’s prohibition on using public resources to advance a political campaign. De Blasio was advised of this rule prior to his campaign, but “disregarded the Board’s advice,” Williams wrote in his ruling.

In a statement, an attorney for de Blasio, Andrew G. Celli Jr., described the ruling as “reckless and arbitrary,” arguing that recent acts of political violence underscored the security needs of public servants.

“In the wake of the January 6th insurrection, the shootings of Congressmembers Giffords and Scalise, and almost daily threats directed at local leaders around the country, the COIB’s (Conflicts of Interest Board’s) action – which seeks to saddle elected officials with security costs that the City has properly borne for decades – is dangerous, beyond the scope of their powers, and illegal,” he wrote.

De Blasio has faced previous allegations of misusing his security detail. Months before he left office in 2021, a report by the city’s Department of Investigation found he treated the officers as a “concierge service,” using them to move his daughter into an apartment and shuttle his son to college.

De Blasio did consult with the Conflicts of Interest Board about the costs of his security prior to announcing his presidential campaign in May 2019. He was told the salaries for NYPD officers would be covered, but that all other costs associated with their travel would not, the board said.

During interviews with investigators, de Blasio said he did “not have a 100% clear understanding” of the guidance, and “suggested that it was an issue for others to resolve,” according to Kevin Casey, an administrative law judge that recommended the fine imposed by the Conflicts of Interest Board.

Casey accused de Blasio of showing a “deliberate indifference” to the city’s ethics board, then blaming his own employees for the error.

“It is troubling that during his DOI (Department of Investigation) interview respondent repeatedly attempted to shift blame to his lawyers and campaign staff, while failing to recognize his personal responsibility for following the law,” Casey wrote.

In an interview with New York Magazine published earlier this week, de Blasio described his White House bid as a mistake.

“I think my values were the right values, and I think I had something to offer, but it was not right on a variety of levels,” he said. “I think I got into a place of just extreme stubbornness and tunnel vision.”

Nine people are accused of stealing major artwork and sports memorabilia — including World Series rings and MVP plaques for baseball legends Yogi Berra and Roger Maris — in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York over the span of two decades.

Nicholas Dombek, 53, of Thornhurst, Pennsylvania, Damien Boland, 47, of Moscow, Pennsylvania, Alfred Atsus, 47, of Covington Township, Pennsylvania, and Joseph Atsus, 48, of Roaring Brook, Pennsylvania, were all indicted by a federal grand jury for conspiracy to commit theft of major artwork, concealment or disposal of objects of cultural heritage and interstate transportation of stolen property, officials announced on Thursday. 

The four men were also charged with theft of major artwork and concealment or disposal of objects of cultural heritage while Dombek was charged with interstate transportation of stolen property as well. 

Five more suspects – Thomas Trotta, 48, of Moscow, Pennsylvania, Frank Tassiello, 50, of Scranton, Pennsylvania, Daryl Rinker, 50, of Thornhurst, Pennsylvania, Dawn Trotta, 51, of Covington Township, Pennsylvania, and Ralph Parry, 45, of Covington Township, Pennsylvania – were also charged for their alleged roles in the theft, officials said. 

The nine suspects conspired over a period of 20 years to break into multiple museums and other institutions to steal priceless works of art, sports memorabilia and other objects, according to investigators. After stealing the items, the suspects transported the stolen goods back to Northeastern Pennsylvania, often to Dombrek’s home, investigators said. 

They then allegedly melted the memorabilia down into metal discs or bars that were easy to transport. They then sold the raw metal in the New York City area for hundreds or thousands of dollars, significantly less than the items would be worth at fair market value, officials said. 

Dombrek also allegedly burned one of the items, the painting “Upper Hudson,” by Jasper Crospey, in order to stop investigators from recovering it. The painting was worth approximately $500,000, officials said. Many of the stolen items have not yet been recovered, according to investigators. 

The FBI, Pennsylvania State Police, New Jersey State Police, New York State Police and several police departments in multiple states all took part in the investigation. 

The stolen items include the following: 

• A Christy Mathewson jersey and two contracts signed by Mathewson stolen in 1999 from Keystone College in Factoryville, Pennsylvania
• “Le Grande Passion” by Andy Warhol and “Springs Winter” by Jackson Pollock stolen in 2005 from the Everhart Museum, Scranton, Pennsylvania
• Nine World Series rings, seven other championship rings, and two MVP plaques awarded to Yogi Berra, worth over $1,000,000 stolen in 2014 from the Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center, Little Falls, New Jersey
• Six championship belts, including four awarded to Carmen Basilio and two awarded to Tony Zale stolen in 2015 from the International Boxing Hall of Fame, Canastota, New York
• The Hickok Belt and MVP Trophy awarded to Roger Maris, stolen in 2016 from the Roger Maris Museum, Fargo, North Dakota; 
• The U.S. Amateur Trophy and a Hickok Belt awarded to Ben Hogan, stolen in 2012 from the USGA Golf Museum & Library, Liberty Corner, New Jersey
• Fourteen trophies and other awards worth over $300,000 stolen in 2012 from the Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame, Goshen, New York
• Five trophies worth over $400,000, including the 1903 Belmont Stakes Trophy, stolen in 2013 from the National Racing Museum & Hall of Fame, Saratoga Springs, New York
• Eleven trophies, including 4 awarded to Art Wall, Jr. stolen in 2011 from the Scranton Country Club, Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania
• Three antique firearms worth a combined $1,000,000 stolen in 2006 from Space Farms: Zoo & Museum, Wantage, New Jersey
• An 1903/1904 Tiffany Lamp stolen in 2010 from the Lackawanna Historical Society, Scranton, Pennsylvania
• “Upper Hudson” by Jasper Cropsey, worth approximately $500,000, and two antique firearms worth over $300,000, stolen in 2011 from Ringwood Manor, Ringwood, New Jersey
• $400,000 worth of gold nuggets stolen in 2011 from the Sterling Hill Mining Museum, Ogdensburg, New Jersey
• Various gems, minerals, and other items stolen in 2017 from the Franklin Mineral Museum, Franklin, New Jersey
• An antique shotgun worth over $30,000 stolen in 2018 from Space Farms: Zoo & Museum, Wantage, New Jersey
• Various jewelry, and other items from multiple antique and jewelry stores in New York, Rhode Island, and Pennsylvania

