City Limits rounds up the latest housing and land use-related events, public hearings and affordable housing lotteries that are ending soon.

The City Planning Commission will vote this week on the city’s rezoning plan for Midtown South. (Dept. of City Planning)

Welcome to City Limits’ NYC Housing Calendar, a weekly feature where we round up the latest housing and land use-related events and hearings, as well as upcoming affordable housing lotteries that are ending soon.

Know of an event we should include in next week’s calendar? Email us.

Upcoming Housing and Land Use-Related Events:

Tuesday, June 17 at 9:30 a.m.: The NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission will meet. More here.

Tuesday, June 17 at 1 p.m.: The NYC Council’s Committee on Children and Youth will meet regarding several bills, including one that could require the city to provide luggage to youth in the foster care system. More here.

Tuesday, June 17 at 5 p.m.: The Rent Guidelines Board, which is considering rent increases for tenants in stabilized apartments, will hold a public hearing in Manhattan. More here.

Wednesday, June 18 at 10 a.m.: The City Planning Commission will meet and vote on the following land use applications: Bally’s Ferry Point Map Amendment, 347 Flushing Ave., 236 Gold Street Rezoning, 47 Hall Street Rezoning, Midtown South Mixed-Use Plan (MSMX), and the 42-11 30th Avenue Rezoning. It will hold public hearings on the following projects: 5602-5604 Broadway Rezoning, JFK Conduit Logistics Center Demapping, 1946 East 7th Street Rezoning, 350 Park Avenue, and 515 7th Avenue. More here.

Wednesday, June 18 at 1 p.m.: The NYC Council’s General Welfare Committee will meet regarding several bills, including one that would require the city to report on supportive housing vacancies and another related to monitoring access to air conditioning in homeless shelters. More here.

Saturday, June 21, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Queens Neighborhood Services will host an in-person housing expo at the Queens Museum featuring information on programs and assistance for homeowners and renters. More here.

Monday, June 23, 5 to 8 p.m.: The New York City Charter Revision Commission, which is considering changes to city government rules around housing and land use, will hold a public input hearing on Staten Island. More here.

Monday, June 23, 6 to 8 p.m.: The city will hold a community design workshop around plans for the incoming borough-based jail in The Bronx. More here.

NYC Affordable Housing Lotteries Ending Soon: The New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) is closing lotteries on the following subsidized buildings over the next week.

Core NYC, Queens, for households earning between $68,400 – $227,500 (last day to apply is 6/16)

514 Maple Street Apartments, Brooklyn, for households earning between $90,858 – $261,170 (last day to apply is 6/16)

Kay’s Place, Brooklyn, for households earning between $48,823 – $160,720 (last day to apply is 6/17)

111 Willoughby Street Apartments, Brooklyn, for households earning between $101,143 – $227,500 (last day to apply is 6/26)

The post NYC Housing Calendar, June 16-23 appeared first on City Limits.

By MATTHEW PERRONE, AP Health Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) — Health officials want you to think twice before buying one of those brightly colored little bottles often sold at gas stations, convenience stores and smoke shops.

Sometimes called “gas station heroin,” the products are usually marketed as energy shots or cognitive supplements but actually contain tianeptine, an unapproved drug that can be addictive and carries risks of serious side effects.

U.S. poison control centers have reported a steady rise in calls linked to the drug for more than a decade. And last month the Food and Drug Administration sent a warning to health professionals about “the magnitude of the underlying danger or these products.”

Here’s what to know about gas station heroin.

How are these products sold in the U.S.?

Tianeptine is approved in a number foreign countries as an antidepressant, usually as a low-dose pill taken three times a day. But it has never been approved by the FDA for any medical condition in the U.S.

Additionally, the drug cannot legally be added to foods and beverages or sold as a dietary supplement — something the FDA has repeatedly warned U.S. companies about.

Still, under-the-radar firms sell tianeptine in various formulas, often with brand names like Zaza, Tianaa, Pegasus and TD Red. Although that is technically illegal, the FDA does not preapprove ingredients added to supplements and beverages.

“It’s kind of this grey area of consumer products, or supplements, where the contents are not regulated or tested the way they would be with a medication,” said Dr. Diane Calello of the New Jersey Poison Information and Education System.

Last year, Calello and her colleagues published a study documenting a cluster of emergency calls in New Jersey tied to a flavored elixir called Neptune’s Fix. People experienced distress, rapid heartbeat, low blood pressure and seizures after drinking it. More than a dozen of the 20 patients had to be admitted for intensive care.

