NYC NOW - Morning Headlines: NYPD Warns Federal Cuts Could Jeopardize Record Low Subway Crime, Gov. Hochul Rules Out State Funding for Statue of Liberty Amid Government Shutdown, and New Jersey Issues Drought Watch

Episode Date: October 2, 2025

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch is warning that looming federal counterterrorism funding cuts could jeopardize historic safety gains in the subway system. Meanwhile, Governor Kathy Hochul says the state will not cover costs to keep federal attractions like the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island open during a potential government shutdown, instead urging New Yorkers to blame Republicans in Washington. Plus, New Jersey has issued a statewide drought watch after months of below average rainfall and declining reservoir levels.

Welcome to NYC Now, your source for local news in and around New York City from WNYC. It's Thursday, October 2nd. Here's your morning headlines from Michael Hill. New York's subways just had their safest summer on record, but city officials say looming federal funding cuts could put that progress at risk. WNIC's Charles Lane reports. The NYPD says transit crime is down 5% so far this year, have again hit record lows. Officials credit redeploying officers from desk jobs to the subway

system and high crime zones. But Commissioner Jessica Tisch warns proposed cuts to counterterrorism funding could reverse those gains. It will absolutely be a less safe place six months from now. Let me be clear. These funds are the backbone of the NYPD's counterterrorism programs. Right now, New York's Attorney General is suing to block the cuts. The White House did not immediately. respond to a request for comment. New York State will not step in if the federal government shuts down. Shutdown closes the Statue of Liberty. WNYC's Jimmy Veilkine reports. Governor Hokel says more than 100,000 federal employees won't get a paycheck because of a congressional funding dispute. That includes the Park Rangers at the Statue of Liberty in

Ellis Island, two iconic attractions in New York Harbor. But the Democratic governor won't pay to keep them open. That's a break from the last shutdown in 2018. Former Governor Andrew Cuomo spent around $65,000 a day so people could keep visiting. Hockel says she wants people to blame Republicans who control the federal government. Liberty Park may stay closed because people need to know where this came from. For their part, Republicans are blaming Democrats led by Senator Chuck Schumer for walking away from a funding bill. New Jersey is issuing a statewide drought watch after another stretch of dry weather. Over the past three months, rainfall across.

Across the Garden State has been one to six inches below average. Temperatures, however, remain up from the average. As a result, officials say reservoir and groundwater levels have dropped to concerning levels. The new allure comes less than three months after the state lifted a summer drought warning, which is more severe than a watch. Residents are strongly encouraged to conserve water by taking quicker showers and refraining from watering yards. 54 and clear, sunny and 66 for a high on this Thursday with a light wind.

And then tonight and low in the mid-50s. And then tomorrow we start a warming trend, mostly sunny and 72. And chilly Friday night. Then Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, sunshine and 79. 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.

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