Jordan Williams was arrested and charged with manslaughter, but was free without bail Thursday afternoon, NBC New York has learned. He was seen leaving Kings County criminal court in street clothes and without handcuffs.

During his court appearance, Williams didn’t say a word as he stood next to his attorney, but appeared relieved after the judge opted not to impose bail. The judge told Williams that “I think that your whole life is ahead of you. I think you have every reason to fight this case with the support of your family and community.”

His attorney, Jason Goldman, said after the hearing that “today, the system worked.”

On Wednesday, the 20-year-old was handcuffed as officers walked him out of a Williamsburg police station — just a few blocks away from where he allegedly stabbed Devictor Quedraogo to death on a northbound J train approaching the Marcy Avenue and Broadway station the day before.

The violent incident broke out just after 8 p.m. Tuesday, and police responded to a 911 call of a man stabbed while aboard the train. When officers got to the train station, they found a 36-year-old man who had been stabbed in the chest.

The victim, Quedraogo, was rushed to New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Less than 24 hours later, the 20-year-old Williams had been arrested and charged with manslaughter and weapon possession.

Williams said nothing as he was led out of the police station, only nodding “yes” when asked if he acted in self-defense in the previous night’s incident. His brother told NBC New York that the deadly stabbing was done as Williams defended his girlfriend.

Williams’ mother, April, said that her son “cares about life” and that he is “extremely remorseful.”

Law enforcement sources told NBC New York that Quedraogo had been harassing multiple passengers while acting belligerent and erratic toward others on board. He may have been under the influence of drugs or alcohol, sources said, but a toxicology report will determine if that was the case.

Williams’ girlfriend was one of the people who Quedraogo had been harassing, with an assistant district attorney revealing in court that Williams told Quedraogo to stop harassing his girlfriend and pushed him away.

Defense attorney Goldman said Quedraogo then punched Williams’ girlfriend, leading to both men getting into a scuffle.

“He deserves to fight this on the outside,” Goldman said of his client. “Judge realized that. Very grateful today.”

The girlfriend was also questioned by police, but was released. Investigators are now reviewing cell phone video that captured the scuffle that led up to the deadly stabbing.

The deadly stabbing has been compared to the death of Jordan Neely, put into a chokehold aboard a Manhattan subway by retired Marine Daniel Penny, who was indicted Wednesday. Penny claimed the street performer was also harassing and threatening riders, and that he was defending himself and others.

Overall, transit crime in New York City is down nearly 8 percent, according to the MTA, which said it is cooperating with investigations into both headline-grabbing incidents. The transit president quickly pointed out that extra officers on trains and platforms are keeping New Yorkers safe.

“We have over a million riders a day. We have a handful of serious crimes a day. We think the system is very safe,” said MTA President Richard Davey.

New summer parking rates are set to go into effect Thursday at LaGaurdia and JFK airports in Queens, as well as Newark Liberty International Airport, the Port Authority said. It could cost drivers up to $20 more to park their cars, depending on the airport and what garage or lot is being used.

Port Authority said the reason for the increase is the increase in travelers flying during the summer months, and in turn, more people driving to the airports. That creates a significant increase in demand for airport parking.

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In order to ease the demand, and as a way for travelers to save money, Port Authority encouraged those going to the airport to use public transit, taxis and ride shares, if possible. Those looking to fly can also pre-book parking spaces, the price of which is not going up for certain lots and garages.

The steepest increase going into effect? Those looking to park at Terminal A at LaGaurdia and P4 Daily Garage at Newark. Drive-up costs were $55 and $40, respectively, at those two areas; those prices both go up $20 as of Thursday.

For a breakdown of price increases at all on-airport parking locations at JFK, LaGuardia and Newark, see the chart below:

A week after it was postponed due to the wildfire smoke that came pouring into New York City from Canada, the Uptown Night Market is returning to Harlem on Thursday.

The event ordinarily occurs every second Thursday of the month from April to October from 4 to 10 p.m., with this month’s event delayed a week.

The open-air festival features more than 60 vendors to celebrate international cuisine, culture, and community.

This marks the third season of the Uptown Night Market. Roughly 7,000 people took part each month the event took place in 2022.

The festival is located Under the Arches in West Harlem, at West 133rd Street and Twelfth Avenue.

Among the vendors lined up for the festival’s opening day are:

• Perros Locos
• Tacos El Guero
• La Victoria NYC
• Downeast Lobstah
• Menya Jiro
• Patok by Rach LLC
• Nadas Empanadas
• Sassy’s Fishcakes!
• Asili’s Ancient Healing
• Harlem Hoopz
• Ariance Jewelry
• Natural Hydration Skincare
• For the Culture NY LLC

For more information, click here.

