Skip to content

Friday’s Headlines: Eclipsed by Cars Edition

The shadow cast by Monday's eclipse will also shed light on our country's car-dependence. Plus other news.
Friday’s Headlines: Eclipsed by Cars Edition

Monday’s solar show will cast a shadow over a swath of the country, but it’ll also shed light on how we’ve allowed cars to eclipse our ability to get around.

As Aaron Short reported in Streetsblog USA yesterday, many of the rural and suburban areas inside the “zone of totality” will be totally gridlocked. Authorities in Texas, for example, aren’t bothering to bolster their transit, instead just telling drivers to pack extra water and gas because of the traffic.

I confess that I’ll be getting out of town for the Big Event, albeit on Amtrak to Burlington, Vermont, so expect a review (of the transit, that is) next week.

Until then, here’s the news:

  • The Daily News joined the party in covering Wednesday’s Department of Investigation report on NYPD placard abuse and 311 fabrications.
  • As we predicted yesterday, the bad press the MTA got for charging the New York City Marathon a fee to use the Verrazzano Narrows Bridge was enough to encourage Gov. Hochul to stand down. (NY Post)
  • Crime is down on the subway. (NY Post)
  • A group of Prospect Heights locals are flipping the script on Mayor Adams, protesting “outsiders” who want to do something locals don’t want. If you remember, Mayor Adams said “outsiders” wanted the Underhill Avenue bike boulevard, so he had to slow it down to make sure locals wanted it (they did). Now he’s pushing outsider Tony Hawk’s plan for a skate park. (NY Post)
  • Council Member Alexa Aviles had an amNY op-ed arguing for a rezoning plan to limit the last-mile warehouses that are crowding and polluting her Sunset Park district and other areas where real estate is less expensive.
  • Gothamist covered the second-day of congestion pricing hearings. So did we.
  • And, finally, Sal caught a great faker:
Photo of Gersh Kuntzman
Tabloid legend Gersh Kuntzman has been with New York newspapers since 1989, including stints at the New York Daily News, the Post, the Brooklyn Paper and even a cup of coffee with the Times. He's also the writer and producer of "Murder at the Food Coop," which was a hit at the NYC Fringe Festival in 2016, and “SUV: The Musical” in 2007. He also writes the Cycle of Rage column, which is archived here.

Read More:

Streetsblog has migrated to a new comment system. New commenters can register directly in the comments section of any article. Returning commenters: your previous comments and display name have been preserved, but you'll need to reclaim your account by clicking "Forgot your password?" on the sign-in form, entering your email, and following the verification link to set a new password — this is required because passwords could not be carried over during the migration. For questions, contact tips@streetsblog.org.

More from Streetsblog New York City

Hochul Could Cut ‘Runaway’ Crash Lawsuits With Default Motorist Liability

April 16, 2026

Thursday’s Headlines: The Last Gasp of the Bikelash Edition

April 16, 2026

Mamdani’s DOT Responds to Astoria Bike Lane Backlash … With an Even Longer Bike Lane

April 15, 2026

Ask An Insurance Industry Insider: Safe Streets Are The Best Way To Bring Down Insurance Costs

April 15, 2026

Council Leader Urges City To Activate Ferry To NJ Before World Cup

April 15, 2026
See all posts