NYC NOW - Morning Headlines: Mayor Adams Pushes BQE Overhaul , George Santos Defends Commuted Sentence, and the Met Rooftop Closes for Renovation

Episode Date: October 20, 2025

With just over two months left in office, Mayor Eric Adams is urging federal officials to fast-track the long delayed reconstruction of the Brooklyn Queens Expressway’s triple cantilever in Brooklyn Heights. Meanwhile, former Congressman George Santos says his 84 days in prison were “humbling” as he defends President Trump’s decision to commute his sentence. And the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s rooftop has closed until 2030 to make way for a new contemporary art wing.

Welcome to NYC Now, your source for local news in and around New York City from WMYC. It's Monday, October 20th. Here's the morning headlines from David First. With just over two months left in office, Mayor Adams is pushing ahead with the long-stalled plan to fix a troubled stretch of the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. WNYC's Ramsey-Khalifay has more. In a letter to U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, the mayor says the mayor says the construction of the BQE's corroded triple cantilever in Brooklyn Heights can't be delayed any further. He's asking the feds to move forward with environmental review for the project in November.

But it's still unclear exactly how Adams wants to rebuild the roadway. The city has put forward three different proposals, each of which would disrupt traffic and life in the area. Adams' letter comes seven years after Mayor Bill de Blasio floated a plan to build a temporary highway on top of the beloved Brooklyn Heights Promenade while the BQE was rebuilt underneath. groups protested loudly. The city hasn't come out with a concrete plan since. Disgraced former Congressman George Santos says his 84 days behind bars were humbling, and he's rushing off critics of President Trump's decision to commute his sentence.

In an interview with CNN yesterday, Santos dismissed those who say three months in prison was not enough. I'm not paying too much attention to the curl-platching of the outrage of my critics and of the people predominantly on the left who are going to go out there and try to make a big deal out of something like this. Santos was sentenced to seven years after pleading guilty to fraud and identity theft. Several New York Republicans, including members of the state's House delegation, spent the weekend condemning the commutation. The rooftop, excuse me, rooftop of the Metropolitan Museum of Art is closing until at least 2030. The museum is demolishing its contemporary art wing and the rooftop along with it, and

with it and replacing it with a brand new space. Yesterday was the last day the current rooftop was open to the public. Jenny Fletcher has been living in the city for 20 years and says the space is a special place for her family. I come here many times. Our children grew up here on the roof. We had many special occasions here, time to relax, have a drink, have a coffee. Meet.

It's always a great meeting place for the family. The Met says its new wing will allow the museum to showcase more of its modern and contemporary art collection. And taking a look at the weather, 62 degrees right now, cloudy with a continued chance for some showers this morning. A steady temperature today, staying right around 62 degrees. Breezy as well, tonight mostly clear with a low around 50. Thanks for listening. This is NYC now from WMYC. Check us out for updates every weekday, 3,000.

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