🌼 Brooklyn-Queens Streetcar + Electric Vehicles + Saturday Happenings

Hello again, hello! I'm back with your fresh copy of the Brooklyn Daily. Let's get this weekend started off right, with a quick review of the most important things happening in town these days. In today's issue, you'll find news about:

• Brooklyn-Queens MTA. 🚈
• NYC's transition to e-vehicles. 💚
• Dumbo gets a star-studded resident.
• Lots of Saturday to-dos. ✌️

But first, today's weather:

🌤 Mostly sunny and nice. High: 70 Low: 57.

Here are the top stories in Brooklyn today:

1. New York City may be taking a page out of San Francisco's playbook. Could a streetcar really be the easiest option for the Brooklyn-Queens Interborough Express? On Thursday, New York State Gov. Kathy Hochul was pondering the Brooklyn-Queens link, a 14-mile stretch between Bay Ridge and Jackson Heights. After discussions with the MTA, Hochul is leaning towards building a set of freight tracks for light rail cars. The light rail option circumvents a lot of issues, including the size of existing above-ground tunnels, the weight of the trains, and they wouldn't require specialized guideways. A final decision is set for the coming months.

Subscription/New York Daily News

2. And while we're talking about transportation, Mayor Eric Adams is moving full speed ahead with NYC's transition to electric vehicles. Climate Week in the city has come to a close, but they Mayor isn't calling it quits just yet instead opting to accelerate the expansion of the electric vehicle fleet in hopes of putting NYC some three years ahead of schedule on its climate goals. The initiative is spearheaded with support from the New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS), the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT), and the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC). As of September, DCAS is already well on its way, having surpassed its 2025 goal of 4,000 electric vehicles, while other organizations work to improve the number of EVC charting stations Brooklyn and The Bronx.

nyc.gov

3. Republican gubernatorial candidate Lee Zeldin may have found an unlikely path to victory —and it's in Brooklyn. Zeldin took his campaign to Hasidic Brooklyn last week, a curiously strategic move that could be the golden ticket for his run for governor. Zeldin, previously a strong supporter of Israel, has recently shifted his views to favor the political dialogues and concerns of the Orthodox Jewish community. In his maneuverings, Zeldin has aggressively expressed his concern over an increase in hate crimes and ongoing state attempts to regulate private religious schools, known as yeshivas. When the underdog arrived in Hasidic Brooklyn last week he was greeting by overwhelming applause and Yiddish-language campaign posters.

Subscription/The New York Times

4. A Brooklyn Nets player is on contract to buy a $13 million home in Dumbo. Despite his recent breakup from British TV personality Maya Jama, the Australian-born Nets player Ben Simmons is moving on to the next chapter... and a pretty big one at that. Just in time for the start of the season, the three-time NBA All-Star is officially in contract to buy a $13 million Dumbo home with 38,000-square-feet of indoor and outdoor amenities. A former 76er, Simmons is still trying to build some love from New Yorkers who booed him on the Jumbotron during Serena Williams' match at the U.S. Open a few weeks ago. But it safe to say, with this new decked out pad, Simmons is making his transition to the Empire State in style.

New York Post

Today in Brooklyn:

• 🍀 41st Annual Great Irish Fair, Holy Name of Jesus Parish, Today @ 9 a.m. | Details
• ¡WEPA! Latinx Arts and Culture Festival, El Puente, Today @ 9 a.m. | Details
• Free Family Mini Photo Sessions, New Dock St., Dumbo, Today @ 9 a.m. | Details
• Williamsburg Artisan Market, 65 Havemeyer St., Today @ 11 a.m. | Details
• 🍅 Wyckoff Farm Stand, The Wyckoff House Museum, Today @ 11 a.m. | Details
• Invoke's Virtual Concert by Music for Autism Presents, Today @ 2 p.m. | Details
• 💃 EVIDENCE Dance Company Presents "Love & Legacy," Billie Holiday Theatre,
  Today @ 3 p.m. | Details
• Reggae Under The Bridge Returns, Kosciuszko Bridge, Sunday @ 12 p.m. | Details

From my notebook:

• "'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' returns to NYC for 6th Brooklyn Week," with guests like David Letterman, Amy Schumer, Mila Kunis. Usually filmed in Hollywood, the L.A.-based late-night show is coming to NYC for the first time since 2019. (Subscription/New York Daily News)
• 📚 Attention all readers, the Brooklyn Book Festival is coming: "The festival’s mission is to support the literary community through free and low-cost programs that connect readers with authors, booksellers and publishers. Over 150 authors will attend the Virtual Festival Day and in-person Festival Day, including Elif Batuman, Angeline Boulley, Joyce Carol Oates, Paisley Currah, Hernan Diaz and more." (AMNY)
• 🍕 Pizza X ADIDAS collab? "Randy McLaren, owner of innovative Bedford–Stuyvesant eatery Cuts & Slices, has partnered with Adidas for his own line of sneakers. Inspired by the Black-owned eatery that’s attracted everyone from locals to celebrities, the sportswear giant will release the local-flavored pair of its Forum 84 High shoes on Oct. 4." (Subscription/New York Daily News)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Office Furniture & Soft Seating Warehouse Liquidation Sale (September 24)
• EmblemHealth Healthier Futures Wellness Expo: Free Live Music & More! (September 24)
• Williamsburg Artisan Market (September 24)
• 3-Day Fine Arts Event | Sept. 27, 28 & 29 | Online Auctions (September 27)
• We are Still Important (September 27)
• Drink & Dye (with Tie Dye & Craft Beer) (September 28)
• Seven Acres Montessori Virtual Admissions Event (September 29)
• 8th Annual ENY 5K (October 8)
• Add your event

That's it for today. I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow with your next update!

— Carlie Houser

About me: I'm a recent grad based in Brooklyn, NY. I love to write, run, read, and find new restaurants and venues around the city.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Brooklyn Daily? Contact me at brooklyn@patch.com