NYC NOW is a feed of the most up-to-date local news from across New York City and the region. With three updates a day, every weekday, you'll get breaking news, top headlines, and in-depth coverage. It’s all the news you need to know right now to make New York work for you.
Immigration advocates and the New York City Council are urging a judge to block federal law enforcement officials from working on Rikers Island. Plus, Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado is running for governor of New York. Also, Council Speaker Adrienne Adams banked $2 million last week in matching funds thanks, in part, to her opponent. Meanwhile, the city's child welfare agency is seven times more likely to investigate a Black family than a white one according to the agency's own numbers. And finally, a Harlem neighborhood is the first to have its trash fully containerized and picked up by a fleet of new garbage trucks.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy says the FAA has completed critical updates to Newark Airport's outdated air traffic control systems after last month's outage. Meanwhile, New York City is backing legal efforts to free Dylan Contreras, a Bronx high school student taken into ICE custody during a routine court appearance. And Congressman Jerry Nadler is calling for a federal investigation after Homeland Security officers handcuffed one of his staffers inside his Manhattan office. WNYC's Arya Sundaram has the details.
Early voting starts Tuesday in New Jersey's primary for governor, with six Democrats and five Republicans on the ballot. In New York, transportation officials are calling on Albany to pass a bill requiring speed-limiting tech for drivers with repeated speeding violations. And a new state law goes into effect this week requiring large retailers to adopt workplace violence prevention plans and conduct safety training for employees.
U.S. Rep. Jerry Nadler is demanding a Congressional investigation into a dramatic incident last week in which a Nadler staffer was handcuffed by Department of Homeland Security police in the lawmaker's office. Plus, New York state is imposing new rules on companies like Klarna and Afterpay. And finally, young New Yorkers reflect on the police killing of George Floyd and its significance, five years after his death.
Equinox and SoulCycle will pay $600,000 in restitution after Attorney General Letitia James found the companies made it too difficult for members to cancel. She says the high-end gyms violated consumer protection laws. Meanwhile, Newark Liberty Airport is reopening a runway two weeks early after completing repaving work that began in March. And WNYC culture reporter Ryan Kailath shares some fun and free (or cheap) things to do around the city this month.
Mayor Eric Adams says gun violence in New York City is at a record low, with the fewest shootings and homicides ever recorded over the first five months of the year. Meanwhile, State Senator John Liu plans to endorse Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist, for mayor. Plus, early voting begins Tuesday in New Jersey's gubernatorial primary. This will be the first primary without the county line ballot format, and unaffiliated voters can register with a party at the polls.
In this episode, hosts Janae Pierre and Brian Lehrer discuss the top stories from his show and the WNYC newsroom. It's a segment we're calling "Five Things." This week, we examine former Gov. Andrew Cuomo's political prospects amid a reported federal investigation into nursing home deaths during COVID. Mayor Eric Adams' reelection strategy also comes into focus following the dismissal of federal charges. The roundup continues with the ICE detention of Dylan, a 20-year-old Venezuelan high school student arrested at a Manhattan immigration court just after his deportation case was dismissed. Plus, a judge's ruling protects the MTA's congestion pricing program from federal retaliation. And finally, we check in on New York's sports teams.
Mayor Adams is announcing a new partnership with city organizations that will increase the number of cops in Central Park this summer. Plus, the New York Yankees play the Los Angeles Dodgers in a 3-game series this weekend. Also, some local leaders hope marking May 10th as “Chinese American Railroad Workers Memorial Day” will help honor the history of those who built parts of the Long Island Rail Road. And finally, the story of a soccer program that tries to bring migrant families together and create a sense of belonging.
New York City is launching a pilot program to reduce the number of babies born in homeless shelters by testing different housing interventions for 500 pregnant people. Meanwhile, the state attorney general will not pursue charges against MTA officers who fatally shot a man at Jamaica Station last year. Plus, with hurricane season starting Sunday, New Jersey DEP Commissioner Shawn LaTourette discusses how the state is preparing its coastline for extreme weather.
A new COVID variant, NB.1.8.1, has been detected in New York after spreading across Asia and 22 other countries. Health officials say it doesn't appear more severe than previous strains. Meanwhile, a former NYPD traffic officer and a Queens call center owner have pleaded guilty to a scheme that profited off crash victims by selling their personal information. Also, the Knicks beat the Pacers to keep their playoff hopes alive and push the series to a Game 6. Plus, on this week's transportation segment: a federal judge grants the MTA a preliminary injunction, blocking the federal government from retaliating over congestion pricing while the case plays out. There's also movement on a new Port Authority Bus Terminal, updates on the Penn Station redevelopment, and updated on 5G service on the G line.
