NYC NOW - November 30, 2023: Morning Headlines

Episode Date: November 30, 2023

Get up and get informed! Here’s all the local news you need to start your day: Federal prosecutors have accused Indian national Nikhil Gupta, of taking part in a plot to assassinate a Sikh activist living in New York. Also, Governor Hochul is asking for federal financial assistance to help cover the cost of damages from the major flooding in September. Meanwhile, sources say the MTA’s congestion pricing committee has settled on a $15.00 fee for passenger vehicles in Manhattan below 60th Street between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m.

Welcome to NYC now. Your source for local news in and around New York City from WMYC. It's Thursday, November 30th. Here's the morning headlines from David First. Federal prosecutors accused an Indian national of taking part in a plot to assassinate a sick activist living in New York. An indictment announced yesterday says Nikil Gupta conspired with an intelligence officer in India to kill the activist, identified by multiple news organizations as Gour Putwant Singh Pannoon, is a U.S. citizen who advocates for a sick homeland in India.

The indictment alleges the plot was disrupted by federal law enforcement. Harendor Singh is a senior fellow with the Sick Research Institute. He says members of the Sikh diaspora are now fearful they will be targeted regardless of their politics. How do they know who's who? So, you know, this has become very, very real for Sikhs in America now. The Indian government says they have set up an inquiry in response to the alleged plot. Governor Hockel is asking for federal financial assistance to help cover the cost of damages from the major flooding in September. The governor requested a disaster declaration from the White House yesterday.

If granted, it would unlock FEMA funding for the state and local governments to be reimbursed for the expenses of repairing or replacing key infrastructure. The September 29th storm dumped more than six inches of rain across many parts of the city, flooding streets and subways. After months of deliberations, the group in charge of setting the tolls for MTA's congestion pricing program has settled on a number, $15. That's according to two sources briefed on the plan. WNYC's Stephen Nesson reports. That's the toll for passenger vehicles that want to drive in Manhattan below 60th Street between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. The costs go up for small trucks, like box trucks, they'll pay $24, while big.

Big rigs would pay $36. Driving between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. will get you a 75% discount on the base toll. The tolls will also be passed along to taxis in four higher vehicles. Yellow, green, and black cabs will pay an extra $1.25. App-based taxis that enter the congestion zone will see a $2.50 fee. The full MTA board meets next week and must approve the new tolls. Well, it's 35 degrees right now. It will be warmer than it was yesterday.

We're going up to 48 today with sunny skies, mostly clear tonight with a low of 39 degrees. Tomorrow, rain likely in the afternoon, high near 50 degrees. It's WNYC. 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.