NYC NOW

NYC Now is taking the week off to reset and plan what’s next. We’ll be back with new episodes soon. In the meantime, listeners can catch up on past episodes, explore Gothamist, and send story ideas or feedback to nycnow@wnyc.org.

In November, Bodega Paradise, an X rated bar in East Harlem, had its liquor license revoked and was forced to shut down. WNYC producer Iru Ekpunobi walks us through what happened, based on reporting by Charles Lane, and explains how New York City defines adult entertainment and enforces those rules.

Drones started spotting sharks off New York City beaches this summer, leading to multiple closures. We take a look back at Janae’s conversations with WNYC’s Liam Quigley and marine biologist Hans Walters about what the sightings really mean.

A Columbia University student was suspended after creating an AI-powered job interview tool. Janae talks with WNYC’s Ryan Kailaith about why the app sparked such strong reactions and how common AI use has become on campuses.

A look back at CBS’s decision to end The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in 2026. Janae talks with New York Times comedy critic Jason Zinoman about what led to the cancellation, what it says about the state of late-night TV, and how changing audiences and media habits are reshaping comedy.

Criminal justice advocates are renewing a push for a Second Look law in New York, which would allow people serving long prison sentences to ask judges to reconsider their cases after decades behind bars. WNYC’s Ryan Kost reports on how the proposal could affect thousands of incarcerated New Yorkers. Plus, we head to Hell’s Kitchen, where food critic Robert Sietsema says one of the city’s most crowded neighborhoods is also one of its best places to eat.

New York State is banning the sale of the herbal supplement kratom to anyone under 21 and will require warning labels on products, citing addiction and safety concerns. Meanwhile, mental health experts say the holidays can be especially hard for many New Yorkers coping with grief, stress, or disrupted routines. Plus, WNYC’s Hannah Frishberg looks at a growing list of newer holiday performances that are becoming seasonal traditions across the city. Finally, we wrap up with what’s in season at Greenmarkets right now: sweet potatoes, a versatile staple for holiday meals.

A Gothamist analysis finds elevator complaints have steadily increased since 2021, especially in the Bronx. Plus, how to stay healthy during the peak of the holiday season.

New York City artists say they are pulling back from work centered on race, immigration, and gender identity after federal arts funding was rolled back. Meanwhile, the Port Authority is bracing for a busy holiday travel period with millions expected to pass through regional airports and crossings. Also, in Westchester County, prosecutors say officers seen beating and tasing a Peekskill man will not face criminal charges. Plus, a City Council investigation finds public bathrooms across the five boroughs are often dirty, closed, or missing basic amenities. Finally, as the MTA prepares to stop selling MetroCards, some elderly New Yorkers say the transition to OMNY is leaving them behind.

The Mamdani Administration announces an inauguration block party, Governor Kathy Hochul signs a bill to increase state prison oversight and a roundup of New Yorkers’ tips for staying in budget this year.