NYC NOW - May 29, 2024: Morning Headlines

Episode Date: May 29, 2024

Get up and get informed! Here's all the local news you need to start your day: A new report from the Citizens Committee for Children says most of New York City's infants and toddlers eligible for subsidized child care aren't enrolled in public programs. Meanwhile, the MTA is urging New Yorkers to use the Long Island Railroad’s summer packages and enhanced services instead of driving. Plus, Bryant Park’s free summer yoga series kicks off Wednesday evening.

Welcome to NYC Now. Your source for local news in and around New York City from WMYC. It's Wednesday, May 29th. Here's the morning headlines from Michael Hill. A majority of New York City's infants and toddlers who qualify for subsidized child care are not enrolled in public programs. That's according to a new report by a child advocacy group, WNIC's Karen Ye explains. The Citizens Committee for Children's Children's,

says 93% of infants and 79% of toddlers are missing out on affordable child care. The wide-ranging report on children is released every two years. It found while the city has dramatically grown its early childhood education offerings by making care for three- and four-year-olds universally accessible, there are still barriers for low-income families. Jennifer March is the executive director of the nonprofit that produced the report. There are multiple ways into these programs, so there's a little. a little bit of kind of a bureaucratic nightmare.

She says the city needs to do a better job, reaching out to communities. The MTA is encouraging New Yorkers to ditch their cars this summer and hop on the Long Island Railroad instead. L.I.R. President Rob Free is pushing discounted fares, along with the convenience of using public transit to entice riders. We're here today to promote Long Island and encourage everyone to take the Long Island Railroad to our world-class beaches and also take advantage of the Long Island. Long Island Railroad's summer packages and escorted tours.

The L.I.R. is offering enhanced service for the beach season. It's also doubling the amount of weekend trips between Ron Concoma and Greenpoint from four to Greenport, that is, from four to eight. And take your look now at some other news. One of the summer's first free outdoor yoga classes salutes the sun today. Brian Park's free summer yoga series kicks off this evening at six with its first class of the season. The park will offer one-hour classes Tuesday mornings and Wednesday evenings from May 29th through September 25th. Prospect Park in Brooklyn is also offering free weekly outdoor yoga classes starting this Thursday evening at 7 and Long Meadow North.

And the New York City Parks Department has classes at parks around the city. You can find a full listing at NYCGVParks.org. The air quality is good today. There are low levels of grass pollid and moderate levels of tree pollen. in the air. 61 in sunny now might need a jacket or a sweater or a hoodie to get things going this morning. We have a slim chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms 577. 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.