Breaking News Today
Today’s headlines feature new developments in the trial of former Senator Robert Menendez. Additionally, passengers on Delta plane that crashed in Toronto share their terrifying experience.
Brad Lander pledged to increase NYPD overtime if elected mayor while acknowledging its current struggles. Meanwhile, DNA evidence that could link Rex Heuermann to crimes committed in Long Island is back before the courts.
Table of Contents
Congestion pricing
Cities worldwide have turned to congestion pricing to address their traffic woes, by charging vehicles based on how long they spend in congested areas. By charging vehicles according to how often they enter congested zones, cities have seen success speeding travel times, funding public transit systems more effectively, cutting pollution emissions and improving health outcomes.
New York’s congestion pricing program may still be in its early days, but initial signs are encouraging. Travel times within the congestion zone have decreased while subway and bus ridership has seen significant gains. Over time, congestion may become even less of a burden than before the program took effect.
Critics of congestion pricing often claim it harms lower-income city residents, yet most low-income commuters don’t drive into Manhattan’s Central Business District during rush hour – they rely on buses, ferries, bicycles and the subway instead to reach work. Congestion pricing will benefit these commuters too as fees will fund public transit capital investments to make daily journeys safer and faster for all commuters.
Caleb Rijos’ death
Caleb Rijos was 14-year-old Bronx resident who was fatally stabbed while walking to school Friday morning in Mott Haven. Family and loved ones gathered despite subfreezing temperatures to honor his memory as they marched for justice and seek closure for this senseless act of violence. Rijos was described by his grandmother Carmon Aponte as being an eager football player with dreams to look after his family when older; Carmon explained he promised his grandparents they would look after themselves one day when talking about his grandmother’s memories she remembered him saying they promised him taking care of them when older.
Waldo Mejia, 29, the suspect in the stabbing of a teenaged boy was known to police and had an extensive violent record. Additionally, in November he was charged with stabbing another neighbor’s Ring doorbell camera as well as burglary, arson and two gun possession charges.
Mejia let out expletives as he was led out of the 40th Precinct on Saturday in handcuffs, sending shockwaves through his community following charges of murder and manslaughter against him. His family hopes his case will lead to change for safer streets: “We cannot allow individuals like this one free roam of our streets,” Andy King, founder of Bronx Youth Empowerment group stated.
DoorDash’s settlement
New York Attorney General Letitia James announced Thursday that DoorDash has agreed to settle allegations that it misled both consumers and delivery workers, agreeing to provide compensation to thousands of Dashers while revising its hiring policies so as to not discriminate against those with criminal histories.
The settlement requires that Dashers continue using a payment model that ensures consumer tips reach them directly without impacting their base pay or promotional bonuses, and will also share a breakdown of base pay, promotional bonuses, and tips with workers for every order completed.
OAG’s investigation revealed that, from May 2017 to September 2019, DoorDash used tips intended for drivers – known as Dashers – as part of their guaranteed wages, in violation of both California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and CalOPPA regulations that require businesses to disclose how they collect and sell personal data. DoorDash disputes these allegations by making changes to its pay model that now ensures Dashers keep 100% of their tips.
New York’s prison guard strike
Prison workers across New York state have organized an unsanctioned wildcat strike, alleging dangerously low staffing levels. Their protest has continued for over a week and at one point led them to leave the facility unsupervised and walk off-job without supervision. Gov. Kathy Hochul deployed National Guard troops as she and her aides have sought court orders forcing workers back to work.
The union claims they’re protesting forced overtime, inhumane conditions, and repeal of 2021 prison reforms that limit solitary confinement. Furthermore, they’re outraged over Robert Brooks’ beating death captured on body camera footage and expressed deep disappointment that this incident took place recently.
As the dispute enters its ninth day, mediators and the governor’s office continue negotiations in an effort to find an amicable resolution. Meanwhile, state officials have threatened to dock workers’ pay and cancel their health insurance unless they return to work immediately. Prisoners have expressed sympathy towards striking workers; The Marshall Project reports.
