NYC NOW - June 21, 2023: Morning Headlines

Episode Date: June 21, 2023

Get up and get informed! Here’s all the local news you need to start your day: Fire department investigators warn New Yorkers about the dangers of charging lithium-ion batteries in unsafe conditions following a Chinatown e-bike shop fire that killed four people, two men face charges for unrelated knife attacks on the '4' train over the weekend, and Governor Phil Murphy plans to phase in his compromise with lawmakers to slash property taxes for seniors over time.

Welcome to NYC Now. Your source for local news in and around New York City from WNYC. It's Wednesday, June 21st. Here's the morning headlines from Michael Hill. 62 out there and cloudy today, mostly cloudy in 73 for a high. Fire department investigators are urging New Yorkers to be vigilant about lithium-ion batteries charging in dangerous conditions after yesterday morning's fire burned to Chinatown e-bike shop and killed four people. FDNY brass say the department had slapped numerous violations on the Madison Street

e-bike shop, but the improper charging continued. Commissioner Laura Kavanaugh says New Yorker should take the following steps to stay safe. We would really encourage New Yorkers to call 311 help us in our enforcement and education efforts, knowing your way out, knowing what to do. An emergency is key, but also making sure that we are aware of these conditions so we can make sure that they are not happening on the first floor of your building. The Red Cross says almost two dozen people are displaced and getting emergency shelter. Two men now face charges for unrelated knife attacks on the four train this past weekend. The NYPD says one man stabbed someone he knew in an argument over drugs,

the other slashed three women's legs, and a string of seemingly random attacks. All three women survived. NYPD transit chief Michael Kemper said police were able to arrest them in quickly because of an increase in officers in the subways. We're upwards of around a thousand additional cops in the subway system each and every day, started over the weekend, and it will continue into further notice. Camper adds that crime in the subways is down this year below pre-pandemic levels. Governor Phil Murphy says his compromise with state lawmakers to slash property taxes for seniors will be phased in over time. The governor spoke on WNIC's Ask Governor Murphy last night.

Murphy says the new agreement clears the way for a state budget deal before the July 1st deadline. This is not a program that we're going to be able to flip a light switch and begin on July 1st. I also want folks to accept the fact that we need a period of time to leg into this. The compromise tax cut was slashed up to $6,500 in property taxes for residents 65 years or older. Only seniors earning less than $500,000 would be eligible for the tax. break. Property taxes in New Jersey are collected by each town and county to pay for schools, local services, and the county budget. Taking a look at your forecast, 62 with clouds. Summer begins later this morning, mostly cloudy today in a high of 73. Then tomorrow,

showers likely cloudy and 68. 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.