The weather's getting warm and New Yorkers are finally getting outside again en masse.
This week, we reported on NYC mayoral candidate and current City Comptroller Scott Stringer being accused of sexual harassment, the candidates running for City Council in Brooklyn's District 33, an unusual weapon of choice in a crime in Queens and a roundabout arrest in a Bronx murder.
Catch up on this week's news below, and follow our borough-specific accounts to get the daily news most relevant to you.
Manhattan Echo
NYC mayoral candidate, City Comptroller Scott Stringer accused of sexual abuse and harassment
Jean Kim, a former intern for Democratic New York City Comptroller and current mayoral candidate Scott Stringer, accused him of touching her sexually without consent.
Several of Stringer's rivals have called for him to resign and drop out of the race since Kim's allegations emerged Wednesday.
Stringer released a statement denying the accusations and saying that survivors of harassment have the right to come forward.
"I will reserve further comment until this person has had the opportunity to share their story," he said. "For now, let me say without equivocation: These allegations are untrue and do not reflect my interactions with anyone, including any woman or member of my staff."
There is a 600-square-foot speakeasy discreetly tucked behind a door inside Manhattan's 28th Street subway station called La Noxe.
According to La Noxe's website, the idea for the cocktail bar was "born from a desire to bring Mediterranean energy into a quintessential New York location."
Curious visitors will need to get past the lush lounge's 1,500-person waitlist. La Noxe has extremely limited seating and guests have to vie for a spot through the bar's Instagram or email the team to register interest.
NYC's Madame Tussauds to add wax figure of Vice President Kamala Harris
Vice President Kamala Harris will make history as the first vice president to get a wax figure at Madame Tussauds.
The museum announced Wednesday that Harris, who is the first woman, first Black person and first Asian American vice president, will be getting a wax figure in honor of her first 100 days in office.
President Joe Biden’s wax figure is also in the works and was announced following the 2020 presidential election.
The sculptures will take roughly four to six months to complete, and will be displayed in the "Oval Office Experience" at Madame Tussauds New York, where visitors will be able to pose with them.
NYPD ends contract with robot 'Digidog' following community backlash
The New York City Police Department is getting rid of its robot dog after facing backlash from the community.
The department canceled its contract with the robot’s creator, Boston Dynamics, on April 22. The contract, worth roughly $94,000, was terminated four months before it was set to expire.
The Digidog came under fire when it was used as part of the response to a home invasion in the Bronx in February.
The Brooklyn Beat
Who's running for City Council in Brooklyn: District 33
In addition to the mayor's office, the city council is up for grabs all over the city. In Brooklyn, District 33 covers Boerum Hill, Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn Navy Yard, Downtown Brooklyn, Dumbo, Fulton Ferry, Greenpoint, Vinegar Hill and Williamsburg.
Incumbent City Councilmember Stephen Levin is not running again due to term limits that prohibit holding office for more than two consecutive four-year terms.
Click the above headline for more details on the following candidates: April Somboun, Ben Solotaire, Elizabeth Adams, Lincoln Restler, Sabrina Gates, Stu Sherman, Toba Potosky and Victoria Cambranes.
Check back each week for additional candidate round-ups in Brooklyn by district.
Family, friends and fans paid tribute to DMX at Barclays Center, private service to be held Sunday
Rapper DMX was celebrated at a memorial with family, friends and fans at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on April 24.
The ceremony was live-streamed on DMX’s YouTube channel. Close friends Swizz Beatz and Nas spoke, and DMX's children also gathered on stage to speak of their father. One of his daughters also rapped in honor of him.
DMX, whose birth name is Earl Simmons, passed away on April 9 after suffering a "cardiac arrest." The Grammy-nominated rapper spent several days on life support after being rushed to a White Plains hospital from his home on April 2.
On Sunday, DMX will be laid to rest after a private service which will also be live-streamed for fans to watch.
The service is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. and will be live-streamed on his YouTube channel and by BET.
Police arrest protesters demanding NYPD fire Brooklyn officer who brandished gun
Protesters demanding the NYPD fire an officer who brandished his gun at protesters last January marched across the Brooklyn Bridge on April 24.
Police pepper-sprayed, beat and arrested demonstrators after declaring the bridge closed and forcing activists off of the pedestrian walkway.
The protesters gathered in Foley Square and marched across the Brooklyn Bridge. They demanded the NYPD fire Artem Prusayev, an officer from the 84th Precinct in Northern Brooklyn who brandished his gun at peaceful protesters in January.
Police gave six protesters court summonses.