The man behind the wheel was driving a 2017 Nissan sedan on South Ocean Avenue at Mascot Dock in Patchogue around 5 a.m. Thursday, Suffolk County police said. It appeared that the car was in the middle of a turn, possibly a U-turn, when it kept going forward and plunged right into Patchogue Bay, video showed.

Soon after, two first responders — police officer Edward Pitre and Patchogue Fire Department member Peter Freehan — dove into the chest-deep water in an effort to save the driver. They broke one of the car’s windows and pulled out the man, identified by Suffolk police as 33-year-old Nestor Riosarvealo, to bring him to shore.

Riosarvealo, who lives in Patchogue, was taken to Long Island Community Hospital for treatment for minor injuries and was released soon after. Both Pitre and Freehan were treated for minor injuries as well.

It wasn’t immediately clear what caused the car to plunge into the water.

Jordan Williams was handcuffed as officers escorted him out of a Williamsburg police stationhouse Wednesday afternoon, just a few blocks away from where he allegedly stabbed Devictor Ouedraogo to death on a northbound J train approaching the Marcy Avenue and Broadway station the day before.

The violent incident broke out just after 8 p.m. Tuesday, and police responded to a 911 call of a man stabbed while aboard the train. When officers got to the train station, they found a 36-year-old man who had been stabbed in the chest.

The victim, Ouedraogo, was rushed to New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Less than 24 hours later, the 20-year-old Williams had been arrested and charged with manslaughter and weapon possession. Attorney information for Williams was not immediately available.

Williams said nothing as he was led out of the police station, only nodding “yes” when asked if he acted in self-defense in the previous night’s incident.

Law enforcement sources told NBC New York that Ouedraogo had been harassing multiple passengers while acting belligerent and erratic toward others on board. He may have been under the influence of drugs or alcohol, sources said, but a toxicology report will determine if that was the case.

Williams’ girlfriend was one of the people who Ouedraogo had been harassing, and he even punched herm according to a senior police official. That’s when Williams sprang into action, his brother told NBC New York.

The girlfriend was also questioned by police, but was released. Investigators are now reviewing cell phone video that captured the scuffle that led up to the deadly stabbing.

Households earning the U.S. median income can only afford a fraction of the homes in the 100 largest U.S. cities, according to an analysis of real estate listings by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and Realtor.com.

Even though 51% of U.S. households earn $75,000 or less, they could only afford 23% of the listings on the market in April, the study finds. 

In some cities, the shortage is even more acute. Here’s a look at the cities with the lowest share of affordable homes, based on buyers who earn $75,000, the U.S. median household income, or less.

For the purposes of the study, the maximum home price for each market is an estimate of what median income earners can afford, based on available listings, a 14% down payment and a 6.4% mortgage rate.

It's not surprising that the five least affordable cities are in California, with San Jose taking top spot. While exact numbers vary, California is widely considered to have one of the worst housing shortages in the country.

Likewise, the Seattle area and Austin, Texas, are experiencing a deficit of affordable homes.

Overall, the U.S. needs at least 2 million more home listings to meet demand, says Nadia Evangelou, a senior economist at NAR who co-authored the study.

While residential construction has picked up since the spring of 2020, the nation's longstanding shortage of homes is likely to last "for years," according to several estimates. This will continue to put upward pressure on home prices, says Evangelou.

Rising mortgage costs haven't helped, either, as mortgage rates have nearly doubled since the Federal Reserve started raising interest rates in March 2022.

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Several people are being charged in this investigation, including the former manager of the morgue, Cedric Lodge, who has been accused of having people choose body parts they want to buy at the morgue, then stealing parts of donated cadavers like brains, skin and bones, before allegedly taking them to his New Hampshire home and sending them from there.

Among the list of defendants are his wife, Denise Lodge, and a woman named Katrina Maclean, who runs a store called Kat’s Creepy Creations in Peabody, Massachusetts.

Morbid charges outlined by feds

Seven people in total have been indicted in what investigators have said is a nationwide network of people involved in the stealing, selling and purchasing of human remans, some of which came from Harvard Medical School.

Out of the seven accused, three are from New England, including the Lodges. Prosecutors allege that Cedric Lodge stole human organs and bones from cadavers donated for medical research, that were supposed to be cremated.

The couple’s home had been raided back in March, but they weren’t arrested until Wednesday — leaving their neighbors in shock.

“It’s creepy that number one it’s two doors down, number two what kind of sick people do we have in this world who would even buy these,” a neighbor named Roxanne Ryder said.

Among the alleged buyers is Katrina Maclean, who was reportedly allowed by Cedric to enter the morgue to choose the parts she and a Pennsylvania man wanted to purchase — including skin, brains and bones. Court documents said that in 2020, Maclean bought two dissected faces for $600 and shipped human skin to Pennsylvania, while running the Kat’s Creepy Creations store in Peabody that sells creepy dolls, bone art and other oddities.

She did not speak to news outlets while leaving federal court on Wednesday, but her lawyer did speak on her behalf.

“She’s never been in trouble before and obviously this was very distressful,” her attorney Gordon Spencer said. “She just wants to be home with her family.”

Reaction from family impacted

A pair of sisters were in disbelief after learning that their father’s remains were among those said to be stolen.

“It’s like a dream, you know what I mean? It’s like not real, but it is real,” Paula Peltonovich said.

Peltonovich, and her sister, Darlene Lynch, said that their parents were both police officers and wanted to donate their bodies to science. They want their mother’s body back, now.

“My concern is getting my mom back,” said Peltonovich. “I don’t want them to touch my mom. I mean, can you blame me? I mean, seriously, it’s just the whole thing’s wrong.”

