NYC NOW - August 10, 2023: Evening Roundup

Episode Date: August 10, 2023

Streaming superstar Kai Cenat addressed his followers for the first time after his event last week in Union Square got out of hand. Plus, the NYPD inspector who oversaw former Mayor Bill de Blasio’s security detail pleads guilty to several charges in court. Also, New Jersey is one step closer to allowing a black bear hunt again. And finally, WNYC’s Nancy Solomon looks into claims that New Jersey is banning gas stoves. Spoiler alert, they’re not.

Good evening and welcome to NYC Now. I'm Jenae Pierre for WNYC. I am beyond disappointed. Beyond, bro, beyond disappointed in anybody who became destructive that day, bro. Streaming superstar Kai Sinette addressed his followers on Twitch Wednesday night after his event last week in Union Square got out of hand. In his first video since the incident, the 21-year-old Bronx native says he didn't mean for anything bad to happen. And I want people to know that none of that was my intention.

You feel what I'm saying? None of that. I had good intentions for this whole thing. And none of that was my intentions, bro. Not only that, but I don't condone any of the things that went on. The NYPD arrested more than 60 people during the event. Sanat is charged with inciting a riot. He's expected to appear in court on August 18th.

The NYPD inspector, who oversaw former Mayor Bill de Blasio's security detail, pleaded guilty to several charges in court this week. He admitted to covering up evidence during an investigation. into the former mayor's use of the detail. WNYC reporter Samantha Max has more. Howard Redman admitted to tampering with physical evidence, obstructing governmental administration, and official misconduct. He told him in-criminal court judge that when investigators were looking into allegations

that de Blasio deployed his security detail for private uses and on trips for his failed presidential campaign, he deleted text messages and refused to cooperate. prosecutor said in court that the conviction would send a message to public officials in New York City that no one is above the law. Redmond has been fired from the NYPD and required to perform 10 days of community service. In court, he also delivered a brief, sentence-long apology for not taking the investigation seriously. Now to New Jersey, where Black Bear Hunting is on track to return this fall. WNYC's Elizabeth Shui has the details. The state's Fish and Game Council recently moved forward with amendments that would reinstate the controversial hunt.

It would be divided into two one-week hunting segments, one in October and the other in December. The state would also prohibit hunting cubs under 75 pounds or adult bears with cubs. Governor Phil Murphy had campaigned on ending the practice in 2017, but last year he announced that he would allow bear hunts again, citing a growing black bear population. An Mulray advocates responded by challenging the state's authority to restart the hunt, but the court ruled against them. The council will meet at the end of this month to vote on approving the new proposal. Stay close. More on New Jersey after the break. The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities is requiring power companies in the state

to offer incentives to consumers to electrify their heat, hot water, and cooking appliances. It's part of a long-term goal by Governor Phil Murphy's administration to reduce the use of the fossil fuels that are contributing to the climate crisis. But that's fueling a backlash, which comes with exaggerated and sometimes false claims. WNYC's Nancy Solomon has the story. New Jersey Republicans are posting on social media dire warnings that Democrats are trying to take away everyone's gas stoves. Gubernatorial candidate Jack Chittarelli said, join the fight. If you want to keep your stove, vote Republican. State Senator Holly Shapese also warned the BPU was meeting last month to ban gas stoves,

even though it was only voting on an incentive program. Unequivocally, this administration is coming after gas stoves. I don't care how many times they try to claim right now, knowing that the entire legislature is up in November, that they're not. I would wager a thousand dollar bet with you today that after November, Come December, one of the very first things we see are adoption of new world changes. There has been a lot of misinformation and, yes, fear mongering out there. And I want to put an end to it once and for all.

Joe Fior deliso, president of the BPU, took aim at the backlash at that July meeting. We are not coming for your gas stove or your local pizza shops of it. We are not forcing you anyone to do anything in any way. And that lines up with what Governor Phil Murphy says, too, that he has no plans to put a gas stove ban on the table. Gas stoves have become a potent talking point for Republicans nationwide. Polling suggests Americans don't care so much what kind of furnace or hot water heater they own, but they are attached to their gas stoves,

an appliance people use regularly. That has conservatives on. Fox News, adding fuel to the gas stove fire. So you're a restaurant owner. This is not a luxury item to you. This is core to your business. They can't control the border. They can't keep planes flying, but by golly, you're not going to use gas to cook.

Listen, I'm surprised anybody even needs a stove because I was told by Al Gore, the fish are coming out of the ocean fully cooked. But even moderate Republicans, who don't deny the need to respond to climate change, oppose targeting natural gas. Good policy is good politics and bad policy is bad politics. Mike Duhame of Mad Global Strategies is one of New Jersey's top Republican political consultants. He argues the use of natural gas has reduced emissions. And he also says restrictions are being put in place too fast.

So when you start talking about banning castos, I think you're going to alienate kind of the center of the electorate politically because it's just not smart public policy. That may be true. But the talking points on gas stoves can be traced directly to the oil and gas industry, according to investigative reporting by Mother Jones Magazine. Doug O'Malley of Environment, New Jersey, says the oil and gas industry will fight any program that encourages electrification. And really, that's what the crux of this debate is about, is that we have a monopoly system by the fossil fuel industry from home heating on oil and gas, saying we'd like a status quo quite

fine. Last year, a Rutgers-Eagleton poll found that 72% of New Jersey residents believe climate change to be a serious threat. But the political divide shows up in the polls breakdown, where 95% of Democrats say it's a very or somewhat serious threat, but only 38% of Republicans register the same alarm. That's WNYC's Nancy Solomon. Thanks for listening to NYC Now. from WNYC. Catch us every weekday, three times a day.

We'll be back tomorrow.