New York City’s unemployment rate has fallen to 5.4 percent, the lowest level in seven years, according to a report released today by the city comptroller. The city began to see a decrease in May, from 6.4 percent to 6.1 percent, and now the dramatic drop has been seen across every borough, including the Bronx, which saw a a decline from 9.2 to 7.2 percent over the past year. With 24,700 private sector jobs added during the quarter, the city has seen above average growth compared to other cities as well. The report also determined that retail, education and healthcare were the three most booming industries in terms of employment. (Daily Intelligencer)
Police arrested the alleged gunman who fatally shot one man and wounded two others at Penn Station on Nov. 9, officials said today. Francisco Alsina, 23, was taken into custody in Rhode Island last night and is expected to be charged with murder. His alleged accomplice, 27-year-old Vincent Arcona, was arrested yesterday. (Daily News)
A new report from the Department of Health and First Lady Chirlane McCray says that one in five New Yorkers experience mental health issues, and not enough residents are getting the help they need. The report found that 41 percent of New Yorkers with a serious mental illness needed treatment in the last year, but they delayed getting care or did not receive it. The report also found that about 500,000 city residents suffer from depression, but less than 40 percent are getting treatment. The report is a precursor to ThriveNYC, an initiative that seeks to change how the city deals with mental health issues. (DNAinfo)
A Queens woman who shot herself in the head and was declared dead by EMTs was found to still be alive an hour later. The 32-year-old woman, identified as Diana Rodriguez and reportedly bipolar, was talking on the phone with her boyfriend Thursday morning when she threatened to kill herself. When he heard gunshots over the line, he called 911, and Jamaica Hospital EMTs were dispatched to her Richmond home, where she was pronounced dead. But while the police were inspecting the scene an officer heard noises from the woman and she was rushed to the hospital, where this time she actually did perish. The incident is under investigation. (Gothamist)
Retail shoppers rejoice—Target is bringing its bull’s eye to lower Manhattan. The retail chain signed a lease for a space of 48,242 feet at 255 Greenwich Street, with an entrance at the corner of Murray Street. The new location is expected to open in October 2016—Target will also ope stores in Forest Hills and Brooklyn in July 2016. (New York Post)
