NYC NOW - Morning Headlines: NYC Students Return to Class Under New Cellphone Ban, Report Warns Casinos Could Hurt Catskills Gaming, and Former Bronx Republican Official Sentenced for Kickback Scheme

Episode Date: September 4, 2025

Nearly 900,000 New York City public school students return Thursday under a new statewide cellphone ban signed by Governor Hochul last spring. Meanwhile, an analysis commissioned in Sullivan County says new casinos in New York City could undercut existing gaming operations in the Catskills. Plus, former Bronx Republican district leader Nicole Torres has been sentenced to two years in prison for pocketing kickbacks from potential poll workers.

Welcome to NYC Now, your source for local news in and around New York City from WMYC. It's Thursday, September 4th. Here's your morning headlines from Michael Hill. It is back to class for some 900,000 New York City public school students. WNYC's Rozone reports on what families need to know. The biggest change this school year is the new statewide cell phone ban, Governor Hockel signed into law last spring. That means no smartphones or other internet-enabled devices are allowed during the school day.

There's also the question of required immunizations amid changing guidance from the federal government. But nothing's changed for New York schools. Students need to be vaccinated against measles, chicken pox, whooping cough, and polio, depending on which grade they're entering. They'll need to show proof within 14 days of the start of school or daycare unless they're medically exempt. And if you're already thinking way, way, way ahead, the last day of school is June 26th. New casinos in New York City could have a negative impact on existing gaming business in the Catskills. Now, that's according to an analysis commissioned by Sullivan County, where Resorts World Cat Skills has operated for more than seven years.

Sujin Haas, a lecturer at Cornell University, who teaches classes on casino operations. She says downstate casinos could make life more challenging for Sullivan County but won't necessarily sink business there. How can they diversify their current gaming offerings so it's more attractive to visitors. The analysis by capacity consulting estimates the creation of three downstate casinos could cause a 76% drop in Catskills gaming revenues. A Resort's World spokesperson says the company is optimistic about the future. It's also vying for one of the downstate licenses. A former Bronx Republican official has been sentenced to two years in prison after forcing potential poll workers to pay kickbacks in order to work elections. 44-year-old Nicole Torres was an elected Bronx Republican district leader and former employee of the City Board of Elections.

She pleaded guilty this year to pocketing $29,000 by making potential poll workers pay her in a, quote, Bronx organization $150 to work the polls. She must pay restitution now. Here's our forecast now. We are at 66 degrees and we are on a way to a high today of 79 with sunshine. This is WNYC. 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 podcast. More soon.