President Obama's NYC visits mean traffic hell, as do Justin Bieber's. But what happens when the Commander in Chief and the super popular teen singer come to the Big Apple on the same day during the holiday season? It is making drivers freak out. more ›

This week, we documented the excruciatingly drawn out death of one 75-year-old, 74-foot-tall Norway Spruce tree from Pennsylvania, from the first shadow of eternal darkness to pictures of the carcass being dragged to its final resting place in Rockefeller Center. In case you haven't been following its dedicated Twitter feed and missed this video, check out a timelapse below of the Christmas tree being put up: more ›

[Updates below] After "about 100" Occupy Wall Street protesters marched to the Federal Reserve building last night, the Post reports that two of them began fighting each other near Liberty and Nassau Streets. According to the paper, "when police tried to intervene, one of the protesters suddenly punched the officer in the face," and was arrested at the scene. more ›

Rockefeller Center got its 2008 Christmas tree, as a 72-foot Norway spruce from Hamilton, NJ arrived this morning. You can see it come in--with Al Roker--in this video: more ›

Sleet, by Callalillie. more ›

The Rink at Rockefeller Center is 70 years old today. The rink, in the heart of Midtown and unrivaled for many years (until the Bryant Park's Pond opened), first opened on Christmas Day in 1936. Being located right by the Rockefeller Christmas Tree and the Today Show studios has helped its popularity. It seems to be open today - here are more details. more ›

It's crazy holiday congestion time when the NYPD starting hauling out mesh netting to control crowds. But, really, when there's a teeming mass of insane people in Midtown who want to see the Rockettes or attempt to buy a Wii or see the Rockefeller Christmas Tree, is mesh enough? We know the police is under scrutiny over brutality, but cattle prods anyone? more ›

Expect a lot of hubbub around Rockefeller Center this morning - an 88 foot Norway spruce is arriving from Ridgefield, Connecticut to be the official Christmas Tree. Owner Rob Kinnaird told reporters how he grew up with the 9-ton tree ("My sandbox and glide ride [jungle gym] used to be next to the tree.") and that he was excited for the tree to will be in New York. more ›

1. The Democrats officially have control of the Senate - Virginia Senator George Allen conceded
2. Today on the Gothamist Newsmap: a watermain break in the Bronx, an overturned ambulance in Brooklyn, and a shooting in Harlem.
3. James Madison H.S. in Brooklyn has produced three current U.S. Senators. Now if they could only do something about all the metal-detectors.
4. Adrienne Shelly's killer is at Bellevue, undergoing psychiatric evaluations
5. City officials are saying the intersection of Flatbush Avenue and Glenwood Road isn't dangerous, even after the SUV crash that killed a 5 year old -- but Streetsblog checked, and "the intersection within the 99th percentile for most dangerous signalized intersections in New York City."
6. Why is the Empire State Building red tonight? To support #15 Rutgers' football which is playing #3 Louisville tonight (ESPN, 7:30PM)
7. The Rockefeller Christmas Tree will be arriving from Connecticut tomorrow!
8. It was a record night at Christie's for the Impressionist and modern art auction - but they ended up pulling the disputed Picasso!
9. How many construction sites in Greenpoint does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop?
10. And set your Tivos! Tomorrow night is Celebrity Jeopardy with Law & Order's Sam Waterston, Law & Order: Criminal Intent's Kathryn Erbe, and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit's Christopher Meloni! CHUNG CHUNG!

If Thanksgiving is over, then Christmas trees all around the city must be lit. Here are three events the Daily News notes: more ›