NYC NOW - Morning Headlines: Developer Tied to Mayor Adams Campaign Wins City Lot, Federal Shutdown Delays Heating Aid, and NYC Street Vendors Push for More Licenses

Episode Date: October 30, 2025

A Brooklyn developer who donated campaign cash to Mayor Eric Adams’ 2021 run is getting control of a city-owned lot in Coney Island for a new housing project. Meanwhile, the federal shutdown is delaying heating assistance for low income New Yorkers until at least mid November. And New York City street vendors are urging the City Council to lift caps on vending licenses, saying current limits leave many at risk of immigration crackdowns.

Welcome to NYC Now, your source for local news in and around New York City from WMYC. It's Thursday, October 30th. Here's the morning headlines from Michael Hill. A Brooklyn real estate developer who funneled nearly $30,000 to Eric Adams' success for mayoral campaign four years ago is taking over a city-owned lot in Coney Island. W&MOTC's David Branden reports the deal is raising questions about how the city's economic Economic Development Corporation makes its selections. A WNYC investigation found that developer Sergei Reibak bundled the money but was not registered as a campaign intermediary, as is required by the city's campaign finance board.

The decision to turn the city-owned land over to Ryback's company will allow it to build a 505-unit apartment complex there. An EDC spokesperson says Ryback submitted the best proposal and knows the area well. Ryback says he made the contributions long before the development opportunity came about. More than a million New Yorkers may have to wait longer for help paying their heating bills. The state is delaying applications for its heating assistance program until at least November 17th because of the ongoing federal government shutdown. The program helps low-income residents cover heating and cooling costs.

Last year, it served almost two million customers statewide. New York City's street vendors are calling on the state-wide. the city council to pass legislation that would remove limits on the number of licenses issued by the city. Vendors argue that being unlicensed puts them in the crosshairs of immigration crackdowns. But increasing the number of licenses means it's possible they wouldn't be stopped for unlicensed vending. Councilmember Shahana Haneev supports the plan. There are ways to organize against Trump and there are ways to legislate against Trump. And this is what legislating against Trump looks like.

The City Council Speaker's office says it's reviewing the legislation but stop short, saying the bill will get a vote. Fifty-four would rain right now. Showers and rain today heavy at times, maybe with some mid-afternoon thunderstorms, a high near 61, but the winds way up there. 30 to 40 miles an hour could get as much as two inches of rain leading to coastal and local flooding, so let's be careful. Thanks for listening. This is NYC Now from WMYC. Check us out for updates every weekday, three times a date,

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