NYC NOW - August 6, 2024: Morning Headlines

Episode Date: August 6, 2024

Get up and get informed! Here's all the local news you need to start your day: A new Siena poll shows Vice President Kamala Harris outperforming President Joe Biden among likely New York voters. Meanwhile, some elected officials in New York City are advocating for more small apartments, known as “accessory dwelling units,” to be added to existing residential properties, including backyards and basements. Plus, Republicans in Nassau County are pushing a ban on the public use of face coverings after a heated debate Monday that led to at least one person being arrested.

Welcome to NYC Now. Your source for local news in and around New York City from WMYC. It's Tuesday, August 6th. Here's the morning headlines. I'm Jenae Pierre. Kamala Harris is outperforming Joe Biden among likely New York voters. That's according to a new Sienna poll released this morning. It shows the vice president with 53 to 39% lead over former President Donald Trump in New York.

That's up six points from Biden's lead in late June, but it still trails the big margins of victory Biden and Hillary Clinton put up in the last two election cycles. Sienna pollster Steve Greenberg says Harris has had a noticeable but not dramatic effect on the race in New York. It's the first public poll of the state since President Biden dropped his re-election bid last month. Some elected officials in New York City are pushing for more small apartments to be built as the region faces a severe housing crisis. prices. They're called accessory dwelling units and are usually added to existing residential properties, including in backyards and basements. Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Rinozo says they could provide more housing in low-density neighborhoods like Bay Ridge, where some homes contain multiple generations. If we could move one of those, maybe grandma, to a studio

in the garage or move the sun into an attic, that makes a difference in their lives. The city is granting out $4 million to help homeowners add accessory dwelling units, it's also launching an online portal to help them with the process. Mayor Adams' administration is also looking to allow for more of the units by revising the city's zoning code. Republicans in Nassau County are pushing a ban on public use of face coverings after a debate Monday that led to at least one person being arrested. WMYC's Charles Lane has more. Republicans say the ban will prevent protesters from committing crimes. Those opposed say it creates a culture war. One woman who opposes the measure had her microphone cut off during debate. Officers, would you help this young lady if she seemed

unable to leave the... Again? Again? No, Legislature Coppell, you allowed the woman in the front, the dog, their lawyer, to speak beyond three minutes, and you did not ask the police to remove her. You did not ask the police. We're doing what she said. A commotion followed, and county police carried another woman out of the building in handcuffs. Mayor Eric Adams and Governor Katz The Hockel have also said they are considering mass bands in certain circumstances. A quick look at your forecast now, 79 degrees, a few clouds this morning. There's a chance of afternoon showers, partly sunny skies today with highs around 91 degrees. There's a chance of showers and thunderstorms tonight with cloudy skies and lows in the mid to upper 60s.

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 podcast. See you this afternoon.