NYC NOW - October 1, 2024: Morning Headlines

Episode Date: October 1, 2024

Get up and get informed! Here's all the local news you need to start your day: Timothy Pearson, a former NYPD inspector and key adviser to Mayor Eric Adams, has resigned from his role in the administration amid a federal corruption investigation. Meanwhile, New York City first responders are in North Carolina assisting with Hurricane Helene's aftermath, which has caused 130 casualties. Plus, parents and advocates call for improvements to the school bus system at a City Council hearing Monday, highlighting long delays for students with disabilities.

Welcome to NYC now. Your source for local news in and around New York City from WMYC. It's Tuesday, October 1st. Here's the morning headlines from David First. A key advisor to New York City Mayor Eric Adams will step down from his role amid a federal corruption investigation into the mayor's administration. Retired NYPD inspector and longtime friend of Adams, Timothy Pearson, has submitted his resignation.

That's according to his lawyer. Pearson has faced multiple controversies during his tenure, including lawsuits over sexual harassment allegations and an internal investigation into a reported altercation at a migrant shelter. His departure follows the resignation of other City Hall officials connected to the ongoing investigation. This ultimately led to Adams' indictment last week on bribery and fraud charges. Pearson's resignation is effective as of October 4th, despite, By the scandals, Adams has defended Pearson, crediting him with reducing costs at migrant shelters. Some of New York City's first responders are in North Carolina, assisting with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. The storm has already led to 130 casualties as of yesterday. A collection of fire, police, and other emergency responders, known as New York Task Force One, are there to assist with debris collection to rescue missions.

NYPD Emergency Services Unit Lieutenant Mike Granahan spoke to WNYC from the town of Tri-On in North Carolina. Sometimes it takes something like this to bring the country together and support each other. New York Task Force One has rescued several residents and even their pets in Polk County. New York Governor Kathy Hochle says state resources are also being sent to the affected areas. Parents and advocates are calling for major improvements to New York City's school bus system. Molly Sennack is from the Center for Independence of the Disabled New York. She was among the advocates who testified at a city council hearing yesterday. She says many students with disabilities spend as long as two hours on the bus

and still don't get to their schools on time. She says sometimes the bus doesn't come at all. Students are missing classes, if not entire school days, which is contributing to New York City's 36% rate of chronic absenteeism. Contracts for the city's school buses expire next summer, raising fears that drivers may threaten to go on strike. And taking a look at the weather at 60 degrees right now, we're expecting a high near 70 this afternoon with mostly cloudy skies. This is 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 podcast. See you this afternoon.