Harvard Medical School said Wednesday it was “deeply sorry for the pain and uncertainty caused by this troubling news.” It set up a page of resources for family members of people who have donated their bodies to the Anatomical Gift Program.

Among those resources is a toll-free information and support center that can be reached 24 hours a day at 1-888-268-1129, the school said.

‘An abhorrent betrayal’

In addition to the family of one man’s remains who were said to be impacted, law enforcement officials and leaders at Harvard Medical School have issued statements in the wake of the news.

“Some crimes defy understanding,” said U.S. Attorney Gerard Karam in a statement. “The theft and trafficking of human remains strikes at the very essence of what makes us human. It is particularly egregious that so many of the victims here volunteered to allow their remains to be used to educate medical professionals and advance the interests of science and healing. For them and their families to be taken advantage of in the name of profit is appalling.”

Karam characterized Harvard Medical School as another victim of the scheme and appreciated their cooperation with the federal investigation.

Deans of the Harvard Medical School wrote a letter to the community on Wednesday addressing the situation, saying that Cedric Lodge was fired on May 6. The letter was titled “An abhorrent betrayal.”

“We are appalled to learn that something so disturbing could happen on our campus — a community dedicated to healing and serving others. The reported incidents are a betrayal of HMS and, most importantly, each of the individuals who altruistically chose to will their bodies to HMS through the Anatomical Gift Program to advance medical education and research,” said the statement from George Daley, the dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Harvard University and Edward Hundert, the dean for Medical Education at Harvard Medical School.

They offered an apology to the families and loved ones and donors, offering them resources including a 24/7 counseling hotline — anyone who thinks they may have been affected by the scheme can also reach out to federal investigators at usapam-victim.information@usdoj.gov or 717-614-4249.

The $500 million building, the next-to-last element of the World Trade Center redevelopment to open following the 2001 terrorist attacks, announced its inaugural season Wednesday.

“Cats” will appear in June and July 2024 directed by Zhailon Levingston and Bill Rauch, with choreography by Arturo Lyons and Omari Wiles.

The musical will have reimagined staging set in Harlem’s drag Ballroom Culture. Bill Rauch, PAC’s artistic director, said Ballroom Culture will come across in the casting, staging and design.

“Certainly Ballroom beats will affect how some of the songs are orchestrated,” he said.

Lloyd Webber’s “The Phantom of the Opera” closed on April 16 at the Majestic Theater after 13,981 performances, leaving the legendary composer with no shows on Broadway for the first time since 1979. The original “Cats” production ran for 7,485 performances from 1982-2000, and a revival in 2016-17 ran for 593.

The PAC, designed by Joshua Ramus of REX, is to open with a ribbon-cutting on Sept. 13. A five-night opening called “A Concert Series to Welcome the World,” with pay-as-you-wish seating, begins Sept. 19 with “NYC Tapestry: Home as Refuge” that includes Laurie Anderson, Raven Chacon, Natalie Diaz and Angélique Kidjo, among others.

“Watch Night,” a multidisciplinary piece composed by Tamar-kali, co-conceived, directed and choreographed by Bill T. Jones, runs from Nov. 3-18 and melds spirituals, opera and poetry. Luna Pearl Woolf’s “Number Our Days” a multimedia oratorio, runs from April 12-14. “An American Soldier,” the Huang Ruo opera that premiered at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., in 2014, gets its New York premiere from May 12-19.

Among theater options, Laurence Fishburne premieres a one-man show “Like They Do in The Movies” from March 10-31. An evening with Brian Stokes Mitchell is scheduled for Oct. 5 and Anthony Roth Costanzo has a cabaret show Dec. 20.

The PAC is clad in translucent, veined Portuguese marble that creates amber light in the day and glows at night. It features three performance spaces that can be used separately or combined: the John E. Zuccotti Theater (seating 450), the Mike Nichols Theater (250), and the Doris Duke Foundation Theater (99).

With proscenium, thrust and in-the-round formations, there are 60 stage-audience arrangements of 90-950 seats. The space, launched with a $75 million gift from Ronald Perelman in 2016, includes a restaurant led by chef Marcus Samuelsson and designed by David Rockwell and the Rockwell Group. A lobby stage is open to the public for free performances.

The flexible space is similar but different from The Shed, which opened in 2019 at the Hudson Yards Development, and the Park Avenue Armory, which has presented arts programming since 2007.

“The Shed and the Armory work perfectly for big things,” said PAC chairman Mike Bloomberg, the former New York City mayor, who contributed $130 million. “This, the scale is different. You can have a 20-person audience and a 20-person performance, and you can do that here. Number two, it is to some extent a different audience. This is downtown, that’s midtown. Lots of places to go midtown. Love ‘em all. Supported them all, probably. Visited them all. Go to them all. But downtown has never really had a lot of that. And if you think about it, you’ve got the Staten Island Ferry, you’ve got subways from four boroughs coming over, you’ve got the PATH tube from New Jersey. People can get here.”

The last building of the redevelopment, 2 World Trade Center, is projected to open in 2027.

A jury found Byad Lockett and Darryl Watson guilty in the Sept. 2021 Essex County jail attack against then 21-year-old Jayshawn Boyd, prosecutors announced Wednesday. The jury found Lockett and Watson guilty of attempted murder, aggravated assault and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.

The third inmate, Isaad Jackson, was only found guilty of the final charge. Prosecutors said the jury was hung on the attempted murder and assault charges.

The vicious beatdown was caught on video, many of the images too disturbing too watch. In it, the three men stomp on Boyd, hit him with a mop handle, douse him with bleach, throw a water cooler and then a microwave at his head. According to Essex County officials, a total of seven inmates were involved in the attack.

