NYC NOW
NYC Now is a podcast that helps New Yorkers understand the city through original reporting and sharp analysis from WNYC and Gothamist. The show digs into the news, culture, and conversations shaping life in New York, three times a week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, hosted by Janae Pierre.
Episodes
Avoiding Veggies Because of Cyclospora? NYC Chefs Share Creative Ways to Enjoy Them
A cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to recalled Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce has sickened hundreds and left health officials recommending cooked produce over raw salads... which is a tough sell in the middle of summer. NYC Now producer Iru Ekpunobi walks us through the ways New York City chefs Sohla El-Waylly, Ayo Balogun and Nasim Alikhani recommend to keep eating cooked vegetables safely without gi
Did Mamdani’s Free Bus Promise Lead More Riders to Skip the Fare?
[Heads up: technical issues affected the audio quality on this episode. Thanks for bearing with us — the conversation is still worth it.]
The MTA says far fewer bus riders are paying the fare since Mayor Zohran Mamdani took office. Fare evasion has been a problem in the city for years, but MTA Chair Janno Lieber says Mamdani's campaign promise to make the city's buses free isn't helping. Mamdan
The Elizabeth Street Garden Fight Is Over. What Comes Next?
After a decade of legal battles and political fights, Elizabeth Street Garden will be preserved. The city had planned to build 123 affordable apartments for low-income seniors on the Lower East Side green space, but that proposal is now dead. We take a visit to the garden to speak with New Yorkers, then WNYC & Gothamist reporter David Brand joins us to explain how the garden became a flashpoint in
The Brooklyn Dance Party Bringing Everyone Together
Stories from this episode:
Luigi Mangione enters guilty plea in NYC federal court:
https://gothamist.com/news/luigi-mangione-enters-guilty-plea-in-nyc-federal-court
Some New York lawmakers are pushing a bill that would mandate insurance coverage for egg-freezing.
https://gothamist.com/news/aoc-is-freezing-her-eggs-some-new-york-lawmakers-want-insurance-to-cover-it
Now in its fifth year, Publ
Inside The So-Called "Commie Corridor": The Neighborhoods Changing New York City Politics
Read More:Inside The So-Called "Commie Corridor": The Neighborhoods Changing New York City Politics
The Democratic Socialists of America are gaining political power in New York City, and much of that support is concentrated in a string of neighborhoods in Brooklyn and Queens. WNYC Senior Politics Reporter Brigid Bergin brings us along on her tour of the so-called “Commie Corridor” to understand w
Chinese Immigrants Are Now New York City’s Largest Foreign Born Group. Here’s What That Means.
For the first time since the 1990s, Chinese immigrants have surpassed Dominicans as New York City’s largest foreign born population. CUNY Baruch College professor Kenneth Guest explains what is driving that growth, how Chinese communities are expanding beyond Manhattan’s Chinatown and what the shift could mean for services, political influence and the future of immigrant New York.
-Got any questi
The Best Bite in Every Borough with NYC Food Influencer Julian Mu
Description: Julian Mu, who goes by Mubereats on social media, has hundreds of thousands of Instagram followers and millions of TikTok likes, and he pays for every single meal he reviews. He joins us to talk about how he got started, why he only covers small and local businesses, and to play a game of “NYC Chow”, picking his favorite spot in each borough.
Follow Julian on Instagram: https://www.i
As O'Shae Sibley's Killer is Sentenced to 20 Years, His Community Still Mourns
In July 2023, O’Shae Sibley was stabbed and killed at a Brooklyn gas station after an argument broke out while he and his friends were dancing to Beyoncé. Prosecutors called it a hate crime. Nearly three years later, the man who killed him was sentenced to 20 years in prison. WNYC reporter Samantha Max covered the trial from the start, and she joins us to talk about the sentencing, what she heard
What Does "Working Class" Actually Mean in New York City?
