This is your afternoon update from DNAinfo. It's in the low 60's in midtown right now. We've got some off and on clouds but warmer temperatures tomorrow.
In your headlines, a Washington Heights man is accused of threatening to kill people at his St. Johns University campus in Queens. Officials say the 18 year old student posted the threats in messages on his Facebook page and referred to the 2007 Virginia Tech massacre. He was arraigned yesterday.
The race for mayor is off and running. Democratic candidate Bill Thompson released his first tv commercials today. He doesn't refer to Mayor Bloomberg by name in those ads but says the last eight years have been about the "rich and powerful". Also on the campaign trail -- the term limits controversy. Thompson said yesterday voters won't forget it was Bloomberg who was behind changing the law -- allowing him to run again. But Bloomberg says he's ready for a fight and that the term-limit backlash wasn't the only reason some incumbents lost in the primaries.
The city says its responding to fires faster than ever. According to the FDNY, since January firefighters have been responding on average in 4 minutes and 3 seconds -- the fastest time ever recorded. Also, there have been 44 fire deaths this year, fewer than ever before.
Your taxi ride could soon cost you more. There's a hearing today in Lower Manhattan on the 50 cent surcharge on any ride that starts in New York City. It takes effect November 1st. And police have made an arrest in the Annie Le murder – this morning Connecticut cops arrested Yale lab tech Raymond Clark. He's being held on 3 million dollars bond. Those are your headlines. Get all your local Manhattan news at DNAinfo.com.
