NYC NOW - Morning Headlines: Monthly Evictions Are on the Rise, Health Department Is Down Inspectors, and Muslim Group on Long Island Reaches Settlement

Episode Date: August 21, 2025

A WNYC analysis of city data finds marshals are evicting tenants at a rate of 1500 apartments a month, that’s the highest eviction rate since 2018. Another WNYC analysis found that seven of the ten buildings at the center of the Legionnaires' disease outbreak, some of which are run directly by the city, had no inspections over the past year. Finally, Muslims on Long Island which owns an existing mosque in Bethpage, sued under federal religious discrimination law, after the town blocked its plan to tear down two structures and build a larger mosque on the site. As a result of a settlement of long running land use and religious discrimination case, the town will fund nearly $4 million dollars towards the build.

Welcome to NYC Now, your source for local news in and around New York City from WMYC. It's Thursday, August 21st. Here's the morning headlines from Michael Hill. Monthly evictions are on the rise in New York City. WMIC's David Brand reports. A WNYC analysis of city data finds marshals are evicting tenants at a rate of 1,500 apartments a month this year. That's the highest eviction rate since 2018. when marshals were carrying out nearly 1,700 a month on behalf of landlords. Housing experts say the number is rising as courts worked through a lengthy backlog of cases that accumulated during the pandemic.

A moratorium on evictions was put in place during the worst years of the COVID crisis. But there is some cause for optimism. The number of new eviction cases is down compared to last year. New York City's Health Department lost more than a third of its cooling tower inspections in the three years leading up to the current deadly outdoors. of Legionaire's disease in Harlem, but Mayor Adam says the smaller staff has not stopped the city from addressing the current outbreak in Harlem. We're going to do everything we can, but, you know, I don't think anyone could

accuse the Department of Health and mental hygiene of not really being proactive and reactive when it comes down and saving the lives of New Yorkers. A WNIC analysis found that seven of the 10 buildings at the center of the outbreak, some of which run directly by the city, had no inspections over the past year. So far, the recent outbreak has killed five people, sickened more than 100, and nine remain hospitalized this morning. The group Muslims on Long Island will be allowed to build an expanded mosque in Bethpage and will get nearly $4 million from the town of Oyster Bay. That's the result of a settlement of a long-running religious land-use discrimination case.

The group which owns an existing mosque and Bethpage sued under federal religious discrimination law after the town blocked its plan to tear down two structures and build a larger mosque on the site. The Trump administration had sided with the Muslims on Long Island. The $4 million payment will cover the group's attorney fees and cost. Town officials say they're satisfied the matter is resolved. Reports say the town board must also approve the settlement. The air quality is good today. There are low amounts of tree and weed pollen in the air.

61 with showers right now. Chance of showers this morning, cloudy and 73 wind gusts to 28 miles an hour. Thanks for listening. This is NYC now from WMYC. Check us out for updates every weekday, three times a day, for the latest news headlines and occasional deep dives. And subscribe wherever you get your podcast.