“The victim was unconscious after sustaining serious head shots during the seven-on-one assault. Lockett, Watson, and Jackson then returned to the defenseless body of Boyd and struck him in the head multiple times with industrial-sized items,” Deputy Chief Assistant Prosecutor Justin Edwab said.

The sentencing for the three men is set for September.

That Boyd can walk at all shows his incredible will to survive — no one thought he could live after the beating in the C-Pod at the Essex County jail. Boyd, whose family says suffers from schizophrenia, had never been put in general population before the day of the beating.

“The way they beat my son, I couldn’t even watch the video,” Nacolia Boyd, Jayshawn’s mother, said. “My son Is not the same. He can’t do things on his own anymore. He can’t go to the store—can’t dress himself-it’s hard for me. You don’t have the life you did before.”

The Boyd family is now suing the county and correction officials. Attorney Brooke Barnett says the duration of the beating with no intervention by jail guards was unacceptable.

”He’s placed in the jail—in less than 10 minutes, this is what’s happening,” Barnett said. “And nobody came to his aid.”

The seven-on-one attack went on for two minutes and 23 seconds, according to Barnett.

Union officials said the sole officer on duty in that unit had not been academy trained. According to prosecutors, he left for his safety and called for backup. A year and a half later, officers without academy training are still being put into units at a ratio of one to every 64 inmates.

County officials insist they have implemented safety and security changes since the assault on Boyd.

“We are employing national standards and we are employing best practices,” ECCR Director Donald Charles said.

But according to internal documents obtained by the News 4 I-Team, there have been a total of 17 inmate-on-inmate or inmate-on-staff incidents since March. Officer Jeffrey Matos was stabbed and beaten by a group of inmates on May 17.

“They don’t care about our safety. I’ve never seen the jail this dangerous in my life,” Matos said.

Barnett, who represents several inmate families, agrees.

“You talk about Rikers, Essex County Jail, they’re worse than Rikers,” she said.

Boyd, his family says, will need a lifetime of care.

“They should have been on a job protecting these inmates. Just because you’re in jail, doesn’t mean you have to be treated like an animal. And it shouldn’t have happened to my son. No one should have gone through that,” his mother said.

One defendant has already pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, while three others have yet to be tried.

Gambling giant MGM Resorts International says it did nothing wrong in its dealings with a New York City man who accuses it of preying on his gambling addiction with repeated cash bonuses intended to keep him gambling.

In court papers, MGM says Sam Antar, a twice-jailed “fraudster” who repeatedly victimized friends, relatives and strangers, is engaging in “his latest scheme” by falsely accusing MGM of wrongdoing.

“Sam Antar is a convicted felon and repeat fraudster who has pled guilty to defrauding numerous individuals out of hundreds of thousands of dollars in false stock investment schemes,” MGM wrote in its June 9 response to Antar’s litigation, filed in U.S. District Court in New Jersey. “Rather than accept accountability for his own actions, Antar blames BetMGM for his crimes, falsely claiming that BetMGM preyed upon his alleged gambling addiction.”

MGM is asking a federal judge to dismiss Antar’s lawsuit and refer the matter to arbitration, which it says is required by the terms of service to which Antar agreed when he opened an online gambling account with the company.

The company also denies it violated any New Jersey laws.

The company did not respond to requests for comment beyond what is contained in its court filing.

Antar is the nephew of Eddie Antar, who founded the Crazy Eddie electronics stores in the 1970s and 1980s. Eddie Antar defrauded investors out of more than $74 million, and died in 2016.

In 2013, Sam Antar was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison for taking $225,000 in a fraudulent investment scheme. He was convicted and jailed last year on theft by deception charges involving nearly $350,000. In April, he admitted committing federal securities fraud for bilking investors including friends stemming from that same case, and was ordered in May to pay restitution.

“I would like to publicly apologize to all the people I hurt,” he said in an interview Wednesday.

His initial lawsuit, filed last September, accused MGM of plying him with bonus cash to dissuade him from reporting to New Jersey gambling regulators numerous instances in which he was gambling online and was disconnected from the system — often when he had a winning hand.

His revised lawsuit, filed in May, drops those allegations and focuses on what his lawyer Matthew Litt calls “what’s really important here to society as a whole: the enticement by the casino of a person who was showing signs of being a problem gambler.”

Antar, who has homes in New York and in Long Branch, New Jersey, gambled $30 million over 100,000 bets during nine months in 2019, according to his lawsuit, which does not specify how much he actually lost. Litt would not estimate those losses, although a previous lawyer in Antar’s case said they totaled “easily hundreds of thousands of dollars.”

In its response, MGM says it did not create or worsen a gambling problem in Antar or anyone else.

“To be sure, BetMGM takes problem gambling seriously, and has numerous options for persons to self-exclude or limit their play, as well as resources for assistance,” the company wrote. “However, New Jersey law does not include a common law duty to protect problem gamblers from their actions.

“Despite a heightened sensitivity to problem gaming, New Jersey courts have repeatedly held that casinos have no common law duty to prevent alleged ‘compulsive gamblers’ from gambling,” MGM wrote.

The latest version of Antar’s lawsuit makes some of the same claims that were raised — and rejected by a judge — in another person’s lawsuit targeting Atlantic City casinos. In 2008, a federal judge ruled against New York gambler Arelia Taveras who sued seven casinos whom she said had a duty to stop her from gambling. She lost nearly $1 million over two years, including dayslong gambling binges.

