NYC NOW - October 22, 2024: Morning Headlines

Episode Date: October 22, 2024

Get up and get informed! Here’s all the local news you need to start your day: A new report from New York City’s Independent Budget Office finds many residents still face delays in receiving cash and food assistance. Meanwhile, a new poll shows Vice President Kamala Harris holding a strong lead over former President Donald Trump in New York state. Plus, the Staten Island Ferry and NYC Ferry are testing renewable diesel, a petroleum-free alternative to traditional diesel fuel.

Welcome to NYC Now. Your source for local news in and around New York City from WMYC. It's Tuesday, October 22nd. Here's the morning headlines. I'm Junae Pierre. A new report from a city watchdog finds that many New Yorkers are still experiencing delays in receiving cash and food assistance. The city's independent budget office says the rate of benefits applications processed within the required 30 days has improved since last year. But they still say the rates are still significantly below the

city's targets for timeliness. The report says staffing and training shortages at the Human Resources Administration are leaving some applicants in tears. It claims there's a heavy emotional toll for some city workers as well. The administration says it's hired hundreds of workers to handle applications and streamline the process. A new poll shows Vice President Kamala Harris with the commanding lead in New York State over former President Donald Trump in New York. WMYC's John Campbell reports. 58% of likely New York voters say they're backing Harris, according to the Sienna College poll. That's compared to 39% backing Trump. That Harris has a big lead statewide isn't surprising. New York hasn't backed a Republican for president since Ronald Reagan. But Harris only has a five-point edge

in New York City's suburbs. It's a key battleground where a strong show. showing by the vice president could help Democrats flip a few congressional seats. U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is on the ballot as well. According to Sienna, she's got a 26-point lead over Republican Mike Sapericone. Taking the ferry around the city may soon become a lot more eco-friendly. The Staten Island ferry and NYC ferry are now testing renewable diesel fuel, a petroleum-free alternative to traditional diesel. Transportation Department Commissioner Edanis Rodriguez said the initiative is part of the city's efforts to combat climate change.

While the transportation sector is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, that means it can also be a key part of the solution. The city estimates nearly 30 million people use the ferry each year. NYC ferry will also launch a six-month pilot program to upgrade engines on its largest vessels. This initiative builds on the city's announcement that all of its over 1,200 heavy duty and off-road vehicles have transitioned to renewable diesel. 64 degrees in Soho, mostly sunny today with highs in the mid-70s, and mostly clear skies ahead tonight with a low around 59. 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.

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