NYC NOW - June 6, 2024: Morning Headlines

Episode Date: June 6, 2024

Get up and get informed! Here's all the local news you need to start your day: Some Democratic lawmakers in Albany are slamming Governor Kathy Hochul’s decision to delay the congestion pricing plan that would have charged drivers entering Manhattan south of 60th Street. In other news, YouTube plans to restrict or remove videos that show users how to make and sell homemade guns. WNYC’s Giulia Heyward has more. Meanwhile, the New York City Council is taking up two bills on Thursday that require anonymous surveys to learn more about the work histories and health of migrants. Plus, as the legislative session in Albany comes to a close, WNYC’s Jon Campbell reports on the inaugural New York State Assembly Charity Softball Game between Democrats and Republicans.

Welcome to NYC Now. Your source for local news in and around New York City from WNYC. It's Thursday, June 6th. Here's the morning headlines from Michael Hill. Some Democratic lawmakers in Albany are slamming Governor Hokel's decision to delay the congestion pricing plan that would have charged drivers who enter Manhattan south of 60th Street. Assembly member Emily Gallagher represents Greenpoint in Williamsburg.

Gallagher says the city needs to be a city. congestion pricing a cut down on car and truck traffic and the air pollution it creates. In New York City, it's responsible for 2,000 excess deaths each year, and short-term exposure contributes to asthma severe enough to need a trip to the emergency room. Gallagher says Governor Hockel spoke to the benefits of congestion pricing on the global stage just weeks ago. Governor Hockel says she's pausing the plan because she was concerned about the economic impact the fees would have on middle and lower income.

drivers. YouTube plans to restrict to remove videos that show users how to make and sell homemade guns. WNIC's Julia Hayward has more. The popular video site is making changes to its guidelines to stop minors from accessing content on illegal firearms. YouTube will remove videos that show viewers how to alter safety devices on guns and block videos with links to firearm retailers. They will also start age-restricting content that gives step-by-step tutorials on building automatic weapons and homemade firearms. The news comes after Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg wrote a letter to YouTube in April, urging the company change its guidelines. A YouTube spokesperson says the company regularly reviews its guidelines to, quote,

make sure we are drawing the line at the right place. New York City's Council is looking to learn more amount of work histories and health of newly arrived migrants. Council members take up two bills today requiring anonymous surveys of migrants on both issues. Councilmember Carlina Rivera is the main sponsor. As a whole, we know very little about their working histories, about their health needs, and these are individuals who are making a home here in New York City. The surveys would cover a gamut of issues ranging from job searches to health needs. Rivera says she hopes the results will help inform city spending on migrants.

The bills would require the pup to be published by September 2025. 69 with light rain, we have a chance of some severe weather today. Shows and thunderstorms are high near 83. Stay close. There's more after the break. In the legislative session in Albany, it's a tense time when lawmakers and lobbyists learn whether their bills will survive. But as WNYC's John Campbell reports, partisan battles are not limited to the halls of the state. capital. This is the inaugural New York State Assembly charity softball game. The Democrats versus the Republicans. A handful of Republican lawmakers are taking batting practice while the Democrats

toss a few balls nearby. Republican Joe Angelino of the Southern Tier is walking around with a big bag of sunflower seeds. Not a ball game unless you're spitting seeds. Oh, you're right. You're right. I'll take some. You got to spin them on the ground. Oh, I know. I know. They're getting ready for what's supposed to be an all-in-good-fund softball game to raise money for the food pantries of the Capitol District. But make no mistake, they're competitive on the campaign trail and on the softball diamond. Assembly Republican leader Will Barclay is from Oswego County. Well, one thing we want to do is we want to win. So they've taken me off the roster, knowing that I'll be a handicap on the team. So I don't know. Most lawmakers showed up in

shorts or sweatpants. But Barclay is wearing khakis. It's a tacky. It's a tacky. to keep him out of the game. That's not the case for Assembly Speaker Carl Hasty, a Democrat from the Bronx, and one of the most important political leaders in New York. He's taking grounders at third base. Mr. Speaker, Barclay says he's not playing anything. He's afraid.

He's probably smart. The Republicans start out hot. And first off, number 10, Maddie Slater. Their lead-off hitter smokes a home run to center field. Assembly member Brian Marrard. is their team captain. He helped organize the event. Starting off strong with a home run, loving it.

This could be a route early, we'll see. By the end of the first inning, it's 8 to nothing, and the GOP is feeling pretty good. But the Democrats start to chip away. They score three runs in the second and another three in the third. Then they catch a break. Pommasano limping.

Medic! That would be Phil Palmasano, the Republican pitcher. He pulled a muscle running the bases. And with that, the Democrats keep at it and finally tie it up in the fifth inning. Queens Assembly member Clyde Vinell is the Democrats' team captain. You going to win this thing? Look, it's tied up right now.

I think we're going to take this home. The Democrats keep rolling. They take the lead on an inside-the-park home run by Kenny Burgos of the Bronx. That's when I check in with Barclay, the Republican leader. This is surprisingly tense. It is very tense. I can barely breathe. There we go.

The pitcher hits a point of district. Democratic Assembly member John McDonald of the Albany area smacked a ball over the left field fence. The Democrats are starting to run away with it. The whole team lines up to give McDonald a high-five as he rounds third. In the final inning, the Republicans are down by six. There's two outs, but they're making things interesting. Here we go. Basin's loaded.

He's not dressed for the occasion, but Barclay, as a pinch runner. He's on third. Ed Flood of Long Island is at the plate. Ladies and gentlemen, a solid line drive by Flood turns into an out. The Democrats stream onto the field like they've won the World Series. There's a trophy in everything. The final score? Democrats 19, Republicans 13, with two pole muscles and $8,000 raised for the food pantries. I asked Speaker Hastie what he was going to do with the I think we're going to bring it to session tomorrow, and we're going to brag a little bit, and then we'll get back to business.

And that's exactly what he did. The next day, the trophy was at the Rostrum in the Assembly Chamber, while lawmakers passed dozens of bills in their sprint toward the end of the legislative session this week. John Campbell, WNYC News. Thanks for listening. New New New New Newy 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.