NYC NOW

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 what to look for when searching for affordable housing. — Got any questions, comments or story ideas? Send us a message at NYCNow@WNYC.org

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. — Got any questions, comments or story ideas? Send us a message at NYCNow@WNYC.org

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 international flight bookings and what it could mean for the region’s economic expectations. — Got any questions, comments or story ideas? Send us a message at NYCNow@WNYC.org

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 that could raise salaries and tie player pay more directly to league revenue as the league continues to grow. Got any questions, comments or story ideas? Send us a message at NYCNow@WNYC.org

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.

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 and will now publish only cases investigators confirm as hate crimes. WNYC reporter Ben Feuerherd explains why the department made the change and why some experts worry it could make trends harder to track. ---- Got any questions, comments or story ideas? Send us a message at NYCNow@WNYC.org

David Brand, a WNYC and Gothamist reporter who covers housing and city policy, explains NYC’s paused tax lien sale and a court ruling that overturned renter protections for housing vouchers. He walks through how lien sales work and who they harm. He also outlines the appellate decision's effects on voucher holders and what might happen next.

Elizabeth Shway, WNYC lifestyle reporter, surveys alcohol-free nightlife options across NYC. Matthew Schnipper, arts and culture editor, recaps quirky food and theater stories like a salsa lawsuit and seltzer culture. They highlight sober bars, substance-free dance parties, and how shifting tastes and costs are reshaping late-night social life.

Liam Quigley, WNYC/Gothamist reporter who uncovered Wegmans’ biometric notices, breaks down where and how stores use facial and voice scans. He explains the proposed city ban, why rules lag behind tech, and shopper privacy fears. Short, timely reporting on surveillance in everyday places.

Karen Yi, a WNYC reporter who breaks down local policy, explores how new federal SNAP work rules will affect nearly 1.8 million New Yorkers. She walks through who will be newly subject to requirements, how compliance and monthly verifications will be tracked, and the confusion around volunteer-hour math and potential consequences for noncompliance.