Brooklyn Today January 25: Brooklyn Today January 25: Cuomo Signs Early Voting Bill Into Law

The Lede

THE LEDE: Happy Friday! Blue Point launches a L train-themed beer, a third victim dies from the Sheepshead Bay hammer attack, and the Reproductive Health Act passes. Plus, furloughed federal employees get some help at Barclays Center, Cuomo signs an early voting bill into law, and El Chapo’swife helped him escape prison. Finally, a plant-based eatery is coming to Downtown Brooklyn, cops rescue a hawk in Williamsburg, and Greenpointis getting greener.

Imprint

IMPRINT: Actress Mindy Kaling grins on the latest cover of Variety.

The Rundown

NEW YORK BREWERY LAUNCHES L TRAIN-THEMED BEER

A leaked memo from the MTA revealed that wait times for the L train this summer could be longer than ever at “40 minutes or more.” But would-be commuters now have the option to drown their sorrows in a mood-appropriate beverage. Yes, a New York brewing company is launching an L train-themed beer. Blue Point, a Long-Island based brewery, is unveiling a new helles style lager called “What the L?” The lager is scheduled to drop this April, shutdown or no shutdown.(via Brooklyn Eagle)

THIRD VICTIM DIES AFTER SHEEPSHEAD BAY HAMMER ATTACK

A third victim died after a hammer-wielding attacker smashed his way through aSheepshead Bay restaurant last week. Authorities confirmed yesterday that 50-year-old Tsz Pun, the restaurant’s manager, had succumbed to his injuries at a Sunset Park hospital. Arthur Martunovich, 34, entered Seaport Buffet just after 5 p.m. on Jan. 15 brandishing a hammer, which he used to strike three employees before fleeing the scene. Pun is the third to die following the attack. (via Brooklyn Eagle)

PRO-CHOICE ADVOCATES CHEER REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH LAW

Pro-choice advocates expressed joy and relief at the passage of the Reproductive Health Act in the state Legislature, while pro-life supporters lamented the new law codifying the protections contained in Roe v. Wade. Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the Reproductive Health Act into law almost immediately after the bill’s passage on Tuesday, the 46th Anniversary of the Supreme Court’s landmark Roe v. Wade decision allowing abortion. (via Brooklyn Eagle)

FURLOUGHED FEDERAL WORKS HEAD TO BARCLAYS CENTER FOR SUPPORT

As the unprecedented government shutdown enters its second month, leaving nearly one million federal employees without paychecks, furloughed federal employees found a resource for support at Barclays Center on Tuesday. An event called “Rise Up for the Shutdown” handed out food and supplies to those affected by the shutdown. The gathering was sponsored by the Food Bank for New York City, BSE Global and Stop & Shop. The grocery chain donated $10,000. (via Brooklyn Eagle)

CUOMO SIGNS EARLY VOTING BILL INTO LAW

New York state will soon join most other states in allowing voters to cast a ballot before election day. Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed legislation into law Wednesday that authorizes in-person early voting up to 10 days before an election. He was joined at a Manhattan bill signing ceremony by actor Ben Stiller. Several bills all passed earlier this month, following a Democratic takeover of the state Senate in last year’s elections. Cuomo says the changes should boost New York’s voter turnout, which typically lags other states. (AP via Brooklyn Eagle)

WITNESS: EL CHAPO’S WIFE WAS IN ON PLANS FOR PRISON ESCAPE

The wife of Mexican drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman played a key role in his infamous 2015 escape from prison through a tunnel dug into the shower of his cell, a witness testified Wednesday at the kingpin’s U.S. trial.Damaso Lopez Nunez, once a loyal lieutenant for Guzman, told the jury that Emma Coronel Aispuro helped her husband communicate with his sons and others who coordinated the breakout in Mexico. Coronel “was giving us his messages,” Lopez told the jury, adding that she also was in on meetings about the escape. (AP via Brooklyn Eagle)

NEW CELEB-INSPIRED, PLANT-BASED EATERY HUNGRY ANGELINA COMING TO DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN

Hungry Angelina, a new plant-basedeatery, is coming to Downtown Brooklyn. The new restaurant — a partnership between a California-based lifestyle company headed by celebrity chef Matthew Kenney and a Madrid hospitality group — will encompass 4,500 square feet on the ground floor of 117 Adams St. in Kushner Companies’ “DUMBO Heights.” The restaurant, set to open sometime this summer, will join other retailers like Taco Dumbo and Untamed Sandwiches. (Commercial Observer via Brooklyn Eagle)

COPS HELP RESCUE HAWK FROM BUSY WILLIAMSBURG INTERSECTION

Cops rescued a wayward hawk Wednesday evening after the bird found itself at the epicenter of a busy intersection. A crowd of close to 100 spectators watched from the sidewalk as the hawk tried to make a great escape from the three-way crossing at Lorimer, Lee and Wallabout streets in Williamsburg. “It seemed like it was sick,” a witness said. That same bystander helped escort the bird to the side of the road where authorities were able to cage it. (New York Post via Brooklyn Eagle)

LENTOL ANNOUNCES $1.5 MILLION GRANT FOR 1.4 ACRE GREEN ROOF IN GREENPOINT

Assemblyman Joe Lentol announced on Thursday the award of $1.5 million in a New York State grant to Broadway Stages, Ltd. They will be funding and partnering with Alive Structures for the creation of green rooftops, totaling 1.4 acres, on three of their sound stages inGreenpoint. The rooftops will provide several benefits, ranging from stormwater capture to air pollution reduction. “The green roofs have the potential to remove the emissions equivalent of over 40,000 cars per year,” Lentol said. (via Brooklyn Eagle)

Staff Picks

LONG READ:

Nine sober musicians discuss how they find creativity and inspiration without drugs or alcohol(via GQ)

ANOTHER LONG READ:

“This Is What Happens When You Try to Sue Your Boss” (via Bloomberg)

PODCAST:

Crime in Brooklyn is at an all-time low, but disturbing headlines still pop up around the borough. We discuss what it’s like to report on crime both at the scene and in the courthouse. Plus, we dive into what it was like to cover Brooklyn during the crack era and on 9/11. (via Brooklyn Eagle)

HEALTH:

Many Americans have been told they’re allergic to penicillin, including this reporter. But a new paper reveals that 19 out of 20 people who were told they were allergic to the drug, actually aren’t(via NYT)

NATIONAL BULLETIN:

The most expensive apartment in America just sold for $238 million…Boeing successfully tests a flying car…And Amazon usesdelivery robots in a Seattle suburb. (via Architectural Digest, Bloomberg and Seattle Times)

FOREIGN FLASH:

Felix Tshisekedi is sworn in as Congo’s new president…Adelaide, Australia, experiences its hottest day in history…And Thailand fights air pollution with water-spraying drones(via Al Jazeera, The Guardian and Quartz)

ROYAL WATCH:

Here are 13 rules that the Queen has broken during her reign. (via Reader’s Digest)