Bichotte Hermelyn retains leadership of Brooklyn Dems amidst continuing internal power struggles: Current county leader Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn has been at the center of controversies that include a lawsuit, rulebook rewrites and mounting protests.

The deadly cost of New York City’s rat war: Rats and ways to eradicate them have been a major talking point in New York City in recent years. In 2023, then Mayor Eric Adams appointed Kathleen Corradi as the citywide Rat Czar, a $176,000-a-year position with the sole mission of reducing the city’s rat population.

One Tech Tip: How to soothe thumb pain when texting and scrolling: “Our hands were not designed to use phones all day long,” said Dr. Eugene Tsai, a surgeon at Cedars-Sinai Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine. “In order for us to use the phones, we have to be kind to our hands.”

Manhunt on for Jesus Acosta, accused killer of deli and pizza shop workers: Police are searching for Jesus Acosta, 31, a Bronx resident suspected of shooting and killing two men and wounding a third during robberies of a pizza restaurant in Brooklyn and a deli in the Bronx.

Rupert Grint will become Ron Weasley again — this time, on Broadway: Rupert Grint — the original Ron Weasley from the “Harry Potter” movies — will slip into his old role on Broadway next year in “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.”

Ghosting America: What began as an unfortunate dating ritual has now quietly leaked into almost every corner of modern life.

Hindu nationalist leader spurs protests and calls for sanctions ahead of New York City speech: An event Saturday in New York City, featuring the head of a Hindu nationalist group instrumental in putting India’s ruling party in power, is being met with protests, a denunciation from the city’s mayor and a call for sanctions from a U.S. panel on religious freedom.

Rikers misses deadline to give detainees digital access to case evidence: The Correction Department missed a July 1 deadline to implement a system allowing detainees to review videos, audio and other evidence in their criminal cases. (The City Reporter)

Our world in photos: Demonstrators, Democrats, destruction and more.

"New Plans For Huge Brooklyn Project Show Housing, Synagogue" (Bisnow)

"See the resemblance? Uncanny doppelgängers from dog-owner lookalike contest" (USA Today)

"What’s Up with Downtown Brooklyn? As the skyline goes higher, will its history be forgotten?" (The Bowery Boys)

READ: "The Soviets Drilled the Deepest Hole Ever: What on Earth for?" (Nautilus)

EAT: Here are the 15 best Indian restaurants in New York City. (Eater)

CARTOON: A conversation among fish. (The New Yorker)

LIVE: "How Floyd Mayweather landed a $100K/month NYC apartment in 1 day — before he allegedly stopped paying rent" (New York Post)

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Van Morrison

Former N.Y. Giants coach and two-time Super Bowl champion Tom Coughlin

“Lost in Your Eyes” singer Debbie Gibson, who was born in Brooklyn

N.Y. Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson

“Pretty Woman” star Richard Gere

Click here to see a full list of birthdays!