NYC NOW - Morning Headlines: Trump Administration Sues NY Over Green Light Law, NJ Town Resists Affordable Housing Order, and Calls to Relocate Bronx Zoo Elephants

Episode Date: February 13, 2025

The Trump administration is suing New York state over its Green Light Law, which allows undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses. Meanwhile, officials in Millburn, New Jersey, are facing renewed pressure to comply with a court order allowing a 75-unit affordable housing development to move forward. Plus, attorneys with the New York City Bar Association are urging city officials to relocate the Bronx Zoo’s last two elephants, Happy and Patty, to a sanctuary over concerns about their welfare.

Welcome to NYC Now. Your source for local news in and around New York City from WNYC. It's Thursday, February 13th. Here's the morning headlines from Michael Hill. The Trump administration says it is suing New York State over its green light law. The 2019 law allows undocumented immigrants to get a New York driver's license. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the lawsuit yesterday. New York has just a judge.

chosen to prioritize illegal aliens over American citizens. It stops. It stops today. The lawsuit was not in federal court records as of last night. Bondi says it argues the law is unconstitutional and blocks federal agents from accessing motor vehicle records. A governor Hockel spokesperson says she supports deporting violent criminals, protecting law-abiding families, and cooperating with federal authorities with judicial warrants. A multi-year fight over affordable housing in one of New Jersey's richest neighborhoods is heating up once again. WNIC's Mike Hayes has more. Town officials in Milburn, New Jersey, have fought a proposed 75-unit 100% affordable development for years. Last year, a judge ordered them to let the project proceed, but now

the company building the development says members of the town council are ignoring that order. What the builders need is a financial agreement with town officials. affordable housing developers typically pay a portion of their rent to town coffers in lieu of paying property taxes. But an attorney for Milburn says the town needs more detailed information about the project. Housing advocates say it's a stalling tactic. The developers asking a state judge to intervene. Lawyers are calling on city officials to send the Bronx Zoo's last two elephants happy and patty to a sanctuary. The New York City Bar Association argues the city has the responsibility.

to act, given its financial support of the zoo. Last summer, photos showed happy lying on her side with suspected foot damage, sparking concerns about her well-being. A spokesperson for the Wildlife Conservation Society, which operates the Bronx Zoo, says it claims about the welfare of its elephants are misleading, and part of a long-running misinformation campaign by outside groups. 38 with light, rain, fog, and mist. Watch out for some coastal flooding in Manhattan today. rain before noon, mild, 47 for a high and gusty, and then tomorrow's sunny, 35, feeling like 20, and gusty. 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 podcasts. See you this afternoon.