MetroFocus: The Podcast

For over a decade it was the Long Island cold case that couldn't be cracked. Nearly a dozen people killed, their bodies left near Gilgo Beach on the island’s South Shore. A major break in the case finally came this summer when a special task force arrested a 59-year-old architect from Long Island and charged him with murdering several of the victims. Rex Heuermann, who has pleaded not guilty, is c...

MAYOR ADAMS SAYS MIGRANT CRISIS “WILL DESTROY NEW YORK CITY” AND COULD COST TAYPAYERS $12 BILLION OVER NEXT 3 YEARS Over one hundred thousand migrants have come to New York over the past year. With little help from Washington, DC and a price tag that could cost taxpayers $12 billion dollars over the next three years, city officials are concerned about their ability to house and pay for the influx...

METROFOCUS 2-NIGHT EVENT: NIGHT 1 - NYC’S SHOPLIFTING EPIDEMIC There is a reason why you have been seeing everyday products, even inexpensive ones, locked behind plastic at your pharmacy or when you go shopping at one of the big-name retail stores in New York City. It’s because retail theft is skyrocketing, and not just here, where the NYPD have reported a sixty six percent increase in retail thef...

Currently, women comprise only 12% of sworn officers and 3% of police leadership nationwide. An initiative aims to increase the percentage of female police officers in the U.S. to 30 percent by 2030. The 30X30 Initiative, supported by over 200 police agencies including the New York Police Department, states the effort will produce a major shift in police culture. Joining MetroFocus to discuss the...

IN PICTURES: THE TRANSFORMATION OF LOWER MANHATTAN - THE 80’S, 9/11, AND BEYOND For nearly 300 years, the waterfront area of Lower Manhattan was the busiest seaport in the world, the epicenter of New York’s trade and commerce. Yet the neighborhood was never glamorous. For generations, the waterfront offered jobs to dock workers: unloaders, lumpers, seamen, journeymen, fishmongers. That all began t...

There has been at least one hazing related death in the United States every year since 1959, including two in New York State in 2019. Despite hazing being illegal in 44 states- approximately 55 percent of college students who participate in clubs, teams, and campus organizations experience it. An Independent Lens documentary titled, “Hazing” takes an in-depth look inside the culture and consequenc...

As 3-year-old Emilio prepares to start NYC public school, his family finds itself embroiled in a challenge all too common for children with disabilities- to secure the right to an inclusive education that favors integration over segregation. Feeling cornered as they struggle through New York City’s public school system, which is one of the most segregated in the country, Emilio’s parents, filmmake...

Mental health among children has become a pressing concern. The challenges brought on by the pandemic - from remote learning to social isolation - many children and teens have faced increased stress, anxiety, and depression. As students head back to school this fall, PBS LearningMedia is providing a free collection of resources through the Healthy Minds, Thriving Kids project, developed by the Chi...

BACK TO SCHOOL SPECIAL: HOW NEXT-GENERATION LIBRARIES ARE GETTING STUDENTS READY FOR THE REAL WORLD The days of school libraries being a place for only books and getting shushed are a thing of the past, at least in some school districts. Baldwin High School on Long Island is among them, transforming its traditional library space into a collaborative hub outfitted with 21st century tech. Dubbed the...

New York City jails are deadlier now than they have been in decades, with 19 detainees reportedly dying last year in custody or right after their release, the highest rate in 25 years. Many died at Rikers, which has been plagued by overdoses, violence, and inhumane conditions for years. So how did things get this bad and is there hope for a turnaround with the jail complex set to close later this...

No doubt you’ve noticed that almost every item at your local pharmacy seems to be locked behind plastic cases these days. The reason is due to the sharp increase in shoplifting we’ve experienced in New York City over the past three years. According to the NYPD, there has been a 66 percent increase in reports of retail-theft here since 2019, costing stores hundreds of millions of dollars a year. Wh...

Scientists say the increased shark activity could be our new normal. More sharks can indicate a healthier ocean and there is groundbreaking research underway in our area to catch, track and better understand these misunderstood predators of the deep. For the latest on these efforts and how to stay safe this summer we’re joined by Frank Quevedo, executive director of South Fork Natural History Muse...

