NYC NOW - September 19, 2023: Morning Headlines

Episode Date: September 19, 2023

Get up and get informed! Here’s all the local news you need to start your day: Following a Bronx day care opioid tragedy that claimed a one-year-old's life, health officials disclose that fentanyl inspections aren't conducted at home-based centers. Also, Despite soaring homelessness, New York City public housing sees an increasing number of unoccupied apartments. Meanwhile, New Jersey officials commence construction of a pedestrian bridge in downtown Newark.

Welcome to NYC Now. Your source for local news in and around New York City from WNYC. It's Tuesday, September 19th. Here's the morning headlines from Michael Hill. Health officials say city inspectors do not check home-based daycare centers for fentanyl. The announcement comes after a one-year-old boy died and three other children were hospitalized at a Bronx daycare center on Friday after an apparent opioid exposure. Here's City Health Commissioner, Oshwin.

Vosson. Fentanyl is exquisitely dangerous. I use the word exquisitely because I don't have another word to describe how dangerous this drug is. And it is, in fact, completely stressing our entire response to the overdose crisis. Police say they later found one kilogram of fentanyl underneath one of the mats where the children take naps. The daycare owner and her roommate have been charged with murder, police say they're searching for others. More and more apartments are sitting empty across New York City's public housing system, despite a historic rise in homelessness. WNMC's David Brand reports on the results of the city's latest annual report.

The amount of time it takes the New York City Housing Authority to fix and rent out vacant units more than doubled last fiscal year, according to the agency's annual report card. The mayor's management report shows NICHA had over 8,000 vacant units at the end of June. With the average renovation time, clocking in at 370 days, that's up from 161 days the year before. Nite just says most of the units need heavy-duty improvements, like new cabinets, doors, and plumbing. They also have to pass lead and asbestos inspections or undergo intensive remediation if they fail those tests. New Jersey officials are breaking ground on construction of a new pedestrian bridge today in downtown Newark. The bridge will cross over McCarter Highway to connect surrounding neighborhoods,

to Newark's Penn Station and Mulberry Commons Park near the Prudential Center and other major buildings. Mayor Raz Baraka says it will reunite the areas. It creates a synergy between the East Ward and downtown Newark. And it creates an opportunity for us to do some revitalization, some upgrade to Newark City at the same time. Man Maraca says workers could complete the project as soon as the end of next year, and it will benefit tourists, office workers, and local residents. 61 and clear right now, sunny and 74 today, tomorrow and Thursday, a night stretch as summer is waning, and fall begins on Saturday, which will bring our first shot at some showers this week.

So it seems. 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.