NYC NOW

New York State is settling a class-action lawsuit brought by low-income homeowners who claimed they were denied access to free legal assistance while battling foreclosure. Meanwhile, police say they've arrested a 17-year-old boy for the shooting and killing of another 17-old last week in the Bronx. Plus, it's been four years since Covid officially became a global pandemic and so much has changed in all of our lives in terms of how we work, live, communicate and how we grieve. In response, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed a bill into law this past January that mandates high schools teach students about grief and loss. But schools like Union Catholic in Scotch Plains, have already been teaching their students about grief for years. WNYC’s Michael Hill speaks with Dr. Jennifer Dixon, who directs Union Catholic High School’s counseling program, and 17 year old student Ava Pickering to learn about the process.

Get up and get informed! Here's all the local news you need to start your day: Mayor Eric Adams will continue offering migrants bus or plane tickets to leave New York City despite only a small number of people accepting them. Meanwhile, New York City's Public Housing Authority is beginning to evict more tenants who are behind on rent two years after pandemic-related rent freezes. Plus, Luna Park in Coney Island is set to reopen this month.

Another person accused of attacking police officers in Times Square in late January has been arrested in connection with the incident. Plus, two major charities will tap New York City’s wealthiest donors for help with the migrant crisis. Also, WNYC’s Michael Hill talks with Dr. Meisha Porter, President and CEO of the Bronx Community Foundation, about the importance of digital equity expansion for residents of the borough. And finally, WNYC’s Karen Yi reports the increased competition of people collecting bottles and cans is pressuring state lawmakers to double the refund rate from a nickel to a dime.

New Jersey Congress member Andy Kim has won another Democratic convention where members are allowed to vote in secret for a U.S Senate candidate. Meanwhile, former New York Mets and Yankees star Daryl Strawberry says he's recovering from a heart attack. Also, starting now, eligible New Yorkers can file their taxes for free with help from the state through the new program called "File Your State Taxes." Plus, the 9th season of the Queens Night Market in Flushing Meadows is just over a month away, where the $5 and $6 cap on food will remain. Finally, some New Jersey lawmakers are looking to scale back legislation on the Open Public Records Act (OPRA), one of the most powerful tools journalists and the public have to find out what the government is up to in the state. WNYC’s Sean Carlson speaks with Terrence McDonald, editor of the New Jersey Monitor to hear a little more about how the law is used and how it could change.

Get up and get informed! Here's all the local news you need to start your day: New York Republicans are acknowledging they have an early voting problem after losing last month's special congressional election in eastern Queens and Long Island. Meanwhile, an independent report commissioned by Governor Phil Murphy shows New Jersey had an emergency plan in place when COVID hit the state but didn't follow it. Plus, former New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley has agreed to a contract with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Law enforcement experts question Governor Kathy Hochul’s plan to deploy National Guardsmen into subway stations. Meanwhile, one of New York City’s most notorious landlords may be heading to jail after ignoring a judge’s orders to make repairs at 2 Washington Heights properties. Plus, for local news history fans, you can now access the archives of the influential East Village Eye newspaper at the New York Public Library. Finally, WNYC’s Stephen Nessen looks into an uptick in large dogs on the subway.

Police officials in New York City say the number of subway stations with a heavier police presence may be increasing soon. This comes just days after Governor Kathy Hochul deployed the National Guard and State Police to the subway system to assist with mandatory bag checks. Meanwhile, Governor Hochul might not be on the ballot this year. But as WNYC's Jon Campbell reports, she's vowing to hit the campaign trail. Plus, police are looking for at least three suspects in connection to a string of e-bike robberies in Harlem last month. Finally, on April 8, we’ll be treated to a rare solar eclipse. WNYC’s Michael Hill chats with reporter Rosemary Misdary about the best ways to enjoy the cosmic show.

Get up and get informed! Here’s all the local news you need to start your day: The Adams administration is offering migrants a bus or plane ticket out of the city to make more room in the shelters, but very few adult migrants have taken the offer. Meanwhile, a new directive from Governor Kathy Hochul says the National Guard soldiers deployed into New York City's subways will no longer be allowed to carry long guns anymore. Plus, former Governor Andrew Cuomo is back in the public eye, calling for state lawmakers to cover more of the costs to care for migrants in New York City.

New York City's Department of Corrections says it's still working toward closing Rikers by 2027. Also, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin reports that the state is seeing record breaking numbers of hate crimes and other bias incidents. Plus, A coalition that's suing the Mount Sinai system to stop Beth Israel hospital from shuttering alleges the hospital has violated a court order. And finally, WNYC’s Sean Carlson talks with New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin about a new report which shows record breaking numbers of hate crimes and other bias incidents in the state.

Police are investigating the death of a Bronx teenager shot and killed just after leaving school on Thursday afternoon. Meanwhile, former New York State Lieutenant Governor Brian Benjamin is facing felony bribery and fraud charges again after three judges on an appeals panel reinstated the dismissed charges. Finally, WNYC’s Sean Carlson speaks with transportation reporter Stephen Nessen and editor Clayton Guse about the MTA’s dog policy, Governor Hochul’s deployment of the National Guard into subway stations and the significance of the move.