

NYC NOW
WNYC
NYC Now 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
Mentioned books

Aug 18, 2025 • 8min
Evening Roundup: School Leaders Urge Parents to Enroll Migrant Students in Public Schools, Hurricane Erin Could Bring Dangerous Rip Currents to NYC Beaches, and Crown Heights Community on Edge After Shooting
The city’s Department of Education is urging parents of newly arrived migrant children to enroll them in public school as classes start next month. Also, though Hurricane Erin is expected to stay well offshore, dangerous surf and rip currents could show up along the area’s coast over the next few days. And finally, WNYC’s Brittany Kriegstein visits the scene of this weekend’s mass shooting in Brooklyn’s Crown Heights neighborhood.

Aug 18, 2025 • 11min
Midday News: Brooklyn Hookah Bar Mass Shooting Could be Gang Related, Mayor Adams Loses MTA Board Member, and Mount Sinai Offers Free Heart Screenings for Black Men
Officials say they’re concerned about possible retaliation after a targeted shooting at a Brooklyn hookah bar left three dead and ten wounded early Sunday. Meanwhile, Mayor Eric Adams is down a board member at the MTA as hearings on new fare and toll hikes begin this week. Plus, Mount Sinai Hospital and the Real Dads Network are providing free heart health screenings for Black men to address disproportionately high rates of undiagnosed disease.

Aug 18, 2025 • 3min
Morning Headlines: Rep. Hakeem Jeffries Undecided on Mamdani Endorsement, Staten Island Gets Quality of Life Team, and US Open Fan Week Kicks Off
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries says he’s still deciding whether to endorse Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani. Meanwhile, Staten Island will get its own NYPD Quality of Life Team starting Monday. Plus, fans can already access free practices and events at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center as US Open Fan Week runs through Saturday.

Aug 16, 2025 • 29min
A Squirrel Named Peanut, a Viral Backlash, and the Culture War That Followed
A beloved squirrel named Peanut, a raid by New York environmental officers, and a maelstrom of online outrage. What began as a wildlife seizure turned into a viral flashpoint in the culture wars, with fallout for innocent bystanders, overwhelmed state agencies, and the enforcement of environmental law. WNYC’s Jon Campbell unravels the saga from internet stardom to state intervention, revealing a story of mistaken identity, government overreach, and the power of online fury in an election year.

Aug 15, 2025 • 8min
Evening Roundup: NY State AGs Urge Instagram to Protect User Data, MTA increases Train Service for U.S Open, ICE Offices Temporarily Evacuated, Mamdani Canvassers Return, Lawmakers Warn of Budget Shortfall, and Eggplants Are in Season
New York State Attorney General Letitia James is among dozens of state AGs urging Instagram to protect users' data after the platform released a map feature that allows users to share their real-time location. Meanwhile, the MTA is increasing train service for the start of the U.S Open Monday. Also, Mamdani canvassers return to the streets ahead of the general election. Plus, state lawmakers warn Governor Hochul about looming fiscal trouble. Finally GrowNYC’s Amelia Tarpey shares how to make the most of peak eggplant season.

Aug 15, 2025 • 8min
Midday News: New Delivery Tip Rules in NYC, Midtown Rezoning Plan Approved, and Remembering Latin Jazz Icon Eddie Palmieri
New York City food delivery customers can now tip more easily under new City Council laws affecting apps like DoorDash and UberEats. Meanwhile, a sweeping Midtown rezoning could bring 10,000 new homes to Manhattan’s West Side. Plus, we remember Latin jazz legend Eddie Palmieri, who helped define New York’s salsa sound. Music journalist Aurora Flores Hostos joins us to reflect on his legacy.

Aug 15, 2025 • 13min
Morning Headlines: Fourth Person Dies in Harlem Legionnaires Outbreak, NYC Council to Override Mayor Adams’ Food Vendor Vetoes, Calls to Pause Summer Evictions, and PATH Train Woes
A fourth person has died in the Harlem Legionnaires’ disease outbreak, which has now sickened 99 people. Meanwhile, City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams says the Council will vote to override Mayor Adams’ vetoes of bills expanding protections for food vendors and delivery workers. Also, Legal Services NYC is calling on the city to pause evictions on days when the heat index exceeds 90 degrees. Plus, Southern food chain, Bojangles, will open its first Brooklyn location this winter in East Flatbush. And in this week’s transit segment: more delays for PATH riders and new LIRR benches debut at Grand Central Madison.

7 snips
Aug 14, 2025 • 10min
Evening Roundup: Manhattan Rezoning Approved, New Social Club For Coincidences, AG James Sues Parent Company of Zelle, and NYC Foot Traffic Tops Pre-Pandemic Levels
Arun Venagopal, a WNYC reporter focusing on urban dynamics, shares insights into the recently approved midtown Manhattan rezoning plan that aims to create 10,000 new housing units. He explores compelling data on Manhattan's foot traffic bouncing back to pre-pandemic levels, highlighting increased office visits and its positive impact on local tourism. Venagopal also discusses the city’s unique new social club celebrating coincidences, alongside the Attorney General's lawsuit against Zelle, painting an optimistic picture for NYC's urban revival.

Aug 14, 2025 • 12min
Midday News: City Council to Vote on Transgender Patient Protections, Bad Bunny Ticket Scams, Public School Student in Immigration Detention, and NYC Mayoral Race Heats Up
The City Council is gearing up to vote on new protections for transgender patients. There’s a surge in fraudulent Bad Bunny ticket sales, making fans wary. A public school student has been detained by immigration officials, raising serious concerns. In politics, the heated New York City mayoral race features former Governor Andrew Cuomo’s bold moves and controversial proposals. The race underscores housing challenges and socioeconomic debates as candidates vie for public support amid looming budget deficits.

Aug 14, 2025 • 3min
Morning Headlines: Former Gov. Paterson Backs Mayor Adams for Reelection, Feds to Appeal ICE Detention Ruling, and Mayor Adams Vetoes Delivery Worker Pay Hike
Former Governor Paterson throws his support behind Mayor Adams for reelection, stirring up political discussions. Federal officials are gearing up to appeal a ruling aimed at improving conditions for immigrants in detention. Meanwhile, Adams vetoes a proposed pay hike for grocery delivery workers, raising eyebrows about workers' rights and economic implications in the city. The interplay of politics and labor rights in NYC takes center stage.


