NYC NOW - April 1, 2024: Morning Headlines
Episode Date: April 1, 2024Get up and get informed! Here's all the local news you need to start your day: If you’re driving in New York while using your phone, you could be targeted as law enforcement intensifies its crackdow...n. WNYC’s Tiffany Hanssen has more. Meanwhile, an investigation is underway after a fire broke out at Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii, a Catholic church in Williamsburg, disrupting Easter Sunday mass. Additionally, Governor Kathy Hochul announced that starting Monday, New York State veterans and Gold Star families will have free access to state parks, campgrounds, day-use areas, historic sites, and recreational areas.
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Welcome to NYC Now.
Your source for local news in and around New York City from WMYC.
It's Monday, April 1st.
Here's the morning headlines from Michael Hill.
If you're driving in New York while using your phone, you could be targeted as law enforcement cracks down.
WNIC's Tiffany Hansen has more.
April marks the start of distracted driving awareness month.
Governor Hokel's Traffic Safety Committee says Distracted
driving is the most common contributing factor in crashes across the state. Beginning today through
April 8th, agencies across the state are increasing patrols and conducting safety checkpoints
targeting drivers using electronic devices. During last year's crackdown, state law enforcement
doled out more than 2,600 tickets for distracted driving. Penalties can range from $50 to $450 in
fines, five driver violation points, and possible suspension or revocation.
of license. An investigation is underway after part of a Catholic church in Brooklyn caught on fire
and disrupted mass on Easter Sunday. The FDNY says the fire happened at two in the afternoon
in East Williamsburg at Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii. Six people got hurt, including three
firefighters and three civilians. FDNY Deputy Assistant Chief Joseph Pataki says the injuries were all
non-life threatening. Again, happy to report Easter Sunday and nobody with any
life-grating injuries at this time.
The FDNY says the fire damaged the rectory but left the church itself intact.
New York City's emergency management services system warned people living near the church
to avoid smoke and close the windows.
People with longer heart conditions were told to contact medical services if they experienced
shortness of breath.
The investigation into the cause of the fire is still underway this morning.
Governor Kathy Hokel says that starting today, New York State veterans and Gold Star
families will have free access to New York State parks, campgrounds, day use areas, historic sites,
and recreation areas. It's all thanks to an expansion of the Lifetime Liberty Pass program.
The program will now be extended to include all veterans, not just those with a disability
rating. It will also include Gold Star members who are residents of New York State. The initiative
was included in a package signed by the governor back in November to support veterans and to support
their families. 51 with clouds out there, a 50-50 chance of rain today this morning into early
afternoon clouds and 54-4 high. And then tomorrow morning rain, high near 49. Rain tomorrow night
and gusty. We have rain chances. Very good rain chances all the way through Thursday.
Thanks for listening. This is NYC now from WNYC. Be sure to catch us every weekday, three times a day,
for your top news headlines and occasional deep dives. And subscribe wherever you get.
your podcasts. See you this afternoon.