“She spent money on the bona fide chance that she might win more money,” U.S. District Court Judge Renee Bumb wrote in a 2008 ruling. “In short, she gambled. The mere fact that defendants profited from her misfortune, while lamentable, does not establish a cognizable claim in the law.”

MGM cites that case among its numerous defenses to Antar’s litigation.

The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office declined to comment Wednesday afternoon. Penny’s legal team released a statement saying the standard of proof in a grand jury is low and there “has been no finding of wrongdoing.”

“We’re all saddened at the loss of human life,” Thomas Kenniff said. “Daniel Penny saw a genuine threat and took action to protect the lives of others.” 

After hearing about the indictment, Neely’s family attorney said in part: “The grand jury’s decision tells our city and our nation that ‘no one is above the law’ no mater how much money they raise, no mater what affiliates they claim, and no matter what distorted stories they tell in interviews.”

Mayor Eric Adams seemingly confirmed the grand jury indictment when his office released a statement late Wednesday.

“I appreciate DA [Alvin] Bragg conducting a thorough investigation into the death of Jordan Neely. Like I said when the DA first brought charges, I have the utmost faith in the judicial process, and now that the Grand Jury has indicted Daniel Penny, a trial and justice can move forward,” the mayor’s statement read.

Penny, 24, was arrested May 12 on a single charge of second-degree manslaughter and was released on $100,000 bond. He was ordered to surrender any passports and must ask the court’s permission if he wants to leave the state.

Neely died after he was placed in a chokehold May 1 on a northbound F train in lower Manhattan. The popular Michael Jackson street performer was homeless and on a list of the 50 most at-risk people living on New York City streets.

Penny’s lawyers previously said he acted in self-defense and acted to protect fellow subway riders from a supposed perceived threat. They say he could “not have foreseen” Neely would die in the chokehold, and have called his death “the unfortunate result” of good Samaritan intervention. They also say he’ll be absolved of the charge.

Donte Mills, a lawyer for Neely’s family, has disputed Penny’s version of events, saying the veteran “acted with indifference. He didn’t care about Jordan, he cared about himself. And we can’t let that stand.”

“Mr. Neely did not attack anyone,” Mills said following Penny’s arrest. “He did not touch anyone. He did not hit anyone. But he was choked to death.

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“No one on that train asked Jordan: ‘What’s wrong, how can I help you?’” Mills continued, urging New Yorkers in a similar situation: “Don’t attack. Don’t choke. Don’t kill. Don’t take someone’s life. Don’t take someone’s loved one from them because they’re in a bad place.”

News of the indictment comes days after Penny’s lawyers released videos where the 24-year-old defends his actions, saying he was scared for himself and others on the F train that day.

Penny doubled down on his defense in the series of short videos, explaining why he put the 30-year-old Neely in the chokehold that killed him, the medical examiner determined. Witnesses said Neely came onto the train yelling about wanting food and threatening riders.

The Woodbridge Township worker in the Public Works Department was painting lines for a soccer field just after 12 p.m. Wednesday when the bolt struck him, officials said. The field is located outside of Iselin Middle School at Hyde Avenue and Patton Street.

The strike was captured on doorbell camera by a local resident. Jay Heday, who witnessed it all go down, said that the man was flat on the ground immediately after.

First responders who raced to the scene hooked the man up to an AED minutes later and started working on him.

“We were able to see burn marks, started compressions to get his heart going,” said Officer RJ McPartland, who was able to restore Baumgartner’s pulse after he initiated CPR.

The employee, identified by as 39-year-old Eric Baumgartner, was conscious and alert afterwards, according to the mayor. Baumgartner’s condition was not immediately clear.

Abeer Viriani faces two counts each of aggravated manslaughter and second-degree vehicular homicide for the crash that occurred around 6 p.m. Tuesday in Highland Park, according to the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office. The horrific rush hour scene near North 10th Avenue and Raritan Avenue involved three vehicles, one of which was pushed up to the front of a business along the road due to the impact of the crash.

Covered bodies were seen laying near one of the vehicles. On Wednesday, the prosecutor’s office identified the victims of the Subaru that Viriani, of Iselin, had struck. Peter Palmer, 75, and Carol Paul, 77, were pronounced dead at the scene. The grandparents were from Easton, Maryland, according to Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone.

Neighbors said the couple had been visiting their grandchildren in the area. Their car was twisted in the wreckage, according to neighbors, leaving them trapped inside as at least two of the cars were on fire.

One neighbor, Dana Cappa, said she saw a survivor pleading with another crash victim to hang on.

“He said ‘don’t die on me, don’t die on me,’ he was trying to help his friend,” Cappa said.

The driver of the other car Viriani struck, a Hyundai Elantra, suffered minor injuries. Viriani, 34, was seriously injured in the crash and was taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, where both are expected to survive.

Attorney information for Viriani, who was being held pending a pre-trial detention, was not immediately known.

Officials have not given a possible cause of the crash, but locals say something like this was bound to happen. They say they see cars racing one another all the time, flying down the road that connects Edison to Highland Park.

The deadly incident occurred just after 8 p.m. on a northbound J train approaching the Marcy Avenue and Broadway stop in Williamsburg, according to police. Officers responded to a 911 call of a man stabbed while aboard the train, and when they got to the train station, found a 36-year-old man who had been stabbed in the chest.

The victim, identified as Devictor Ouedraogo, was rushed to New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Law enforcement sources told NBC New York that Ouedraogo had been harassing multiple passengers while acting belligerent and erratic toward others on board. He may have been under the influence of something, sources said, but a toxicology report will determine if that was the case.

On Wednesday, Jordan Williams, of Queens, was arrested and charged with manslaughter and weapon possession in connection to the alleged subway stabbing. Attorney information for Williams was not immediately available.