The Democratic Socialists of America, Mayor Zohran Mamdani's political home, defines working class as anyone who depends on a paycheck to live. By this logic, that includes doctors, programmers, and waiters all under the umbrella. But do everyday New Yorkers agree? WNYC and Gothamist reporter Liz Kim joins us to unpack DSA's "working class" growth, and New Yorkers' answers to how they define worki
One Last Summer Hurrah: Your August Guide to Dance Parties, Outdoor Movies and More in NYC
Summer’s not over yet... if you haven’t gotten to the beach, there’s still time! WNYC arts and culture editor Matthew Schnipper joins us with a guide of all there is to do this August in New York City: from dance parties at Moma PS1, outdoor screenings of Jurassic Park and The Warriors, to where you can find the best banana pudding in NYC.
Photo: Edith Young for Gothamist
-Got any questions, com
Food Pantries Brace for More Demand as New SNAP Work Rules Push Thousands Off Benefits
At least 22,000 New Yorkers and 31,000 New Jerseyans have been cut from SNAP since new federal work requirements took effect earlier this year. The numbers are expected to grow, and food pantries are already seeing surging demand. WNYC reporter Karen Yi joins Janae with the latest, and what options remain for New Yorkers who've been kicked off the rolls.
Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images.
Got an
Only 3 Black Students Got Into Stuyvesant High School This Year. Why Does This Keep Happening?
Only three Black students were admitted to Stuyvesant High School's incoming ninth grade class of 777 students this past spring. That's the lowest number since the city started tracking this data in 2014. WNYC and Gothamist reporter Jessica Gould has covered this story for years, and she joins us to break down what the numbers actually show and why the specialized high school entrance exam is so h
Stooping or Stealing? How a Late Night Street Find Landed a Brooklyn Woman in Handcuffs
A Brooklyn interior designer says she believed a stack of wet rugs left outside had been discarded. Days later, her face appeared in news reports about a grand larceny investigation, and she spent seven hours at an NYPD precinct before being released without charges. WNYC and Gothamist reporter Catalina Gonella traces how the misunderstanding escalated and where the law draws the line between stoo
New York City Vowed Reform After Harlem’s Legionnaires’ Deaths. A New Outbreak Is Exposing the Gaps
After a deadly Legionnaires’ disease outbreak on the Upper East Side, WNYC health reporter Caroline Lewis and investigative data reporter Joe Hong explain how the illness spreads, what went wrong during the 2025 Harlem outbreak and why major gaps in cooling tower testing and inspections remain.
Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images
-Got any questions, comments or story ideas? Send us a message at NY
What Went Wrong at the Midtown High Rise Where Columns Buckled?
A few weeks after two structural columns buckled at a Midtown Manhattan high rise, WNYC and Gothamist reporter David Brand shares new details from hours spent reviewing hundreds of pages of building plans at the Department of Buildings. He explains what the plans called for, what the engineering firm says about whether required steel reinforcements were installed and what city officials are invest
Where to Watch the World Cup Final in New York City
The World Cup final is this Sunday, and if you're looking for a place to watch in the city, WNYC arts and culture editor Matthew Schnipper has some ideas. He also joins us with a summer reading list of New York City books and culture reporter Sonia Rao stops by to explain why jorts are peaking in popularity around the city.
Photo: Jordan Bank/FIFA via Getty Images
-Got any questions, comments or
How a Comic and an Actress Started a Rikers Women's Book Club
In 2024, comedian Nora Fried started a monthly book club for women incarcerated at Rikers Island. What began with nine women and a copy of Tara Westover's "Educated" has grown into a nonprofit called Rosebuds Reading Collective, with actress and author Julia Fox now leading a monthly creative writing workshop inside the jail. Nora joins Janae to talk about how it all came together.
Photo: Rosebud
How Is New York's Homeless Outreach Program Working in Rural Communities?
In counties along New York's Southern Tier, the number of homeless people nearly tripled between 2019 and 2025. But without all the sidewalks, subways, and shelters of a big city, it's more difficult for street outreach workers to find and help homeless people. WNYC's Jimmy Vielkind talks with us about how the state's street outreach program has adapted to rural communities.
Photo: Jimmy Vielkind
The Sound of Salsa in New York City
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Why NYC Is Flooding More and What You Can Do to Prepare
New York City's flooding problem is getting worse, and it's not hitting every neighborhood equally. Furhana Husani, director of programs and climate initiatives at the Waterfront Alliance, joins us to break down why some neighborhoods flood more than others, what tools exist to track flooding, and what you should actually do the next time a flash flood warning hits your phone.
