NYC NOW - February 6, 2024: Morning Headlines

Episode Date: February 6, 2024

Get up and get informed! Here’s all the local news you need to start your day: Traffic fatalities in New York City have decreased by 16% according to safe streets advocates, but the improvements are primarily in white neighborhoods. Also, Governor Hochul wants Republicans to get on board with the Senate's compromise bill on border security. Plus, in response to sub-freezing temperatures, New York City is under a Code Blue alert, prompting officials to relax shelter rules and open drop-in centers for those in need.

Welcome to NYC Now. Your source for local news in and around New York City from WMYC. It's Tuesday, February 6th. Here's the morning headlines from Michael Hill. Safe streets advocates say traffic fatalities have fallen 16% since the city started pushing to make streets safer from cars 10 years ago. But the report shows most of the safety went to white neighborhoods. WMIC's Charles Lane explained. An analysis by transportation alternatives found that mostly Latino and mostly black neighborhoods

have become less safe from cars since the Vision Zero era began. Advocates say the main obstacle is local community boards, which have to approve many transportation projects. The group also faults City Hall for not moving faster to build protected bike and bus lanes. While pedestrian fatalities fell by 29 percent since 2014, deaths for cyclists have steadily risen, making 2023 the deadliest year to ride a bike in the city. To get on board with the Senate's compromise bill on border security, the governor called out New York's House Republicans at an event yesterday in Syracuse.

We have to just say we are at capacity. We have to have limitations. And if Republicans refuse to do that, then this is on their hands. But some Republicans didn't take kindly to the governor's remarks. State Senate Minority Leader Rob Ord says Hockel should take it up with President Biden. President Biden gets the blame for this. He's the president and has done zero. He has literally done nothing. President Biden says he's prepared to sign a compromise bill if Congress can get it passed.

The bill would put money toward border security and make it tougher to seek asylum. But House Republicans say the legislation is dead on arrival after Donald Trump urged them to do nothing. There's some warmer weather in the forecast come this weekend, but New York City is under a Code Blue this morning, thanks to Chile overnight temperatures. Code Blue protocols allow local officials to relax shelter rules and open drop-in centers to help people escape sub-freezing temperatures. The city's asking people to call 311 if they see someone outdoors vulnerable to the cold and in need of shelter. Shelters remain open for 24 hours after the city declares the advisory. Today's Code Blue expires at 8 this morning. The city of Newark across the Hudson says it's extending its code blue till 7 o'clock Thursday morning,

keeping two emergency shelters open. 30 and clear right now, sunny and on our way to a high in the low 40s, gusty the real feel in the 30s, then tomorrow sunny in mid-40s as we begin a warm-up. 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.