NYC NOW - Morning Headlines: Congestion Pricing to Stay for Now, NYC Seizes Building from Negligent Landlord, and AOC’s Potential Role in Mayor’s Race

Episode Date: April 8, 2025

The MTA’s congestion pricing tolls will likely remain in place for at least six more months as a legal battle with the Trump administration plays out. Meanwhile, New York City has taken control of an apartment building from a negligent landlord for the first time in seven years. Plus, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez may play a key role in shaping the city’s mayoral race, with progressives hoping her endorsement can rally voters against Andrew Cuomo.

Welcome to NYC Now. Your source for local news in and around New York City from WMYC. It's Tuesday, April 8th. Here's the morning headlines from Michael Hill. The MTA's congestion pricing tolls charging drivers to enter Manhattan south of 60th Street are likely to stay in place for at least another six months into the fall. A new court filing indicates the MTA and the Trump administration have agreed to a time line to keep the tolls in place as a lawsuit plays out. President Trump has ordered the tolls to end,

but Governor Hockel and the MTA have sued to keep congestion pricing. New York City officials have seized an apartment building from a negligent landlord for the first time in seven years. WNIC's David Brand explains. Mold, roaches, and lead paint. The miserable conditions at 2201 Davidson Ave in the Bronx won't come as a surprise to many tenants facing similar problems. But the city's decision to seize the property and turn it over to a nonprofit developer might. The ultimate goal, restore the building and turn the apartments into affordable co-ops for current tenants. The owner racked up $28 million in unpaid taxes and fines. Councilmember Perina Sanchez says the city needs a new tool to take buildings from bad landlords. Even the worst of the worst owners have not

faced even this consequence. The building's now former owner spoke briefly with WNYC last week, but did not respond to follow-up calls. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is a progressive Congress member with national celebrity status. WNYC's Elizabeth Kim reports on how she could use that influence to shake up the raise for New York City mayor. Ocasio-Cortez is known for taking a wait-and-see approach when it comes to endorsements. In 2021, she waited until a week before early voting began to back Maya Wiley in the mayor. oral primary. Wiley finished a close third behind Catherine Garcia, but political experts credited

Ocasio-Cortez's endorsement for lifting her struggling candidacy. This time around, Progressives hope she'll be able to help coalesce left-leaning voters against their nemesis, Andrew Cuomo. The Working Families Party, a third party that is closely aligned with Ocasio Cortez, has endorsed a slate of four candidates with plans to announce a first choice in the weeks to come. Forty-three, mostly cloudy now, mostly sunny today, and 47 gusts up to 43 miles an hour, and cold tonight with a freeze warning beginning at midnight, a low around 30, feeling as cold is 20, and blustering. 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

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