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NYC Mayor Supports Bill To Ban Central Park Horse Carriages 

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New York City Mayor Eric Adams recently announced his support of a proposal to end the horse-drawn carriage rides in Central Park, a fixture that’s been around for over 150 years. Adams has now ordered police to become more strict when it comes to enforcing laws that are already in place to dial back the industry. 

There has been an influx in recent years with horses collapsing and dying, or breaking free from their drivers and running loose throughout the park.

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“While horse-drawn carriages have long been an iconic fixture of Central Park, they are increasingly incompatible with the conditions of a modern, heavily-used urban green space,” Adams said in a statement. 

“It has become abundantly clear that these horse-drawn carriages no longer work for our city.”

AP reports that Adams sent the City Council a “letter of necessity” which gives the lawmakers the authority to expedite the bill’s passage, which would phase out horse-drawn carriages. 

Additionally, Adams issued an executive order which orders police to “prioritize enforcement” against horse-drawn carriages that are operating outside of their legally designated areas which illegally solicit fares or impede on traffic.

The mayor’s order also directs city agencies to emphasize new employment opportunities for industry workers and create a process for voluntary return of carriage licenses, AP reported.

“This is not about eliminating this tradition — it’s about honoring our traditions in a way that aligns with who we are today. New Yorkers care deeply about animals, about fairness, and about doing what’s right,” Adams said. 

President of the Transport Workers Union of America, John Samuelsen, which represents horse carriage workers, said that the recent announcement was a “desperation act” made by Adams.

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“He’s betrayed the blue collar New Yorkers who were relying on him to stand up for their jobs against the real estate developers who want to kill the industry solely to develop those stables into skyscrapers. He should be ashamed of himself,” Samuelsen said. 

“The Council appreciates that this is a difficult and emotional issue for many New Yorkers, which has persisted for decades,” Adams’ office said in a statement. 

“This bill continues to go through the legislative process, which is deliberative and allows for thorough input from all stakeholders.”

Edita Birnkrant, executive director of New Yorkers for Clean, Livable, and Safe Streets (NYCLASS) praised the announcement from the mayor’s office in the name of animal rights. 

“This is a life-saving step for both people and horses, and it makes clear what we and so many New Yorkers have long said: horse-drawn carriages have no place in our city any longer.”

The Central Park Conservancy is a nonprofit that manages the park and is very influential. The group also said it was backing up the calls for a ban over safety concerns.

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NYC Legionnaires’ Outbreak Claims Fourth Life; Nearly 100 Infected Across Harlem

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New York City is grappling with a worsening outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease that has now claimed a fourth life and left close to 100 people sickened, city officials confirmed this week.

The Health Department reported on Wednesday, Aug. 13, that at least 99 cases have been identified so far, with 17 patients currently hospitalized. The outbreak remains centered in Central Harlem, spanning zip codes 10027, 10030, 10035, 10037, and 10039.

Investigators have linked the outbreak to contaminated cooling towers, which are common culprits in Legionnaires’ clusters. Twelve towers across Harlem tested positive for Legionella bacteria, the Health Department said.

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By Friday, Aug. 15, all buildings with initial positive results—including City College of New York’s Marshak Science Building, Harlem Hospital, and a local sexual health clinic—had undergone mandated disinfection procedures. Several residential complexes were also affected.

Officials emphasized that the bacteria was confined to the cooling systems and did not impact the water supply. Tap water in these buildings remains safe to drink and use, the city said in a statement.

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, cooling towers, which rely on large reservoirs of circulating water, can provide the perfect breeding ground for Legionella if not properly maintained.

“If not properly maintained, the water can foster Legionella bacteria, which can then be swept into the system’s fans and circulated throughout the building’s air.”

Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia contracted by breathing in mist containing Legionella bacteria. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), symptoms can resemble the flu—cough, fever, headaches, nausea, and shortness of breath—but can escalate to respiratory failure or death if untreated. Antibiotics are effective when administered early.

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Mayor Eric Adams offered condolences to the families of those who died and praised frontline workers for their swift response. “Our hearts go out to everyone impacted by this cluster of Legionnaires, in [particular] the friends and loved ones of the three New Yorkers we lost to this disease,” he said.

“New Yorkers should know the air is safe to breathe, and we are seeing declining numbers of new cases each day. I want to thank the health workers who worked tirelessly to treat this community and make sure its residents are healthy. We will continue to share updates, and we encourage anyone with flu-like symptoms to seek medical help immediately.”

The outbreak has also reignited debate over citywide oversight of cooling towers. State Senator Cordell Cleare said she intends to push for tighter regulations to prevent future outbreaks. “Our communities cannot continue to serve as the canary in the coal mine,” she told Gothamist.

While city officials say the situation is under control, residents remain on alert as the investigation continues. The outbreak underscores the challenges of maintaining New York’s vast building infrastructure—and the risks when lapses occur.