NYC NOW Midday News: Mayor Adams Touts Housing Milestone, Experts Warn Fewer Cooling Tower Inspections Could Raise Legionnaires’ Risk, and Hochul Weighs in on Child Abuse Bill
Aug 12, 2025
Mayor Adams celebrates helping over 3,500 individuals find permanent housing, enhancing support for those with mental health issues. Meanwhile, experts raise alarms about the risk of Legionnaires’ disease due to a drop in cooling tower inspections. On the legislative front, Governor Hochul is deliberating a bill that would eliminate anonymous calls to the child abuse hotline, sparking discussions about privacy, accountability, and the implications for child protection services in New York.
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Housing Milestone And Mental Health Focus
- Mayor Eric Adams says his administration placed over 3,500 people into permanent housing to reduce street and subway homelessness.
- He emphasizes outreach and mental health support for people with serious mental illness as central to that effort.
Fewer Cooling Tower Inspections Raise Risks
- WNYC found cooling tower inspections are on track to be half the number done in 2022, raising public health concerns ahead of a Legionnaires' outbreak.
- Microbiologist Janet Stout warns Legionella can grow to dangerous levels within weeks if not promptly addressed.
City Cites Staffing Limits, Claims Response Capacity
- City Hall blames Department of Health staffing shortages for the inspection drop but says it can still respond to the current outbreak.
- The tension highlights capacity limits in public-health enforcement during outbreaks.