NYC NOW - November 14, 2023: Morning Headlines

Episode Date: November 14, 2023

Get up and get informed! Here’s all the local news you need to start your day: Amtrak train service has been suspended between New York City and Croton-Harmon after engineers found cracked and deteriorated steel beams in a parking garage above the train tracks. New York's top court will hear a case tomorrow that could help decide who controls Congress. Plus, a recent study shows that crime hasn’t increased near two sanctioned overdose prevention sites in Upper Manhattan.

Welcome to NYC now. Your source for local news in and around New York City from WMYC. It's Tuesday, November 14. Here's the morning headlines from Michael Hill. Amtrak train service has been suspended between New York City and Croton Harmon after engineers found cracked and deteriorated steel beams in a parking garage above the train tracks. WNYC's David Brand told WNYC's All Things Considered that, less than 10% of required garage inspections have been done. There is a city law passed a few years ago that does require the owners of every garage in Manhattan,

south of Central Park and on the Upper West Side, to complete a comprehensive safety inspection by the end of this year. That deadline's coming up fast. The garage causing the Amtrak suspension is a two-story structure connected to a high-rise apartment building in Hell's Kitchen called Hudson View Terrace. M-TRAG says they're working with the garage owner and the buildings department to restore service as soon as possible. New York's top court will hear a case tomorrow that could help decide who controls Congress. WNIC's John Campbell explains. Democrats are asking the Court of Appeals to require new congressional districts in New York. They say the state independent redistricting commission should get another crack at drawing them after it deadlocked last year.

A court-appointed expert drew the map for last year's election when Republicans gained three seats. A new map would likely benefit Democrats. Former Congressman John Faso is leading the GOP's redistricting efforts. He claims the case is a Democratic power grab. Everyone sees through this for what it really is. It's an effort to politically rig the system to their benefit. Both parties are hoping the court issues its ruling soon. Candidates are already campaigning for the congressional primaries in June.

A recent study shows that crime has not increased in areas near the first to sanction overdose prevention sites in the country, both in Upper Manhattan. Researchers also found that arrests for drug offenses dropped by 80 percent near the safe injection sites in East Harlem and Washington Heights. The study relied on crime reports, 911 and 311 call records filed after the sites were opened. Researchers compared it with surrounding neighborhoods of other syringe exchange programs in the city. According to the study, the safe injection sites have had 55,000 visits and conducted more

than 700 overdose interventions with no fatalities between November 21st and February of this year. 45 and mostly clear out there now, sunny and 51 for a high today, breezy and gusty out there then tomorrow, mostly sunny and 52. Thursday, warm up to near 60 and her sunshine. 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.