NYC NOW - Morning Headlines: MTA to Revamp Fare Evasion Penalties, Hochul Pushes Prison Reforms, and NYC Shares New Year’s Eve Safety Tips

Episode Date: December 31, 2024

Get up and get informed! Here's all the local news you need to start your day: The MTA is revamping penalties for fare evasion as part of new laws taking effect in January. WNYC’s Jon Campbell reports. Meanwhile, Governor Kathy Hochul is enacting sweeping reforms to the state prison system. WNYC’s Charles Lane has more. Plus, it’s New Year’s Eve, and New York City’s Director of the Office of Nightlife is sharing safety tips for partygoers. WNYC’s Sean Carlson reports.

Welcome to NYC now. Your source for local news in and around New York City from WMYC. It's Tuesday, December 31st. Here's the morning headlines from Michael Hill. The MTA is about to revamp its penalties for people who evade the fare. As WNYC's John Campbell reports, it's among a number of new laws taking effect in January. Under the new system, someone who skips payment on the bus or subway will be issued. a written warning for a first offense. A second offense draws a $100 fine, half of which is

given back on a fair card if they pay the fine on time. Each subsequent offense will cost $150. Other measures taking effect in 2025 include an increase in the minimum wage. The hourly rate is set to jump to $16.50 in New York City, Westchester, and on Long Island. That's up from $16. It'll be $15.50 in the rest of the state. And New York, Governor Kathy Hockel is making what advocates are calling sweeping reforms of the state prison system. WNIC's Charles Lane explains. Hockel's changes come after the release of video showing the beating of a handcuffed man, Robert Brooks, who later died. Hocal replaced the head of the Marcy Correctional Facility, will install more cameras throughout the entire system and boost funding for watchdog groups.

Jennifer Skaid, the executive director of one such group, the Correctional Association of New York. She has been reporting on similar allegations for years. I think this time there was irrefutable evidence in color, in video, you know, for people to see. Hoko is also calling for an outside group to report on the culture inside the correctional system. It's New Year's Eve and New York City's director of the office of Nightlife has some tips for partygoers on how to stay safe. W&MASC, Sean Carlson has more. The city's so-called nightlife mayor Jeffrey Garcia says you should always let your family and friends know where you'll be for the evening. And for that matter, make sure your phone is charged when you hit the streets.

He also says if you're drinking, be smart. Know your limits. You know, when you're going out, drinking, you're having fun. Be careful who you accept drinks from, right? Make sure that if you're out with friends, you're accepting drinks from friends. Garcia is also urging people to be good bystanders. If you see someone else who might be in a bad situation or see something that doesn't look right, call security or 911. If your plans include Times Square, the New Year's E ball drop there.

The NYPD says it's well prepared to secure the area. Taking a look now at your commute this morning, northbound two and three trains running with delays, NJ transit, buses and trains operating on a holiday schedule today and tomorrow. 43 and clear now, mostly sunny in mid-50s, over the same. night rain and maybe a thunderstorm steady temperature around 48. 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 podcast. See you this afternoon.