AGP Executive Report

City Culture: New York ranked the nation’s top Halloween city, thanks to its costume and candy shops, walkability and trick-or-treat options. A new Museum exhibit celebrates Lenape heritage and resilience. Music: Brooklyn-born Jay-Z will headline the 2027 Super Bowl halftime show, following sold-out Yankee Stadium dates this summer. Community: Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor won the Roberto Clemente Award, recognizing his charitable work, including student programs in Queens. Faith & Accountability: The Archdiocese of New York agreed to an $800 million settlement with about 1,300 clergy abuse survivors. City Traditions: The City Council voted to end Central Park horse-carriage rides by 2028, closing a tradition dating back more than 150 years amid animal-welfare concerns. Education: Brooklyn teacher Sean McFadden is helping lead the city’s climate-education work, including a student pilot to measure air quality at schools.

Community Safety: A Manhattan hate-crime complaint alleges a woman accused of attacking two Jewish men walked away after a passerby said he was Muslim; her lawyer disputes that police identified the right suspect. Faith & Accountability: New York’s Catholic Archdiocese agreed to an $800 million settlement covering about 1,300 clergy-abuse claims, with plans to name accused priests and open internal files. City Life: Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Council Speaker Julie Menin agreed to phase out Central Park horse-drawn carriages by June 1, 2028, with proposed Romanch’s Law addressing animal welfare, safety and workers’ transition after teenager Romanch Mahajan’s fatal carriage accident. Health Access: NYC Mental Health Connect helps residents find services among more than 600 licensed providers, with filters for language, insurance and availability. Culture & Education: A textured-hair training event at L’Oréal Academy East brought New York stylists practical techniques and discussion of cultural standards in beauty; CUNY also celebrated the 149 Street–Hostos subway station name, recognizing the college’s South Bronx roots.

Public Art: A new Lower East Side mural at P.S. 134 honors 16 women’s suffrage leaders, turning a blank school wall into a neighborhood history lesson just as early voting begins. Church Accountability: The Archdiocese of New York has agreed to an $800 million settlement over nearly 1,300 clergy abuse claims, with plans to name accused priests and open internal files. Changing City Traditions: New York City’s council voted to end Central Park horse-drawn carriage rides, a tradition dating to 1858; the ban is set to take effect by 2028, though drivers and union officials are preparing legal challenges. Arts Calendar: The first Art Week NYC is set for next month, with more than 80 museums and galleries taking part.

Church Accountability: New York’s Catholic archdiocese agreed to an $800 million settlement with about 1,300 clergy abuse survivors. The deal also calls for naming accused priests and opening internal files. A Central Park Tradition Ends: City Council voted to ban horse-drawn carriages by 2028, following a teenager’s death and a horse’s collapse. The decision closes a tourist tradition dating back more than a century. Jewish Life: A Chabad rabbi returned to Manhattan’s Diamond District a day after an antisemitic stabbing, reaffirming his commitment to the neighborhood. Arts Calendar: New York’s first Art Week is set for next month, with more than 80 museums and galleries taking part.

Clergy Abuse Settlement: About 1,300 survivors have approved an $800 million settlement with the Archdiocese of New York, ending years of claims; the deal is expected to be signed in early November and includes the release of church records. Manhattan Safety: A rabbi returned to his Diamond District outreach work a day after being stabbed; police are investigating the attack as a possible hate crime. City Traditions: New York City has voted to phase out Central Park’s horse-drawn carriages by 2028, ending a longstanding tourist attraction after years of debate over animal welfare. Arts & Leisure: Art Week NYC is set to bring more than 80 museums and galleries into a citywide program next month. Meanwhile, Fort Tilden offers Queens residents a quieter coastal escape, with hiking trails, an arts center and a beach. Neighborhood Screens: AMC Kips Bay plans to close Jan. 3, with its CEO saying NYU Langone “wants us gone.”

