NYC NOW

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.

Ebony Haith, a Harlem-born model, performer and actress who appeared on cycle one of America’s Next Top Model, reflects on her journey. She recounts growing up in her grandmother’s salon, confronting racial bias in agencies, and the show’s controversial makeovers. She also discusses being publicly out on TV and her creative plans, including a one-woman show.

Caroline Lewis, WNYC health reporter who covers hospitals, labor and public health, shares on-the-ground reporting from picket lines and bargaining rooms. She describes the 41-day walkout, picket-line atmosphere and solidarity. She covers staffing, safety, AI and travel nurses, patient impacts, and how negotiations, mediation and city pressure produced a deal.

Ian Donaldson, representative of the Public Utility Law Project who helps explain utility rules and affordability programs. He breaks down why Con Edison bills jumped this winter and how supply versus delivery charges work. He outlines recent rate changes, the Energy Affordability and Enhanced programs and who may qualify. He also walks through applying and other relief and efficiency options.

Arun Vinikapal, race and justice reporter who reflects on Jesse Jackson’s life and NYC influence. Matthew Schnipper, arts and culture editor who previews concerts, club culture, and museum pivots. They talk late-winter blues and remedies. They highlight big spring shows, Shelter’s anniversary and a balloon museum turn, plus a new Brooklyn digital archive.

Clayton Guse, WNYC editor with deep knowledge of regional transit history, and Stephen Nessen, WNYC transportation reporter on the ground, break down the Gateway Tunnel saga. They cover why the century-old Hudson tunnels matter, the political battles from ARC to Biden-era funding, the work stoppage that idled 1,000+ workers, the federal court action restoring funds, and the project’s uncertain road ahead.

Brittany Krigstein, WNYC reporter on-the-ground covering NYC’s blizzard impacts on transit, sidewalks, and emergency responses. Jessica Gould, WNYC education reporter tracking how AI like ChatGPT is reshaping classrooms. They describe storm scenes and city response. They also cover students’ everyday AI use, changing classroom practices, detection challenges, teacher training, and DOE guidance coming soon.

James Ramsay, a WNYC digital producer who tracks fashion and footwear, and Priya Desai, a sports reporter covering local and national teams. They talk Knicks playoff hopes, Team USA women’s hockey and two local gold-medal players. They also explore the dress shoe revival in New York, from loafers to dress sneakers and what shoes signal about city life.

Brigid Bergin, a WNYC reporter who covered Staten Island’s North Shore and the 11th District redistricting lawsuit, guides listeners through a high-stakes court fight. She explores proposals to link the North Shore with Lower Manhattan. Short scenes capture the North Shore’s density, diversity, local politics, community concerns, and the stakes for representation and future maps.