Good morning and welcome to this wet Thursday. It’s looking like it will be drying up around 10am and we can start to warm up towards a blisteringly hot weekend. Yes, over 90 degrees on Saturday, folks!
As a 15-minute delivery service uncovers its windows for business amid newly-proposed city regulations, local politicians still insist that “dark stores” — otherwise known as micro-fulfillment centers — are bad news for small businesses and corner bodegas. Read more…

Planning a weekend trip upstate or a summer walk in the park? Be sure to add long pants and insect repellent to your checklist. Tick populations are on the rise in the Tri-state area, bringing with them the threat of neurologically debilitating diseases. Read more…

What we’ve been reading
New York’s median rent is double what the median income household can afford. (amNY)
You’ve got more chance of finding an Airbnb than an apartment to rent in NYC. (Curbed)
The new congressional district maps could tempt De Blasio back into politics. (Politico)
How Fordham University rose up on San Juan Hill — a West Side Story. (Fordham Observer)
Last call for that $28 beer at New York airports. (Timeout)
Freeze Frame

Our Lifestyle Editor Sarah Beling is launching her weekly email this afternoon — “Make Way For The Weekend”. There’s still time to sign up to discover what’s going on around the neighborhood and New York. Sign up here…
Happy Birthday to Tania Green, Geri Mazur and Val Valentino!