NYC NOW - September 9, 2024: Morning Headlines

Episode Date: September 9, 2024

Get up and get informed! Here’s all the local news you need to start your day: NYPD brass are touting a lower-than-usual homicide rate for August. WNYC’s Brittany Kriegstein reports. Meanwhile, transit advocates canvassed 23 subway stations on Sunday, where they say elevator improvements for disabled riders have been delayed due to the pause in congestion pricing. Also, Mayor Eric Adams visited two churches in East New York on Sunday amid federal investigations over his administration.

Welcome to NYC Now. Your source for local news in and around New York City from WMYC. It's Monday, September 9th. Here's the morning headlines from Michael Hill. NYPD Brass is touting in August with fewer homicides than normal. WNMC's Brittany Crickstein has more. Experts say shootings and murders usually go up in the summer, partially fueled by hot weather driving more people outside.

but this August was different. NYPD data shows that the city saw 15 murders in August. The department says that's the smallest group of victims in any August since the department began keeping those records. Criminology expert Chris Herman from CUNY says it's hard to determine what's behind the decline. My guess is it's some kind of combination of just, you know, shootings and homicides are going down.

And again, that's in the city as well as nationwide, although it's certainly not everywhere in the city. Homicides are down overall so far this year, in the city and nationally. Transit advocates say riders need the elevators that congestion pricing was supposed to fund. Riders Alliance canvas strap hangers at 23 stations across the city yesterday, where accessibility projects are now delayed due to lack of funding. Spokesperson Danny Pearlstein says they talk to riders about the decisions direct impact on their stations.

Close to a million New Yorkers who can't climb stairs will remain excluded from the subway indefinitely, and the subway is the best way to get around New York. A spokesperson for the governor says she's working on other funding mechanisms while the congestion pricing is on pause. As federal investigations loom over his administration, Mayor Adams visited a pair of churches in East New York yesterday at Changing Lives Christian Center. Adam suggested the ongoing FBI probe is a test, comparing himself to the biblical figure known for enduring tragedy as a test of his faith. Reporter said to me this morning, you know, oh, do you feel you're being persecuted?

I said, no, I'm just in my Joe moment. And when you come out of your Joe moment and your faith is intact, you will receive blessing tenfold. Mayor Adams has turned to churches when his administration has faced controversy. He has not been accused of any wrongdoing. 58 and clear now sunny and 76 for a high on this Monday, September 9th. And then tomorrow, sunny in 79, Wednesday, just about the same. Then on Thursday, slightly warmer, sunny and 81. Friday's sunny, maybe the warmest day of the week with sunshine and 84. 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.