Welcome to NYC's collegiate a cappella playoffs

Plus: NY Republicans have an early voting problem [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.]( [In collegiate a cappella, 8 NY schools compete for the crown]( [first image]( [Today's newsletter is curated by James Ramsay]( Weather: ☀️ Sunny, with highs in the lower 60s — and mere 30 mph wind gusts. It's Tuesday in New York City, where eight collegiate a cappella teams recently duked it out for two coveted spots in the regional semifinals. Did NYU pull off a sweep? Or did Hunter College's Hawkapella steal a spot? Here's what happened at the citywide showdown. And here's what else is happening: - The 750 National Guard soldiers Gov. Kathy Hochul deployed to conduct subway bag checks are [ill-equipped to respond to the crimes New Yorkers are actually concerned about]( former law enforcement and police officials said. - LaGuardia has been recognized [as one of two of the best airports]( of 25 to 40 million annual passengers in North America by the Airport Service Quality survey. - The Robin Hood Foundation and the New York Community Trust — two of the city's most prominent charitable organizations — are [raising money from wealthy donors to support migrants](. - More than twice as many Democrats as Republicans voted early by mail in February's special election to replace Rep. George Santos. Could that [spell trouble for the GOP]( in November? - One of New York City’s most notorious landlords may be heading to jail after a Manhattan judge ordered his arrest for allegedly [failing to make hundreds of court-ordered repairs]( at a pair of Washington Heights properties. - Rep. Andy Kim won his seventh Democratic Party county convention Monday, though the U.S. Senate candidate [still faces an uphill battle against New Jersey First Lady Tammy Murphy]( in the fight for party nominations. - New Jersey remains unprepared for the next public health emergency, according to a new report examining [the state's COVID-19 response](. - The FDNY is trying to [track down the firefighters who booed]( New York Attorney General Letitia James at a promotion ceremony last week. - A Brooklyn sweatshop where workers process tobacco for spliffs is [under investigation by federal and state authorities]( after an article in THE CITY detailed hellish conditions and underpayment at the facility. - If you want an apartment in a fancy building with nice amenities and you either [enjoy or don't mind the Atlantic Terminal Mall neighborhood atmosphere]( Downtown Brooklyn is the place to move. - Donald Trump still hasn't stopped badmouthing E. Jean Carroll, so she's [considering another defamation suit](. - FDNY and NYPD boxers will square up at an [international law enforcement fight night]( at Madison Square Garden on Thursday. (It's unclear if the [NYPD dance team]( be there.) - Brooklyn's "Bling Bishop" Lamor Whitehead was [found guilty of defrauding a parishioner's mom]( and now faces up to 45 years in prison. - Meet [the 24-year-old Brooklyn man]( selling "responsibly-sourced" human bones. - Busy Philipps parted with some quality cookware at her [East Village divorce sale](. - [Here's what to do]( if you're confronted by an angry moose. - Have some time for a game? [Play]( our mini local news crossword. - Sign up for reminders when we publish new games [here](. [“Nobody is carrying a weapon in a bag that’s subject to search.”]( - Brandon del Pozo, a former NYPD precinct commander and National Guardsman, on [WHY BAG CHECKS ARE UNLIKELY TO STOP CRIME]( More from Gothamist [second image]( [Books on Black history, immigration found in trash by Staten Island school, sparking investigation]( The city education department launched an investigation after Gothamist shared images of the discarded books. [NYC seeks 'European-style' trash containers to keep streets clean and rats at bay]( Officials said the new containers are expected to be rolled out across West Harlem in spring 2025, followed by “full citywide expansion” after community outreach and an environmental review. [We Rely On Your Support]( [George Santos was expelled from the U.S. House. Here’s why he can still run for Congress.]( Even if Santos is convicted of fraud, there's precedent for convicted felons serving in the House. In 2014, Rep. Michael Grimm of Staten Island won re-election while facing federal tax fraud charges, and didn't step down until two weeks after pleading guilty. [As more people turn to collecting bottles and cans, NY lawmakers push doubling refunds]( The workers who collect empty bottles and cans want state lawmakers to double the refunds they get from 5 cents to 10 cents, which would be the first boost in 40 years. [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.