Host: Welcome to NYC NOW, your source for local news in and around New York City, from WNYC. It's Tuesday, April 15th. Here's the morning headlines from Michael Hill.
Michael Hill: A new court filing shows another Columbia University student is in immigration custody this morning. Immigration agents picked up green card holder Mohsen Mahdawi in Vermont. This is according to a document his lawyer filed. Mahdawi is a legal resident of Vermont and originally from the West Bank. His lawyer says they believe Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained Mahdawi for taking part in pro-Palestinian campus protests last year. The Trump administration has not confirmed this or commented on his detention. Columbia University Professor Joseph Hawley says he knows Mahdawi.
Professor Joseph Hawley: He is someone who has always spoken out loudly and clearly for a vision of peace and justice, and communal liberation of everyone. Mohsen is one of those people who will explain to you that when we say free Palestine, we mean equal rights and freedom for everyone in the land.
Michael Hill: Mahdawi's attorney says his client appeared for his naturalization interview, and agents arrested him. The high-rises along the waterfront in Long Island City have made the neighborhood synonymous with new housing. WNYC's David Brand reports on a plan to add even more apartments to LIC.
David Brand: Maria Remache moved to Long Island City 30 years ago and says she loves its transformation, but she's miffed by a city plan to add 14,000 new homes.
Maria Remache: Where? How are they going to add more apartments in this? I bet you we have a lot.
David Brand: City Planning Director Dan Garodnick says he gets the surprise, but--
Dan Garodnick: There's actually an entire area that has been untouched.
David Brand: He says many blocks just east of the waterfront are zoned for low-rise manufacturing. Soon, the city will begin the review process for a plan to allow new apartment buildings. The City Council could vote on it this fall.
Michael Hill: Authorities say they recovered critical components from the helicopter that crashed into the Hudson River last week, killing the family of five from Spain on board and their pilot. The National Transportation Safety Board says divers retrieved the main and tail rotors, transmission and roof beam from the Bell 206L-4 helicopter. New York Helicopter Tours operated the aircraft, which had no black boxes and had not been inspected in more than five weeks.
Our forecast now, 52 and partly cloudy in Manhattan right now. Chances of afternoon showers and thunderstorms today. Mostly cloudy, 66 for a high, windy and gusty. Then tomorrow, mostly cloudy, cooler, 53.
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