'Rat Tsunami'; Smorgasburg; Inmate Imbroglio; and More Brooklyn Briefs

- Construction of the Barclays Center arena for the Nets basketball team is blamed for "rat tsunami." (Warning: sad glue-trapped rat photo.) The Local

- Ferry opens new pathway to Williamsburg (and food-Mecca "Smorgasburg"), and the crowds come. Brooklyn Eagle

- Relatives of rap superstar Nicki Minaj have told RadarOnline that they believe the murder of her cousin Nicholas Telemaque in Brooklyn was a case of ‘mistaken identity.'

- Walmart is donating millions to NYC to help prepare Brooklyn youth for low-paying, non-union tomorrow's jobs. Brooklyn Eagle

- Liz Holtzman carries pluses and minuses in the special election to replace Anthony Weiner. Brooklyn Politics Blog

- DOT proposes safety changes for Pier 6 access. CHB

- Wait -- what? The family of a killer is suing; claims that calling him an “inmate” implies “that our brother is locked up for the purpose of mating with other men.” Brooklyn Eagle

- If you travel upstate: State officials are warning residents to watch out for a dangerous plant "which can grown up to 12ft and has flowers the size of umbrellas" and can blind you if you touch it. Gothamist (More at Dept. Envir. Conservation.)

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