NYC NOW - September 29, 2023: Morning Headlines

Episode Date: September 29, 2023

Get up and get informed! Here's all the local news you need to start your day: The MTA is preparing for a severe storm bringing heavy rains as it rolls into the metro area today. On Monday, a panel will review scenarios for how much drivers should pay under the MTA's congestion pricing program. A New York State judge's ruling paves the way for an almost $18-dollar minimum wage for people who deliver food for the apps like GrubHub and Uber.

Welcome to NYC Now. Your source for local news in and around New York City from WNYC. It's Friday, September 29th. Here's the morning headlines from Michael Hill. The MTA is preparing for severe storm, bringing heavy rain as it rolls into the area today. MTA head, Janelle Lieber says crews are gearing up to try to keep the system running, but some interruptions are to be expected, and he's urging New Yorkers to stay alert. Please use extra caution. Please do consult the weather forecast, listen to the radio, watch television, check the news.

Try to be aware of what the conditions may be in your area. The MTA and the Office of Emergency Management say they've activated a 24-hour situation room to monitor conditions and respond across all agencies. On Monday, a panel will review scenarios for how much drivers should pay under the MTA's congestion pricing plan. But behind the scenes, there's been a lobbying blitz. WNYC's Clayton Goosa has more. Records show big companies like Uber, Lyft, and UPS have spent thousands of dollars in recent months on lobbyists. They're trying to get a break on fees to enter Manhattan below 60th Street once the program goes into effect next year. Uber and Lyft want discounts for surcharges they already pay. Even Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center paid lobbyists to argue sick patients should not.

not have to pay the toll. The MTA's Traffic Mobility Review Board will go over several options for different tolling schemes on Monday afternoon. Next month, the panel is expected to recommend one of them, which will go to the full MTA board for final approval. A New York state judge's ruling paves a wave for an almost $18 minimum wage for people who deliver food for the apps like Grubhub and Uber. The wage hike was supposed to start in July, but Uber, DoorDash, and Grubhub fought it in court. The minimum wage is scheduled to increase to almost $20 an hour by 2025. Grubhub says it's disappointing with the judge's decision and is evaluating next legal steps. Uber says this will put thousands of out of work and force the remaining couriers to compete against

each other. DoorDash did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Check your commute this morning. The weather is going to have an impact on that. northbound our trains are running along the queue line from DeKalb Avenue to Canal Street. And now, that forecast. Flash flood warning till 7.15 this morning for Brooklyn, Queens and Nassau County. Don't drive through flooded roads and if necessary, get to higher ground. Flood watch till tomorrow morning at 6 o'clock for most of the area. We are in for a lot of rain.

A high rip risk current risk for the Jersey Shore through tomorrow, so be careful. Heavy rain today and 63. Thank you. 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.