The 20-year-old suspect did not say anything when police led him out of the 90th Precinct in handcuffs Wednesday afternoon. He only nodded “yes” when asked if he acted in self-defense in the previous night’s incident.

Williams’ girlfriend was one of the people who Ouedraogo had been harassing, according to a police official — and another source said that Ouedraogo punched Williams’ girlfriend.

It was not immediately clear what led up to the stabbing.

Investigators are now in the process of going through cell phone video that captured the deadly scuffle.

The 34-year-old mom was with her 3-year-old daughter near Jay Street and Tillary Street in Downtown Brooklyn around 3:30 p.m. Monday when a woman in a blonde wig walking by started arguing with her, police said. The woman threatened to harm the young child, which is when the mother stepped between her and the stroller to protect the child.

The other woman took out a knife and stabbed the mother in the chest and multiple times in the legs before running off on Jay Street, according to police. Surveillance cameras captured the woman talking on the phone – with a blonde wig under her arm.

The mother was taken to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, where she is expected to recover. Her toddler was not hurt, police said.

Police said Lequasiah Lawrence, 25, was taken into custody on Wednesday for charges including felony assault and attempted murder. Contact information for her attorney was not immediately known.

The blaze broke out around 5:30 a.m. on the top floor of an apartment building on 242nd Street in the Wakefield neighborhood, the FDNY said. The building was home to hundreds of people and has three towers, one of which had extensive damage along with the damage on either side.

Two victims, a man and a woman, died as a result of the flames. A third victim suffered injuries that were not considered life-threatening. Five firefighters also suffered injuries, but none were considered serious, the FDNY said.

The flames were under control after 7:15 a.m., nearly two hours after the fire erupted. The Red Cross is using P.S. 16 to accommodate the displaced residents this afternoon.

A cause of the fire was not immediately clear. An investigation was ongoing.

Law enforcement sources say the swimmer was a 13-year-old boy, who was taken to the hospital in grave condition after he was pulled from the water in Prospect Park.

Emergency responders rushed to the lake around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday after a group of men helped carry the boy out of the water.

“We saw them pulling him out. He was on the stretcher. They were pumping his chest in the back of the ambulance,” a witness to the rescue attempt, Alana Thomas, said.

Witnesses said the boy was in the lake — playing with friends— when he suddenly went under.

“One went too far in. When he went in, he was like I can’t swim and he dropped down. The friends tried to help,” Thomas said.

The Prospect Park Alliance warns visitors from going into the water, but residents told News 4 they see people do it frequently.

Mayor Eric Adams repeatedly praised Sewell’s character and accomplishments on Tuesday, one day after the commissioner delivered her resignation to the mayor after nearly 18 months on the job.

But what the mayor won’t say is why she handed in her notice. He declined to say whether Sewell gave a reason for her upcoming departure and scolded City Hall reporters who asked about the suggestion by NYPD insiders and recent reports that the commissioner felt micromanaged and unempowered to make decisions.

“If Commissioner Sewell wants to tell you why she’s leaving, then you should speak to her,” Adams said Tuesday. “Don’t put words in her mouth that she did not tell you.”

Those who know Commissioner Sewell says it’s likely she will never spill the real reasons why she is walking away from a policing dream job. She is famous for avoiding the spotlight, as she did Tuesday, when she tried to stop a standing ovation in her honor.

Adams also refused to hint at any names for her replacement, as speculation over who could take over as the top cop already gets underway. Among the name circulating is Adams’ close associate Chief of Department Chief Jeffrey Maddrey.

Sewell tried to discipline Maddrey for interfering in the arrest of a police officer. Adams on Tuesday denied that tensions over the situation caused a rift in his own relationship with Sewell, and he defended his right to be involved in NYPD decisions.

“Some people might call it a micromanager, I call it being the mayor of the city that you love,” he said.

The mayor would not budge on another potential contender, his close friend Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Phil Banks — who in recent weeks is suddenly taking a more public role.

“When we’re ready to make an announcement, we’ll make an announcement,” Adams said.

When New York Yankees outfielder Oswaldo Cabrera stepped onto the field during Tuesday’s game against the New York Mets, he was wearing his grandmother’s tooth on a chain around his neck, according to Meredith Marakovits of YES Network.   

“He walked by me in the clubhouse today and I said, ‘What’s that on your necklace? Is that a tooth?'” Marakovits said during Tuesday’s game. “And he said, ‘Yeah, it’s a tooth. My mom told me to wear it.’ It’s his grandma Anna’s tooth. He said, ‘Whatever my mom tells me to do, I’m gonna do.’ So, he’s a good son, but I’ve never seen that before.”

Nor have other baseball fans, or dentists, or anyone else for that matter. The revelation about the 24-year-old’s necklace – with the tooth dangling from a gold chain – led to many questions and jokes on social media and in the broadcast booth.

“Is grandma Anna still with us without a tooth?” Yankees play-by-play announcer Michael Kay said.

“It looks like grandma had a filling in that tooth, too,” Yankees analyst Paul O’Neill said. “It’s all beat up…I’ve seen a shark tooth on some people’s necklaces but never a human tooth.”

“It would be funny if he was wearing a whole denture,” Kay joked.

“Floss your teeth, kids,” analyst David Cone added.

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The flat-bottomed boat carrying local hospitality workers capsized Monday during a tour of an historic underground water tunnel off the Erie Canal in the western New York city of Lockport, killing one person.

