Good morning and happy Thursday. A Heat Advisory is in effect for New York City from 11am today through to 8pm tomorrow evening. The intense heat might be broken by an early evening thunderstorm. Try to keep cool…

We first met Marc McBarron Kessler on March 31 when he stood on the steps of 412 W46th Street alongside a gaggle of local politicians holding a press conference. The fight was to save his Hell’s Kitchen home and correct the “deplorable conditions”. Yesterday, the trucks arrived with scaffolding to start the demolition of 412. Since a fire and floods, Marc has been living in the building next door — which has the same landlord and is in a similarly derelict condition. He wrote this essay about how he has to leave as the demolition begins this morning. Read more…

Marc McBarron Kessler

As the newly-rendered 12th Congressional District’s contentious primary draws near and polls tighten, will reports of voter registration nightmares, a potentially absentee Hamptons-bound voter base and Upper East vs Upper West battles bring the focus on the voters of Hell’s Kitchen? Read more…

Maloney Nadler Patel NY1

What we’ve been reading

Weekend traffic on the subways is getting near to pre-pandemic levels — but weekdays are still lagging. (Bloomberg)

Changes to 8th Avenue as Community Board demands DOT “fix the mistakes of the past by pouring concrete for pedestrians instead of asphalt for cars.” (Streetsblog)

Mariner shortage or labor dispute? Either way, the Staten Island Ferry is not running on time. (THE CITY)

Lithium-ion batteries are making headlines — and fires. (NY1)

Farewell to “the Robs” as NY Mag takes more veteran food writers off the menu. (Eater)

Freeze Frame

Annemieke Sunset Pier 84 Fountain

Thanks to Annemieke de Keijzer for this stunning sunset picture of the fountain at Pier 84 last night. “Staying Cool” is the title Annnemieke gave to the picture — we all need to do that today!

Happy birthday to Barack Obama and Doug Laughlen.