NYC NOW - May 22, 2024: Morning Headlines

Episode Date: May 22, 2024

Get up and get informed! Here’s all the local news you need to start your day: State Sen. Kevin Parker from Brooklyn won't face charges for an altercation with an advocate in Albany last week. The New York City Parks Department says it has hired 230 lifeguards for Memorial Day weekend but is still hundreds short, which could lead to shorter operating hours. Plus, Fleet Week, the annual celebration for the men and women of the armed forces, is back in New York City.

Welcome to NYC Now. Your source for local news in and around New York City from WMYC. It's Wednesday, May 22nd. Here's the morning headlines from David First. A state senator from Brooklyn won't face charges for an altercation with an advocate at the state capital last week. WNYC's John Campbell reports. Disability rights advocate Michael Carey says Senator Kevin Parker shoved him twice during a heated argument at the Capitol last week. He made the claim in a sworn deposition with police. But Kerry says he and Parker

smooth things over in a phone call on Friday. Carrie says he contacted state police and told them he wants to drop the case. A state police spokesperson confirms that they've closed the investigation without making any arrests. Parker couldn't be reached for comment. The New York City Parks Department is officially opening its beaches this Memorial Day weekend to mark the start of summer. But a lifeguard shortage could get in the way of your fun in the sun. Officials say they've hired 230 lifeguards so far this season. That's hundreds shy of the number of hires needed to fully staff city beaches. Mayor Adams says the shortage could lead to shorter operating hours for beaches. Some beaches that will have shortening hours or may not even be able to have a full complement because we have a national

lifeguard problem. Officials say there are prospective candidates in training programs and plenty of returning hires that the city hopes will bulk up at staffing. The city needs between 1,200 to 1,400 lifeguards to be fully staffed. Fleet Week is back in New York City. The annual celebration for the men and women of the armed forces kicks off with the arrival of Navy and Coast Guard ships today. WNYC's Catalina Gonella has remor. It's a week of events honoring the members of the military sea services with free activities all over the city. Ships visiting the city are docked at several piers and are open for public tours throughout Fleet Week. There will also be musical performances by the U.S. Marine Corps Band and the Navy Band Northeast at locations like Times Square

and Bryant Park and demonstrations of military helicopter landings and Coast Guard rescues. Service members will also march in parades on Sunday and Monday, including one in Maspeth and another on Staten Island. 68 degrees now. It will be sunny today, quite warm, getting up to a high near 85 this afternoon tonight, partly cloudy with a low of 68 and a slight chance of showers. This is WNYC. 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 podcast. See you this afternoon.