“By the time I realized what happened, the boat was on top of me and I couldn’t find any air pockets or anything. And I’m just trying to, like, breathe because I’m underwater,” survivor Daniel Morrissette told ABC’s “Good Morning America” in an interview aired Tuesday.

The unidentified person who died also was trapped after the boat operated by Lockport Cave Tours capsized. Eleven people were brought to hospitals, mostly with minor injuries, according to officials.

Elizabeth Morrissette told GMA people were panicking and yelling loudly as they were thrown into the water, which emergency officials said was between 5 feet and 6 feet deep.

Some passengers were able to get to safety. Emergency crews used an inflatable boat to rescue about 16 others, fire officials said.

City of Lockport Police were investigating the accident. An email seeking an update was sent to the police chief Tuesday.

The tours take visitors on an underground boat ride through a rough-hewn tunnel, which was blasted out in the 19th century to transport canal water as an industrial power source.

The attraction is about 20 miles northeast of Niagara Falls.

Greg Masaitis and 12-year-old Anthony were sitting in their backyard when they noticed the fawn wobbling in their backyard.

“I started recording to show my wife and daughter when suddenly it fell into the pool,” recalled Masaitis of St. James.

Masaitis never stopped recording, and captured the entire rescue on his camera phone.

“Hang on, hang on, back up Anthony the mother won’t like that,” Masaitis says in the video, fearful that the mother deer would reject the baby if it got too close to humans.

But Masaitis said they didn’t have much choice after the fawn fell into the pool and struggled to get out.

“I was like oh my gosh, is she going to drown?” Anthony asked himself. “Is she going in the deep end?  Do I have to go inside the pool to get her?”

When the fawn swam to the other end of the pool Anthony ran to the other side and scooped her out with his arms.  

His father could be heard on the video saying “Just get her out. When you get her out, just let her go because the mother isn’t going to be happy.”

But the video shows the fawn falling back in, and Anthony scooping her up again.

“I grabbed her out again and put her a little bit away from the pool so she wouldn’t fall back in,” explained Anthony.  

The family believes the baby deer was reunited with its mother because a security camera placed in the woods behind their house captured images of a doe and her fawn. Anthony, a sixth grader in middle school, is now enjoying his turn in the limelight, after rescuing the baby deer probably just several hours old.

“It feels great because it was my first time holding or touching a deer so it was an experience,” said Anthony.

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A state Senate committee unanimously passed Bill A4939 on Monday — the measure now heads to the full Senate floor. The bill has already pass the House.

The Supreme Court ruled bans on interracial marriage were illegal on June 12, 1967, a day known as “Loving Day.” But, New Jersey never change its state laws.

After last year’s abortion ruling, there is concern other rights gained by Supreme Court decisions could be lost. This bill moving through the state legislature would enshrine those protections into law.

“This bill declares the right of a person to marry or enter into a civil union with a person of any race is fundamental and that race is not a prohibiting factor,” a statement by the Assembly Judiciary Committee read earlier this year.

Gov. Phil Murphy has said he plans to sign the bill if it comes to his desk.

The emergency court hearing on Tuesday came after a federal monitor overseeing the jails system outlined a pattern of disturbing incidents — including detainee deaths and grave injuries — that jail officials failed to report as required last month.

The monitor, Steve Martin, said the city’s jails commissioner also personally lobbied him not to publicly release a report on those findings, claiming it would “fuel the flames of those who believe we cannot govern ourselves.”

In response, U.S. District Judge Laura Taylor Swain ordered attorneys for both detainees and the city to formally discuss a potential receivership structure, an extraordinary intervention that would end New York City’s control over one of the nation’s largest and most famous jails. Swain said she would consider the proposal in August.

She also ordered the city to notify the monitor immediately anytime someone dies or suffers a serious injury in custody, rebuking jail officials for flouting reporting requirements put in place following a 2015 federal consent decree.

“I find that it is unfortunately necessary to clarify and underscore the responsibilities that have been imposed by orders that have been in place for years,” she said during the three-hour video hearing.

Advocates for detainees say a federal receivership is necessary to stem the violence on Rikers Island, where 19 people died last year, the highest number in a quarter of a century. In November, the judge rejected calls for a receiver, allowing the city more time to undertake promised reforms.

Mayor Eric Adams has repeatedly touted the success of those efforts, pointing to a reduction in slashings and staff absenteeism since he took office and appointed Department of Correction Louis Molina in January 2022.

But on Wednesday, Judge Swain indicated her position on a federal takeover may be shifting, saying the court’s confidence in the city had been “shaken by the incidents of the past few weeks.”

She pointed to a report issued by the federal monitor detailing violent incidents that jail officials allegedly neglected to report to the monitor, including the death of a detainee who was originally said to have suffered a heart attack, but was later discovered to have died from a skull fracture.

Another man who attempted to flee from correction officers was tackled and paralyzed from the neck down, an injury the monitor said also wasn’t properly reported.

“The Department’s approach to reform has recently become characterized by inaccuracies and a lack of transparency,” the monitor wrote.

In addition to her concerns about reporting, the judge also called out efforts by city leaders “to shape public opinion and public perception on these very serious issues.”

In recent weeks, Adams and Molina have allowed select reporters to view footage of Rikers Island that they claim would undermine the monitor’s narrative. The Department of Correction has also said it will cease alerting the public about detainee deaths.

Asked about his agency’s media strategy on Wednesday, Molina said he was trying to protect against bad-faith criticism, arguing the monitor’s findings of chronic violence could undercut efforts to stabilize the jail system.

“What I was trying to get the monitor to appreciate is that we have a number of groups that just want to see the department fail because it advances their position that Rikers Island or the city’s jail system should not exist,” Molina said.