NYC NOW - May 7, 2024: Morning Headlines

Episode Date: May 7, 2024

Get up and get informed! Here’s all the local news you need to start your day: Education officials on the Newark Board of Education recently approved a $12-million contract to install AI-equipped surveillance cameras across all district schools. In other news, City Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh is in Washington, D.C. today, pushing for a bill that would set new safety standards for all lithium-ion batteries used in micro-mobility devices. Plus, the New York City Council is pushing back against Mayor Eric Adams' plan to cut funding for an emergency food program.

Welcome to NYC Now. Your source for local news in and around New York City from WMYC. It's Tuesday, May 7th. Here's the morning headlines from Michael Hill. Education officials in Newark hope newly approved surveillance cameras equipped with artificial intelligence will make schools safer. The City's Board of Education recently said yes to a $12 million contract to install the technology across all district schools.

Officials say the cameras can detect weapons and even people and cars near schools by using license plate and facial recognition. Jesse Gomez is a reporter at the Education News site, Chalkbeat. Gomez says while education officials are touting safety, the plan does have its critics. Technology experts and security experts warn that systems like these that have artificial intelligence capabilities could result in an invasion of privacy or even potentially misidentify items or students through their facial. recognition systems.

Officials say law enforcement will not be allowed to tap into the cameras or access any of the data. City Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanaugh is in Washington, D.C. today to push for a bill that would enact new safety standards on all lithium ion batteries used in micromobility devices. H.R. 1797 would require a Federal Commission to issue a safety standard for the rechargeable batteries used in devices like e-bikes and scooters to protect against fire. risk. The commissioner has been a vocal advocate of reform after multiple deadly high-profile fires in New York City stemmed from improper usage or storage of lithium ion technology.

The New York City Council is pushing back against Mayor Adams' plan to cut funding for an emergency food program. Deputy City Council Speaker Diana Ayala told the council budget meeting yesterday she can't understand why the administration is cutting such a pivotal program by half. especially considering the fact that so many people are still relying so heavily on our food pantries, soup kitchens. I mean, I see the lines just on my block stretch out for two blocks, just people waiting all day. The Adams administration doubled funding for the emergency food program during the pandemic and now wants to return it to pre-pandemic levels.

But food providers say the need in some cases is even worse. The Department of Social Services says officials are working with the budget office to make sure the program is funded appropriately. 61 and sunny now, sunny and approaching 84 high today. 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,

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