NYC News Roundup: ICE Agent Incident, Cuomo Endorsement, Preparedness, Vaccines, and Herb Preservation

ICE Agent Incident and Investigation

• 🚨 An ICE agent has been relieved of duty following a viral video showing him shoving a woman to the floor outside Manhattan Immigration Court.
• ⚠️ The Department of Homeland Security has launched a full investigation into the incident, deeming the agent's conduct "unacceptable."

Political Endorsement and Campaigns

• 🤝 Former Governor Andrew Cuomo received an endorsement from former rival Jim Walden in his bid for New York City Mayor.
• 🎯 Walden criticized rival Maya Wiley's agenda as "radical" and a "gateway to extremism."

Emergency Preparedness Month

• 📅 September is National Preparedness Month, urging New Yorkers to create safety plans for emergencies like hurricanes and snowstorms.
• 🎒 Residents are advised to prepare "go bags" with essentials to sustain themselves and their families for at least 72 hours.
• 🗺️ Key preparedness steps include signing up for the Notify NYC emergency communication system and knowing designated evacuation zones.

COVID-19 and Flu Season Guidance

• 💉 New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse recommends updated COVID-19 shots for everyone 6 months and older to protect against upcoming respiratory viruses.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Specific groups, including those over 65, pregnant individuals, and young children (6 months to 2 years), are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated.
• 🏥 While there's a slight uptick in COVID-19 cases, especially among the young and elderly, no new safety concerns about the vaccine have been presented.

Herb Preservation for Fall

• 🌿 With the arrival of fall, Amelia Tarpy from Grow NYC Green Markets suggests preserving fresh herbs for winter use.
• 🧊 Methods include drying herbs by hanging them away from sunlight or creating herb-infused olive oil frozen in ice cube trays for easy flavor additions.
• 💰 Fresh herb bunches at green markets typically cost $3 to $5.