NYC NOW - Morning Headlines: Hillside Explosion Displaces Families, NY Airports Reject DHS Shutdown Video, and Gov. Hochul Pushes for Universal Childcare

Episode Date: October 15, 2025

Several families are without homes after an auto body shop explosion and six-alarm fire Tuesday night in Hillside, New Jersey. Meanwhile, Governor Kathy Hochul’s office says state run New York airports will not air a Homeland Security video from Secretary Kristi Noem that blames Democrats for the federal government shutdown. Newark Airport won’t air it either, according to the Port Authority. Plus, Governor Hochul says she remains committed to expanding universal childcare in New York, speaking at the Variety Boys and Girls Club in Astoria alongside Assemblymember and mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani.

Welcome to NYC Now, your source for local news in and around New York City from WMYC. It's Wednesday, October 15th. Here's the morning headlines from David First. A few families are without homes after an auto body shop exploded last night in Hillside, New Jersey. The mayor of Hillside, Dahlia Vertrease, says the explosion activated a six-alarm fire at the shop located on Maple Avenue. She says an entire wall of the shop has collapsed, and the other businesses on the shopping section of the street have been destroyed. The mayor says there were no fatalities, but a few families have been displaced. If you or someone you know has been impacted and need assistance, the mayor says you should direct message her on Facebook or call the Office of Emergency Management.

Travelers at New York City Area airports won't see a new video by U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Christy Noem that blames congressional Democrats for the federal government shutdown. DHS had encouraged airports to run it. But Governor Hokel's office says officials decided over the long weekend that New York airports controlled by state authorities won't air the video. Newark Airport in New Jersey won't air the video either, according to the Port Authority. Here's what Norm, excuse me, here's what Nome says in the video. Democrats in Congress refuse to fund the federal government. And because of this, Many of our operations are impacted, and most of our TSA employees are working without pay. The Port Authority spokesperson says longstanding policies bar airing politically partisan messages at their facilities.

Governor Kathy Hokel says she is committed to helping New York deliver universal child care. She spoke at the variety Boys and Girls Club in Astoria, Queens yesterday, with a local assembly member and Democratic mayoral candidate, Zoranam Dhani. I've had conversations with Assembly member Mondami about how we can get to universal child care. I believe we can. I believe we have to have the will to do this. They were joined by other elected officials to announce a $5 million investment to overhaul the 70-year-old space. This was the first formal joint appearance since Hockel endorsed Mamdani for mayor last month, but achieving their shared goal won't be easy.

New York State faces a projected $10 billion gap next year. due to, largely due to federal funding cuts. 58 degrees going up to a high of 66 today. 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. Also subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. We'll be back this evening.