NYC NOW - January 17, 2024: Morning Headlines

Episode Date: January 17, 2024

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.

Welcome to NYC Now, your source for local news in and around New York City from WMYC. It's Wednesday, January 17. Here's the morning headlines from Michael Hill. Faulty e-bike batteries caused nearly 270 fires in New York City last year. That's an increase from 2022. That's according to new data, WNYC's Jacqueline Jeffrey Wilensky obtained from the fire department. The fires killed 18 people last. year, triple the death toll in 2022. Lawmakers introduced several new policies last year to stem the

number of e-bike battery fires, including a program that would let delivery drivers swap out dangerous, uncertified batteries for safe ones. Mike Fritz is an e-bike consultant. It is the fastest way to get those packs out of the marketplace, but it has significant challenges. For one, it's expensive. Delivery workers will need multiple new batteries to get through long shifts. No matter what battery you're using, the fire department recommends charging batteries far away from flammable items and exits. A special congressional election to Phil ex-Congressmember George Santos's seat is less than a month away. WNYC's Bridget Bergen says so far it's been a lopsided campaign for voters. When the Lakeville Estates Civic Association planned an event for last week, so voters could hear from

the candidates in the third congressional district, both Republican candidate Mazi Pillip and Democrat Tom Swazi were invited, but only Swazi showed. That left Republican voter, Doug Mittler, scratching his head. I think there were things I disagreed with, but I give him credit for showing up and talking for people respectfully. Asked if he knows whether he aligns with the Republican candidate, Pillop. Honestly, I don't because she's not been here. So far, Pillop has kept a low profile and agreed to debate Swazi only once before the election. Her campaign insists that she is attending events. albeit not widely publicized ones. Tens of thousands more New Jersey students will get free breakfast and lunch at school.

That's after Governor Phil Murphy signed a bill yesterday to expand the income eligibility brackets for public school and private school students. Now families making slightly more than just $67,000 a year are eligible for free school meals. Before, the threshold was less than $60,000. It's also the first time private school students can qualify for free. school meals. 20 and clear now. Watch for ice out there this morning. It could be dangerous. Sunday on 29 today, a real feel is cold as 10 degrees, cold all the way through Sunday. 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.