NYC NOW

Advocates and family of Win Rozario, the 19-year-old Queens teen shot and killed by police in March, are gathering Wednesday afternoon on the steps of New York City Hall to protest the shooting after police body cam footage shows Rozario holding a pair of scissors before being shot. In other news, New York City Public Schools Chancellor David Banks is set to testify on Wednesday in Washington, D.C., before a Congressional committee examining anti-Semitism. Plus, the 'Celebrate Brooklyn' festival in Prospect Park has announced its summer lineup, including artists like Fishbone and Meshell Ndegeocello. Finally, New Yorkers have about a year left to obtain a Real ID, required for boarding domestic flights without a passport. WNYC’s Sean Carlson speaks with New York DMV Commissioner Mark Schroeder to learn more.

Get up and get informed! Here’s all the local news you need to start your day: New York State Senator Julia Salazar has expressed concerns that a newly passed law, which sets rules to legalize some basement apartments, excludes neighborhoods in dire need of safe basement housing. In other news, local vendors near Columbia University report that the cancellation of the school’s main commencement ceremony next week has negatively impacted their businesses.

City officials, musicians and advocates gathered in Albany Tuesday in support of proposed "Rap on Trial" legislation, a bill that would limit the use of lyrics as evidence in criminal trials. Also, some police oversight advocates say they’re concerned the NYPD hasn't made required changes to how it responds to protests, despite a federal judge ordering the department to do things differently after the 2020 Black Lives Matter demonstrations. WNYC's Samantha Max reports. And the Adams Administration says New York City public schools are now separating out their food waste to be put out for curbside compost pick up…three months ahead of schedule. Lastly, WNYC’s Michael Hill speaks with Councilmember Tiffany Caban about what she thinks is a dangerous trend: the tweets from the NYPD’s Chief of Patrol John Chell

A state judge removed the 'Equal Rights Amendment' from New York's November ballot on Tuesday, citing that the state legislature did not follow proper procedure when it first passed the amendment in 2022. The state attorney general's office is expected to appeal. Also, every couple of weeks, a group of activists in their 60s, 70s, and 80s gather in Albany to advocate for the Medical Aid in Dying Act, which would allow certain patients to end their lives under the care of their doctor. WNYC's Jon Campbell reports.

Get up and get informed! Here’s all the local news you need to start your day: Education officials on the Newark Board of Education recently approved a $12-million contract to install AI-equipped surveillance cameras across all district schools. In other news, City Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh is in Washington, D.C. today, pushing for a bill that would set new safety standards for all lithium-ion batteries used in micro-mobility devices. Plus, the New York City Council is pushing back against Mayor Eric Adams' plan to cut funding for an emergency food program.

The New York City Council began its formal review of Mayor Eric Adams’ $112 billion spending plan for the city’s next fiscal year. Advocates say the cuts to local parks would eliminate up to 700 jobs for maintaining the city's parks, playgrounds and recreation areas. Also, WNYC’s Michael Hill and David Brand discuss federal investigations into Mayor Adams and what they mean. And finally, we highlight the Weeksville Heritage Center in Crown Heights, Brooklyn -- one of New York City's many neighborhood gems.

Columbia University is canceling its university-wide commencement ceremony after weeks of campus protests over the Israel-Hamas war. School officials say students will be able to attend smaller ceremonies for schools within the university. In other news, police report that a man is in critical condition after being stabbed at 9:30 AM Monday on West 125th Street near 5th Avenue. Additionally, the NYPD is deploying drones to monitor Central Park in response to an increase in robberies. Finally, marking 60 years since the Beatles' first visit to the United States, Paul McCartney’s photographs taken during their New York City stop are now on display at the Brooklyn Museum until mid-August. WNYC’s Tiffany Hanssen speaks with exhibit co-curator Sarah Brown to learn more.

Get up and get informed! Here's all the local news you need to start your day: Soup kitchens and food pantries are criticizing the Adams administration's plan to reduce funding for emergency food services as child hunger grows. In other news, Mayor Eric Adams is facing criticism for the NYPD's deployment at college campuses across New York City to manage protests over the Israel-Hamas war. In sports, the New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers will face off at Madison Square Garden tonight to begin the second round of the NBA playoffs.

The NYPD reports that an officer accidentally discharged his firearm during a mass arrest at Columbia University earlier this week while switching his firearm from one hand to another. Meanwhile, NYC Schools Chancellor David Banks has reaffirmed his support for transgender students participating in school sports. Also, city officials are noting a local and national rise in motorcycle fatalities. Finally, WNYC’s Michael Hill talks with FDNY EMS Lieutenant Paramedic Anthony Almojera about a new law requiring EMS workers to wear body armor and undergo new safety training.

Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont expects both lanes of I-95 to reopen by Monday morning following a multi-vehicle crash and tanker fire that disrupted traffic in Norwalk on Thursday. In other news, police cleared a pro-Palestinian protester encampment at New York University at the request of school officials. Meanwhile, even without New Jersey's county line system, Democratic primary ballots in much of Essex County still favor the party machine, reports WNYC's Nancy Solomon. Additionally, Long Island Rail Road President Rob Free is urging Nassau County residents to utilize public transportation ahead of the congestion pricing launch. Plus, a new film series at Lincoln Center debuting on Friday showcases rare footage from Coney Island in the 1920s and Puerto Rican activists in the 1970s and much more. Finally, glass eels, essential for local wildlife but endangered, are showing signs of recovery in New York, a contrast to low populations along the Atlantic. WNYC's Rosemary Misdary has more.