What's What

The first day of school is coming up for many kids in New York, and Governor Hochul has reminded parents to review new distraction free policies. Smartphone use is no longer allowed throughout the day in New York Public Schools. This includes during class time, lunch, and study hall periods. President Trump said he’s awarding former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani with the Presidential Medal of Freed...

New York City is supporting a lawsuit that challenges how the federal government arrests noncitizens. WFUV’s Brenda Plascencia has more. Even though the weather is nice, it's not a great week for going to the beach. Hurricane Erin is expected to bring dangerous coastal conditions to New York and New Jersey shores. Parts of Brooklyn and Queens have a high rip current risk in effect through Wednesda...

Hurricane Erin is expected to create dangerous rip currents along the East Coast. Officials are urging people to stay out of the water. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and other top European leaders are at the White House today. They're talking with President Trump about how to end Russia’s war in Ukraine. New York is approaching one year since rolling out its citywide composting program. The progra...

New York is offering free fishing on the Hudson this month. WFUV’s Andrew McDonald Reports. In music news, Deep Sea Divers had a live session at the station. WFUV’s Livia Regina tells us more. Host and Producer: Alexandra Pfau Reporter: Livia Regina Reporter: Andrew McDonald Editor: Tess Novotny

The New York City Council is set to pass two bills protecting healthcare rights for transgender people. The city council held hearings for both bills today. Nurses across New York City are preparing for the end of their union contracts this year. Today, union members of the New York State Nurses Association discussed their plans for new contracts. WFUV’s Adithi Vimalanathan has more. In today’s mu...

A federal judge has ordered ICE to improve conditions for detainees in a New York City federal building. WFUV’s Alexandra Pfau reports. An organization that oversees Central Park has weighed in on the horse carriage debate. WFUV’s Alexandra Pfau has more on the impact of a potential ban. New Yorkers could soon have a unified network of bicycle and walking paths. WFUV’s Livia Regina reports on a ne...

The WFUV “What's What” podcast explores current events, culture, news and hot topic issues surrounding the New York metropolitan area, and stretches out for a wider view — including features, interviews and music news exclusively from WFUV. New episodes air every weekday after 4 pm. Topics for Tuesday, August 12, 2025: Today, Washington D.C. National Guard members began arriving to fight what Trum...

President Trump announced that he is placing the Washington, D.C. police department under federal control and deploying the National Guard. He says it’s to tackle homelessness and crime in the capital. Mayor Adams announced this morning that the city has connected thousands of New Yorkers experiencing homelessness to permanent housing since 2022. WFUV’s Joseph Vizza reports. This past weekend was...

There is a Legionnaires outbreak in New York City. People living or working in the area with flu-like symptoms, such as cough, fever, chills, muscle aches, or difficulty breathing are urged to contact a doctor immediately, especially those 50 years or older or with compromised immune systems. Fordham University revealed their rebranded logo on July 31st. WFUV’s Brenda Plascencia asked people on ca...

A carriage horse collapsed and died in Hell’s Kitchen on Tuesday. WFUV’s Brenda Plascencia has more on what it might mean for the horse-cab industry. Eric Adams has announced that his administration will be boosting funding for New York City’s district attorneys. WFUV’s Alexandra Pfau reports on the impact. An NYC nonprofit is organizing free rock concerts in local parks. WFUV’s Livia Regina takes...

According to a new study conducted by the Associated Press, younger adults are less engaged with U.S. politics than older adults. WFUV’s Lainey Nguyen went out on Fordham’s campus to see what young people think about this data and find out how they interact with politics. This year, the federal government has made drastic cuts to National Parks. Permanent staffing at the National Park Service has...

An air quality alert is in effect for New York City until midnight. Smoke from Canadian wildfires has drifted into the area. The National Weather Service advises seniors, children, and other sensitive groups to limit outdoor activity. States are considering redrawing congressional districts early, following Texas’ proposed redistricting. States typically redraw congressional districts every ten ye...

A new country bar is opening in the East Village. WFUV's Livia Regina reports. And, the Asian American International Film Festival starts this week. WFUV's Lainey Nguyen reports.

