NYC News: Mayor Adams Petition Controversy, NJ Cigarette Tax Hike, and Central Park Coyotes

Mayor Adams Petition Controversy

• 🗳️ A WNYC investigation revealed dozens of individuals claim their signatures were forged or obtained deceptively for Mayor Eric Adams's campaign petitions.
• 🧐 These petitions were submitted for Adams to run as an independent candidate in the upcoming mayoral election.
• ⚠️ One resident expressed concern that such practices undermine public faith in democracy.
• ⚖️ In response, an attorney for the Adams campaign stated they are hiring a special counsel to review all signatures for potential fraud.

New Jersey Tax Increases

• 🚬 New Jersey smokers will face higher taxes on cigarettes, with the price for a pack of 20 increasing by 30 cents to $3 in taxes.
• 💨 The tax hike also extends to vaping products, with liquid nicotine subject to a 30-cent tax per fluid milliliter.
• 💰 These increased fees are part of Governor Phil Murphy's tax plan, which aims to generate an additional $600 million in revenue.
• 🎲 Taxes on online gambling and sports betting are also set to rise.

Central Park Coyotes

• 🐾 Photographers David Lei and Jacqueline Emmery have been tracking a pair of coyotes, nicknamed Romeo and Juliet, in Central Park.
• 🌳 Coyotes have been established in the Bronx since the 1990s and are believed to have traveled to Manhattan via railroad tracks and green spaces.
• 🏞️ While coyotes were previously captured, the Parks Department changed its approach in 2016 to allow them to remain in Central Park.
• ❤️ The photographers describe the coyotes as monogamous, affectionate, and playful, noting their deep bond.
• 🦉 They also highlighted other nocturnal wildlife in Central Park, including owls and a recently discovered flying squirrel.
• 🐕 Visitors who encounter coyotes are advised not to panic, not to call the police, but to leash their dogs and enjoy the moment.