NYC NOW - Morning Headlines: Man Sentenced in Times Square Assault, Push for Gender-Affirming Care Protections, and Mental Health Services Expand in Domestic Violence Shelters

Episode Date: July 24, 2025

A man involved in a Times Square fight between police and migrants earlier this year has been sentenced to 18 months in jail after pleading guilty to assault. Meanwhile, mental health clinicians across New York are urging Governor Hochul to sign a bill safeguarding access to gender-affirming care. Plus, New York City is expanding a program that places therapists and mental health services inside domestic violence shelters.

Welcome to NYC Now, your source for local news in and around New York City from WMYC. It's Thursday, July 24th. Here's the morning headlines from Michael Hill. A man at the center of a brawl between migrants and police in Times Square last year has been sentenced to a year and a half in prison. WNYC Samantha Max reports. Johanry Brito pleaded guilty to an assault charge for his role in the 2024 fight. video of the incident shows a police officer pushing Brito against the wall after Brito shouted an insult. Then Brito wrestled with police on the ground and others pulled, pushed, and kicked the officers.

Brito came to the U.S. from Venezuela. His attorney said that his guilty plea will likely have a negative effect on his ability to stay in the country. Several other people involved in the fight have also pleaded guilty to criminal charges and been sentenced to jail time. The incident was one of the first high-profile crimes involving migrants during the most recent immigration wave. Across New York are urging Governor Kathy Hockel to sign a bill protecting access to gender-affirming care. 246 doctors and providers sent a letter to Hockel asking her to enact a bill that enhances current protections. Say Senator Brad Hoyleman Siegel sponsored the bill. Lives are at risk, professional reputations are at risk.

The practice of medicine and health care and the rights of New Yorkers are equally at risk. The bill would protect patients and providers from subpoenas or investigations originating from outside the state. New York City is expanding an initiative that brings therapists and other mental health services to domestic violence shelters. Officials say those services will now be available at 41 of the city's 54 domestic violence shelters. That's up from nine two years ago. Dr. Obigen owner, Barry, directs the initiative for New York City Health and hospitals. You really need to take care of your whole mental health in order to take care of your physical health, in order to take of your family, and also to be a member of the community.

Officials say more than 700 patients already have had 5,600 behavioral health appointments through the program. The expansion comes as city data show domestic violence appears to be worsening in the five barrels. that'll show a thousand more people staying in city DV shelters last year than the year before. We're right around 70 degrees right now and mostly sunny skies, sunny and 87 for a high today, dangerously hot tomorrow. 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 dives. And subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. More soon.

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