https://www.otdowntown.com/home/birthright-citizenship-upheld-as-supreme-court-rejects-trump-s-proposed-limits-IB5993659 hourly Our Town - Downtowner en 2026-07-07T15:53:40-04:00 Birthright Citizenship Upheld As Supreme Court Rejects Trump’s Proposed Limits https://www.otdowntown.com/binrepository/birthrightcitizenshipimage-dsc07760-scaled_4-10881420_20260701190308.jpg The 14th Amendment has ensured birthright citizenship since 1868 and the Supreme Court upheld that provision, dealing a blow to President Donald Trump who had railed against the law for more than a decade. The amendment guarantees people born on U.S. soil are citizens, regardless of their parents’ citizenship status. https://www.otdowntown.com/news/city-council-repeals-security-gate-law-after-small-business-backlash-XH6009088 hourly Our Town - Downtowner en 2026-07-08T12:08:29-04:00 City Council Repeals Security Gate Law After Small Business Backlash https://www.otdowntown.com/binrepository/security-gate-70_4-10898030_20260708122650.png The NY City Council reversed a local law which would have required storeowners to replace existing security gates with grilles that have 70% visibility, such as the one above, from the sidewalk. https://www.otdowntown.com/news/chelsea-downtown-manhattan-events-jul-9-15-IB6012183 hourly Our Town - Downtowner en 2026-07-08T12:10:48-04:00 Chelsea & Downtown Manhattan Events: Jul. 9-15 https://www.otdowntown.com/binrepository/public-theater-via-publictheater-org_4-10899889_20260708121050.jpg Public Theater via publictheater.org https://www.otdowntown.com/binrepository/bryant-park-via-www-bryantpark-org_4-10899943_20260708121051.jpg bryant park via www.bryantpark.org https://www.otdowntown.com/news/truck-transporting-lithium-ion-batteries-and-e-bikes-explodes-LF6007049 hourly Our Town - Downtowner en 2026-07-08T12:21:19-04:00 Truck Transporting Lithium Ion Batteries and E-Bikes Explodes https://www.otdowntown.com/binrepository/bs4i0129_4-10895689_20260706154901.jpg FDNY responded to a call about a truck fire in Chelsea at 3:11 p.m. on July 5 and discovered e-bikes with lithium ion batteries had erupted. https://www.otdowntown.com/binrepository/joco-bike-pulled-pulled-from-burning_4-10899949_20260708122103.jpg One of the JOCO e-bikes pulled from the back of the cargo truck. https://www.otdowntown.com/binrepository/charred-joco-bikes_4-10899952_20260708122104.jpg About a half dozen charred JOCO e-bikes were pulled from the back of the cargo truck where the fire erupted on July 5. https://www.otdowntown.com/binrepository/bs4i0154_4-10895733_20260706161049.jpg The truck that was transporting the e-bikes in its cargo hold appeared to be a total loss after firefighters extinguished the blaze. https://www.otdowntown.com/news/crime-watch/brawling-female-knicks-fans-at-ticker-tape-parade-go-viral-AN5960750 hourly Our Town - Downtowner en 2026-07-08T13:27:22-04:00 Brawling Female Knicks Fans at Ticker-tape Parade Go Viral https://www.otdowntown.com/features/education-guide/transfiguration-school-excels-a-catholic-education-in-chinatown-HA5570238 hourly Our Town - Downtowner en 2026-07-08T13:29:34-04:00 Transfiguration School Excels: A Catholic Education in Chinatown https://www.otdowntown.com/binrepository/transfiguration-school-excels-church_4-10344443_20260213155806.jpg Church of Transfiguration and its neighboring School on Mott Street. https://www.otdowntown.com/binrepository/transfiguration-school-chinatown-arch_4-10345150_20260215132845.jpg Transfiguration School students recently made paper flowers welcoming Archbishop Hicks. https://www.otdowntown.com/binrepository/transfiguration-church-excells-chinat_4-10344442_20260213160035.jpg Church of Transfiguration School at 29 Mott Street. https://www.otdowntown.com/features/summer-guide/music-AI5813046 hourly Our Town - Downtowner en 2026-07-08T13:33:47-04:00 Music https://www.otdowntown.com/binrepository/festival-orchestra-lincoln-center-hey_4-10685327_20260505091222.jpg FOLC conductor Jonathan Heyward and saxophonist Jess Gillam. https://www.otdowntown.com/features/summer-guide/kids-JI5813092 hourly Our Town - Downtowner en 2026-07-08T13:34:02-04:00 Kids https://www.otdowntown.com/binrepository/pier-51-hudson-river-park-summer-guid_4-10685628_20260505094956.jpg Monkey bars at Pier 51. https://www.otdowntown.com/binrepository/summer-guide-kids-joe-macken-museum-c_4-10692776_20260507021206.webp Joe Macken’s model Manhattan (& more!) at Museum