NYC NOW - July 18, 2023: Morning Headlines

Episode Date: July 18, 2023

Get up and get informed! Here’s all the local news you need to start your day: The federal government calls for a takeover of New York City jails due to ongoing issues at Rikers Island. Meanwhile, the MTA initiates a year-long program to provide free bus service on one route in each borough. Lastly, Prospect Park prepares for the addition of a monument honoring Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to Congress.

Welcome to NYC now. Your source for local news in and around New York City from WNYC. It's Tuesday, July 18th. Here's the morning headlines from Michael Hill. 76 in partly clouding, showers and thunderstorms, potential for a flash flooding today, otherwise partly sunny in a high of 86. The federal government is calling for the takeover of New York City jails. WNYC's Matt Katz reports, Manhattan's top 50s.

federal prosecutor says the Adams administration has failed to stop the humanitarian crisis at Rikers Island. U.S. Attorney Damien Williams says he will seek the appointment of a federal receiver. That would take decision-making powers away from Mayor Eric Adams administration and possibly scrap union agreements and other longstanding work rules. The stunning announcement comes eight years after the U.S. Attorney's Office agreed to the appointment of a monitor to oversee reforms. But the number of detainee deaths, fights, officer use of force, assaults, and stabbings have skyrocketed since. A judge will begin to consider the takeover at a hearing next month. Thousands of New Yorkers are about to get a free ride.

The MTA is rolling out a new program that will make one bus route in each of the five boroughs completely free to ride. The program will launch in late September and the routes will be free for up to a year. Maddie Smith, a frequent rider on the M-116 bus in Harlem, is happy to hear her cross-town bus will soon be a fair-free event. That is a great thing that the bus will be free. Hallelujah! The program is mandated by state legislation passed this year. The MTA says the free rides will help about 44,000 riders every weekday. MTA leaders launched a program after releasing a report that found more than a free ride.

one in three bus riders don't pay the fare. Prospect Park will soon get a monument of political trailblazer Shirley Chisholm. She was the first black woman elected to serve in Congress. The Public Design Commission unanimously approved the plan yesterday. Vice President of the Commission, Jimmy Van Bramer, praised the artist's work at the vote. For it to be this grand on this scale in this place seems so perfect and so fitting. The green and yellow statue will stand at 32 feet tall on the southeast entrance of the park.

It was born out of a de Blasio administration era to push to create more monuments for women in the city headed by former First Lady Charlene McCrae. 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. Thank you.