Why use these products?

Many tianeptine products claim— without evidence or FDA approval— to help users treat medical conditions, including addiction, pain and depression.

In 2018, the FDA issued a warning letter to the maker of a product called Tianna, which claimed to provide “an unparalleled solution to cravings for opiates.”

While tianeptine is not an opioid, the drug binds to some of the same receptors in the brain, which can temporarily produce effects akin to oxycodone and other opioids. Tianeptine also carries some of the same physiological risks of opioids, including the potential to dangerously depress breathing.

“That’s what tends to get people into trouble,” said Dr. Hannah Hays of Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. “They use it for opioid-like effects or to self-treat opioid withdrawal and that can lead to slow breathing and problems like that.”

People dealing with opioid addiction, pain, depression, anxiety and other conditions should see a health professional to get a prescription for FDA-approved treatments, Hays said.

Is tianeptine use going up?

Experts aren’t sure but national figures show a big rise in emergency calls involving the drug.

Calls to poison control centers increased 525% between 2018 and 2023, according to a data analysis published earlier this year. In about 40% of cases, the person had to seek medical care, with more than half of them needing critical care.

One explanation for the rise in calls is simply that more Americans are using the products.

But experts also say that the products are triggering more emergencies as they become more potent and dangerous. And the researchers in New Jersey who analyzed Neptune’s Fix found that the liquid also contained synthetic cannabis and other drugs.

“You never quite know what’s in that bottle,” Calello said. “It’s important for people to know that even if they have used a product before, they could get a bottle that contains something very different from what they’re looking for.”

Are there policies that could reduce tianeptine use?

Tianeptine is not included in the federal Controlled Substances Act, which bans or restricts drugs that have no medical use or have a high potential for abuse, such as heroin, LSD and PCP. But about a dozen states have passed laws prohibiting or restricting tianeptine, including Alabama, Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Tennessee.

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In some cases, those laws have led to more cases of withdrawal among users of tianeptine, which can be chemically addictive. But state data also shows some success in reducing harm tied to the drug.

Until recently, Alabama had the highest rate of tianeptine-related calls in the southern U.S., which increased more than 1,400% between 2018 to 2021. But after the state restricted tianeptine in 2021 calls began modestly decreasing while calls across other southern states continued to climb.

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

By MICHAEL CANTU

There are some new cars that many shoppers tend to overlook even though they have a lot to offer. These hidden gems boast a special combination of attractive qualities and can potentially make excellent choices for savvy folks who want their ride to stand out from the sea of mainstream vehicles. Certain slower-selling cars don’t get the respect they deserve, whether due to styling, the type of vehicle, or brand image. Edmunds explores five hidden gems and the wow factor that makes them shine. Our choices are ordered by starting price, including destination fees.

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Hyundai Ioniq 6

The Ioniq 6 is an electric sedan that does almost everything right. It’s sporty and fun to drive, yet it’s also comfortable and has a smooth ride over rough dips and potholes. Inside, you’ll find a well-built interior that’s easy to use. The Ioniq 6 touts a long EPA-estimated range of up to 342 miles. It’s also one of the quickest-charging EVs on the market when using a powerful fast-charging machine.

The electric Hyundai’s drawbacks are mostly minor, with one big exception. Its styling isn’t for everyone and attracts attention for good and bad reasons. However, the upcoming 2026 model has updated styling that’s easier on the eyes.

Ioniq 6 starting price: $39,045

Honda Ridgeline

This photo provided by Honda shows the 2025 Ridgeline. The Ridgeline is roomier and more comfortable than its midsize pickup rivals. (Courtesy of American Honda Motor Co. via AP)

The Ridgeline could be an ideal truck for you depending on your priorities. If you plan on frequently towing heavy loads and tackling serious off-road trails, then other midsize trucks like the Ford Ranger would be a better fit. But if not, you should consider the Ridgeline. It’s more comfortable, has more passenger room and handles better than its rivals.

The Ridgeline’s towing capacity is certainly good enough for most uses, such as pulling a small camper trailer or toy hauler. It also has clever features like a lockable in-bed trunk and a tailgate that folds down or swings to the side. Its bed is large enough for 4-foot-wide plywood sheets without resting them on the wheelwells.

