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WFUV News
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New York City arts. culture and politics from next-gen reporters at WFUV News.

  1. APR 30

    The House Passes DHS Funding Bill, New Yorkers Rally Against New Casino, Airbnb to Give Kids World Cup Tickets

    The House passed a bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security. Money will go to departments like TSA but not immigration enforcement operations. DHS has been unfunded since February, as Democrats demanded changes to ICE and Border operations. Republicans are now trying another way to get ICE funding through a weeks long budget reconciliation process. For now, this package will head to President Donald Trump’s desk to sign, ending the longest agency shutdown in history. On Tuesday, NYC’s first full casino opened in Queens after years of trying to get a license. Two more are planned to be built in the coming years. Community members are rallying against the new casinos this weekend, as they said the new casinos are being built in minority and working class neighborhoods. WFUV’s Sonia Weliwitigoda spoke to a rally leader. Mayor Zohran Mamdani wants New Yorkers to take part in public hearings through a new program. Its first target is to make sure both renters and landlords have their voices heard at upcoming hearings that decide prices for rent stabilized apartments. WFUV’s Mia Barth reports. Some young people in New York and New Jersey can go to the 2026 World Cup for free. Airbnb said they’re giving out 1000 tickets to kids. They’re working with nonprofits in the two states to select lucky ticket winners. The company also said it expects Airbnb owners in the region to be housing 25,000 people during the games. For this week's Music News, WFUV's Livia Regina gives us a sneak peek of Iron & Wine's interview about their new album. Plus, City Parks foundation announced the lineup for this year's SummerStage Festival. Host/Producer: Lainey Nguyen Editor: Lainey Nguyen Reporter: Mia Barth Reporter: Livia Regina Reporter: Sonia Weliwitigoda Reporter: Sienna Reinders Theme Music: Joe Bergsieker

    7 min

  2. APR 28

    New York Delays Executive Budget, A Senator Calls for Student Loan Relief, and a Cultural Tour Through Harlem

    New York City is joining the state in delaying its executive budget deadline as Mayor Zohran Mamdani and New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin both call on the state to make longer-term commitments to securing more money for the city. New York Senator Kristen Gillibrand is demanding that the Trump administration provide relief for student loan borrowers. WFUV’s Jordan Donegan tells us more. Asad Dandia is an urban historian, professor, and a guide for walking tours of the Muslim history of New York who joined the ACLU in 2013 to sue the NYPD for surveilling Muslim Americans in the aftermath of 9/11. WFUV's Andrew McDonald went on a walk with Dandia through Harlem to talk about his life and how being a Muslim in New York has changed in the last 10 years. Host/Producer: Alexandra Pfau Editor: Tess Novotny Reporter: Jordan Donegan Reporter: Andrew McDonald Theme Music: Joe Bergsieker

    9 min

  3. APR 27

    Alleged DC Shooter Arraigned, Bronx Week is Almost Here, and How a NYC Nonprofit Teaches Kids How to Use Tech For More Creative Purposes

    The man accused of opening fire outside the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner made his first court appearance today. He’s been charged with attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump. Bronx week is officially ready to kickoff! WFUV’s Sienna Reinders tells us what it’s all about. The World Cup will come to NYC in a few short months. Today, Mayor Mamdani and Governor Hochul announced free fan events during the soccer tournament. One New York City nonprofit is teaching kids how to use tech for more creative purposes. The Grand Street Settlement has three teen tech centers around the city where teens can learn about STEM. WFUV’s Lainey Nguyen spoke with the organization for WFUV’s ‘Strike A Chord’ public service campaign. Host/Producer: Jay Doherty Editor: Robin Shannon Reporter: Sienna Reinders Reporter: Sonia Weliwitigoda Reporter: Lainey Nguyen Reporter: Jay Doherty Theme Music: Joe Bergsieker

    6 min

  4. APR 23

    Budget Plan to Fund Ice, Groundbreaking for Bronx Affordable Housing, and New Book Reimagines Central Park

    The Senate has passed a budget plan to fund ICE and Border Patrol, which will head to the House next. DHS has been shut down since mid-February as Democrats demand policy changes. WFUVs Sienna Reinders tells us about the bill. A lot that was once home to a pizza shop in Tremont, is now going to be an affordable housing unit. WFUV’s Sonia Weliwitigoda went to the scene and spoke to local city officials and project leaders. As climate change reshapes cities and raises urgent questions about the future, one new book looks to the past for answers. Ten Thousand Central Parks reimagines the creation of New York’s Central Park as a bold model for climate action today. WFUV’s Jay Doherty spoke with author and retired University of Virginia professor David Brown Morris. WFUV’s Livia Regina gives us a glimpse into how NYC musicians survive in a changing music industry and challenging economic times. This week, she interviewed the founder of Show Brain, a nonprofit organizing free rock concerts in public parks. Host/Producer: Xenia Gonikberg Editor: Lainey Nguyen Reporter: Jay Doherty Reporter: Livia Regina Reporter: Sienna Reinders Reporter: Sonia Weliwitigoda Theme Music: Joe Bergsieker

