NYC health commissioner leaving earlier than expected

Plus, Adams looks to expand his trash revolution. [FORWARD TO A FRIEND]( [VIEW IN BROWSER]( [DONATE]( [WNYC Politics Brief] [NYC health commissioner to step down Friday, months earlier than expected]( New York City’s top doctor is on his way out — and he’s leaving months earlier than expected. Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan emailed his staff Tuesday morning to inform them that his last day in office will be this Friday. Dr. Michelle Morse, the city’s chief medical officer and deputy commissioner for the health department’s Center for Health Equity and Community Wellness, will step in as interim health commissioner while the city searches for a permanent replacement, city officials said. Vasan initially tendered his resignation late last month amid a wave of departures of top city officials and an ongoing federal investigation into Mayor Eric Adams and his administration. Vasan cited a need to focus more on his family, but vowed at the time to postpone his departure until early next year. [Read more.]( --------------------------------------------------------------- 🗳️ --------------------------------------------------------------- More politics stories to know this week What else is happening around New York City Daniel Penny is going on trial this month for putting fellow passenger Jordan Neely in a fatal chokehold on a crowded F train. The incident surfaced a deep divide in how New Yorkers view the city’s approach to homelessness, mental health and public safety. [Read more.]( Mayor Adams will ask New Yorkers this November to grant him sweeping new authority to expand his trash revolution. [Read more.]( Police are looking for two people who allegedly spray painted “Free Palestine” on a congressmember's office in Manhattan this week, and also used a hammer to damage the front glass. [Read more.]( New York City’s interim police commissioner is on his way out just weeks after he stepped into the job. [Read more.]( As the exodus from Mayor Adams’ administration continues, a number of New York City elected officials are urging voters to reject a series of ballot proposals that they say would give Adams' office more power. [Read more.]( The judge presiding over Mayor Adams’ campaign corruption case has dedicated much of his career to defending fair elections. [Read more.]( Adams’ sweeping “City of Yes” plan to overhaul land use rules and allow more housing development across NYC is approaching a final vote in the City Council later this year — but the Council speaker says it won’t earn members’ approval without serious investments in affordable housing and other community needs. [Read more.]( What’s going on around New York Local and national political operatives see the Indian American community falling in line behind Vice President Harris, but former President Trump has some passionate support in his camp, which makes this election cycle unlike any other. [Read more.]( For the last 56 years, the MTA has served as New Yorkers’ punching bag. But a notable shift has occurred since Gov. Kathy Hochul paused congestion pricing in June. Now, transit woes are her fault and the MTA is enjoying a sudden outpouring of public support. [Read more.]( --------------------------------------------------------------- 🗳️ --------------------------------------------------------------- [the logo for the Brian Lehrer daily politics podcast]( [Swing State Arizona: MAGA Ambivalence Near The Border]( In the swing state of Arizona, will the candidates' policies or "vibes" determine the outcome of the national races? [LISTEN]( Support WNYC + Gothamist Make a donation to support local, independent journalism. Your contributions are our largest source of funding and pays for essential political coverage and more. [DONATE]( [Facebook]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [Instagram]( [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.