Ridgeline starting price: $41,600

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

This photo provided by Mitsubishi shows the 2025 Outlander PHEV. This plug-in three-row SUV can drive an estimated 38 miles on electric power before switching on its gas hybrid engine. (Courtesy of Mitsubishi Motors USA via AP)

Mitsubishi doesn’t sell as many vehicles as giant brands like Chevrolet or Toyota. But the Outlander PHEV is surprisingly capable and versatile. It’s a plug-in hybrid SUV that offers three rows of seating and standard all-wheel drive. If you charge regularly, trips to the gas station will be rare thanks to the Outlander PHEV’s lengthy 38-mile electric range. When the battery runs low, you’ll get a respectable 26 mpg combined.

With the third row folded down, the Outlander PHEV offers lots of cargo space. When it’s up, you’ll have room for seven passengers, but the third row is only large enough for kids. Its starting price isn’t low because it’s a plug-in hybrid, but the Mitsubishi comes well equipped, and the top SEL trim level is quite luxurious.

2025 Outlander PHEV starting price: $42,040

Toyota Crown

This photo provided by Toyota shows the 2025 Crown. The Crown is a big sedan with a distinctive, raised look. Its hybrid powertrain also helps it get up to an estimated 41 mpg combined. (Courtesy of Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. via AP)

The Crown is a relatively new Toyota that turns heads with its distinctive design. Its styling is similar to a sedan’s, but the Crown has a raised ride height that’s more like a crossover SUV’s. Oh, and it’s a hybrid too. The base engine is a fuel sipper that gets an EPA-estimated 41 mpg combined. The optional Hybrid Max engine produces an impressive 340 horsepower for quick acceleration, but fuel economy dips to 30 mpg combined.

Inside, the Crown has a pleasing interior with large display screens, spacious seating and a comfortable ride. But all this comes at a cost. The Crown is pricey for a non-luxury hybrid sedan, especially the top Platinum trim that has the Hybrid Max engine.

2025 Crown starting price: $42,575

Genesis G90

This photo provided by Genesis shows the 2025 G90. The G90 is Genesis’ flagship luxury sedan that is priced right and gives up very little to its German competition. (Courtesy of Genesis Motor North America via AP)

The G90 has everything you want in a large, lavish sedan except for brand cachet. Genesis is still relatively new in the luxury world, but its vehicles, especially the flagship G90, shouldn’t be overlooked. This South Korean sedan touts style, power, exceptional comfort, and an opulent cabin with superb fit and finish. Some rivals offer the same but require an arm and a leg for payment. And you’re mistaken if you think the G90 skimps on features.

The top 3.5T E-Supercharger version doesn’t offer any optional features because it comes equipped with many features, including many that usually cost thousands more than they would on a luxury rival. The most notable ones include front and rear massaging seats, a 26-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system, a massive package of advanced driver aids, and an air suspension that scans the road ahead so it can adjust to road imperfections.

Starting price: $91,050

Edmunds says

You’ll be bucking the trend by purchasing one of these hidden gems. And because they’re all highly rated by Edmunds, you’ll also own a top-notch vehicle that could provide a rewarding experience.

This story was provided to The Associated Press by the automotive website Edmunds.

Michael Cantu is a contributor at Edmunds.

The Associated Press

LONDON (AP) — WhatsApp said Monday that users will start seeing ads in some parts of the app, as owner Meta Platforms moves to cultivate a new revenue stream by tapping the billions of people that use the messaging service.

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Advertisements will be shown only in the app’s Updates tab, which is used by as many as 1.5 billion people each day. However, they won’t appear where personal chats are located, developers said.

“The personal messaging experience on WhatsApp isn’t changing, and personal messages, calls and statuses are end-to-end encrypted and cannot be used to show ads,” WhatsApp said in a blog post.

It’s a big change for the company, whose founders Jan Koum and Brian Acton vowed to keep the platform free of ads when they created it in 2009.

Facebook purchased WhatsApp in 2014 and the pair left a few years later. Parent company Meta has long been trying to generate revenue from WhatsApp.

WhatsApp said ads will be targeted to users based on information like the user’s age, the country or city where they’re located, the language they’re using, the channels they’re following in the app, and how they’re interacting with the ads they see.

WhatsApp said it won’t use personal messages, calls and groups that a user is a member of to target ads to the user.

It’s one of three advertising features that WhatsApp unveiled on Monday as it tries to monetize the app’s user base. Channels will also be able to charge users a monthly fee for subscriptions so they can get exclusive updates. And business owners will be able to pay to promote their channel’s visibility to new users.