NYC NOW - Morning Headlines: Expanded Protections for Delivery Workers, Fifth Avenue Makeover, and Juan Soto's Historic Mets Deal

Episode Date: December 9, 2024

Get up and get informed! Here’s all the local news you need to start your day: New York City delivery workers could gain expanded pay and protections under new proposals up for debate at the City Council today. Meanwhile, Fifth Avenue is undergoing a $150-million transformation to expand pedestrian space and improve safety. Plus, Yankees star outfielder Juan Soto is reportedly joining the Mets under a record-breaking $765 million, 15-year deal, the biggest contract in Major League Baseball history.

Welcome to NYC Now, your source for local news in and around New York City from WMYC. It's Monday, December 9th. Here's the morning headlines from Michael Hill. New York City delivery workers could see expanded pay and protections under new proposals going before the City Council today. WMIC's Phil Corso has more. The Council's Consumer and Worker Protection Committee will review two bills aimed at improving conditions for all contracted delivery. workers, not just those delivering food. One bill would ensure grocery delivery workers are paid a minimum rate comparable to food delivery couriers. Another would expand existing protections to all

workers who deliver goods for a service. The measures follow a 2021 law that set minimum pay standards and better working conditions for food delivery couriers across the city. New York City's Fifth Avenue was undergoing a major transformation as part of an ambitious $150 million. project. The focus is on expanding pedestrian space and improving safety. Deputy Mayor Mira Joshi says the changes will ensure that Fifth Avenue returns to its roots as a place built for people. Long ago, Fifth Avenue was built for pedestrians. It was built for people. But as cars increased, pedestrian space gave way to car space. The project will add more trees and lighting to the boulevard. Mayor Adams says it's expected to pay for itself.

in less than five years through increased tax revenue. The design phase of the project should be finished by the summer of 2025. One of baseball's biggest names is hopping on the train to City Field. Multiple reports said New York Yankees Star Elfierblood Juan Soto is signing with the New York Mets for 15 years in the highest pay in Major League Baseball history, $765 million. A small plane circled MetLife Stadium yesterday, roughly 90 minutes before the New York Giants hosted the New Orleans Saints, the message read, quote, Mr. Marra, who owns the Giants, enough, please fix this dumpster fire, as it was towed behind the rear of a small plane. One widely reported response from Giants rookie receiver, Malik Neighbors, I ain't paid for the plane. The Giants lost again yesterday to the Saints and now have two wins and 11 losses this season. Delays this morning on J-Trains both ways.

There's a crash on the westbound LIE and Maurice Avenue in Massbeth. Significant traffic set to be building there. 43 and partly cloudy now. We have rain in the forecast today with a high near 51. A chance of rain by 10 o'clock tonight in patchy fog overnight. Then tomorrow another chance of rain, high of 52, and Wednesday we could be in for a lot of rain. It's 607. 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.