What with the rain falling and the apocalypse nigh, things couldn't get much worse, right? Don't be so naive: this weekend the MTA is shutting down all service on the 7 between Times Square and Queensboro Plaza to address "a recent increase in signal-related delays" caused by "an aging signal system and water-related issues." As always, the MTA in its press release is asking "patience from customers," but for riders of the 7, that's like getting blood from a stone. more ›

This poor N train is clearly not over the MTA's doomsday cuts. We spotted this masquerade at Queensboro Plaza last night, where a clearly marked N train (note the N logo next to the strip map) was convinced that it was a recently departed W. Or is this the MTA's way of telling us to not give up hope that the cut service could someday return? Cruel joke, guys. more ›

• Today on the Gothamist Newsmap: a bank robbery at 1 Broadway in Manhattan, a person under a train at the Queensboro Plaza station in Queens, and a child struck by a city bus on Parkside Ave. in Brooklyn.
• Thieves are targeting open houses across the Upper West Side--stealing personal possessions after gaining access to homes. Oddly, one of the two woman thieves is suspected to actually be a man in drag.
• Chants of "No justice, no noodles!" were heard outside of Ollies on West 84th St. this week as workers protested substandard wages.
• NJ Governor Jon Corzine said that he'd risk his job to ensure the state's fiscal stability. Essentially, he's willing to raise state tolls even if it costs him the next election.
• A chart shows the relative sizes of different social networking sites (Yahoo! Mail is HUGE!).
• Who orders bacon with their veggie burgers?
• A survey conducted by the Government Accountability Office testing airport security at 19 facilities across the country showed that bomb-like materials could be smuggled through checkpoints at every airport.
• These pictures make us want to lobby for U.S. currency with NYC buildings on them.

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In non-report card 7 train news, the MTA is now offering express 7 service after Mets games during weeknight games. And the service will start after tomorrow's Mets-Cincinnati Reds game. Post-game express service will last an hour, with trains leaving Willets Point-Shea Stadium every six minutes. Trips to Queensboro Plaza will now take 13 minutes (from 19 when taking the local) and trips to Times Square will now take 25 minutes (from 31). more ›

Yesterday, the NYC Transit Authority gave 7 train riders the chance to tell them what they think about the 7 line and service with the first ever subway/bus report cards. NYCTA president Howard Roberts Jr. hopes that eventually all subway and bus riders will be able to grade their lines so the agency can work with customers' suggestions. more ›

The NYC Transit Authority may not be able to figure out which subway stations to paint after more than seven months, but it's taken only two months to launch the report card initiative! Back in May, NYCTA president Howard Roberts Jr. said that he wanted to know what subway and bus riders thought of their respective lines and announced that the 7 line's straphangers would get first crack at filling out report cards. more ›

A dispatch from the field - the Ditmars Boulevard field, that is - from Dan Dickinson, who says that there is no N service into Manhattan from Queens. Why? A broken rail at Lexington! Now the MTA's service advisory is up, and it's a doozy:

Due to a rail condition at the Lexington Avenue-59th Street Station: more ›

Mitzi, by Raymond. Tag yours "gothamist" on Flickr if you want us to use them. more ›

writer and performer, popping up on stages at parties and bars across town to rattle off his unique musical blend into the mic. Whether reporting on Comic-Con, waxing lyrical about Alan Moore, performing with Kochie Banton, auditionining for Gizmodo's theme song competition, or throwing wild parties, he puts 100% of himself into the task at hand, and has a wonderful time doing so. more ›