NYC NOW - Morning Headlines: Queens Borough President Pushes Back on Con Ed Hikes, Police Call Child Heroic for 911 Call in Brooklyn Stabbing, and New Casino Proposal Emerges

Episode Date: April 7, 2025

Queens Borough President Donovan Richards is urging Con Edison to reconsider its proposed rate hikes, warning they would burden working families. Meanwhile, police credit the quick thinking of children and first responders for saving lives during a stabbing in Brooklyn that injured four girls. Plus, a developer is proposing a casino next to the United Nations, complete with a Museum of Freedom and Democracy, as part of a bid for a state gaming license.

Welcome to NYC Now. Your source for local news in and around New York City from WNYC. It's Monday, April 7th. Here's the morning headlines from Michael Hill. Queensboro President Donovan Richards is joining the growing course of leaders, urging Con Edison to walk back its plan rate hikes. WNIC's Catalina Gonella has more. Richard says the proposed increases of more than 11% for us,

electricity and over 13% for gas would further strain working families already struggling with the cost of living. Con Edison says it needs the rate hike to fund infrastructure upgrades and support the state's clean energy goals. Some state lawmakers say the system for approving the hikes is stacked in favor of utility companies. Con Ed's proposal is still under review by the New York Public Service Commission. And speaking of that, Richards will speak this morning at 10 o'clock on the steps of Queensboro Hall alongside Union and community leaders from across the borough. Police say heroism of children and first responders helped say four young girls stabbed yesterday in Brooklyn. Police say the 49-year-old male suspect used a meat cleaver and another knife in the assault.

The NYPD says officers shot him after he advanced on them and refused to drop the meat cleaver. Police say he's in stable condition. Police also said an 11-year-old girl, among the wounded, called 911, and another child ran to alert a neighbor. NYPD chief of department, John Shell, praised their bravery. That 11-year-old who went to that room and made that call quite heroic on that behalf. Police say the alleged suspect's motive remains unclear. A real estate developer is proposing to build a casino right next to the United Nations.

The project is one of 11 vying for a gaming license from the state, Michael Hirschman is the CEO of the Soloveev Solo Viev group. He says the project would also include a museum of freedom and democracy. As he says, democracy is under threat. I just don't think some of the folks in this country are appreciative enough of what we have. So I want to stimulate this conversation, and it's a perfect place to do at New York City. But some New Yorkers living in the area oppose any project with a casino.

The project set up along First Avenue between 38th and 41st Street. That's the plan for. 42 and clouding out rain today by 2 o'clock this afternoon, the high of 46. 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 podcasts. More soon.