Photo: Anadolu/Anad
What's Next for the Last Elephant in New York City?
Happy the Elephant lived at the Bronx Zoo for nearly 50 years, where she was beloved by generations of New Yorkers, and was also at the center of a landmark legal battle over whether an elephant could be granted the same rights as a person. WNYC reporter Walter Wuthmann joins us to trace Happy's life and investigate what comes next for Patty, the last elephant left at the Bronx Zoo.
Photo: Andrew
The New York Ideas That Changed America
WNYC & Gothamist arts editor Matthew Schnipper introduces a new series exploring the ideas, traditions and cultural touchstones that began in New York before spreading across the country. He also tells us about a dance party offering free dental screenings and recommends a few upcoming events.
Photo: Edith Young for Gothamist
-Got any questions, comments or story ideas? Send us a message at NYC
NYC Told Supportive Housing Landlords to Stop Evictions. They’re Still Happening.
New York City approves a $126 billion budget that scraps a planned NYPD expansion and broadens housing assistance through a new rental voucher program. Officials also prepare for a dangerous heat wave by opening cooling centers and extending pool hours. Plus, WNYC’s Karen Yi reports on why supportive housing providers are still filing eviction cases months after the city told them to use eviction
A New Bronx Public High School Where Hip Hop Is On the Syllabus
Big changes to federal student loan repayment take effect July 1. Carolina Rodriguez of New York's Education Debt Consumer Assistance Program walks us through what's changing. Also, this fall, New York City will open the Bronx School of Hip Hop. That's a first-of-its-kind public high school where MCing, DJing, breaking, graffiti, and knowledge of self are pathways into English, math, science, and
NYC Pride Grand Marshal Peppermint on Pride, Politics, and the Fight for Trans Rights
Performer Miss Peppermint found herself in late '90s NYC club culture, made history on RuPaul's Drag Race and Broadway, and is now one of four grand marshals at NYC Pride. She joins us to talk about the role NYC has played in her story, and what this year's Pride slogan "For All of Us" means when the T in LGBT feels under attack.
Photo: Walter McBride/Getty Images
-Got any questions, comments or
Mamdani Backed Candidates Score Major Wins in New York City Primaries
Candidates backed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the Democratic Socialists of America won several key congressional primaries in New York City. WNYC’s Jimmy Vielkind breaks down the results, and political scientist Dr. Christina Greer explains what they could mean for the future of the Democratic Party in New York and beyond.
-Got any questions, comments or story ideas? Send us a message at NYCNow@W
How a NYC Homeless Shelter Provider Got $136M After Embezzlement Charge
A Brooklyn nonprofit that runs homeless shelters across the city is facing federal bribery and embezzlement charges against two of its former leaders. New York City has already paid BHRAGS Home Care Corporation roughly $130 million, and the city recently announced it plans to keep doing business with them. WNYC and Gothamist reporter Ryan Kost joins us to walk through how this all happened.
Photo
Meet New York City’s Black Cowboys Keeping History Alive
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
How an Alleged NYC Real Estate Scammer Stayed in Business Despite Years of Complaints
Finding an affordable apartment in New York City is hard enough. WNYC and Gothamist reporter Catalina Gonella spent months investigating allegations against David Michael, a man who describes himself as a real estate adviser. Dozens of renters say he took deposits for apartments they never got, then disappeared when they tried to get their money back. She explains how the alleged scheme worked and
New Yorkers React to the Knicks First Championship Since 1973
The wait is over. For the first time since 1973, the New York Knicks are NBA champions. In this special championship edition of NYC Now, we get reactions from sports reporter Priya Desai and talk with two lifelong Knicks fans from the WNYC newsroom about what it feels like to finally see their team reach the top. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
for information
She's the Voice of the Subway, and Now a Grand Marshal of NYC Pride
You know that voice that tells you to "please stand from the platform edge" when you take the train? That's Bernie Wagenblast. Bernie has been the voice of the New York City subway since 2009, and this month she's one of four grand marshals at NYC Pride. She joins us to talk about growing up knowing she was trans, and what it took to finally live that truth decades later.
