The City Council approved a bill on Wednesday that would curb a loathed New York City real estate practice: making renters pay thousands of dollars in broker fees.

The broker fee, long a bane of New York City renters, just got voted out. The New York City Council passed a bill Wednesday requiring landlords to pay fees for brokers they hire to list and show apartments.

The New York City Council passed, in a 42-8 vote, a bill that will put an end to forcing tenant-paid brokers fees, as the city looks for strategies to tackle the housing affordability crisis. Now, whoever hires the broker will have to pay their fees.

Nov 12 (Reuters) - Strengthening winds and bone-dry conditions were hindering firefighters working to gain control of a stubborn wildfire burning in a forested stretch along the New York-New Jersey state border about 50 miles (80 km) northwest of New York City.

About an hour after it concluded, the department announced a press briefing for Wednesday “to discuss the state entering Drought Warning status as prolonged dry periods continue statewide.” The New Jersey Forest Fire Service says conditions in the state are the driest they have been in nearly 120 years.

New Jersey has declared a drought warning as dry conditions continue, asking residents to conserve water voluntarily.

Governor Kathy Hochul's is set to make an announcement Thursday about congestion pricing in New York City, her office said.

The bipartisan group spoke out on Staten Island on Tuesday, telling the governor if she revives the New York City congestion pricing plan, she'll be doing so at her own peril. CBS News New York's Marcia Kramer reports.

A new plan for congestion pricing for those traveling into New York City is expected to be announced by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on Thursday.