Stage & Neighborhood: Lin-Manuel Miranda’s In the Heights returns to Washington Heights, with a City Center run from Oct. 28 to Nov. 15 and $28 tickets available. Film & Harlem: Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Neon are presenting free citywide screenings of Once Upon a Time in Harlem, celebrating Harlem Renaissance legends. A Changing City: The City Council passed a ban on Central Park horse-drawn carriages, ending a tradition of more than 150 years starting in June 2028; the law is named for Romanch Mahajan, an 18-year-old who died in a carriage-related accident. Music & Art: A new Netflix documentary revisits Wu-Tang Clan’s decision to sell Once Upon a Time in Shaolin as a one-of-a-kind artwork—and the fallout after buyer Martin Shkreli was revealed. Brighton Beach Tradition: The Your Highness Grandmother Pageant marks its 25th year, with contestants in their 80s and 90s taking the stage Sunday.

City Traditions: New York City has voted to ban Central Park’s horse-drawn carriages by 2028, ending a tradition of more than 150 years. Animal-welfare advocates celebrated the decision, while carriage workers warned about their livelihoods. Harlem on Screen: Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Neon are bringing free screenings of Once Upon a Time in Harlem to the city this weekend, spotlighting Harlem Renaissance figures. The Shed: John Legend says Pharrell Williams pushed him toward a more conversational sound on his new album; Legend is also composing his first original stage score for Imitation of Life, opening at the Shed in December. Arts and Archives: The New York Public Library has received more than 250 prints by artist Kiki Smith, a gift from her sister Seton Smith.

Broadway: “Rent” marks 30 years on Broadway with a star-studded benefit featuring original cast members and other alumni. City Traditions: New York City Council approved a ban on Central Park’s horse-drawn carriages starting in June 2028. Drivers worry about their livelihoods and horses’ futures; supporters cite animal welfare and safety. Harlem on Screen: Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Neon are offering free “Once Upon a Time in Harlem” screenings across the city this weekend, celebrating Harlem Renaissance figures. Arts Calendar: New York’s first Art Week is set for next month, with more than 80 museums and galleries taking part. Books and Art: The New York City International Book Fair has opened with 160 events, while the New York Public Library is adding more than 250 Kiki Smith prints donated by the artist’s sister.

Central Park Tradition: City Council voted to end horse-drawn carriage rides, with the ban set for June 2028 if signed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Supporters cite animal safety; drivers and their union say the change threatens livelihoods and plan to fight it. Harlem on Screen: Free screenings of Once Upon a Time in Harlem are coming to New York this weekend, offering a chance to revisit the neighborhood’s cultural history. Books and Music: The New York City International Book Fair has opened with 160 events, while the city’s avant-garde and creative music lineup runs through Oct. 29. Art at the Library: The New York Public Library has received more than 250 prints by artist Kiki Smith, donated by her sister Seton Smith.

Arts & Culture: New York City’s first Art Week arrives next month, with more than 80 museums and galleries taking part. The NYC International Book Fair is also underway, offering 160 events—twice last year’s lineup—while Tilda Swinton prepares for her New York stage debut in a gender-defying performance. Queens Nights: The Winter Lantern Festival returns to Queens County Farm on Nov. 19, with handmade lanterns, food and live entertainment through Jan. 3. City Traditions: New York is moving to ban Central Park’s horse-drawn carriages, drawing protests from drivers and a planned lawsuit from their union. Community Leadership: The New York Women’s Foundation will honor Queens organizers and community leaders at its Nov. 10 Neighborhood Dinner at the Museum of the Moving Image.

Museum News: The Met has acquired 38 paintings by Chinese ink master Zhang Daqian, with a selection expected to go on display later this year. City Arts: The first Art Week NYC is set for next month, bringing more than 80 museums and galleries into a citywide celebration; New York’s first microdrama film festival is also searching for an audience. Live Events: Soca star Kes will headline the Nov. 12 Gotham Health Masquerade Gala at the Met, with proceeds supporting early-childhood programs for families across the five boroughs. City Traditions: New York City’s plan to phase out Central Park’s horse-drawn carriage industry faces a legal challenge from the Transport Workers Union, which says the proposal threatens drivers’ livelihoods and investments.

