NYC NOW - Morning Headlines: Clemency Granted to Local January 6th Rioters, Vandalism of Israeli Restaurant Investigated as Hate Crime, and Hoboken PATH Station Closing for Renovation

Episode Date: January 27, 2025

Of the roughly 1,500 people granted clemency by President Trump for their involvement in the January 6th riots, about 150 were from New York or New Jersey. Meanwhile, the NYPD’s Hate Crimes Task Force is investigating vandalism at Miriam, a popular Israeli restaurant in Park Slope, after red paint with anti-Israeli messages was splattered on its windows Sunday. Plus, the Hoboken PATH train station will close from January 28th to February 24th as part of a $430 million modernization project for the 116-year-old system.

Welcome to NYC Now. Your source for local news in and around New York City from WMYC. It's Monday, January 27th. Here's the morning headlines from David First. About 150 residents from New York and New Jersey received clemency for their part in the January 6th riots. WNYC's Charles Lane reports. The group includes retired NYPD officers, a city sanitation employee, a Queens district leader and a former Marine. Charges included conspiring to kill House Speaker Nancy Pelosi

and Vice President Mike Pence, beating a Capitol Hill police officer with the flagpole and being members of extremist groups. Brendan Strocka pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct. I have at no point whatsoever believed that I was guilty of any crimes on January 6th, despite the fact that I took a plea deal and pled guilty to a misdemeanor. Those receiving pardons have had all restrictions lifted. including owning a firearm and running for elected office. Police are investigating yesterday's vandalism at Miriam, a popular Israeli restaurant and Park Slope, as a hate crime.

W1.1C's Catalina Gonella reports. The eatery's windows were splattered with red paint and messages like genocide cuisine. The NYPD's hate crime task force is investigating. Miriam said it, quote, refuses to let this darken its spirit. The incident drew close. condemnation from officials, including Mayor Eric Adams and Senator Chuck Schumer, who called it,

quote, outright anti-Semitism. Community groups, including the Anti-Defamation League, have also offered support. No arrests have been made. The Hoboken Path train station will close for nearly a month starting this week. The Port Authority says the closure starts tomorrow and will last through February 24th as part of a $430 million plan to modernize the 116-year-old system. Cruise will tackle track, switch, and staircase repairs all at once to minimize the disruption. The agency is rolling out free shuttle buses, extra ferry service, and additional trains to help ease the impact. This comes just weeks after Pathfares increased to $3 per ride, and as many commuters look to avoid Manhattan's $9 congestion pricing.

Right now, 34 degrees. It's going to be a sunny day today, expecting a high around 40 degrees this afternoon. Breezy as well. We could see gusts up to 25 miles per hour. Tonight, increasing clouds, a low around 30 degrees. 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.