Tuesday, December 23
Good morning, New Yorker,
The city feels burdened but forward-looking today. Even during a busy holiday stretch, scrutiny is mounting over city systems, from subways to public safety, as new leadership prepares to assume power. The tone is cautious, shaped by ongoing questions about institutions, fairness, and how the city adapts to the needs of its people.
Weather Brief
A brisk day ahead, with temperatures hovering around 36°F but feeling closer to 29°F due to strong winds. Scattered clouds and wind gusts may slow outdoor errands and make walking uncomfortable; bundle up and plan for longer transit waits.
What to Watch Today
- The MTA continues to monitor performance of its new fare gate systems following instances of failed enforcement at pilot stations.
- Final planning meetings take place at City Hall ahead of Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s unprecedented public inauguration on January 1.
- The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office is expected to release additional findings today in the Kearny homicide and arson case involving a bow-and-arrow attack and SWAT standoff.
The Lead
The MTA’s $1.2 billion investment in advanced subway fare gates is facing early challenges, with multiple fare evasion incidents observed just days into the pilot program. Despite the introduction of AI-powered sensors and audible alarms, farebeaters were seen bypassing the new systems at test locations. The situation highlights the tension between technological rollout and enforcement capacity at a time when the transit authority is under pressure to recoup nearly $1 billion in lost fare revenue.
Power & Accountability
- The New York City Comptroller’s office has asked the MTA for a full audit plan on its fare gate rollout, citing early enforcement failures.
- The Bronx District Attorney's office will decide this week whether to issue further charges in a separate transit-related assault case at 149th Street–Grand Concourse station.
- Governor Kathy Hochul’s office confirmed that funding for New York's winter homelessness response plan will remain flat this year, amid heightened shelter demand.
Around the City
- In the South Bronx, Marine veteran Jamel Lewis uses nutrition-based education to support addiction recovery, leading cooking classes that link healthy eating to long-term healing.
- City Hall security is preparing for extensive crowd control as Mamdani’s team plans a block-party-style inauguration, a symbolic break from past political norms.
The Thread
Today’s stories carry a throughline of trust and adaptation. Whether addressing fare evasion, public health, or political expression, city institutions are being tested on their ability to serve and represent all New Yorkers; equitably, effectively, and transparently. As public scrutiny rises, the stakes around accountability and meaningful reform are becoming more visible.
One Line to Remember
In New York today, systems are under watch, and so are the promises to fix them.
Thanks for checking out today’s edition of The Red, tune in tomorrow for our Christmas Eve report.