Tonight, we look back at the PBS NATURE series “Spy in the Wild,” and how animal robots infiltrated the wilderness to deliver visuals never-before-seen by people.

Donald Trump has been indicted again. This time over alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election in the state of Georgia. The former president is facing 13 felony charges implicating him as the head of a sweeping conspiracy to reverse his election loss in that state. Trump and 18 co-defendants, including former New York City Mayor and Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani, and his former chief of staff M...

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young: A Supergroup Is Born Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young were one of the legendary acts to take the stage at Woodstock. It was only the second live performance by the newly formed supergroup, but getting to that stage was itself quite an experience. Tonight, Graham Nash shares the story. Santana Remembers Woodstock Carlos Santana reflects on the acid trip of his life...

Antisemitism and Holocaust misinformation and denial are spreading rapidly across social media. As TikTok captures the vast majority of eyeballs amongst Gen Z audiences in the U.S. and globally, a creator with a built-in distribution platform with millions of followers - hopes to raise awareness on the issue and ensure young people understand the truth about what really happened during the Holocau...

Peril & Promise: The Women-Led, Indigenous-Owned Kelp Farm Restoring Long Island's Waters & Protecting New York From Climate Change Long Island is on the frontlines of the global climate crisis, ranking among the most vulnerable metro areas in the country. Decades of nitrogen pollution from aging septic systems and fertilizer runoff have only made the situation worse, and the Shinnecock In...

In recent times, the cellphone - in the hands of ordinary people - has changed the way we remember and relate to events. In their latest book, co-authors Marc Lamont Hill and Todd Brewster argue that this is not the first time in our history that technology has played a part in America’s long struggle against racism. Tonight, they join us as a part of our Chasing The Dream initiative to discuss wh...

In his new book, “Starry Messenger: Cosmic Perspectives on Civilization” famed astrophysicist Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson examines the biggest debates in human civilization through the prism of science. The book tackles some of the topics and issues that we argue with each other about all the time, whether through the media, online, or in real life. Dr. Tyson’s book is designed to make readers think t...

Donald Trump was indicted on four felony counts Tuesday, the third indictment of the former president this year. Trump was charged with conspiracy to defraud the U.S., conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding and conspiracy against rights. The counts are related to his alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election, c...

Quantum Leap: The New Technology That Could Change Humanity Physicist and bestselling author Dr. Michio Kaku joins MetroFocus to discuss his latest book “Quantum Supremacy” on the new technology that he says will change humanity…and it’s not artificial intelligence! Chasing The Dream: Kristi Yamaguchi Discusses Her Childhood Literacy Foundation "Always Dream" U.S. Olympic figure skating legend Kri...

Summer of Space Special: NASA's Groundbreaking Mission Back To The Moon And Beyond For the first time in half a century, NASA is launching astronauts back to the moon, this time with a groundbreaking crew onboard. When the astronauts of Artemis II head into space, possibly as early as late next year, they will travel on a mega rocket around the moon, paving the way for future landings on the lunar...

It’s been nearly four decades since “The Karate Kid” hit the big screen and became a cultural phenomenon. And now with the Netflix reboot series “Cobra Kai” a whole new generation of fans are learning that lessons taught in the dojo can help us navigate life. Tonight, the “Karate Kid” himself, Long Island’s own Ralph Macchio discusses his new book, “Waxing On: The Karate Kid and Me.”

In an era where social media platforms have been under scrutiny for their role in disseminating misinformation, The WNET Group’s digital series "Take on Fake" serves as a timely reminder of the importance of responsible information sharing. The series encourages viewers to question sources, verify facts, and think critically before sharing any information online. Tonight, series host and executive...

Election 2024: Does Chris Christie Have A Chance At Winning The Republican Presidential Nomination? A number of Republicans have already announced their plans to run for president in 2024, but almost all of them have been reluctant to consistently attack the frontrunner in the race, former President Donald Trump. But there is one candidate who seems eager to go on the offensive, former New Jersey...