Arun Venugopal
Arun Venugopal appears in the following:
Third Back-Up Generator for Tram Broken Since September
Thursday, April 20, 2006
The state official appointed to run the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation says the tram is "an intimate part of the Roosevelt Island mystique," but Mayor Bloomberg seemed ambivalent about the tram's future yesterday, saying the subway is quicker.
Meanwhile, the tram is still out of service today as an investigation into ...
Doormen Threaten Strike Midnight Thursday
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Thousands of of building superintendents, porters, and doormen marched up Park Avenue yesterday, demanding a fair contract. Their union, Local 32-BJ is threatening to strike at midnight on Thursday.
REPORTER: Doorman Luis Jimenez says a recent wage proposal that included a one-year pay freeze and increased health care contributions was unacceptable ...
Renewable Energy Will Power New Jersey
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Twenty percent of New Jersey's energy will come from renewable sources under a new rule put into place by the state's board of public utilities. WNYC's Arun Venugopal reports.
REPORTER: The standard puts the state at the forefront of the alternative energy movement, rivaled only by California. Adoption of the standard ...
MTA Asing for Heavy Fines Against Union
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Lawyers for the MTA again asked a Brooklyn judge to levy severe financial penalties against the Transport Workers Union for its illegal transit strike.
The day's proceedings centered on the union's financial status, and whether it can survive if subjected to millions of dollars in fines. The state says it can, ...
9-11 Families Speak Out on Memorial at Council Hearing
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
The City Council held hearings today in an attempt to help resolve differences over the World Trade Center memorial. Construction began earlier this month, but some victims family members continue to press for changes.
REPORTER: The hearings drew a vocal core of 9-11 family members - many of whom said they ...
For Some, Freedom Tower is Biggest Obstacle to Progress at Ground Zero
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
The Port Authority and developer Larry Silverstein are once again said to be close to a deal on the rebuilding of the World Trade Center. The two sides nearly reached a deal two weeks ago, only for talks to break down. For a growing number of urban planners, business leaders ...
City Schools Get Billions for Construction and Expenses
Friday, March 24, 2006
A state appeals court has ruled that New York City schools are entitled to billions in additional funding. WNYC's Arun Venugopal has more.
The appeals court directed the state to spend an additional $4.7 billion per year - minimum - on New York City schools. That's just for operating expenses. An ...
Council Speaker Won't Be Marching in Parade
Friday, March 17, 2006
More than 100,000 Irish-Americans will be marching up Fifth Avenue today to mark Saint Patrick's Day. But City Council speaker Christine Quinn won't be one of them. The speaker, who is of Irish descent and gay, failed to get parade organizers to lift their ban on gay and lesbian groups ...
City Council Hears Debate on Status of Rebuilding Effort
Friday, March 10, 2006
Associates of developer Larry Silverstein squared off with Deputy Mayor Dan Doctoroff during a city council hearing on the status of the World Trade Center rebuilding effort.
REPORTER: In hearings interrupted by hissing, applause and a visit from a group of Chinese dignitaries, Deputy mayor Doctoroff reasserted the city's claim's: that ...
As Groundbreaking Begins, Politics Still Surround WTC Memorial
Thursday, March 09, 2006
The wait appears to be over. Groundbreaking on the World Trade Center memorial takes place this Monday. The memorial is due to be completed by 2009. WNYC's Arun Venugopal looks into the politics that have surrounded - and still surround the memorial - as well as the vision behind it.
REPORTER: ...
African Burial Ground Now a National Monument
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
The African Burial Ground in lower Manhattan has achieved National Monument status. WNYC's Arun Venugopal attended today's ceremony.
REPORTER: The ceremony was both a celebration, and in a sense, a wake for 400-plus free and enslaved Africans. Their remains lie under a small plot of land near Federal Plaza and will ...
Special Election in City's Most Politically Active Nabe
Monday, February 27, 2006
Tomorrow special elections will be held in six assembly districts around the state. Three of those districts are within the five boroughs. One of those races is taking place on the Upper West Side, in the 67th district.
That's for a seat recently vacated by Scott Stringer, who became the Manhattan ...
Editors Resign After Paper Refuses to Publish Cartoons
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Four editorial staffers at the New York Press have resigned in protest. Their decision came after the free weekly paper decided against publishing some of the controversial Danish cartoons that depict the prophet Muhammad. WNYC's Arun Venugopal has more.
REPORTER: The New York Press would not have been the first paper ...
Report: Brooklyn Real Estate Booming
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
The Real Estate Board of New York's first report on residental sales in 19 Brooklyn neighborhoods was met with the occasional whoop of joy from an audience of realtors.
Between 2004 and 2005, the median price of a condo or co-op went up by 38 percent. DUMBO led all neighborhoods, at ...
In Chinatown, the New Year Means Special Food (And Money...)
Friday, February 03, 2006
We are midway through the 15-day Chinese New Year, which is being celebrated across the city. WNYC's Arun Venugopal took the opportunity to celebrate the festival with those who know it best.
It’s the first day of the Chinese New Year and Patrick Kwan is expecting a little cash.
PATRICK: ...
Bronx 'Gateway Center' Approved by Council
Thursday, February 02, 2006
The City Council has approved a proposal for the Gateway Center at Bronx Terminal Market. The $400 million mall is one of Mayor Bloomberg's signature economic development projects. WNYC's Arun Venugopal has more.
The City Council's approval means that the project is just one step away from becoming a reality. It ...
Homeless Will Be Encouraged to Quit Smoking
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
HIV testing, detox treatment and programs meant to stop cigarette smoking will soon be featured at city homeless shelters, as part of an effort to bring better treatment to the people sleeping there. WNYC's Arun Venugopal has more.
REPORTER: The changes come in the wake of a report, issued by the ...
Report Calls City Homeless Plan Flawed
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
A new report from the Coalition for the Homeless says a city program meant to move families out of shelters and into apartments is fundamentally flawed. WNYC's Arun Venugopal has more.
The city's program, known as Housing Stability Plus, provides a rent subsidy that is paid to landlords. However, the subsidy ...
Pataki Wants Taxpayer Funding of Ground Zero Building
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Governor Pataki says he wants taxpayers to fund a cultural building at Ground Zero. WNYC's Arun Venugopal reports.
The governor has proposed spending $80 million for the Snohetta building, which was originally meant to house the Freedom Center and Drawing Center. But will now be used as a visitors center and ...
Change in Terrorism Funds Distribution
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
The Department of Homeland Security is changing the way federal terrorism funds will be distributed. WNYC's Arun Venugopal reports.
REPORTER: Homeland Security chief Michael Chertoff says cities will be held to a more rigorous standard when they ask for money from the department's Urban Areas Security Initiative. That's the money specifically ...