THURSDAY, JUNE 12, 2025
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Dear New Yorkers,
The undecided fate of health care for retired city workers will hang over whichever candidate wins the race for mayor — and it’s already shaping the election.
Earlier this month, Zohran Mamdani’s campaign quietly changed its website to add a pledge to “reject Medicare Advantage” — the widely derided cost-cutting program that City Hall and employee unions have made a deal to steer some 250,000 retirees into, aiming to save $600 million a year.
Mamdani — who Politico reported last night was leading a new survey (with a small sample size) for the first time — has been consistent in his opinion on the healthcare switch. But his position puts him at odds with District Council 37, the prominent municipal workers union that has endorsed him. Mamdani is ranked by the union alongside Adrienne Adams and Zellnor Myrie — both of whom declined to sign a pledge against the deal, but haven’t voiced their for it either.
We may be able to get more clarity from the candidates on Medicare Advantage tonight: it’s the final mayoral Democratic primary debate, co-hosted by THE CITY and moderated by our own City Hall reporter Katie Honan, alongside NY1’s Errol Louis and WNYC’s Brian Lehrer.
With early voting starting this Saturday, it’ll be your last chance to see the candidates go head-to-head as they lay out their visions for the city.
You can watch the debate on our website here.
Read more here about the mayoral candidates’ opinions on switching retirees to Medicare Advantage.
Weather ☀️
80s and sunny again! Hallelujah!
MTA 🚇
In Brooklyn, the Coney Island-bound D train runs on the N line from 36 Street to Stillwell Ave from 9:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. today and tomorrow. Find all the MTA’s planned changes and the latest delays here.
Alternate side parking 🚙
It’s in effect today, June 12.
By the way…
It’s getting hot outside — check here to see if you’re eligible for a free air conditioner. In addition to income level qualifications, there’s a new AC program for of the Essential Plan who have asthma.
Our Other Top Stories
- A last minute intervention by Mayor Eric Adams on Wednesday helped keep alive a casino proposal in The Bronx. The Adams-backed resolution ed by the Council would let Albany alienate parkland that gaming operator Bally’s needs to win a coveted casino license — one that would come with a nine-figure payoff for the Trump Organization.
- Brooklyn’s Rep. Yvette Clarke, chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, went the furthest any congressional Democrat has gone in calling for consequences for President Donald Trump’s decision to deploy the National Guard and Marines to LA protests: to Clarke, it’s an impeachable offense.
Things To Do
Here are some free and low-cost things to do around the city this week.
- Thursday, June 12: Relive your high school track and field days with a community track night at Icahn Stadium — a track that’s hosted Olympic trials and seen records set by the likes of Usain Bolt. Randall’s Island Park, 6 p.m.
- Thursday, June 12: Dance the night away to hits that defined club culture in the 1970s, ‘80s and ‘90s with Vinyl Nights, a free, all-ages event. Bella Abzug Park in Hudson Yards, 6 p.m.
- Friday, June 13: Celebrate the 200th birthday of Brooklyn’s Fort Hamilton Army Base with live music, food trucks and fireworks. 4:30 p.m.
THE KICKER: all the ways that the mayor can be ousted? A City Council commission is trying to add one more — this time, by putting it to a public vote.
Thanks, as always, for reading. Make it a great Thursday.
Love,
THE CITY
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