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The Lede: Good morning. In August 1963, five years before his death, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. famously told the nation about a dream he had. Many aren’t aware, however, that King had mused upon many of these same thoughts in a speech delivered at Plymouth Church in Brooklyn Heights in February of that same year.
The Rundown
Taxidermy comes to life in Brooklyn: Few New Yorkers would expect to find a thriving taxidermy scene under their noses, yet taxidermy is taking on a life of its own in Brooklyn.
In Brooklyn, Martin Luther King Jr. spoke of the American Dream: “America is essentially a dream — yet unfulfilled,” he said in his Brooklyn sermon. “The substance of the dream is expressed in these sublime words: ‘We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.’”
Goldman cosponsors bill to block purchase of Greenland: The legislation comes in response to the Trump administration’s increasingly aggressive rhetoric on acquiring Greenland, a territory of NATO member Denmark.
Third public workshop on Atlantic Yards redevelopment project this Thursday: The meeting will feature a presentation from Empire State Development and the Atlantic Yards development team outlining early concepts for the proposed redevelopment.
Court win means half a million Brooklyn homes may get wind energy after all: Half a million homes in Brooklyn may get clean, renewable wind energy after all, following Thursday’s decision by a federal judge to side with Equinor and other providers of offshore wind, Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a release.
Court ruling jeopardizes freedom for pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil: A federal appeals panel on Thursday reversed a lower court decision that released former Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil from an immigration jail, bringing the government one step closer to detaining and ultimately deporting the Palestinian activist.
Inside the botched launch of ex-NYC Mayor Eric Adams’ new crypto token: After surging to a nearly $600 million valuation within minutes of its launch, the new coin, dubbed NYC Token, went into free fall, losing nearly 75% of its value by that evening.
Brooklyn Museum’s Monet show nearing close: The Brooklyn Museum's banner “Monet and Venice” exhibition is set to close at the end of the month, with the final date on Sunday, Feb. 1.
Universal assets, camaraderie and trust are part of the glue that holds together 70-year-old Bay Ridge Lawyers Association: Jurists from various parts of the Unified Court System were illuminated Wednesday night at the Bay Ridge Lawyers Association’s annual holiday party at Sirico’s, with around 100 guests.
153-year-old Brooklyn yacht club provides venue for Bergen Beach Civic Association’s holiday get-together: Established in 1931, the Bergen Beach Civic Association functions as a neighborhood advocacy and support organization, giving residents a collective voice on local issues, municipal services, safety, development and quality-of-life concerns.
Our world in photos: Athletes, arenas, arrests and more.
Our World in Photos
More Brooklyn News
"Brooklyn deacon detained by ICE after leaving apartment, community says" (CBS News)
"Mayor Mamdani appoints Tricia Shimamura as next NYC Parks commissioner" (News 12 Brooklyn)
"Judge Approves Sale of More Than 5,000 Rent Stabilized Apartments in Pinnacle Portfolio" (City Limits)
Staff Picks
READ: “What happens when you do minimal screening before hiring agents, arming them, and sending them into the streets? We’re all finding out.” (SLATE)
EAT: Here's a list of New York City restaurants that have closed so far in January, including 10 in Brooklyn. (Eater)
CARTOON: A posthumous trial. (Brooklyn Eagle)
LIVE: “William Vale's former owner plans three-building project with affordable units” (Crain’s)
The Wrap
⌛ ON THIS DAY
In 1907, the Eagle reported, "Brooklyn has many things to distinguish it commercially, not the least of which is the macaroni industry, which thrives here to a larger extent than in any other American city." Click here to see what else happened on this day in history.
📔 IMPRINT
Model and actress Rosie Huntington-Whiteley poses for Alo.
👑 ROYAL WATCH
"As Prince Harry goes to High Court, the rest of family keep well away" (The Times)
🏀 SPORTS
Scholastic Roundup: 5 Brooklyn PSAL schools qualify for Millrose Games (Brooklyn Eagle)

Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin
Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Paul Stanley (Kiss)
“The Office” star Rainn Wilson
“American Horror Story” star Evan Peters
Musician and DJ Questlove
Click here to see a full list of birthdays!
Brooklyn Today’s editor is Scott Enman. Contact him at [email protected].

