Citywide overview · Morning
Today in NYC: October 27 afternoon brief
Published · Updated · New York time
Plan tonight in Gowanus or Harlem, read the Queens bus-performance findings, and look ahead to Halloween at James Baldwin Plaza. Staten Island has no new article in this edition.
Gowanus boathouse hosts a Tuesday music jam
The session welcomes intermediate and more experienced players; the listed cost is $5–$10.
The Gowanus Dredgers’ jug and string band session runs tonight, October 27, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at its 165 2nd Street boathouse. The venue is between Bond Street and the canal.
Papa Ernie Vega leads the session, which centers on Black string band music. The organizer invites intermediate and more experienced players to sing and bring a song to lead. Admission is listed at $5–$10.
Harlem tunnel meeting is scheduled for tonight
The review concerns tunnel construction; stations and train service would need a separate future review.
The MTA’s Harlem tunnel public meeting is scheduled for tonight, October 27, from 6 to 8 p.m. The in-person session is at the Adam Clayton Powell Jr. State Office Building, 163 West 125th Street, according to amNewYork’s meeting report and the state’s building listing.
The proposal would build a tunnel beneath 125th Street, with supporting access and ventilation infrastructure. The MTA’s scoping document excludes stations, tracks and the other systems needed to run trains. Those would undergo a separate future review. The current public comment period continues through November 13.
Queens bus speeds rose after redesign, MTA says
Rush routes showed larger gains in the agency’s spring-to-spring comparison.
Queens local buses ran 1.7% faster on weekdays after the network redesign, according to MTA figures presented Monday. The agency compared spring 2025 with spring 2026, amNewYork reported on October 26.
The MTA reported a 4.6% speed increase on the new rush routes. Those routes make local stops in areas farther from the subway, then skip stops along major roads to move passengers toward train connections.
- MTA officials say Queens Bus Network redesign made buses faster, more reliable ↗Source published October 26, 2026
James Baldwin Plaza plans a Halloween gathering
DOT’s signature event brings performances and activities to Goulden Avenue at Mosholu Parkway.
James Baldwin Plaza’s Trick-or-Streets celebration is scheduled for Saturday, October 31, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. NYC DOT lists the site on Goulden Avenue at Mosholu Parkway, with the James Baldwin Outdoor Learning Center as its partner.
DOT says its signature celebrations include live music, interactive performances and activities in car-free public spaces. The agency cautions that events can be delayed or canceled, so check the current listing before heading out.