NYC NOW

Get up and get informed! Here’s all the local news you need to start your day: 18 people, including federal, state, and city government workers, are being charged in a sprawling indictment ranging from making ghost guns to identity theft and fraud. Meanwhile, New Jersey First Lady Tammy Murphy’s victory in the Somerset County Democrats’ convention on Thursday has drawn criticism over the process. Plus, the NYPD says it’s investigating an 8-year-old boy allegedly menacing another 8-year-old boy with an unloaded pistol on Thursday at P.S. 158 in East New York, Brooklyn.

Cruises docking in New York City terminals will soon be required to plug into shore power when they can instead of burning diesel. Plus, data from the city's housing department shows disparities in the creation of affordable housing. Also, a new state report finds New Jersey school districts aren't doing enough to prevent teachers accused of abuse from finding their way back into the classroom. And finally, WNYC’s Michael Hill talks with advocates about their efforts to make it easier for people in jail to get registered and vote in upcoming elections.

Governor Kathy Hochul defends her plan of having National Guard soldiers check bags at subway entrances. Meanwhile, on Friday, the New York City Council will get a bill to stop landlords from using illegal city vacate orders to evict tenants. Also, the transportation company Revel is expanding access to electric vehicle charging near LaGuardia Airport. Plus, WNYC’s Sean Carlson talks with Ricot Depuy, co-founder of Radio Soleil, a Haitian radio station in Brooklyn to get a sense of how Haitians are reacting to the state of emergency in their home country. Finally, a new investigation reveals egregious abuse in New York’s guardianship system. That’s the system in which people are assigned a guardian to look after them because they can’t take care of themselves. Guardians often work for non-profits overseeing an extraordinary number of people with little oversight. WNYC’s Michael Hill speaks with ProPublica reporter Jake Pearson for an exclusive look at his findings.

Get up and get informed! Here’s all the local news you need to start your day: More than half of Asian New Yorkers in a new survey say they were the victim of a race-related hateful act in 2023. Meanwhile, New York City's public school students could be forced to begin classes at different times on remote learning days after widespread technical problems prevented many from logging on during a snowstorm last month.

New York City Councilmember Pierina Sanchez wants to revive a program that takes dilapidated properties from landlords who fail to pay fines and property taxes. Plus, Governor Kathy Hochul opens up to negotiations on her controversial school funding proposal. Also, migrant families experiencing medical or mental health disabilities find relief from having to move out of their shelters every 60 days. And finally, WNYC’s Sean Carlson talks with Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman about an executive order banning trans women from participating in women’s sports at county-run facilities.

Governor Kathy Hochul calls on the New York National Guard to help conduct bag checks at busy subway stations after a recent string of violent crimes. Governor Hochul's office will also launch a new program called "File Your State Taxes" next Tuesday under a partnership with the nonprofit Code for America. Finally, The spring season for the United Solo Theater Festival kicks off in New York City this week with more than 50 one-person shows. One show, GUAC, details the life of Joaquin Oliver, a teen who died in the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.The show is written and performed by his father, Manuel, and focuses on the personal tragedy and a call to activism. Reporter Jeff Lunden has more.

Get up and get informed! Here’s all the local news you need to start your day: A new indictment charges New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez and his wife with obstruction of justice after federal prosecutors allege they made "false characterizations" to law enforcement about various payments. Meanwhile, the Adams administration says its cost-cutting policies will slash New York City spending on migrants by $1.7 billion through June. Plus, legislative leaders in Albany aren’t on board with Governor Hochul's plan to get rid of a longstanding policy known as "hold harmless," which guarantees school districts at least as much state funding as the year before.

Second Avenue from the Queensboro Bridge to Houston Street may be getting wider bike lanes and a bus lane offset from the curb. Meanwhile, New Jersey First Lady Tammy Murphy wins her first Democratic convention on Monday night. Plus, WNYC’s Stephen Nessen reports that some Upper West Side residents are pushing for the city to make drivers obtain parking permits.

New York City's budget director says the city will miss its legally mandated deadline to close Rikers Island. Meanwhile, tenants of a dilapidated Bronx apartment complex are urging the city to take control of their building after their landlord racked up $25 million dollars in unpaid property taxes and hundreds of housing violations. Plus, the City's Landmarks Preservation Commission voted unanimously to landmark the The Tremont branch of the New York Public Library in the Bronx. Finally, in New York City, many efforts have focused on connecting Asian American teens with mental health resources, as statistics put them at an especially high risk of suicide or self harm. Dr. Cindy Huang, Assistant Professor of Counseling Psychology at Columbia University, says cultural differences often make traditional Western forms of therapy incompatible for Asian American families. Her practice is working on a study to find out how the therapy industry can better serve the community. WNYC’s Michael Hill speaks with Dr. Huang to discuss the study.

Get up and get informed! Here’s all the local news you need to start your day: LuxUrban Hotels has agreed to pay New York City more than a million dollars after violating city laws prohibiting short term rentals. Meanwhile, the Adams administration is warning of more potential budget cuts. Plus, Queens Councilmember Robert Holden warns residents in his district about door-to-door scams targeting seniors and offering them unsolicited services they don't actually need.