Photo: Courtesy of Berni
The Mamdani Baby Boom That Isn't (Yet)
The city is expanding free childcare for two-year-olds this fall. Will that actually convince New York parents to grow their families, though? WNYC reporter Karen Yi tells us about parents who have been going into debt, leaving the workforce, and rethinking second kids while waiting for the city's childcare promises to catch up.
Photo: Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images
-Got any questions, comm
Mayor Mamdani Promised to Rethink Policing. Six Months Later, the NYPD Is Growing
When Zohran Mamdani ran for mayor, he promised to reduce the NYPD’s role in responding to issues like mental health crises and homelessness while investing in civilian alternatives. Six months into his administration, the mayor is planning to add hundreds of police officers, while Mamdani’s proposed Department of Community Safety remains far smaller than what he campaigned on. WNYC and Gothamist r
What New York City Looked Like the Last Time the Knicks Won It All
In this week’s Arts & Culture Check-In, WNYC & Gothamist editor Matthew Schnipper shares stories coming off his desk, including a look back at New York City in 1973, new steakhouses reshaping the city’s dining scene, and a guide to Pride Month events happening across the five boroughs.
Got any questions, comments Got any questions or story ideas? Send us a message at NYCNow@WNYC.org
Photo: Getty
Luxury Renters Across New York City Are Organizing Against Landlords
Inspired in part by Mayor Mamdani's Rental Ripoff Hearings, tenants are fed up by broken elevators, heat outages, and flooding in "luxury" buildings charging $4,000 to $6,000 a month. WNYC housing reporter David Brand joins us to talk about the new class of tenant associations fighting back.
Photo: David Brand
-Got any questions, comments or story ideas? Send us a message at NYCNow@WNYC.org
New York City’s Crackdown on Subway Sleeping, Explained
New York City police are taking a skyrocketing number of people to criminal court for sleeping or spreading out on the public transit system. WNYC public safety reporter Samantha Max joins us to understand how this is affecting New Yorkers, and why charges were up 3000% last year. Photo: Samantha Max Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
for information about our co
Knicks Fever Has Taken Over New York City
For the first time since 1999, the New York Knicks are headed to the NBA Finals. Sports reporter Priya Desai joins us to discuss the team’s dominant playoff run, the electric atmosphere around the city, and why this moment feels bigger than basketball for generations of Knicks fans.
Photo cred: David Dee Delgado / Stringer via Getty Images
-Got any questions, comments or story ideas? Send us a m
Some New Yorkers Could Lose SNAP Benefits Next Week. Nearly Half Are Young People.
New federal SNAP work requirements are now affecting thousands of New Yorkers, including veterans, older adults, young people, and parents who were previously exempt. With the June 1 deadline approaching, reporter Karen Yi joins us to explain why the city is urgently knocking on doors across the five boroughs to keep people from losing food assistance.
Photo: Karen Yi/ Gothamist : People wait in
Rethinking Public Safety in New York City
What does it actually mean to feel safe in New York City? WNYC and Gothamist health reporter reporter Caroline Lewis joins us to talk about her conversation with the city’s first Community Safety Commissioner, Ayesha Delaney-Brumsey, and the new office now tasked with tackling issues like mental health crises, gun violence. Plus, WNYC and Gothamist reporter Liam Quigley Liam Quigley returns with n
Rainy Memorial Day Weekend? Here’s What to Do in NYC
Rain may be in the forecast for Memorial Day weekend, but New York City still has plenty to offer. WNYC arts and culture editor Matthew Schnipper joins us to share indoor arts and culture picks for the long weekend, from story time at The Metropolitan Museum of Art to free exhibits at MoMA PS1. Plus, we talk about New Yorkers fishing in city waters, a new immersive Radiohead experience, and the su
New York City Finally Has a 'Real' Casino and It's Hiring
Resorts World in Queens just got live table games, making it the first full casino in New York City's five boroughs. WNYC reporter Arun Venugopal speaks with us about the ambitions of the New Yorkers who are working the tables, many of whom are earning upwards of $90,000 a year with benefits.