Thousands of cable subscribers in the New York City area are about to lose NY1 or News 12 thanks to a dispute between cable providers. Plus, the city says a new park along the East River waterfront will help prevent water from reaching the neighborhood. Also, New York's Empire State Development is letting the owner of the Atlantic Yards avoid millions of dollars in monthly penalties for missing a decade-old affordable housing deadline. And finally, WNYC teamed up with the non-profit Street Lab to highlight voices in Washington Heights.
The owners of a housing development that was supposed to be built as part of the original deal to construct Barclays Center won't face any penalties for failing to build it by deadline. Plus, 5G cell service is coming to the G train between Court Square and Hoyt-Schermerhorn Streets. The network is expected to go live as early as this fall. Finally, we get the latest on the race for New York City mayor.
A federal judge says the Trump administration likely violated the Constitution in its bid to deport Palestinian Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil over his political activism. Meanwhile, state lawmakers are weighing new rules to limit ticket resales, including allowing artists to ban markups on their shows. And the New York Knicks face a must-win playoff game at Madison Square Garden tonight to keep their postseason hopes alive.
The Trump administration is ordering researchers at the Goddard [GOD-dard] Institute for Space Studies in Manhattan to clear out. One of horse racing's top events is coming to the new Belmont Park in 2027. Why some tenants in supportive housing are facing eviction
A 13-year-old boy has been charged in last month's fatal shooting of Daoud Marji in the Bronx. U.S. Marshals have arrested a man wanted for beating and robbing an off-duty NYPD officer. Meanwhile, Mayor Eric Adams is urging undocumented families not to withdraw students from school after ICE detained a Venezuelan teen at a court hearing. Plus, Brooklyn's Dumbo Drop returns with flying toy elephants and street festivities. And community leaders are remembering former Congressman Charles Rangel, who represented Harlem for more than four decades.
A federal judge has temporarily barred the Trump administration from withholding funds from New York in retaliation for the city's congestion pricing program. Meanwhile, a TikTok show called “Roommate Court” is gaining popularity for its comedic takes on apartment disputes. Plus, the 9/11 Memorial and Museum will now offer free field trips to students across the Tri-state area.
A federal judge is ordering the Trump administration not to block or withhold funding for New York state as retaliation for the MTA's congestion pricing program. Plus, the panel that sets the rent for tenants in a million stabilized apartments held a rare "re-vote" on Tuesday. Also, electric bills for New Jersey residents are about to jump up around 20% next month. Meanwhile, bird lovers in Manhattan plan to turn Broadway malls into avian oases. And finally, the New York Botanical Garden's new exhibit pays tribute to Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh with botanical displays and large scale art.
Police say a second man has been arrested in connection with the alleged kidnapping and torture of a 28-year-old man in Soho earlier this month. Meanwhile, forecasters say the New York region is in for several rainy days starting Wednesday and continuing through Saturday. Plus, some New Yorkers say Times Square feels more chaotic post-pandemic, even as data shows violent crime there is at a ten-year low.
New York City's Rent Guidelines Board is holding a rare revote this morning to reconsider the proposed range of increases for two-year leases on rent stabilized apartments. Meanwhile, more lanes are reopening this week on a damaged stretch of Interstate 80 in western New Jersey, though full repairs are still a month away. Plus, the New York Knicks head into a must-win matchup against the Indiana Pacers as the Eastern Conference Finals continue.
The Justice Department is suing Newark, Jersey City, Hoboken, and Paterson over sanctuary policies it says obstruct immigration enforcement. Meanwhile, lawmakers in Albany are at odds over a new payroll tax plan. Also, New York City parents are frustrated by the nonstop flood of WhatsApp messages from school group chats. Reporter Vito Emanuel explains. Plus,Plus, a food tour through St. Marks Place in the East Village highlights standout spots for cheesesteaks, San Diego style burritos, and regional Chinese noodles.Plus, a food tour through St. Marks Place in the East Village highlights standout spots for cheesesteaks, San Diego style burritos, and regional Chinese noodles.Plus, a food tour through St. Marks Place in the East Village highlights standout spots for cheesesteaks, San Diego style burritos, and regional Chinese noodles. Plus, food critic Robert Sietsema gives a tour of St. Marks Place in the East Village, highlighting standout spots for cheesesteaks, San Diego style burritos, and regional Chinese noodles.
Former Governor and mayoral hopeful Andrew Cuomo and Jeanine Pirro have a long, combative history. Now, The New York Times reports that Pirro, recently appointed to lead the U.S. Attorney's Office in Washington D.C., is overseeing a criminal investigation into Cuomo's congressional testimony about his handling of COVID in nursing homes. WNYC's Samantha Max explores their political rivalry and what it could mean for the case.
