NYC NOW

New York City is the city that never sleeps, and its nightlife shapes the city’s culture, economy, and politics. In this episode, we speak with Ariel Palitz, the city’s first director of the Office of Nightlife, about building the office, the systemic challenges nightlife faces, and what the city can do to build more creative and inclusive spaces for life at night. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz...

In this episode, WNYC’s arts and culture editor Matthew Schnipper discusses some of the stories his desk is covering at the moment, including how Mayor Zohran Mamdani uses pop culture name dropping to connect with different audiences, why a Staten Island public restroom just won a major architecture award, and what it actually takes to get stage time at the Comedy Cellar. Hosted by Simplecast, an...

Housing is the issue that shapes how long people can stay in New York and whether they feel secure once they do. With a new mayor taking office and major housing decisions unfolding in courts, boardrooms, and city agencies, we take a step back to explain what is actually driving affordability right now. Tenant rights attorney and city planning commissioner Leah Goodridge breaks down how the system...

A year after congestion pricing took effect in Manhattan, the political uproar has largely faded even as the tolls remain in place. Traffic is down, transit use is up, and the dire warnings that once surrounded the program have quieted. WNYC transportation reporter Stephen Nessen looks back at how New Yorkers have adjusted, why backlash softened over time, and how the city’s experience fits into a...

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 . Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our col...

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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and...

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 crow...

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 tha...

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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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 no...

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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Pope Leo XIV has named Joliet, Illinois Bishop Ron Hicks to replace Archbishop Timothy Dolan at the Archdiocese of New York. Plus, a long lost piece of music and its unlikely journey to an East Village record store. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams is looking back on Mayor Eric Adams' administration as an era of embarrassment and missed opportunities. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

One of Mayor Eric Adams’ most lasting legacies might not be a drop in crime or the corruption scandals that plagued City Hall under his watch. It’s that he started to get mountains of trash bags off the sidewalks and into containers. Plus, bird lovers and scientists unite for the annual Christmas bird count. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information abou...

Federal immigration officers entered private areas of New York City shelters without presenting judicial warrants at least five times this year, according to official incident reports. Plus, an official document from 1674 confirms that Zohran Mamdani should be sworn in as the 112th mayor of New York City, not the 111th. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for info...

The New York State Gaming Commission has officially approved three full-scale commercial casino licenses for sites in Queens and the Bronx. Plus, how much are New Yorkers paying for Christmas trees these days? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos is making her case to keep the top job overseeing the nation’s largest school system. Meanwhile, Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani says he’s still interviewing candidates to be part of his new administration at City Hall next month. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data fo...

Outgoing New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has a lengthy to-do list before he leaves office next month. Plus, a new study shows that congestion pricing has significantly decreased air pollution in New York City and the surrounding region. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman will face Representative Elise Stefanik for the GOP’s ballot line for next year’s gubernatorial election. Plus, a storied leftist university faces a $48 million deficit amid planned layoffs. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani announced that he and his wife Rama will be moving into Gracie Mansion, the official residence of the New York City mayor. He cited security concerns as motivation for the decision. Plus, a police department in upstate New York is sending social service case workers to some 911 calls. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information a...

Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani says he and his wife will move into Gracie Mansion after his January inauguration, leaving their rent-stabilized Astoria apartment for security reasons. Meanwhile, the F and M lines have swapped East River tunnels, causing significant delays on the F line after a switch failure at 53rd Street. Mamdani is also issuing a new Know Your Rights message in response to recent I...

Janae talks with WNYC’s Brian Lehrer about 5 things going on in New York City news. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.