    14 min

  5. APR 22

    Mamdani Makes Earth Day Announcement, New York Senator Calls for Expanded SNAP Benefits, and Increasing Firefighters in the Bronx

    Mayor Mamdani announces a transition to sustainable heating for NYCHA residents as part of its third annual Sustainability Agenda as a part of Earth Day. WFUV’s Xenia Gonikberg explains more. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is demanding that seniors have better access to SNAP benefits with her Senior Hunger Prevention Act. Today she is renewing her commitment to getting the bill passed. Gillibrand says the act will reduce barriers to SNAP benefits, such as complicated application and certification processes, and expand access to food delivery services for SNAP recipients. A major fire broke out yesterday in the Belmont Neighborhood, killing 2 people and injuring several more, including 5 firefighters, prompting concern from local leaders concerning this surge of fires in the Bronx. WFUV’s Mia Barth has more on the causes of these fires and new plans to handle them.

    2 min

  6. APR 21

    The City Council Wants to Restrict Social Media for Kids, The State Backtracks on Eco-Friendly Commitments, and New Yorkers are Making the City Greener

    Today, the New York City Council discussed curbing youth social media usage with a series of bills. WFUV’s Xenia Gonikberg explains how they could impact young people. New York State legislators have extended their budget deadline due to ongoing disagreements. One of the main disputes surrounds Governor Hochul’s proposal to backtrack some of the state’s commitments towards becoming more eco-friendly. Hochul says inflation and other factors are making it harder to act on climate change. But environmental and legal experts disagree. WFUV’s Jordan Donegan tells us why. New Yorkers can make New York City greener by planting a tree for free. It’s part of an initiative by a local non-profit to increase New York City’s tree population and the benefits they provide. WFUV’s Sienna Reinders tells us how it works. Host/Producer: Alexandra Pfau Editor: Tess Novotny Reporter: Jordan Donegan Reporter: Xenia Gonikberg Reporter: Sienna Reinders

    9 min

  7. APR 20

    World Cup Preparations, State Lawmakers Push Prison Reform, and the Director of Fordham’s Center on Religion and Culture on the White House, Vatican Tensions

    New York State is ramping up preparations for the 2026 World Cup. Governor Kathy Hochul announcing new plans to support watch parties and small businesses during the Cup, which is set to take place in June and July, Lawmakers and community advocates say New York State budget delays are putting incarcerated individuals in danger. WFUV’S Sonia Weliwitigoda reports on the bills they want passe Tensions between the White House and the Vatican are once again in the spotlight, as President Trump and Pope Leo XIV exchange words over war, immigration, and the moral role of global leadership. WFUV’s Jay Doherty spoke with David Gibson, religion writer and director of Fordham’s Center on Religion and Culture, to better understand this moment. Host/Producer: Jay Doherty Editor: Robin Shannon Reporter: Sonia Weliwitigoda Reporter: Jay Doherty Theme Music: Joe Bergsieker

    9 min

  8. APR 16

    Doormen Strike Looms, Mayor Mamdani Tackles the Wealth Gap, and Senator Gillibrand Wants President Trump’s Name Off Federal Property

    Senator Kirsten Gillibrand says she wants to stop President Trump from putting his face and name on government property. She’s introduced a bill that would bar using a sitting president’s name, image, likeness, or signature to decorate or designate federal property or currency. Mayor Zohran Mamdani is still advocating for a plan to raise taxes on the rich. Mamdani and leading economists held a forum discussing inequality they say is driven by a failure to tax people with extreme wealth. WFUV’s Mia Barth reports. New Yorkers might have to start sorting their own mail and taking out their own trash. That’s because doormen, superintendents and other residential workers have voted to authorize a strike starting Monday if their demands are not met. Host/Producer: Xenia Gonikberg Editor: Lainey Nguyen Reporter: Mia Barth Reporter: Lainey Nguyen Theme Music: Joe Bergsieker

    7 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
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5 Ratings

About

New York City arts. culture and politics from next-gen reporters at WFUV News.

Information

  • Creator
    WFUV News
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    691
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    What's What