New York City's Rent Guidelines Board will hold a re-vote next week after internal disagreements over proposed rent hikes for stabilized two-year leases. Meanwhile, The White House says Andy Byford AKA “Train Daddy”, who ran the city's subways and buses from 2018 until early 2020, has been tapped by President Trump to lead the redevelopment of Penn Station. Also, the city will deploy drones with life-saving equipment and speakers to assist lifeguards at public beaches this summer. Plus, mayoral candidate Adrienne Adams delivered an emotional speech marking the anniversary of her father's death and linked it to former Governor Andrew Cuomo's handling of the pandemic. Finally, residents at Rochdale Village, a co-op complex in Southeast Queens, are bracing for steep increases in monthly maintenance fees to cover repairs, mortgage debt, and an unpaid water bill.
Detained Palestinian activist and Columbia University graduate Mahmoud Khalil, has held his infant son for the first time after a judge blocked the Trump administration's effort to keep them separated. Meanwhile, Jersey City lawmakers are banning landlords from using AI software to set rents. Plus, AmeriCorps funding cuts by the Trump administration threaten childcare programs in Sunset Park, Brooklyn.
The Associated Press is reporting that former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is under federal investigation for allegedly lying to Congress about his administration's pandemic response. Meanwhile, Memorial Day weekend travel is expected to cause major delays on roads and at airports across the region. Also, the Knicks will try to even their series against the Indiana Pacers tonight at Madison Square Garden in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Plus, this week's transit updates include Amtrak construction on the first of its two East River tunnels, a proposed 34th Street busway, and Mayor Adams' $400 million plan to redesign part of Fifth Avenue.
Mayor Adams is directing the NYPD to increase security in certain areas after the killing of the two Israeli Embassy employees in Washington D.C. Plus, a church in Toms River, New Jersey will soon find out whether its proposal to build a homeless shelter can proceed, even as it's under threat of becoming a pickleball court. Also, a profile of first deputy mayor Randy Mastro, the second most powerful person in City Hall. And finally, Amtrak is getting ready to launch a major reconstruction of two of its East River train tunnels.
According to new police data, subway crime in New York City is at historic lows. However, felony assaults on trains are up 20 percent. Meanwhile, a new exhibit at the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx pays tribute to Vincent Van Gogh. Plus, forest fire season is underway in New Jersey. Major wildfires in both the north and south of the state over the past year have put large areas at risk. Eric Weber, assistant division fire warden for the state Forest Fire Service, joins us to talk about how to reduce that risk.
Columbia University faculty and students are reflecting on another turbulent year on campus as commencement wraps. Meanwhile, New Jersey Representative LaMonica McIver appeared in court Wednesday on charges she assaulted federal officers.. Plus a new poll finds most residents say housing in the state is too expensive. Plus, a new Rutgers University poll shows that more than half of New Jerseyans think housing is too expensive in the Garden State.
The Department of Justice is opening a criminal investigation into former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo over his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Plus, health officials in New Jersey say that concert-goers who attended Shakira's concert at MetLife Stadium last Thursday may have been exposed to measles. And the first-ever dog park on a NYCHA property is now open — at the Castle Hill Houses in the Bronx.
The Justice Department has launched a criminal investigation into former Gov. Andrew Cuomo's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, Governor Kathy Hochul apologizes for New York State's role in abuses at a Native American boarding school in western New York. Also, NJ Transit riders with tickets that expired during the recent engineers strike can now use them through Saturday. Plus, the city has released a new plan to address racial and economic disparities in diabetes care. We speak with Acting Health Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse.
Lawmakers in Jersey City will vote Wednesday on whether to ban rent algorithm software like RealPage to set rental rates. Meanwhile, the cost to reserve a seat on NYC Ferry trips to the Rockaways is going up. Also, it's commencement day at Columbia University, following a tense year on campus. Plus, Fleet Week is officially underway in New York City.
The Trump administration is allowing construction to resume on a major wind farm off Long Island. Meanwhile, a new poll shows Representative Elise Stefanik as the clear frontrunner for the Republican nomination for New York governor, Also, a New Jersey congresswoman faces federal charges after an incident outside an immigration detention center in Newark. Also, NYCHA opens its first-ever dog park in the Bronx. And in Upper Manhattan, a rent-stabilized apartment that's housed four generations of one family is now at the center of a legal fight.
In a reversal, the Trump administration will allow a major wind project off Long Island to resume construction. Meanwhile, with five weeks until the Democratic mayoral primary, Zohran Mamdani becomes the first candidate to campaign using a ranked-choice strategy. Plus, starting next fall, smartphones will be banned in New York public schools. The policy, passed as part of the state budget, aims to address growing concerns about distraction and social media's impact on students. WNYC's Jessica Gould has the details.
