

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

May 9, 2025 • 11min
Evening Roundup: Another Tech Outage at Newark Airport, NYPD Detains 14 at pro-Palestian Protest at Brooklyn College, Chinese American Railroad Workers Memorial Day and NYC’s Streets Plan on Hold
Federal aviation officials say Newark Airport was hit with another tech outage Friday morning, the second such meltdown in as many weeks. The NYPD arrested more than a dozen protesters at Brooklyn College Thursday night. Plus, May 10th is now officially Chinese American Railroad Workers Memorial Day. And finally, the Sunset Park community board adopted a plan to redesign Third Avenue under the Gowanus Expressway but they recently learned the plan is on hold.

May 9, 2025 • 8min
Midday News: FAA Confirms Newark Radar Outage, NJ Transit Talks Move to D.C., Brooklyn Man Charged in Arsons, and Calls for New Laws in Response to Recent Dog Attack
Air traffic controllers lost radar contact with planes approaching Newark Airport Friday, according to the FAA, the second incident in two weeks. Meanwhile, federal mediators have called NJ Transit and its engineers union to Washington, ahead of a possible strike. Also, a Brooklyn man is charged with setting multiple fires in NYCHA buildings. And after a dog attack on the Upper West Side, lawmakers are pushing for stricter rules for owners.

May 9, 2025 • 3min
Morning Headlines: New York Lawmakers Agree on State Budget, New Measles Cases Confirmed in Orange County and NYPD Charges 20 in Auto Theft Ring
New York has a state budget, more than a month after its deadline after lawmakers finalized the $254 billion spending plan late Thursday.
Meanwhile, health officials have confirmed three new measles cases in Orange County. That brings the state’s total to seven so far this year.
Plus, prosecutors say 20 people have been charged in one of the most prolific auto theft rings in New York City in the past decade

May 8, 2025 • 8min
Evening Roundup: American-born Cardinal Elected as Pope, Adams’ Budget Invests in Cleaner Parks, NYC Students’ Xenophobic Border Patrol Prank, NJ Mayor Riled up Over Uninspected Detention Center and NJ GOP Governor Hopefuls Clash in Forum
New Yorkers gathered at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan as a new pope was elected. Meanwhile, Mayor Adams is promoting his new budget proposal to restore cleaning crews to some of New York City's busiest green spaces. Plus, a school on the Upper West Side is wrestling with how to discipline seniors who staged a prank some teachers described as xenophobic. Also, a new ICE detention center in Newark is drawing the ire of the mayor of New Jersey's largest city. And finally, three Republican candidates vying to be New Jersey’s next governor made their case to voters at a forum Wednesday hosted by WNYC and NJ Spotlight News.

May 8, 2025 • 9min
Midday News: Federal Officials Review Status of Arrested Pro-Palestine Protestors at Columbia University, Woman Sues City for False Arrest, and Pollen Season
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio says federal officials are "reviewing the visa status" of people arrested Wednesday during a pro-Palestinian demonstration at Columbia University. Meanwhile, a woman is suing New York City after a car hit her following a protest and police responded by arresting her. Plus, it's allergy season. WNYC’s Michael Hill speaks with Dr. Guy Robinson, the lone individual tasked with tracking that data in the city.

May 8, 2025 • 3min
Morning Headlines: Speed Cameras Could Be Coming to City Bridges, Councilmember Restler Loses Ballot Challenge, Knicks Take 2–0 Lead Over Celtics in NBA Playoffs
Speed cameras may soon ticket drivers in work zones on MTA bridges and tunnels new state budget lets the agency use them at spots like the Verrazzano Bridge and Queens-Midtown Tunnel. Meanwhile, In Brooklyn, Councilmember Lincoln Restler lost a court challenge to remove his primary opponent from the ballot after claiming their supporters misled residents into signing a petition. Plus, the Knicks now lead the Celtics 2–0 after another one-point win on the road. Game 3 is Saturday at Madison Square Garden. Game 4 is Monday.

May 7, 2025 • 9min
Evening Roundup: Rye Playland Opens Memorial Day Weekend, $750 Million Settlement Reached Over Former Doctor’s Sex Abuse, NY State Could Weaken Oversight for Religious Schools and Immigrants Weigh Voluntary Departures
Westchester County officials say Rye Playland amusement park will open in time for the season after all. Also, two New York City hospitals have agreed to a $750 million dollar settlement of hundreds of sexual abuse claims by patients of former gynecologist Robert Hadden. Plus, New York State lawmakers are loosening requirements for private and religious schools to show they provide a basic education. And finally, some undocumented immigrants are opting to leave the country on their own, rather than risk deportation.

May 7, 2025 • 10min
Midday News: New York Lawmakers Push to Block Musk’s X Money App, Knicks Aim for 2–0 Playoff Lead Against the Celtics, Bronx Students Face Press Freedom Dilemma
Two Manhattan lawmakers say New York should deny a money transmitter license to X, Elon Musk’s platform formerly known as Twitter. Musk is seeking approval in all 50 states to launch X Money, a service that would compete with apps like Venmo. Meanwhile, the Knicks are looking to take a 2–0 lead over the Boston Celtics in the NBA semifinals on Wednesday night. Plus, a group of Bronx student journalists is facing tough questions about press freedom, personal safety, and how their work lives online. We hear from their advisor Debbi Porterfield and student editor Cesar Jimenez.

May 7, 2025 • 3min
Morning Headlines: NYPD Bomb Squad Faces Wave of Retirements, REAL ID Officially Required for Domestic Flights, and MTA Tests Flood Doors
Nearly half of the NYPD’s bomb squad is eligible to retire this year, including many of their dogs. Meanwhile, starting this Wednesday, travelers without a passport must show a REAL ID to board domestic flights. Plus, the MTA will close the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel overnight from Wednesday through May 13th to test its massive flood doors as part of hurricane preparedness.

May 6, 2025 • 11min
Evening Roundup: NY State Dips into Rainy Day Fund, NYC Parks Commissioner Steps Down, NJ City Rethinks Law that Would Jail Homeless People and National Teachers Appreciation Day
Gov. Hochul and legislative leaders are taking $8 billion from reserves as part of the New York state budget deal. Plus, New York City’s Park Commissioner Sue Donoghue is stepping down later this month. Also, city council members in Summit, New Jersey have been considering a contentious law that would allow police to arrest homeless people camping in public places. And finally, a special thanks to all teachers on National Teacher Appreciation Day.


