NYC NOW

Get up and get informed! Here’s all the local news you need to start your day: New data shows faulty e-bike batteries caused nearly 270 fires in New York City last year, an increase from 2022. Meanwhile, with a special congressional election to fill ex-congress member George Santos's seat is less than a month away. WNYC's Brigid Bergin says so far, it's been a lopsided campaign for voters. Plus Governor Phil Murphy signs a bill increasing New Jersey's free school meal program's income limits, now including private schools.

Governor Kathy Hochul wants to end a longstanding policy that guarantees New York public schools get at least as much state money as the year before. Plus, State Senator and stand up comic Jon Bramnick says he’ll run for governor. Finally, WNYC’s Sean Carlson talks with Jessie Gómez of Chalkbeat Newark about the historic ruling allowing Newark teens to vote in school elections as early as 16 years old.

Rex Heuermann, the suspect in the infamous Gilgo Beach serial murders now has been charged with killing a 4th woman. Meanwhile, Governor Hochul wants New York State to contribute more than $2 billion dollars to help cover the costs of caring for recent migrant arrivals. Plus, this month marks 10 years of New York City's Vision Zero policy. Former Mayor Bill de Blasio announced his intention to implement the policy back in 2014 after city traffic killed some 299 people a year before. The initiative lowered the default speed limit from 30 to 25 miles an hour, increased enforcement and redesigned intersections and streets to better protect pedestrians, cyclists, and those in vehicles. Yet over the last few years, the number of traffic deaths has not seen a major decline. In fact the number of deaths never drop below 200 in a year. All this week on NYC Now, we'll be hearing stories about how the policy affects your everyday life. WNYC’s Michael Hill sat with De Blasio to reflect on the initiative. After that, Michael and WNYC producer Amanda Ronzon head to Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn to hear their thoughts on traffic.

Get up and get informed! Here’s all the local news you need to start your day: New York City schools are open despite snowfall, while Jersey City and Montclair schools in New Jersey are closed. Several other schools, including those in Yonkers, White Plains, Tarrytown, Newark, Passaic, and East Orange, are operating on delayed schedules. Meanwhile, the Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez says he will no longer prosecute people for cannabis possession. Also, the NYPD is searching for four suspects involved in robbing Manhattan newsstands.

Blood banks say there’s a shortage in New York. WNYC Host David Furst talks to Dr. Christopher Hillyer the CEO and President of the New York Blood Center to learn more. Happy Martin Luther King , Jr. Day. And remember what the doctor said, "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."

Governor Kathy Hochul is on board with the decision to seek the death penalty against a man who killed ten people at a Buffalo grocery store. Plus, the Department of Buildings is ordering emergency work around a historic synagogue in Brooklyn. And finally, former Governor David Paterson and his cover band made their debut this week at a corner bar in Albany. WNYC’s Jon Campbell checked it out.

Residents of Midtown East are voicing their opposition to a proposed casino in the neighborhood. Meanwhile, the Bryant Park Winter Village is now offering its "Bumper Cars on Ice" until March. Plus, on this week's installment of On The Way, WNYC transit reporter Stephen Nessen and editor Clayton Guse discuss the impact of Wednesday's F train derailment in Brooklyn. It was the second subway derailment in less than a week.

Get up and get informed! Here’s all the local news you need to start your day: Mayor Adams is reversing cuts to sanitation and parks... one day after restoring police and fire funding. Meanwhile, New York State is working to reduce vaping among young people with a confidential texting service that supports them through the quitting process. Plus, the Whitney Museum is launching its new free Friday nights as well as free admission on the second Sunday of each month.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams is reversing budget cuts to the NYPD and the Fire Department. Plus, F train service is back in Brooklyn after Wednesday's train derailment on Coney Island. And finally, WNYC’s Sean Carlson and David Brand discuss the New York City Council’s plan to sue the mayor and social services agency if they block housing aid to more low-income New Yorkers.

Governor Hochul is pushing ahead with her plan to bolster mental health services in New York, especially in schools. Meanwhile, the National Weather Service says powerful winds and rain are returning to the New York region on Friday, following the storm from earlier this week. Plus, on Wednesday, the new head of the Department of Correction met with the city’s jail oversight board for the first time to address complaints by Rikers detainees about not being able to wash their clothes for at least a year. WNYC’s Michael Hill spoke with reporter Jessy Edwards who has been following the story.