The Bronx Beacon
Murder suspect turns himself in at Bronx's 40th Precinct after being apprehended in North Carolina
The lead suspect of a Bronx murder from October surrendered to authorities on Wednesday, the NYPD reported.
Andrew Hawkins arrived at the 40th Precinct with his lawyer on Wednesday. The 41-year-old suspect faces accusations of shooting and killing Leon Vega near a church at E. 154 Street and Elton Avenue in the Melrose section of the borough on Oct. 22.
The alleged killer was apprehended in Charlotte, North Carolina, last October, and the NYPD acquired a warrant to extradite Hawkins but he was somehow released on bond, police said.
Hawkins faces multiple charges including murder, manslaughter and possession of a loaded gun.
Lottery opens for 41 affordable studio apartments in South Bronx, starting from $843/month
A new rental building is now accepting applications for 41 affordable studio apartments in the South Bronx. The apartments are located at 972 Washington Avenue in the Morrisania neighborhood.
The units are set aside for adults and families with a history of mental illness as well as formerly homeless, disabled and low-income New Yorkers.
New Yorkers earning 60% of the area median income, between $31,406 and $50,160 annually for a one-person household and between $31,406 and $57,300 annually for a two-person household, are eligible to apply. The studios start at $843/month.
Qualifying New Yorkers can apply for the apartments until June 25. Preference for 50% of the housing units will be given to residents of Bronx Community Board 3.
For more information on how to apply, visit housingconnect.nyc.gov, or call NYC’s Housing Connect department by dialing 311.
NYPD investigating vandalism attacks on Jewish synagogues in the Bronx
The NYPD launched an investigation after multiple Jewish synagogues were vandalized in the Bronx last weekend.
Investigators report the suspect used rocks to break windows at four houses of worship, all targeted from Friday to late Saturday. They also believe they are only in search of one suspect after noting the proximity of the synagogues and the times of the attacks.
The NYPD is investigating the vandalism attacks as hate crimes.
Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). Tips can also be submitted through the Crime Stoppers website at crimestoppers.nypdonline.org or by messaging on Twitter @NYPDTips. All calls are kept confidential.
Queens Daily News
Sanitation workers save kitten about to be crushed by trash truck compactor
Two sanitation workers in Broad Channel came to the rescue of a kitten Monday as it was about to get crushed by a garbage truck's compactor.
They were about to a trash bag into their truck's hopper when they meowing. Upon opening the bag, they found a 10-month-old kitten that they have since named Hopper.
"I couldn't believe it, I'm like who would do this – put the cat in a bag, there are so many different outlets to help a cat with a better life than to put him in a bag and tie it up and put tape around the top – I can't help but think it was intentional," sanitation worker William Montero said.
Noah's Ark Animal Rescue is nursing Hopper back to health and will later look for someone to adopt him.
Queens man allegedly pulls bow and arrow on FedEx driver
A Queens man was arrested Tuesday after allegedly pulling a bow and arrow on a FedEx worker.
The incident took place near 59th Avenue and Lawrence Street around 11:45 a.m. when the 38-year-old deliveryman was singing a song while dropping off packages. His singing reportedly upset 22-year-old Alexander Carrior.
Police said Carrior accused the man of trying to make a move on his girlfriend and went into his house to get a bow and arrow and chased the courier back to his truck.
Carrior has been charged with criminal possession of a weapon, menacing, reckless endangerment and harassment.
Uber driver attacked with glass bottle in Queens, left with fractured skull
An Uber driver is in critical condition after he was attacked by a group of people on Sunday.
The incident happened around 12:20 a.m. near 138th Street and Jamaica Avenue when a group member reportedly threw a glass bottle at the driver, injuring his head, face and reportedly fracturing his skull.
Police say the group got angry and attacked him because he wouldn't allow them all into his car.
The 41-year-old man was taken to Jamaica Hospital and is listed in critical condition. Police have not made any arrests and it is unclear how many people were in the group.
The New York City Update
Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Wednesday that New York's statewide curfew for bars and restaurants will end next month for both indoor and outdoor dining areas.
Here is a list of the following restrictions that will be lifted:
- Starting Monday: Regular bar seating will return to New York City. Catered events can also resume at individual homes if coronavirus protocols are in place.
- May 15: Outdoor dining 12 a.m. curfew for bars and restaurants will end.
- May 17: 1 a.m. curfew will end for catered events where attendees have provided proof of vaccination or a recent negative COVID-19 test.
- May 31: Indoor dining 12 a.m. curfew for bars and restaurants will end, along with the curfew for all catered events.
The moves will be the state’s first repeal of any COVID-19 executive orders since voting to strip Cuomo of his pandemic emergency powers last month.