Morning Headlines: Speed Cameras Coming to MTA Bridges, Councilmember Restler Loses Ballot Challenge, Knicks Take 2–0 Lead Over Celtics in NBA Playoffs

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Janae Pierre: Welcome to NYC Now, your source for local news in and around New York City from WNYC. It's Thursday, May 8. Here's the morning headlines from Michael Hill.

Michael Hill: Cameras that send you a ticket for speeding in a work zone could be coming soon to a bridge or tunnel near you. WNYC's Jon Campbell reports.

Jon Campbell: The $254 billion state budget deal will allow the MTA to use the cameras on its bridges and tunnels. That includes the Verrazzano Bridge and the Queens–Midtown Tunnel. They can only be used in work zones, and a first offense will draw a $50 fine. A second offense is $75. Each one after that is $100. The MTA will have to hold a public hearing before putting the program into effect. The State Bridge Authority is also getting permission to use the cameras. It manages a handful of Hudson River bridges north of the city.

Michael Hill: In other news this morning, Councilmember Lincoln Restler is asking a court to kick his primary challenger off the ballot. WNYC's Samantha Max reports, a contentious new bike lane that runs through a portion of North Brooklyn's Hasidic Jewish community is at the center of the legal dispute.

Samantha Max: Ressler supports the bike lane. He argued in court last month that signature collectors for his opponent, Sabrina Gates, thought they were promoting a petition for safety concerns about the bike lane, but they were actually petitioning to get Gates on the ballot. This week, a Brooklyn judge ruled Ressler didn't provide enough clear and convincing evidence that that was true. Gates called the allegations silly.

Sabrina Gates: Oh, it's just a terrible waste of time. It's a waste of the court's time.

Samantha Max: Ressler says the court's decision was based on technicalities, but he says he won't be appealing it.

Michael Hill: The New York Knicks are heading home with a 2-0 lead in their playoff series.

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Michael Hill: In another nail-biter, the Knicks stunned the Celtics 91-90 with another fourth quarter comeback against the defending NBA champions. Game 3 Saturday afternoon at the Garden. Game 4 Monday night at the Garden.

61 with sunshine out there now, showers likely with maybe some late afternoon thunderstorms. Partly sunny and 74 with a calm wind today. Then tonight, showers likely, maybe a thunderstorm. A low around 58. Then tomorrow, showers, cooler, a steady high near 60 degrees with light wind. Then Saturday and Sunday is Mother's Day Weekend, sunshine and nice temperature, 68 Saturday, mid 70s on Sunday.

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Janae Pierre: Thanks for listening. This is NYC Now from WNYC. Check us out for updates every weekday, three times a day for the latest news, headlines, and occasional deep dives, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

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Jingle: NYC, NYC, NYC.

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