Photo: Arun Venugopal/Gothamist
-Got any questions, comments or story ideas? Send us a message at NYCNow
NYC Is Overhauling How Students Learn to Read. But Is the Joy of Reading Paying the Price?
New York City schools are overhauling the way students learn to read through a literacy initiative known as NYC Reads, built around the “science of reading” movement. City officials say the approach is already improving reading scores. But some teachers, parents and students say the curriculum relies too heavily on worksheets, rigid lessons and short excerpts, leaving students with fewer opportuni
How New York and New Jersey Are Getting Ready for the World Cup
With less than 50 days until the World Cup kicks off, WNYC reporter David Brand takes us from Little Haiti in Flatbush, where fans are celebrating Haiti's first World Cup appearance in 52 years, to Kearny, New Jersey, a small town that shaped the entire history of American soccer.
Photo: Johnrob/iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
-Got any questions, comments or story ideas? Send us a message at
Mayor Mamdani’s Tax the Rich Video and the Billionaire Backlash
Mayor Mamdani filmed a video in front of the most expensive penthouse ever sold in the United States to celebrate a new tax on luxury second homes. It went viral, and the city's billionaires were not happy. WNYC reporter Elizabeth Kim takes us from Billionaire's Row to Fordham Road in the Bronx to speak to New Yorkers about the fight to tax the rich.
Photo: Michael Lee/Moment via Getty Images
-G
A New York Law Protects Domestic Violence Survivors. The Court Says Prosecutors Have Been Undermining It.
A New York law allows domestic violence survivors who commit crimes connected to their abuse to ask judges for reduced sentences. But the state’s highest court recently ruled that prosecutors cannot require survivors to waive that right as a condition of a plea deal. WNYC’s Samantha Max explains the cases at the center of the decision, why advocates say the practice is widespread, and what prosecu
Why Mayor Mamdani Skipped the Met Gala This Year
This year's Met Gala had plenty of bold looks, but the bigger story was who decided to stay home. Arts & Culture Editor Matthew Schnipper joins us to break it down, plus never before seen Keith Haring works going to auction, what's coming up at SummerStage, and the best frozen treats in the city this summer.
Photo: Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images
-Got any questions, comments or story ide
Inside One of New York City’s Most Dangerous Women’s Shelters
New York City is legally required to provide shelter to anyone who needs it. But a new WNYC and Gothamist investigation finds that the Tillary Street Women’s Shelter in Downtown Brooklyn has become a place where violence, overdoses and chaos are part of daily life. WNYC and Gothamist editor Andrew Giambrone joins us to discuss months of reporting that uncovered more than 2,000 calls to 911 in a si
Why Some New Yorkers Must Become Homeless to Get Help
For some New Yorkers, qualifying for a CityFHEPS housing voucher means first entering the shelter system. Reporter Karen Yi breaks down the fight over expanding the city’s rental assistance program and why advocates say delaying it could cost more in the long run.
