NYC NOW - Morning Headlines: Atlantic Yards Developer Threaten to Sue NYS, COVID-19 Subway Cleaners Win Backpay , and Pete Alonso Becomes Mets All-Time Home Run Leader

Episode Date: August 13, 2025

New York state officials say they dropped millions in fines against the developer of the long-delayed Atlantic Yards affordable housing project after the company threatened legal action. Meanwhile, pandemic-era subway cleaners will receive $3 million in backpay following a city comptroller lawsuit against the MTA. Plus, Mets first baseman Pete Alonso makes history as the franchise’s all-time home run leader.

Welcome to NYC now. Your source for local news in and around New York City from WMYC. It's Wednesday, August 13th. Here's the morning headlines from Michael Hill. New York State officials say there's a reason they're waving millions of dollars in fines against the developer behind the stalled Atlantic Yards Affordable Housing Project. The company threatened to sue WNYC's David Brand reports. Greenland, U.S.

say was supposed to complete nearly 900 units of affordable housing at the Atlantic Yard site by May or face millions in monthly fines. New York's Empire State Development set the terms in a 2014 legal agreement, but they waive the penalties when the company blew past the deadline. State officials now say Greenland threatened to sue them if they tried to collect. They say foregoing the fines will avoid costly litigation. Greenland did not respond to request for comment. Their Brooklyn office was empty when WNYC visited last week. Workers who cleaned subway trains during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic are getting $3 million in back pay. That's thanks to a settlement in a lawsuit the city's

controller office filed against the MTA for not paying the workers' state-mandated prevailing wages. Former Governor Andrew Cuomo closed the subways to riders overnight for an entire year from 2020 to 2021 to kick out homeless riders and disinfected train cars. The MTA issued no-bid contracts to private cleaning companies under Cuomo's executive order, but many of those workers were paid less than what's required for the work. In other news this morning, Pete Alonzo is now the all-time home run leader for the New York Mets. W&YC's Phil Corso has more. Alonzo launched his 253rd career home run at City Field, breaking a record Darrell Strawberry

held for nearly four decades. The 30-year-old crushed a 95-mile-an-hour fastball from Atlanta's Spencer Strider over the right center wall in the third inning. The two-run blast gave the Mets a 5-to-one lead. The scoreboard flashed a polar bear tribute in a nod to Alonzo's nickname as he hugged his teammates. Alonzo tipped his cap and blew kisses to the crowd before heading back to the dugout.

It was his 27th homer of the season. And that one was a line drive, too. Alonzo later added another home on the Mets. 13 to 5 win. 76 with some clouds now. Today, a slim chance of thunderstorms and showers, mainly after 5, mostly sunny, 88. Thanks for listening.

This is NYC now from WMYC. Catch us every weekday three times a day for your top news headlines and occasional deep dives. And subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. More soon.