New York City's Department of Investigation says workers' comp claims by correction officers cost the city more than $340 million last fiscal year. Meanwhile, Wynn is pulling out of its bid to build a casino in Hudson Yards as a major housing project in the neighborhood moves forward. Federal officials are also investigating a close call between two planes at LaGuardia Airport. Plus, Fleet Week kicks off tomorrow with the annual Parade of Ships, following a deadly crash involving a Mexican navy ship over the weekend.
We get an update on what caused a Mexican Navy ship to strike the Brooklyn Bridge Saturday night. Plus, police are looking for suspects in three separate shootings across the city. Also, William F. Tate IV will be named the 22nd president of Rutgers University. Meanwhile, New York City wants to make it easier for non-profits to own homeless shelters. And finally, subway service to the Rockaways returns after a four-month shutdown.
NJ Transit says it needs time to bring trains back online after reaching a tentative deal with its engineers and ending a strike. Train service is expected to resume Tuesday. Meanwhile, a dangerous section of Jacob Riis Beach will remain closed this summer after several recent drownings. Plus, the deadline to register for New Jersey's gubernatorial primary is Tuesday, though most voters don't know the election is coming. To learn more, WNYC's Michael Hill spoke with Jesse Burns, Executive Director of the League of Women Voters of New Jersey.
New Jersey Transit trains will resume service Tuesday morning after the agency reached a tentative agreement with its locomotive engineers union, ending a multi-day strike. Meanwhile, a nonprofit program aimed at preventing youth homelessness by offering one-time, low-barrier cash payments is showing early signs of success. And in Queens, the Department of Transportation has converted a traffic lane on the Queensboro Bridge into a dedicated pedestrian path.
The New York Liberty kick off the 2025 season with high expectations and some early hurdles. Host Janae Pierre checks in with sports reporter Jackie Powell on how the defending champs are adjusting to injuries, reshaping their offense, and preparing for another title run.
NJ Transit service remains at a standstill as hundreds of train operators go on strike. A look at how candidates for New York City mayor are talking about antisemitism. Plus, we get a preview of the New York Liberty and their upcoming season.
NJ Transit railroad engineers and trainmen are on strike, leaving thousands of commuters scrambling to find other ways to get to work and school. We get the latest on the impasse and what's at stake. Meanwhile, the Yankees and Mets will square off in the Bronx starting Friday. Both teams are in first place, turning this year's Subway Series into a high-stakes showdown.
New Jersey Transit rail service has come to a halt as 450 train engineers went on strike overnight, in what could be one of the state's largest transit disruptions in decades. Wages remain the key issue in stalled contract negotiations. Meanwhile, a New Jersey resettlement group says it will not help relocate white South Africans approved for entry under a federal policy it calls discriminatory. And in sports, the Mets and Yankees face off tonight in the Bronx for the season's first Subway Series, with excitement building around the high-stakes matchup.
A new City Health Department pilot program offers New Yorkers a cash incentive to help properly dispose of spent needles. A billionaire family in New Jersey wants to build a housing development on a MOUNTAINTOP in West Orange. And an ongoing exhibit at Manhattan's Poster House Museum takes visitors on a trip to Puerto Rico.
Thursday marks the final day for NJ Transit to reach a deal with union engineers to avert a strike that could halt all rail service. Meanwhile, Friday is national Bike to Work Day, with New York City officials promoting cycling as a healthy, eco-friendly commute option. Rides for municipal workers are planned in every borough. Also, the Knicks were blown out by a Celtics team that was missing star player Jayson Tatum in Game 5 of the NBA playoffs. Plus, this week in politics, lawmakers are holding a hearing on prison reform following the deaths of two inmates in custody. Plus, we get an update on Andrew Cuomo's campaign finances.
A potential NJ Transit strike could begin if the agency and its engineers' union fail to reach a contract agreement, marking what would be the region's first major transit stoppage in two decades. Meanwhile, Albany lawmakers are pressing prison officials for answers after corrections officers were charged with murder in the deaths of two incarcerated people. Plus, the MTA held live auditions Wednesday at Grand Central Madison for its Music Under New York program, with 54 performers vying to become official subway musicians.
More than eight million households across New York State will receive inflation refund checks this fall. Plus, three years after a racist mass shooting at a Buffalo supermarket, New York State is taking steps to prevent similar tragedies in the future. Also, former New York City Mayor De Blasio will pay the city $320,000 to settle an outstanding fine for improperly bringing his police detail during his failed presidential bid in 2019. Meanwhile, the Rikers Island jail complex is getting an outside official to run many of the day-to-day operations. And finally, state lawmakers are taking a fresh look at food regulations.