The $325M migrant security contract New Yorkers are paying for

Also, judge upholds minimum wage for NYC delivery workers. [View this email in a browser.]( Gothamist relies on your support to make local news available to all. Not yet a member? [Consider donating and join today.]( [NYC Health + Hospitals approved $325M in migrant security contracts. Taxpayers are footing the bill.]( [first image]( [Today's newsletter curated by Emily Nadal]( Weather: ☁️☔ The sun may be out now, but today is the start of a grey and rainy weekend. It’s Friday morning in New York City where local taxpayers are [on the hook for nearly $325 million]( that NYC Health + Hospitals approved for contract security services at migrant shelters. The decision was made in late October and is almost double the amount that the city’s public health system spent just months earlier for security expenses for the more than a dozen facilities citywide. Here’s what else is happening: - Migrants in their late teens and early twenties have a unique set of needs and could [benefit from specialized services]( offered to the general homeless population, but they aren’t able to access those services as the city houses migrants in a separate system. - Police arrested a 20-year-old driver with a learner’s permit Thursday for [fatally striking a 3-year-old boy]( while he was crossing the street in Queens. - Hundreds of detainees at New York state prisons were unfairly [punished for contraband]( after a flawed drug test gave false positives. - Despite challenges from Uber and other food delivery apps, a judge [upheld the city’s new minimum wage]( for delivery workers. - New Jersey casino workers were furious after a bill that would end smoking in Atlantic City casinos was [delayed yet again]( after Democratic lawmakers said they wouldn't have enough votes to advance it. - A three-year cruise around the world that cost $29,000 a year, or about $2,499 (less than most people’s rent), was [supposed to set sail yesterday,]( but was canceled because there’s no ship. - An off-duty NYPD officer [shot a 42-year-old man]( in the Bronx yesterday afternoon during a dispute in a store. - Former Governor Andrew Cuomo is allegedly [considering running for NYC mayor]( in 2025. - Amid criticism over his handling of street safety campaign promises, Mayor Adams announced on Thursday the city’s [plan to eliminate parking spots]( at 1,000 intersections annually to protect pedestrians from drivers. - Netflix is [adding Grand Theft Auto]( to its line-up of games available to subscribers free of charge as the company seeks to expand its slow-moving video game business. - It’s been nearly three months since the Electric Zoo festival on Randall’s Island descended into chaos, and many ticket holders are [still waiting for refunds.]( - The giant snowflake that hangs at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and 57th Street, and is made up of 16,500 crystal light fixtures, [recently got a refresh.]( - Join authors Jeff Chang, Jacqueline Woodson and Julia Stiles (yes, that Julia Stiles!) for a book fair and reading at The Greene Space on December 6th. Get tickets [here](. - Have some time for a game? [Play]( our mini local news crossword. - Sign up for reminders when we publish new games [here](. “The lack of transparency is a problem." - Councilmember Gale Brewer said of [NYC HEALTH + HOSPITAL'S SECURITY CONTRACTS AT MIGRANT SHELTERS.]( More from Gothamist [second image]( [Civil servants – including NYPD and MTA employees – not exempt from $15 congestion pricing toll]( Ambulances, garbage trucks, police cars and fire trucks don’t have to pay the toll. But private vehicles belonging to those workers are still on the hook. [A new 1-person show is inspired by the stress of NYC high school admissions]( Playwright and performer Milo Cramer has turned the NYC high school admissions experience into a one-person off-Broadway show called "School Pictures." [We Rely On Your Support]( [Where to take out-of-towners when they visit NYC this holiday season]( 21 fun NYC ideas that will delight your guests – and maybe even you. [LLCs might soon have to list their owners. Should New Yorkers get a look?]( The LLC Transparency Act is one of hundreds of bills before the governor, pitting some of her most staunch supporters against each other. [Instagram]( [Instagram]( [Facebook]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Twitter]( [New York Public Radio] [WNYC]( | [WQXR]( | [NJPR]( | [GOTHAMIST]( [WNYC STUDIOS]( | [THE GREENE SPACE]( Copyright © New York Public Radio. All rights reserved. 160 Varick Street, New York, NY 10013 [TERMS OF USE]( You can update your [PREFERENCES]( or [UNSUBSCRIBE]( from this list.