NYC NOW

Governor Kathy Hochul's poll numbers keep dropping according to a Siena College poll, her lowest rating since she took office in 2021. Also, park researchers say cities can improve access to outdoor recreational spaces by emulating New York City's Community Schoolyards Program which allows schools to open their yards to the public during off hours. Lastly, New Jersey says it's easier for residents to apply for unemployment benefits thanks to the rollout of a new and updated application system. WNYC's Sean Carlson speaks with New Jersey Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo to talk about the new system.

Get up and get informed! Here’s all the local news you need to start your day: State Sen. Kevin Parker from Brooklyn won't face charges for an altercation with an advocate in Albany last week. The New York City Parks Department says it has hired 230 lifeguards for Memorial Day weekend but is still hundreds short, which could lead to shorter operating hours. Plus, Fleet Week, the annual celebration for the men and women of the armed forces, is back in New York City.

New Jersey pharmacist Ghada Abukuwaik has returned home safely after being trapped in Gaza for several weeks along with other medical workers due to the ongoing Rafah border closure. In other news, New York State's highest court issued a unanimous ruling on Tuesday upholding the requirement that health insurers cover medically necessary abortions. Meanwhile, the FDNY is investigating the cause of a three-alarm fire that tore through five commercial buildings in the Bronx. Plus, time is running out for New York lawmakers to consider two measures that would make it easier for some inmates to secure early release from prison. WNYC’s Samantha Max reports. Finally, ahead of the three-day Memorial Day weekend, Eater NY offers a suggestion on where you should visit: Kingston, New York. WNYC’s David Furst speaks with food critic Robert Sietsema to learn more.

Plus, after being fast-tracked through the legislature, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy must now decide whether to place sweeping restrictions on the state’s Open Public Records Act, which requires local and state agencies to provide the public with access to government records. Changes would make it harder to get government emails, give clerks more reasons to deny citizens who request them and even let the government sue people it thinks are asking for records too often. WNYC’s Michael Hill speaks with editor of the New Jersey Monitor, Terrence T. McDonald for the latest.

Get up and get informed! Here’s all the local news you need to start your day: Brooklyn Pastor Lamor Whitehead is headed to jail after a judge revoked his bail on Monday for proclaiming his innocence on a podcast. In other news, street safety advocates say five people were killed by cars in Queens over the weekend, making 2024 one of the deadliest years for the borough since the Vision Zero initiative began. Plus, flags will fly at New York state buildings in honor of retired New York State Police member Benedicto Albizu Jr., who died earlier this month from an illness related to his assignment at the World Trade Center site following the 9/11 attacks.

Starting Wednesday, migrants who reach a limit of 30- or 60-day stays can be evicted, with limited opportunities to remain depending on their age. In other news, New York City Mayor Eric Adams is facing questions after over 2,000 families were unable to secure a seat in the city’s 3K program this fall. Meanwhile, New York state lawmakers are proposing a bill that would require large public venues to have EpiPens on hand for treating life-threatening allergic emergencies. Plus, disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein’s recently overturned conviction in New York could pave the way for a new state law. WNYC’s Sean Carlson speaks with reporters Samantha Max and Jon Campbell to learn more.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams is defending the NYPD's overall response to a pro-Palestinian rally in Brooklyn on Saturday after video emerged showing two officers punching three protesters. In other news, a video screen that lets people in New York and Dublin peer into life on opposite sides of the Atlantic has re-opened after reports of "inappropriate behavior." Plus, MTA data shows that subway strikes are increasing, with 2024 on track to have nearly double the number of fatal strikes as 2019. WNYC’s Brittany Kriegstein reports that families are often left with little clarity or closure.

Get up and get informed! Here’s all the local news you need to start your day: The NYPD is investigating a video showing an officer repeatedly punching a demonstrator during a pro-Palestinian protest in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, on Saturday. In other news, New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ administration plans to shut down a Midtown homeless hub that offers places to rest, eat, and shower. WNYC’s Karen Yi reports.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ administration is scrambling to reassure families they’ll get a spot in the city's free 3K program. Meanwhile, WNYC’s Karen Yi follows a homeless outreach team around Grand Central Terminal that helps people find services and housing. In other news, the 31st annual New York African Film Festival starts this Friday. Finally, due to pandemic-related financial issues, Drew University in Madison, New Jersey, is looking to sell off land to be developed for housing.

Child poverty rates in New York have reached their highest level since 2016, according to a new report from state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli. Meanwhile, about 26,000 runners are expected to participate in a half marathon in Brooklyn on Saturday. In other news, school districts nationwide are seeking ways to address COVID-related learning loss. However, the Union City, New Jersey, School District, which serves some of the state's lowest-income students, is meeting academic goals with little state assistance. WNYC’s Michael Hill speaks with district Superintendent Silvia Abbato and Bergen Record education reporter Mary Ann Koruth to learn why.