The media spokesperson for the event was a puppet, named Gowanus, manned by a rotating cast of organizers, allowing the loose team behind Summer of Ludd to remain anonymous. Photo: Ella Spungen/Brooklyn Eagle
Weather: Day 82°, Night 70°, Sunny
THE LEDE: Good morning. A loose coalition of organizers took over Tompkins Square Park and other public spaces across New York City from June 28 through July 5 for the Summer of Ludd, a week of free, public and participatory events focused on fighting Big Tech.
The Rundown
Fat Freddie Fitzsimmons, the fearsome knuckleballer: How do you pass on a guy who spent his whole life in baseball, who some called the “Black Irishman” because of his skin tone, and who many called “Fat Freddie” when his weight ballooned to about 225?
Going dark: The young New Yorkers building a future without smartphones: The Summer of Ludd is the latest in a growing movement in New York City and across the country, as the first generation to grow up on social media is pushing back against an industry that they say has commodified their attention for profit.
Mamdani releases ‘Rental Rip-Off Report’ proposing 23 changes to strengthen tenant protections: Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Thursday released the city’s “Rental Rip-off Report,” a package of 23 policy changes shaped by testimony from 2,400 residents who attended the mayor’s Rental Ripoff hearings or commented online.
NYC sightseeing helicopter likely hit birds before its fatal plunge into Hudson River, report shows: The remains of several geese were found on a New York City sightseeing helicopter that crashed into the Hudson River last year and killed 6 people, investigators said Thursday, strong suggestions that multiple bird strikes contributed to the tragedy.
Reform coalition taps Peña as choice to lead Brooklyn Dem Party: The coalition, which has a slim majority in the county’s executive committee, is looking to unseat Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, who has led the Brooklyn Democrats since 2020.
The outsourced mind: Each technological leap has expanded human possibility while rendering older forms of intelligence less essential. Search engines have altered how memory itself functions.
Woman wins over $1M on scratch-off ticket: Brooklyn resident Christiane Butcher won a $3 million scratch-off ticket at a Downtown Brooklyn newsstand this month, reports SI Live.
Rikers remediation manager unveils blueprint for overhauling city jails: The court-appointed official issued 22 directives, from expanding investigations into officer misconduct to fixing broken infrastructure. (The City Reporter)
Our world in photos: Awards, podiums, flowers and more.
Our World in Photos
LOS ANGELES — “My Left Foot” stars Brenda Fricker, Oscar winner for best supporting actress, and Daniel Day-Lewis, Oscar winner for best actor in the same film, at the 62nd Annual Academy Awards, March 26, 1990. Photo: Bob Galbraith/AP, File
More Brooklyn News
“FIFA wants to sell you a $3,000 patch of grass from the World Cup final. NJ wants a cut.” (Gothamist)
"NYPD car rammed by BMW and its tires slashed at wild Brooklyn street takeover" (Daily News)
"How The Federal ROAD Act Will (or Won’t) Affect NYC, And What Else Happened This Week in Housing" (City Limits)
Staff Picks
READ: "Welcome to Toronto, World Capital of the Urban Raccoon" (The Literary Hub)
EAT: The Michelin Guide added 15 New York City restaurants, including three in Brooklyn. (Eater)
CARTOON: With a little help from my friends. (The New Yorker)
LIVE: "NYC couple performs rental ‘shakedown’ using paper-trail scheme to keep the apartment their landlord wants to sell: Lawsuit" (New York Post)
The Wrap
⌛ ON THIS DAY
In 1908, the Eagle reported, "Charles Burney writes to ask if sharks are likely to be dangerous in our waters, and if it is true that the man-eating shark is common around New York Bay. The shark properly called the man-eater shark is very rare indeed close to the shores within several hundred miles of this city." Click here to see what else happened on this day in history.
📔 IMPRINT
American actress and model Havana Rose Liu eats raspberries for Hero Magazine.
👑 ROYAL WATCH
"Prince Harry, Meghan Markle’s reunion with King Charles ‘wasn’t entirely warm and fuzzy’: royal expert" (Page Six)
🏀 SPORTS
"Congressman calls on NBA to review Joe Tsai's position in league" (ESPN)
Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Carlos Santana
“The Crocodile Hunter” star Terri Irwin
“Lost” star Josh Holloway
“Grey’s Anatomy” star Sandra Oh
“House” star Omar Epps, who was born in Brooklyn
Click here to see a full list of birthdays!
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Brooklyn Today’s editor is Scott Enman. Contact him at [email protected].