A flood watch is in effect from 2 pm today to 2 pm Friday for all 5 boroughs and parts of Jersey, Connecticut, and Long Island. The National Weather Service says that 1.5 to 3 inches of rain and flash flooding are possible. The Asian America International Film Festival kicked off this week. This is the festival’s 48th year. WFUV’s Lainey Nguyen reports. A new poll about the upcoming NYC mayoral el...

Public transit riders will soon see the return of alcohol ads. WFUV’s Brenda Plascencia has more on the MTA’s decision. A Japanese food festival is coming to Brooklyn this weekend. “Japan Meets Brooklyn” is a partnership between the Smorgasburg food market and Japanese alcohol brand Suntory. WFUV’s Andrew McDonald spoke to two Columbia University professors about The Trump Administration's plan to...

Today, New Yorkers faced temperatures in the high 90s, and the extreme heat isn’t over just yet. A heat advisory is in effect until tomorrow night. An investigation into the deadly shooting that killed four people and injured one in Midtown yesterday is ongoing. WFUV’s Alexandra Pfau has more details. Democratic lawmakers in the New York State Senate are considering an amendment to the state’s con...

A heat advisory is in effect until Wednesday night. A combination of high temperatures and humidity could cause it to feel like temperatures are in the high nineties. Today marks the start of housing week – a week Mayor Adams is dedicating to new housing projects across the five boroughs. This morning, Adams joined city officials and developers in Coney Island for the groundbreaking ceremony for o...

There’s an edible food forest in the Bronx. WFUV’s Lainey Nguyen reports on how it’s helping the community. WFUV’s Jay Doherty interviews Fordham Professor Allie Kosterich, author of News Nerds: Institutional Change in Journalism.

This month, around 2,000 New York legal service workers have been organizing to get pay raises and other benefits. If the lawyers strike, it could interrupt courts all across the city. WFUV’s Adithi Vimalanathan has more on current negotiations. The United States Postal Service has not been profitable since 2007 and reported a net loss of $9.5 billion last year. Some say it’s time for mail reform...

A new program will give thousands of New Yorkers free and low-cost Wi-Fi. The program, called “Liberty Link,” will provide internet access to 35 affordable housing buildings in Upper Manhattan and the Bronx. This Saturday, there will be short film screenings, poetry readings, and live music at a boxing gym in the Bronx. The event is the Latin American Foto Festival and it’s hosted by a nonprofit c...

New York subways are getting renovations to serve disabled riders. As WFUV’s Livia Regina reports, many feel that this change was a long time coming. 5,000 more New York City students will be able to participate in afterschool programs. WFUV’s Brenda Plascencia has more on the changes for the upcoming school year. The Bronx River Foodway offers an edible forest to community members. WFUV’s Lainey...

Republican Candidate for Mayor Curtis Sliwa spoke with WFUV’s Andrew McDonald about his love for cats, and how the city can do better to protect animals. New York City’s Restaurant Week kicks off today. The biannual event happens each summer and winter, and despite the name, lasts for about a month. Harvard University and the Trump administration are going to court today in Boston. The university...

WFUV’s Andrew McDonald spoke with political strategist David Hogg about his new PAC, Leaders We Deserve. The PAC was the single largest financial backer of Zohran Mamdani’s democratic mayoral primary campaign. Andrew spoke to David about what Mamdani’s win means for the future of the Democratic party and for the future of Leaders We Deserve. For music news, WFUV’s Brenda Plascencia shares some of...

Trump’s rescission bill cutting funding to foreign aid and public broadcasting is moving forward. The Senate approved the bill early today, with all Democrats and two Republican senators voting no. WFUV’s Adithi Vimalanathan reports. New York will not have open primary elections. WFUV’s Andrew McDonald spoke with a Political Science professor on what open primaries are and what this all means. The...

New York State public schools are now required to ban student cellphone use during the school day. WFUV’s Livia Regina reports. Mayor Eric Adams announces expansions to the city’s affordable housing efforts, this time, with a development with a focus on seniors. WFUV’s Andrew McDonald has more. The Senate is debating a rescission package that could impact public broadcasting and foreign aid. WFUV’...