Evening Roundup: A Call for More Birthing Centers in NYC, Criminal Defendants and Access to Mental Health Care, the Road to Close Rikers Island Jail Complex, Affordable Housing in New Jersey and NYC’s Landmark Laws

New York City’s public advocate released a report showing Black women are nine times more likely to die from pregnancy or childbirth than white women in the city. Plus, defense lawyers have developed backdoor legal maneuvers to move their clients to the front of the line for mental health services. Also, criminal justice experts say the Adams administration is not doing enough to shutter Rikers Island on time. Meanwhile, many residents of the Garden State say the search for affordable housing is a timely one. And finally, it’s been 60 years since Mayor Robert Wagner signed New York City’s Landmarks Law, beginning an era of historic preservation across the city.