NYC NOW - Morning Headlines: Policy Experts Split on Proposed NYC Minimum Wage Hikes, Overcrowding Worsens in Juvenile Detention, and City Council Weighs Future of Hart Island

Episode Date: October 14, 2025

New York City’s next mayor could decide whether to dramatically raise the minimum wage. Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani wants to double it to $30 an hour, while independent candidate Andrew Cuomo proposes $20. Policy experts are divided on how the increases would affect workers and businesses. Meanwhile, overcrowding is worsening in the city’s juvenile detention centers, with some teens reportedly sleeping in classrooms and common areas. And the City Council is holding hearings this week on the future of Hart Island, New York’s public cemetery, which could reach capacity by 2030

Welcome to NYC Now, your source for local news in and around New York City from WNYC. It's Tuesday, October 14th. Here's the morning headlines from Michael Hill. The paychecks of New Yorkers could be on the line in the city's upcoming race for mayor. Candidates have proposed raising the city's $16.50 minimum wage. Andrew Cuomo says he'll raise it to $20 while Zaron Mamdani wants to double it to $30. But policy experts are divided on whether a big hike would help or hurt residents. James Parent with the Center for New York City Affairs says,

raising the minimum wage to $15 roughly a decade ago, uplifted New Yorkers of working class. It was like the golden age of equitable economic growth in New York City. And the main reason for that was that the state minimum wage doubled in New York City between 2013 and 2019. But John Ketchum with the Manhattan Institute says raising the minimum wage will push many small businesses to automate jobs. Overcrowding is getting worse in New York City's juvenile detention centers. WNYC has obtained a government document that shows the city recently got permission to have 100 young people sleep in classrooms and common areas.

Attorneys who represent young people in detention are urging the city to improve conditions. They say their clients are stressed and aren't getting enough sleep. City officials say the youth detention population has gone up because of a large volume of cases in the court system. Hot Island, New York City's public cemetery is at a crossroads. This week, the City Council will hold a hearing on a Parks Department plan to make the island more friendly to visitors while preserving the burial site of more than a million New Yorkers. Lawmakers will also consider a bill ordering a comprehensive study of burial practices on the island and remaining capacity. A 2022 city analysis warned Hart Island could run out of space as soon as 2030.

The city began using the island as a public cemetery in 1869 for people whose remains went unclaimed after their deaths. delays on number two, number three trains both ways this morning, as well as inward 207 street-bound eight trains. NJ Transits, Atlantic City, and North Jersey coastline trains have resumed after yesterday's inclement weather, and alternate side parking suspended in the city, but we still must pay the parking meters. We're at 56 degrees now with cloudy skies. We have a chance of rain by eight this morning, mostly cloudy on this Tuesday with a high

of 62. Watch out for the strong winds. gusting up to 25 miles an hour. Loaf around 55 overnight, and then tomorrow, mostly sunny 66, but again, strong winds. Thanks for listening. This is NYC now from WNYC. Be sure to catch us every weekday, three times a day,

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