Photo: Lajoy Clark, Ciro Sollazzi, and Kevin Joseph Cuffy for Gothamist
-Got any questions, comments or story ideas? Send us a messag
The DJ Bringing NYC's Legendary Danceteria Nightclub Back to Life
Before Madonna was Madonna, she was working coat check. Before the Beastie Boys were the Beastie Boys, they were janitors. They worked at Danceteria, a five-story downtown Manhattan nightclub that became the unlikely launchpad for some of pop culture's biggest names in the 1980s. DJ Rafe Gomez runs Danceteria Rewind on Twitch every Thursday night, reconstructing the club's legendary playlists for
A Mother's Fight Against NYC's Emergency Child Removal System
When Meredith Trainor's 11-month-old daughter tested positive for cocaine at a hospital, New York City caseworkers removed the baby from her arms, without a court order, even though Meredith had been at work when it happened. Five days later, a family court judge ordered the baby returned. Now Meredith is suing the city. WNYC reporter Samantha Max walks us through her case and what it reveals abou
Could European Style Trash Bins Clean Up NYC? The City Is Betting Yes
Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s administration plans to add more than 6,500 curbside trash containers across the five boroughs as part of a push to clean up streets and cut down on rats. WNYC and Gothamist reporter Liam Quigley explains where the new Empire Bins are going, why the rollout could cost parking spaces, and how the city hopes to fully containerize trash by 2032. Plus, WNYC health reporter Carol
How One Photographer Archived NYC's Graffiti & Street Culture
WNYC Arts & Culture Editor Matthew Schnipper is back with a rundown of what's worth your train swipes this week. We cover the Queens Night Market's last year of $6 food before prices go up, a Martha Cooper retrospective at the Bronx Documentary Center celebrating one of graffiti's earliest documenters, and whether the Lower East Side's booming vintage shops can sustain the hype. Plus: Mayor Mamdan
Special Episode : Mayor Mamdani’s Lessons from LaGuardia
Mayor Zohran Mamdani is 100 days into his historic term with sweeping plans to make New York City more affordable through an expansion of public services. In a live conversation at The Greene Space, WNYC’s Senior Politics Reporter Brigid Bergin speaks with the mayor about his first months in office, what he has accomplished so far, and what comes next. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See
NYC Taxi Scam Exposed: How Travelers Get Hustled By Illegal Cabbies
A tourist who landed at JFK says she was charged $800 for a ride from the airport to Times Square after she fell victim to a notorious New York City scam. WNYC’s Ramsey Khalifeh joins us to explain how a network of unlicensed drivers and dispatchers target exhausted travelers in a hustle that's been going on for decades.
-Got any questions, comments or story ideas? Send us a message at NYCNow@WNY
Knicks Playoffs Begin, New York Liberty Add Satou Sabally and Tipping Culture in NYC
It is a big week for basketball fans in New York. The Knicks are heading into a first round playoff matchup against the Atlanta Hawks, while the New York Liberty prepare for a new WNBA season with roster changes, new additions and a new coach. Sports reporter Priya Desai joins us to break it all down. Plus, WNYC producer Elizabeth Shwe explores tipping culture in New York City, from coffee counter
Magnet Schools Regain Federal Funding in Transgender Rights Dispute and Fight Over $30 Minimum Wage Continues
A federal judge ruled that the Trump administration can’t continue withholding tens of millions of dollars in funding over the school district’s policies on transgender students. WNYC reporter Giulia Heyward chats with us about what this means for schools, students, and the city. Also, WNYC’s Arun Venugopal talks about the new city council proposal for a $30 minimum wage, and what its supporters a
100 Days Into Mayor Mamdani’s Term: How Has He Done?
In his first 100 days, Mayor Zohran Mamdani has tried to turn big progressive promises into policy while managing the day to day demands of running New York City. Political scientist Dr. Christina Greer joins us to break down the mayor’s early wins, his “pothole politics” approach, and where he has already had to compromise. Plus, what the city’s $5.4 billion budget deficit could mean for his plan
NYC Spring Staycations, Cherry Blossoms and a 24-Hour Dance Party
Spring is here, and there's plenty to do without leaving the city. Arts & Culture Editor Matthew Schnipper chats with us about staycation alternatives to pricey travel destinations, the New Directors/New Films Festival at MoMA and Lincoln Center, and what it's like to show up to a 24-hour Brooklyn techno party in corduroys at 8am.
-Got any questions, comments or story ideas? Send us a message at
They Made a Promise in Prison. It Took 30 Years to Keep It.
Jabbar Collins was wrongfully convicted of murder in 1994 and spent years teaching himself the law before winning his freedom in 2010. Before leaving prison, he made a promise to fellow inmate Allen Porter, who was serving time for a double murder in a separate case, that he would help prove his innocence. Porter had been incarcerated since 1995. After his release, Collins kept that promise, conti
NYC Takes Aim at Catcalling With New Campaign
Starting this month, a new campaign from the Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence will appear across subways, ferries, and sidewalks, calling out street harassment and encouraging New Yorkers to step in when they see it happening. Janae speaks with Commissioner Saloni Sethi of NYC's Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence about what the campaign aims to change
The Subway Station Behind Some of NYC’s Most Iconic Movie Scenes
A film series at the Brooklyn Academy of Music is spotlighting a Brooklyn subway station that has doubled as the backdrop for iconic movie scenes for decades. WNYC producer Verónica Del Valle explains how Hoyt Schermerhorn has been used in films from The Warriors to Coming to America. Also, WNYC reporter Brittany Kriegstein tells the story of Ellen Baum, a Brooklyn Heights resident who has spent w
NYC’s New Approach to Homeless Shelters: Will It Work?
