NYC NOW

Ramsey Khalifeh, a WNYC reporter specializing in transportation, discusses the long-anticipated Second Avenue subway project and its implications for East Harlem. He highlights the community's mixed emotions, balancing hope for better accessibility against fears of gentrification. The dialogue touches on the history of delayed transit investments and the emergence of a business improvement district aimed at revitalizing the area. Through resident testimonials, Khalifeh paints a vivid picture of a neighborhood on the brink of transformation, yet anxious about its future.

New York City's crime reduction efforts are ramping up as Mayor Adams expands a targeted program. Meanwhile, New Jersey faces potential losses in Medicaid funding, affecting low-income families. On a lighter note, Wollman Rink is undergoing a beach volleyball transformation, attracting elite players to Central Park. Plus, New Yorkers using SNAP benefits can enjoy free visits to the Museum of Natural History, adding a cultural bonus to their weekends.

The Legal Aid Society has put a strike on hold, calling for better pay and manageable caseloads. Andrew Cuomo argues that NYC needs the authority to control its rent regulations. In a poignant case, a judge has dismissed manslaughter charges against a 12-year-old involved in an accidental shooting of his cousin, prioritizing mental health support over punishment. The discussion also highlights the pressing issues of gun safety and the responsibilities of firearm owners in protecting children.

Law enforcement unions are rallying behind Mayor Adams' reelection, emphasizing results in public safety. Meanwhile, NYC is grappling with a mosquito surge due to unusual summer weather. In a quirky twist, a woman took a subway joyride in Queens, raising eyebrows about transit security. Heavy rains have caused flooding issues that challenge the city's aging infrastructure, while the controversial removal of a bike lane in Williamsburg stirs political tensions. Lastly, the redesign of Queens bus routes promises to enhance connectivity for underserved neighborhoods.

Former NYPD Commissioner Tom Donlon filed a civil racketeering lawsuit accusing the Adams Administration of running a criminal enterprise through city government. Plus, a number of city law enforcement unions are endorsing Mayor Adams' re-election campaign. Also, the gaming company Bally's won't be able to build a casino in the Bronx. And finally, a lesson on spotted lanternflies.

New York State Attorney Letitia James is suing the Trump administration to try and save a FEMA program that would fund 38 infrastructure projects in the state. The affected programs are meant to help shield against disasters like rapid flooding. Meanwhile, Pop singer and New Jersey native Connie Francis, has died at the age of 87. Also, on this week’s politics segment, WNYC’s Elizabeth Kim and Brigid Bergin give the latest updates on the New York City Mayoral race including candidate Zohran Mamdani’s private meeting with power brokers.

Felony assaults in New York City have jumped 45 percent since 2017, even as most other major crimes decline. Meanwhile, the RFK Bridge’s lift span over the Harlem River will close intermittently overnight Thursday from midnight to 5 a.m. Friday. Plus, a new analysis by StreetLight ranks Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx among the top U.S. counties for getting around on foot or by bike.

New York City and state officials are turning parts of the Christian Cultural Center's campus into a housing development. Plus, New York State has a dedicated team to push information about severe weather to emergency managers. And finally, the Trump administration’s tax bill will slash a $29 million program that helps some New Yorkers eat healthy on a budget.

Former interim NYPD commissioner Tom Donlon has filed a federal lawsuit accusing the Adams administration of running a criminal enterprise through the department. Meanwhile, police are investigating the stabbing and killing of a 16-year-old girl Tuesday in the Bronx. Plus, Newark is activating code red through Friday morning as the heat and humidity will make it feel hotter than a hundred degrees. Finally, WNYC’s Elijah Hurewitz-Ravitch reports on a new construction project that is disturbing horses at a nearby stable.

Queens high school student Derlis Toaquiza is expected to be released soon after spending more than a month in immigration detention. He was taken into custody after attending a mandatory immigration hearing in Lower Manhattan. Meanwhile, remains found in a submerged vehicle on Long Island have been identified as a man who disappeared nearly 15 years ago. Plus, Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani met with New York City power brokers Tuesday to discuss affordability, public safety, and his relationship with the Jewish community.