of the City of New York. https://www.otdowntown.com/features/summer-guide/seniors-FJ5812766 hourly Our Town - Downtowner en 2026-07-08T13:42:27-04:00 Seniors https://www.otdowntown.com/binrepository/new-york-society-library-summer-guide_4-10685383_20260505091905.jpg The stacks at New York Society Library, including Cervantes. https://www.otdowntown.com/binrepository/summer-guide-szyk-museum-jewish-herit_4-10692794_20260507025345.webp Arthur Szyk, “Washington and his Soldiers” https://www.otdowntown.com/features/summer-guide/food-drink-YJ5812706 hourly Our Town - Downtowner en 2026-07-08T13:44:25-04:00 Food & Drink https://www.otdowntown.com/binrepository/summer-guide-food-lava-schwarma_4-10693064_20260507100618.jpg Expounding on pickel power at Lava Schwarma. https://www.otdowntown.com/binrepository/summer-guide-foods-chocoloate-babke-b_4-10693067_20260507100915.jpg Chocolate babke from Breads Bakery. https://www.otdowntown.com/binrepository/zaza-diner-zaza-salad-summer-guide-20_4-10685455_20260505093352.jpg The signature Zaza salad at Zaza Diner, 104 Greenwich St. https://www.otdowntown.com/news/the-knicks-win-jubilation-disorder-follows-nba-finals-LJ5946973 hourly Our Town - Downtowner en 2026-07-08T13:47:08-04:00 The Knicks Win!! Jubilation & Disorder Follows NBA Finals https://www.otdowntown.com/binrepository/times-square-after-the-knicks-win-nba_4-10829444_20260615172951.webp Fans climbed atop five school buses that were set aside to transport people from Manhattan to the World Cup games. One of the buses was later set on fire near Times Square. There were 65 arrests on the night,. https://www.otdowntown.com/binrepository/img-8006_4-10828906_20260615172952.jpg One fan in Times Square climbs atop a street lights while celebrating. https://www.otdowntown.com/binrepository/school-bus-on-fire_4-10829638_20260615173532.png A school bus was set on fire by fans celebrating the Knicks victory of the San Antonio Spurs on June 13. https://www.otdowntown.com/binrepository/img-3902_4-10829465_20260615172952.jpg Drivers and passengers got in on the celebrations, honking and dancing out of an SUV sunroof near Madison Square Garden on June 13. https://www.otdowntown.com/binrepository/some-pictures-that-i-took-at-msg-afte_4-10829447_20260615172956.webp Over 60 arrests made on the night of June 13th. https://www.otdowntown.com/binrepository/img-3901_4-10829468_20260615165223.jpg Fans sprayed graffiti on a metal storefront gate near Times Square during the Knicks victory celebration. https://www.otdowntown.com/news/freelancers-union-labor-group-offers-solidarity-to-the-solitary-XM5934505 hourly Our Town - Downtowner en 2026-07-08T13:50:00-04:00 Freelancers Union: Labor Group Offers Solidarity to the Solitary https://www.otdowntown.com/binrepository/freelancers-union-labor-group-day_4-10819000_20260612003050.jpg Freelancers Union “Freelance Isn’t Free Day” event, May 20. Kneeling with sign is Chief of Staff Andrea Gordillo; standing, bearded with sign, is FU’s former director Rafael Espinal. https://www.otdowntown.com/binrepository/freelancers-union-labor-group-solidar_4-10818988_20260612003043.jpg Freelancers Union “Freelance Isn’t Free” event panel. https://www.otdowntown.com/binrepository/freelancers-union-labor-group-day-sce_4-10818997_20260612003048.jpg Freelancers Union “Freelance Isn’t Free Day” included panels, lunch and networking. https://www.otdowntown.com/binrepository/freelancers-union-labor-group-hub-ent_4-10818991_20260612003045.jpg Freelancers Union headquarters and “Hub” entrance in Brooklyn. https://www.otdowntown.com/news/goldman-family-feud-manhattans-real-estate-empires-HH6009854 hourly Our Town - Downtowner en 2026-07-08T14:04:21-04:00 Family Feud Rocks One of NYC’s Largest Real Estate Empires https://www.otdowntown.com/binrepository/real-estate-mark-hotel-jpeg-10898254-10898254_4-10898254_20260707151738.jpg The Mark Hotel on Manhattan’s Upper East Side sits on land subject to a ground lease held by entities tied to the Goldman family’s real estate empire, which is at the center of ongoing litigation among heirs. https://www.otdowntown.com/binrepository/real-estate-goldman-family_4-10898298_20260707153807.jpg Jane Goldman (left), Steven Gurney-Goldman (center) and Amy Goldman Fowler. Steven and Amy have filed lawsuits and Surrogate’s Court petitions challenging the administration of Lillian Goldman’s estate and the governance of family-owned real estate companies. Jane