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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 Wednesday, January 8th. Here's the morning headlines from Michael Hill.

Michael Hill: A New York City doctors' strike has been postponed as contract negotiations continue. Members of the Doctors Council, SEIU, originally planned to go on strike Monday at four public hospitals in Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx. Yesterday, the union said it's putting the strike off until January 21st, with the goal of reaching an agreement before then. The city funds the doctors' salaries, but Mount Sinai and the Physician Affiliate Group of New York employ them. The doctors agreed to mediated talks with their employers after Mayor Adams urged the parties to find a resolution.

New York is making big changes to a popular home care program. The consumers who use it will have to take steps in the coming weeks to make sure their services have no interruption. WNYC's Caroline Lewis explains.

Caroline Lewis: More than 250,000 New Yorkers, with disabilities, have caregivers through the state's Consumer Directed Personal Assistance program. About 600 different companies help administer the Medicaid-funded program, but by the end of March, it will be run by just one firm, Public Partnerships LLC. New Yorkers enrolled in the program have to register with public partnerships by March 28 to keep their services. The company started doing outreach this week and says it's prepared for the transition, but some advocates worry people will fall through the cracks.

Michael Hill: Manhattan's Community Board 4 has rejected plans for a casino, entertainment, and new housing at Hudson Yards, but the vote on the Wind New York City and developer related plan is just advisory. Alan Van Kappel is the executive director of Friends of the High Line and he opposes the project. He says an earlier proposal contained thousands more housing units.

Alan Van Kappel: We're in the middle of a housing crisis. It's probably among the largest issues this city is facing. There has to be better use for this land that's owned by the people of New York.

Michael Hill: A spokesperson for Related said many suggestions from the community were not fiscally feasible, but the company welcomed more feedback. The matter now heads to the Manhattan Borough president as part of the city's lengthy land use review process. 26 and partly cloudy. Now sunny and 27 for a high today. But it feels like it's going to be 10 degrees because the winds will be gusting up to 32 mph. Take care out there. Cold tonight. Cold again tomorrow.

Janae Pierre: Thanks for listening. This is NYC Now from WNYC. Be sure to catch us every weekday, three times a day for your top news headlines and occasional deep dives, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. See you this afternoon.

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