NYC Midday News: Texas Democrats, Delacorte Theater Reopening, and Hudson River Crabs

Texas Democrats Protest Redistricting Plan

• 🏛️ Governor Kathy Hochul is hosting Texas Democrats who left their state to protest a Republican redistricting plan.
• 🗳️ The Texas lawmakers aim to prevent a quorum to block a redistricting plan that could create five new Republican-friendly districts.
• ✊ Hochul applauded the lawmakers for "standing up for the future of democracy."

Delacorte Theater Renovation

• 🎭 The Delacorte Theater in Central Park is reopening after an 18-month, $85 million renovation.
• 🛠️ New features include an updated exterior, improved accessibility, expanded restrooms, and more seating, increasing capacity to over 1,800 patrons.
• 🌟 The reopening features a production of Shakespeare's "12th Night" with a star-studded cast including Peter Dinklage and Lupita Nyong'o.

Hudson River Ecosystem Explored

• 🦀 A new installment of the podcast "Terrestrials" from Radiolab dives into the ecosystem of the Hudson River, focusing on its diverse wildlife.
• 💡 The episode highlights the surprising abundance of life, including crabs, flounder, oyster toadfish, mud snails, and seahorses.
• 🌊 The Hudson River Wet Lab, a flow-through aquarium at Pier 40, serves as both an educational opportunity and a research facility, showcasing native wildlife.

The Long-Nosed Spider Crab as an Indicator

• 🕷️ The long-nosed spider crab is identified as a key indicator of waterway health.
• 🎨 This species is a "decorator crab" that camouflages itself by attaching materials from its surroundings to its shell.
• ⚠️ The presence of plastic debris on the spider crab's shell can indicate pollution in the waterway.

Upcoming Events and Podcast Information

• 🗓️ Events are scheduled for Wednesday, August 6th, and Thursday, August 7th, at Little Island, featuring crabs and fish from the Hudson River Wet Lab.
• 🤫 A secret live taping of "Terrestrials" is also planned for 5:00 PM on both those nights.
• 🎧 More information and the latest episode can be found at terrestrialsspodcast.org or wherever podcasts are available.