Friday Headlines: Yet Another Just-the-News Edition
It's a summer Friday news roundup.
By
J.K. Trotter and
David Meyer
12:01 AM EDT on August 21, 2026
It’s the hot, wet dog days of summer here in New York City, so we’re diving straight into the news.
If we missed any pressing development, shoot us an email.
Here’s what’s new in the world of transportation:
- Brooklyn Democratic Party Chair Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn‘s latest scheme to retain power is to try to rig the county chair election in her favor. (NYS Focus, Hell Gate)
- A speeding BMW driver murdered a 51-year-old cyclists and injured another driver in a hit-and-run in the Longwood section of the Bronx. (News12)
- A speeding Corvette driver injured a pedestrian and two other New Yorkers in a high-speed crash in Inwood, Manhattan. (ABC7)
- Two cars blocking fire hydrants delayed firefighters responding to a blaze in the Bronx. (PIX11)
- The Staten Island Railway is repurposing a rusty R32 subway car as a dedicated maintenance car. (S.I. Advance)
- 158 of the city’s 472 subway stations — or 34.9 percent — now feature platform barriers. (Railway Supply)
- The City Council is having an embarrassing and discrediting meltdown over John Mangin, Mamdani’s pro-housing nominee to chair the powerful Board of Standards and Appeals. (The Real Deal)
- The city is planning to allow yellow taxis and FHVs like Uber and Lyft park in commercial parking zones. (Auto Marketplace)
- Ayush Maini, Val He and Andy Chen visited every NYC Ferry landing in six hours, 53 minutes and 35 seconds — beating the current world record by more than five minutes. (Brooklyn Paper)
Associate Editor
David was Streetsblog's do-it-all New York City beat reporter from 2015 to 2019. He returned as an editor in 2023 after a three-year stint at the New York Post and is now Managing Editor.
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
What’s Going To Happen To The Land Around Penn Station?
The state has effectively frozen parts of Midtown West in amber. What comes next?
October 20, 2026
Opinion: Two Deaths At One Central Park Crossing, Yet Safety Plan Sits On The Shelf
We have a plan. It just needs to be taken out of the drawer, says our opinion writer.
October 20, 2026
The Central Park Precinct Is New York’s Strangest
What is going on inside the Central Park Precinct? We sent Sammy Sussman to find out.
October 20, 2026
Tuesday’s Headlines: Creative Enforcement Edition
State Sen. Erik Bottcher wants New York City to borrow a novel bike enforcement tactic from London. Plus more news.
October 20, 2026
Eyes In The Park: DOT’s Redesign Of Central Park’s Drives Fell Way Short Of Promises
The city had a chance to make Central Park less chaotic after banning cars, but only implemented half-measures.
October 19, 2026