Activism: New York congressional nominee Brad Lander says Israeli forces detained him while he helped Palestinian farmers harvest olives in the West Bank; he was later released with a warning. Education & Families: NYC plans to add 10,000 free 2-K seats by fall 2027, as the schools chancellor faces renewed calls for an integration plan. Arts & Festivals: Diwali returns to Times Square on Oct. 24, while a Ukrainian cultural festival brings film, theater and poetry to New York through Nov. 6, closing at Carnegie Hall. Neighborhood Culture: New York has designated the Bronx’s Little Yemen a cultural district, and a new art exhibit spotlights immigrant stories across the city. City Life: Williamsburg is set to get NYC’s first outdoor community sauna this winter. New York Comic Con marked its 20th anniversary with more than 250,000 fans.

Immigrant New Yorkers: A Brooklyn-and-Queens portrait exhibit spotlights immigrants as artists, workers, business owners and neighbors, amid declining support for immigrants in the city. Community Safety: Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced $4.8 million for violence-prevention outreach in Bushwick, Harlem and Washington Heights/Inwood, including a new team in the northern Manhattan neighborhoods. On Screen: Ava DuVernay’s documentary “14th,” about rights under the 14th Amendment, closed the New York Film Festival; a review praised its focus on citizenship and equal protection. Dining: Genesis House in the Meatpacking District has unveiled a Korean menu with regional bulgogi and a first overseas restaurant partnership with Seoul cocktail bar Bar Cham. City Traditions: Mamdani’s plan to end Central Park horse-drawn carriage rides by 2028 puts a 160-year tourist tradition in jeopardy, with drivers sounding the alarm. Arts & Events: New York Comic Con marked its 20th anniversary at Javits Center, drawing more than 250,000 fans, while a Ukrainian cultural festival brings film, theater and poetry to the city through Nov. 6.

Arts & Festivals: New York’s Ukrainian Cultural Festival is underway through Nov. 6, with 18 events spanning film, theater, poetry and music, including a closing performance at Carnegie Hall. Diwali returns to Times Square on Oct. 24 with concerts and cultural shows. City Culture: New York Comic Con marks its 20th anniversary at the Javits Center, while the Stonewall Chorale launches its 50th anniversary season. The Bronx’s Little Yemen has also been designated a state cultural district. Neighborhood Life: Williamsburg is set to get NYC’s first outdoor community sauna this winter, with free sauna nights and cold plunges. Changing Traditions: Mayor Zohran Mamdani is moving to end Central Park’s horse-drawn carriage industry by 2028, drawing pushback from drivers and union leaders over the fate of a 160-year-old city fixture. Families & Schools: NYC plans to add 10,000 free 2-K seats by fall 2027, expanding the program into the Bronx and Staten Island.

Early Learning: Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Gov. Kathy Hochul announced more NYC 2-K seats next fall, with state funding promised for the first two years; longer-term financing remains unsettled. New York Comic Con: The Javits Center event returns for its 20th anniversary. Student Scores: New York’s Class of 2026 averaged 1,053 on the SAT, topping the national 1,045; 63% of eligible students took the exam, the highest participation rate since 2020. Bronx Heritage: Hochul signed legislation establishing Little Yemen as a cultural district, recognizing the neighborhood’s Yemeni community. City Traditions: New York is moving to end horse-drawn carriage rides by mid-2028, drawing objections from drivers and union leaders. Regional Theater: Hudson Valley Shakespeare’s first season in its new Scripps Theater sold out its final six weeks, prompting the company to consider expanding next season.

Historic New York: Firefighters rescued a Manhattan church famed for its “Godfather” scene from a four-alarm blaze. Bronx Heritage: Gov. Kathy Hochul signed legislation establishing Little Yemen as a cultural district, recognizing the neighborhood’s Yemeni community and traditions. City Traditions: New York plans to end horse-drawn carriage rides by 2028, putting a 160-year-old tourist fixture on the way out amid opposition from drivers and union leaders. Arts Calendar: The inaugural Art Week NYC has announced 32 participating institutions, including the Met, Guggenheim and Whitney, with new museum programming. Preserving the Past: A New York archive is racing to save a century of sound and film. Onstage: Natalie Merchant joins Cyndi Lauper and other performers for the 46th Annual John Lennon Tribute at Town Hall in November.