has denied wrongdoing through court filings and her attorneys. https://www.otdowntown.com/binrepository/real-estate-sol-lillian_4-10898273_20260708135503.webp Real estate investor Sol Goldman and his wife, Lillian Goldman. Their estate and the companies that control the family’s vast Manhattan real estate holdings are now at the center of ongoing litigation among their heirs. https://www.otdowntown.com/news/clearwater-sloop-booted-from-boat-parade-over-advocacy-banners-NC6004942 hourly Our Town - Downtowner en 2026-07-08T14:22:05-04:00 Clearwater Sloop Booted from Boat Parade Over Advocacy Banners https://www.otdowntown.com/binrepository/3e0a4763_4-10893050_20260706112610.jpg The Clearwater sloop (above) sailing south towards the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge on the morning of the July 4th Sail4th 250 Parade of Sail. On the port side, its sail reads, “Save the Clean Water Act,” as part of the organization’s efforts towards environmental advocacy. https://www.otdowntown.com/binrepository/img-9441_4-10900859_20260708141703.jpg The U.S. Coast Guard approaching the Clearwater sloop. Officials said, “Turn your vessel back towards the bridge.” https://www.otdowntown.com/binrepository/img-8545_4-10900862_20260708141707.jpg The sail’s starboard side reads, “Indigenous Rights, Racial Justice, Climate Solutions.” https://www.otdowntown.com/binrepository/3e0a4764_4-10893525_20260706112613.jpg The Clearwater and other sailboats on the Hudson River getting ready for a day of celebrations marking the nation’s 250th anniversary. https://www.otdowntown.com/news/packed-plazas-quiet-stores-inside-rockefeller-center-s-world-cup-fan-village-FB6012979 hourly Our Town - Downtowner en 2026-07-08T17:44:24-04:00 Packed Plazas, Quiet Stores: Inside Rockefeller Center’s World Cup Fan Village https://www.otdowntown.com/binrepository/screenshot-2026-07-08-at-4-08-26-pm_4-10901296_20260708162402.png Rockefeller Center has been reimagined and redecorated as LED screens go up and the city prepared for the home stretch of the FIFA World Cup. https://www.otdowntown.com/binrepository/screenshot-2026-07-08-at-4-08-02-pm_4-10901299_20260708162411.png Rockefeller Center’s Channel Gardens transformed into Champions’ Gardens, celebrating the eight nations that have ever won the World Cup. https://www.otdowntown.com/binrepository/screenshot-2026-07-08-at-4-07-56-pm_4-10901302_20260708162419.png Artist and designed Mr. Flower Fantastic built the floral soccer balls seen here. https://www.otdowntown.com/binrepository/screenshot-2026-07-08-at-4-07-40-pm_4-10901305_20260708162424.png The Coca-Cola Fan Zone in Fan Village provided some colorful backgrounds and photo opportunities, alongside temporary tattoos and, of course, Coca-Cola. https://www.otdowntown.com/binrepository/screenshot-2026-07-08-at-4-07-36-pm_4-10901308_20260708162432.png The 27-foot trophy isn’t even close to the only stop LEGO has pulled out this World Cup. The LEGO store and Fan Village pop up display a wide variety of FIFA-themed products, including this intricate piece. https://www.otdowntown.com/binrepository/screenshot-2026-07-08-at-4-07-30-pm_4-10901311_20260708162437.png The 1,363,403-brick LEGO FIFA World Cup trophy, standing at 26.5 feet. https://www.otdowntown.com/binrepository/screenshot-2026-07-08-at-4-07-24-pm_4-10901314_20260708162442.png Easy access to Fan Village depends on the time of day; at around 2:30 before the Colombia-Swizterland game on July 7, lines were Nonexistent, but closer to the 4 p.m. game time, the area began to fill up. https://www.otdowntown.com/binrepository/screenshot-2026-07-08-at-4-08-35-pm_4-10901317_20260708162448.png A crowd of mostly Colombia fans gathered to watch the pre-game programming on July 7. https://www.otdowntown.com/binrepository/screenshot-2026-07-08-at-4-08-44-pm_4-10901320_20260708162456.png Maps and guides for Fan Village line the streets surrounding Rockefeller Center. https://www.otdowntown.com/news/workers-shore-up-building-after-steel-beams-buckled-HH6009485 hourly Our Town - Downtowner en 2026-07-08T18:06:04-04:00 Workers Shore up Building after Steel Beams Buckled https://www.otdowntown.com/binrepository/structural-beams-buckle-at-under-reno_4-10898709_20260707220117.webp FDNY members wait outside the building at 235 E. 42nd St. where construction workers spotted buckling steel beams and sagging floors that triggered a mass evacuation of that and construction