New York City is opening newer shelters while closing older, deteriorating sites, signaling a shift in how the system is run. WNYC reporter Karen Yi explains what Mayor Mamdani's approach looks like, and how it is affecting people in the system as the city continues to face a homelessness crisis. Plus, WNYC reporter Samantha Max looks at Joey Skaggs, the New York artist behind some of the city’s
The Harsh Reality of Finding Affordable Housing in NYC: It’s… Not Easy
Finding an affordable apartment in New York City can take years, and for many renters, the process feels confusing and out of reach. Troy Kingston, also known as @scourgebliss, shares what it took to finally land a place after years of searching, navigating housing lotteries, strict income requirements, and multiple rejections. Plus tenants rights attorney Leah Goodridge shares best practices on w
A Trip to the Whitney Biennial and NY’s Meme-Filled Instagram
WNYC arts and culture editor Matthew Schnipper joins us for a trip to the Whitney Biennial, where we hear from co curator Drew Sawyer about this year’s exhibition and the strong New York connections among its artists. Then we look at what’s coming from his desk this week, including a new dating series called “Date My Friend,” a documentary screening, and New York State’s meme filled Instagram.
—
If You Host It, Will They Come? New York’s World Cup Hopes Meet Travel Concerns
The 2026 World Cup is expected to bring millions of visitors and billions of dollars to the New York and New Jersey region, with MetLife Stadium set to host the final. But some tourism and business leaders are raising concerns that international fans may stay away, citing shifts in how the United States is perceived abroad. WNYC reporter Arun Venugopal explains new data showing a drop in internati
Why Some “Luxury” Apartments in NYC Are Breaking Down
Some of New York City’s newer “luxury” apartment buildings are facing complaints from tenants who say the reality doesn’t match the price. WNYC reporter David Brand joins us to explain new data showing a share of recently built buildings have serious housing code violations, including heat outages, leaks, and flooding. Plus, sports reporter Priya Desai breaks down the new WNBA labor agreement tha
The Comedy Cellar Turns 45. Meet the Booker Who Keeps It on Top.
The Comedy Cellar launched the careers Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock, and Ray Romano, and its talent booker Estee Adoram has been deciding who gets on that stage for four decades. Janae heads to Greenwich Village to talk with Estee about what it takes to get five minutes on one of the most competitive stages in the country, and how the club is still going strong at 45. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWiz
Mayor Mamdani and Gov. Hochul Clash Over Taxes & NYPD Changes Hate Crime Reporting
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is pushing to raise taxes on wealthy New Yorkers and corporations as part of state budget negotiations in Albany, setting up a clash with Gov. Kathy Hochul, who opposes increasing income taxes. WNYC reporter Jon Campbell explains what lawmakers are proposing and how the fight could shape the city’s finances. Plus, the NYPD is changing how it reports hate crimes a
The Court Ruling That Could Make NYC Housing Vouchers Harder to Use
WNYC reporter David Brand joins us to explain why Mayor Zohran Mamdani is pausing New York City’s private tax lien sale program, which allows the city to sell unpaid property tax and water debt to private investors. Brand also breaks down a court ruling that struck down a state law banning discrimination against renters who use housing vouchers.
