What are those 5G towers good for? Absolutely nothing (yet)

Also, New Yorkers spending fewer days in homesless shelters. [View this email in a browser.]( Gothamist relies on your support to make local news available to all. Not yet a member? [Consider donating and join today.]( [NYC's massive Link5G towers aren't actually providing 5G (yet)]( [first image]( [Today's newsletter curated by Emily Nadal]( Weather: ☀️You know the drill: another day with a high of 90 degrees. It’s Thursday morning in New York City where most of those Link5G towers around the city [have yet to actually provide 5G internet.]( It’s been two years since nearly 200 massive, 32-foot-tall structures were placed in low-income neighborhoods to help residents access high-speed 5G internet. But only two of the towers have actually been fitted with 5G equipment. There are a few reasons for the lag, like delayed installation and less enthusiasm around 5G technology. But the city is hopeful that the structures will be put to good use soon, especially since many community members have come around to the idea of them, even though they resemble giant tampon applicators emerging from the sidewalk. Here’s what else is happening: - Homeless New Yorkers are [spending fewer days]( in city-run shelters, and families are seeing the sharpest declines in average stays. The drop is due in part to new migrant arrivals, the city says. - City Councilmembers are considering legislation that would [upend a new protocol from the Adams administration]( that pushes elected officials to use an online form to request meetings with agency leaders and certain services. - Licensed cannabis shops in New York are currently barred from offering discounts on their marijuana products. [Some state regulators want to change that.]( - The Tony Dapolito Recreation Center in the West Village has been closed for repairs for five years, but it may [ultimately have to be torn down]( because it's in such bad shape. - City officials plan to [cut government energy]( use by 122 megawatts during peak demand at 627 city facilities in an effort to relieve some pressure on the power grid. - Mount Sinai’s Beth Israel hospital in Downtown Manhattan [will not be closing on Friday]( despite a monthslong push from hospital officials to shut down by that day. - NYC dog parks are among the [top 10 in the country]( according to a report from LawnStarter which ranked the areas based on access to parks, park quality and climate. - Taffy Brodesser-Akner has a new novel set on Long Island that has everything from a kidnapping to BDSM to bar mitzvahs to arson to organ failure, lying and more. She came on All Of It to talk about the book, as well as questions about money and life after trauma. [You can read or listen to the interview here.]( - Costco is [increasing its membership fee]( for the first time in seven years. Starting Sept. 1, annual memberships are going from $60 to $65. - New York Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado is [calling on President Joe Biden to step away]( from the 2024 presidential race, breaking from Gov. Kathy Hochul’s steadfast support of Biden’s candidacy. - Australia has some [words of advice]( for us as we enter our [wheeled trash bin era.]( - A wet summer in New York City might not be favorable for us, but it [created perfect conditions for fireflies to prosper](. Have you noticed more lightning bugs glowing around you? - Payment apps like Venmo and PayPal are making it [easier to charge our friends]( for a restaurant tab but also for a $4 ride to the hospital for stomach surgery. - Charli XCX’s new album, Brat, has become somewhat of an obsession for 20-somethings. So, [here’s how to have a hot Brat summer]( in the city. [“It’s blocking some of these people's views now. They’re paying high rent as it is now and you just put a tower up that is useless.”]( - Angel medina, bronx resident, [DISCUSSING THE LOCAL 5G TOWERS.]( More from Gothamist [second image]( [A new Midtown coalition will take aim at quality of life issues. Here's how it works.]( The coalition brings together 20 government agencies, service providers, and other government and community entities. [Judge orders one of NJ's richest towns to put affordable housing downtown]( Millburn officials have resisted building the 100% affordable complex for years. [We Rely On Your Support]( [Percocet, weed, razor blades found in NYC juvenile jail ceiling vent, records show]( Staff at the Brooklyn jail found contraband items stuffed into shopping bags. [Judge orders hearing on whether NYC jail officials should be held in contempt]( The announcement could delay the appointment of a federal receiver. [Instagram]( [Instagram]( [Facebook]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Twitter]( [New York Public Radio] [WNYC]( | [WQXR]( | [NJPR]( | [GOTHAMIST]( [WNYC STUDIOS]( | [THE GREENE SPACE]( Copyright © New York Public Radio. All rights reserved. 160 Varick Street, New York, NY 10013 [TERMS OF USE]( You can update your [PREFERENCES]( or [UNSUBSCRIBE]( from this list.