New York City has officially opened its first casino.

Happening Off-Campus: Today, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth is set to face lawmakers for the first time since the U.S. launched its war with Iran, appearing before the House Armed Services Committee to defend the administration’s proposed $1.5 trillion defense budget for 2027. Hegseth is expected to focus on military spending priorities, including expanded investment in drones, missile defense systems and naval forces. However, Democrats are likely to press Hegseth on the costs and consequences of the Iran conflict, which they argue was initiated without congressional approval and has strained U.S. resources. (AP)

Happening Near Campus: The Resorts World New York City location has opened. Since 2011, Resorts World NYC has operated as an electronic-games only parlor in Queens, but after years of competing for a full gambling license, it opened the city’s first full-scale commercial casino yesterday. The venue has already hired about 1,250 employees and plans to add 500 more by the end of June, filling roles such as dealers for blackjack, baccarat, craps, and roulette. The hiring surge follows the state’s approval of full gaming licenses for downstate casinos and stands out amid otherwise slow job growth across New York City. Many of the new positions offer hourly wages exceeding $40, with average annual earnings near $93,600, along with benefits like pensions and retirement plans. (Gothamist)

Happening On Campus: The Columbia University School of the Arts is hosting “Foundations of Mexican Independent Cinema”, a two day film festival featuring screenings and discussions focused on the legacy of Grupo Nuevo Cine, a 1960s collective of Spanish exiles, Mexican, and Latin American filmmakers, artists, and intellectuals based in Mexico City. The films have been curated by film scholar Valerie Pires. Today marks the first day of the festival, with screenings and discussions beginning at 3 pm and ending at 9 pm, all of which are occurring in the Katharina Otto-Bernstein Screening Room in the Lenfest Center of the Arts. Find more information on the screening and discussion schedule here. 

Song of the Day: “Bug” by Fontaines D.C.

Image via Bwog Archives