Got any questions, comments or story ideas? Send us
The Tourist Who Sued Over Spicy Salsa and NYC’s Sober Nightlife Scene
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
NYC Lawmakers Weigh Ban on Biometric Data Collection in Retail Stores
New York City lawmakers are considering legislation that would ban retail stores from collecting customers’ biometric data, including facial and voice scans. WNYC and Gothamist reporter Liam Quigley recently reported that the grocery chain Wegmans posted signs warning shoppers their biometric data could be collected in some New York City stores. Supporters of the bill say biometric identifiers are
New Work Rules Could Push Thousands of New Yorkers Off Food Assistance
Nearly 1.8 million New York City residents rely on SNAP to help pay for groceries. Under new federal rules, tens of thousands must prove they are working, volunteering, or in school to keep those benefits. WNYC’s Karen Yi reports the expanded requirements could push many off the program if they fail to comply, raising concerns that vulnerable New Yorkers could lose food assistance amid confusion a
Harlem Native Ebony Haith Reflects on Life After ‘America’s Next Top Model’
Reality show America’s Next Top Model helped launch modeling careers in the early 2000s, but two decades later many viewers say the show has not aged well. A new Netflix documentary revisits some of the controversies surrounding the series and how contestants were treated. Harlem native and season one contestant Ebony Haith joins WNYC’s Janae Pierre to reflect on her experience on the show. Haith
Unpacking the Largest Nurses Strike in NYC History... For Now
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Why Con Ed Bills Are So High and Who Qualifies for Relief
The Trump administration’s $130 million purchase of a warehouse in Roxbury, New Jersey to convert into an ICE detention center is drawing opposition from local leaders who cite infrastructure limits and question the town’s ability to handle a facility of that size. Meanwhile, many New Yorkers are seeing unusually high Con Edison bills this winter, even without using more energy. Ian Donaldson of t
Winter Slump, Spring Concerts, and Jesse Jackson’s Legacy in NYC
New Yorkers are slogging through the late winter blues, and in this week’s arts and culture check in, WNYC and Gothamist arts and culture editor Matthew Schnipper joins us to talk about why February can feel especially brutal, a packed spring concert calendar including Shelter’s 35th anniversary, Mayor Mamdani’s latest cultural references, the Tin Building’s pivot to a balloon museum, and a major
Gateway Tunnel Funding Restored After Shutdown, but Legal Fight Continues
Construction on the $16 billion Gateway tunnel project that aims to build a new set of train tunnels under the Hudson River shut down earlier this month after the Trump administration froze federal funding. More than a thousand workers were forced to walk off the job. A federal judge ordered the money released and crews are preparing to restart the work, but the case is still moving through the fe
NYC's Blizzard and the AI Debate in Schools
A record-breaking snowstorm hits New York City, bringing travel bans, icy streets, and the first full public school snow day since 2019. Schools reopen Tuesday, and Janae sits down with WNYC education reporter Jessica Gould to talk about how students and teachers are using AI tools like ChatGPT and what the city’s incoming guidance could mean for classrooms across the five boroughs. Hosted by Simp
Catching Up on Sports and the Dress Shoe Comeback
Sports reporter Priya Desai joins us to discuss the Knicks’ playoff push, Team USA women’s hockey’s gold medal run with two local players, and Unrivaled bringing elite women’s basketball to Barclays Center. Plus, WNYC’s James Ramsay weighs in on the dress shoe revival and what footwear says about being a “real” New York Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
for info
Staten Island’s North Shore and the Future of New York’s 11th District
A state Supreme Court judge has ruled that New York’s 11th Congressional District unlawfully dilutes the political power of Black and Latino voters, triggering a high stakes redistricting battle with national implications. At the center is Staten Island’s North Shore, a denser and more diverse part of the borough that some residents say has more in common with Lower Manhattan than with the rest of
Recommended
Booked, Blonde & Busy w/ Olivia Ponton
LOVE SOMEONE with Delilah
Classical Christian Education
Veritas Vox - The Voice of Classical Christian Education
Enjoy Teaching Again | Elementary, Teacher Burnout, Student Behavior, SEL, Classroom Management
Entrepreneur Kids Legacy Show - Family Motivation, Business Boss Babies, Inspirational Speakers and Healthy fun food
McKinsey on Consumer and Retail
megahired.com
Telli Talks with Telli Swift
Harmonize Your Life: Conversation on Self-Care for Women of Color
Lighting the Legal Career Path
High Performance Mindset | Learn from World-Class Leaders, Consultants, Athletes & Coaches about Mindset