project and surrounding buildings. https://www.otdowntown.com/binrepository/cross-town-bus-turned-away_4-10901586_20260708182700.jpg Cross town buses were still being turned as the street in front of the damaged building at 235 E. 42nd St. remained closed to traffic on July 8, a day after steel beams buckled causing several floors to collapse in the former Pfizer HQ in the midst of a massive conversion project. https://www.otdowntown.com/binrepository/carpenters-union-truck_4-10901589_20260708182702.jpg The Carpenters Union stationed a truck with the sign “Shame on Metro Loft” at Second Ave. and E. 43rd St. on July 8 to call attention to the developer who is converting an office tower to residential housing with a largely non-union workforce. https://www.otdowntown.com/binrepository/img-2006_4-10898712_20260707220119.jpg A resident of the frozen zone in a dispute with an NYPD officer after being told he cannot return home. Nine buildings between First and Third Ave. on East 42nd St. were forced to evacuate. https://www.otdowntown.com/binrepository/mayor-mamdani_4-10899758_20260708112743.jpg Mayor Zohran Mamdani addresses the press at the scene of the former Pfizer HQ where there was a partial collapse of several floors in the 38 story building that is being converted to residential housing. https://www.otdowntown.com/binrepository/img-1989_4-10898715_20260707220123.jpg Press gathers on Third Avenue while building workers take questions. https://www.otdowntown.com/news/did-you-hear-the-gossip-mamdani-started-a-whatsapp-channel-for-spanish-speakers-FB6012698 hourly Our Town - Downtowner en 2026-07-09T13:25:07-04:00 Did You Hear the Gossip? Mamdani Started a WhatsApp Channel for Spanish-Speakers https://www.otdowntown.com/binrepository/screenshot-2026-07-08-at-3-05-24-pm_4-10901183_20260709132417.png Link to join “El Chisme Oficial de NYC” WhatsApp channel https://www.otdowntown.com/binrepository/screenshot-20260708-150936_4-10901249_20260709132418.jpg Mayor Mamdani announces Gotham F.C. will move to Queens (top), and delivers first voice note (bottom). https://www.otdowntown.com/news/murders-down-but-hate-crimes-shootings-rise-in-manhattan-HH6009823 hourly Our Town - Downtowner en 2026-07-09T13:57:31-04:00 Murders Down, But Hate Crimes, Shootings Rise in Manhattan https://www.otdowntown.com/binrepository/screenshot-2026-07-07-at-4-19-33-pm_4-10898237_20260707162058.png NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch announced historic murder and shooting lows in NYC alongside Mayor Zohran Mamdani at a July 2 press conference. But in Manhattan it was a mixed bag: murders are down but shooting incidents and hate crimes are surging. https://www.otdowntown.com/news/legionnaires-disease-detected-in-east-village-housing-complex-XY5980374 hourly Our Town - Downtowner en 2026-07-09T14:08:56-04:00 Legionnaires’ Disease Detected in East Village Housing Complex https://www.otdowntown.com/binrepository/haven-plaza-exterior-town-4-10769885_4-10869562_20260626161112.webp Legionnaires’ disease has been detected in the water system of Haven Plaza, a housing complex in the East Village, after an NYC Health Department probe. https://www.otdowntown.com/binrepository/havenplace2-1_4-10869567_20260626161112.jpg Residents at the housing complex have been advised against taking showers, especially those with preexisting health conditions such as lung disease. https://www.otdowntown.com/news/legionnaires-disease-outbreak-hits-ues-with-23-new-cases-FF6007315 hourly Our Town - Downtowner en 2026-07-09T14:24:01-04:00 Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreak Hits UES, With 23 New Cases https://www.otdowntown.com/binrepository/screenshot-2026-07-06-at-4-36-29-pm_4-10895811_20260706165741.png A new Legionnaires’ disease outbreak has struck the Upper East Side, resulting in 18 cases so far. Health Department Commissioner Alistair Martin spread the news locally on July 4 (above). https://www.otdowntown.com/binrepository/legionnaires-disease-sign_4-10895954_20260706170118.jpg A warning on the NYC Health Dept. instructs UES residents to monitor for symptoms, as officials investigate the origins of the latest outbreak of Lenionnaires’ Disease. https://www.otdowntown.com/binrepository/closed-circuit-cooling-towers-4-96942_4-10895885_20260706164225.webp Health officials are testing cooling towers in the area for the presence of the disease. Pictured above: a generic example of a cooling tower.