NYC NOW

Get up and get informed! Here’s all the local news you need to start your day: New data shows faulty e-bike batteries caused nearly 270 fires in New York City last year, an increase from 2022. Meanwhile, with a special congressional election to fill ex-congress member George Santos's seat is less than a month away. WNYC's Brigid Bergin says so far, it's been a lopsided campaign for voters. Plus Governor Phil Murphy signs a bill increasing New Jersey's free school meal program's income limits, now including private schools.

Rex Heuermann, the suspect in the infamous Gilgo Beach serial murders now has been charged with killing a 4th woman. Meanwhile, Governor Hochul wants New York State to contribute more than $2 billion dollars to help cover the costs of caring for recent migrant arrivals. Plus, this month marks 10 years of New York City's Vision Zero policy. Former Mayor Bill de Blasio announced his intention to implement the policy back in 2014 after city traffic killed some 299 people a year before. The initiative lowered the default speed limit from 30 to 25 miles an hour, increased enforcement and redesigned intersections and streets to better protect pedestrians, cyclists, and those in vehicles. Yet over the last few years, the number of traffic deaths has not seen a major decline. In fact the number of deaths never drop below 200 in a year. All this week on NYC Now, we'll be hearing stories about how the policy affects your everyday life. WNYC’s Michael Hill sat with De Blasio to reflect on the initiative. After that, Michael and WNYC producer Amanda Ronzon head to Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn to hear their thoughts on traffic.

Governor Kathy Hochul is set to announce a $9 congestion pricing fee for vehicles. Meanwhile, New York doctors and health experts are raising concerns about vaccination rates in a new Trump administration, as the president-elect plans to give vaccine critic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. a prominent role. Also, New Jersey is under a drought warning as the Northeast faces a record-breaking dry spell. Finally, WNYC’s Michael Hill speaks with newly elected House members Laura Gillen of New York’s 4th District and Mike Lawler of the 17th in separate interviews about their plans for the future.

Get up and get informed! Here’s all the local news you need to start your day.