Apartment Buildings and the Cable Monopoly

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

The federal government may strike down thousands of contracts between buildings and their sole cable providers to increase competition and decrease price. How will this affect NYC apartment dwellers? Also, Michael Balboni advocates for Spitzer's driver's license proposal; changes to the gifted and talented program in the city's public schools; Bliss Broyard on learning the family secret that transformed her from WASP to “woman of color;” and residency requirements for city employees.

Enter our Halloween photo contest -- Scary Smart.

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DNA and French Immigration

Monday, October 29, 2007

The French parliament has approved a strict new immigration bill. Hopeful incomers are now required to pass a language test and prove that they are familiar with French values. But most controversial is the provision that involves DNA testing. Newsweek Paris bureau chief Chris Dickey discusses the controversy. Also, London's Guardian crosses the pond; Gov. Spitzer's revised drivers' license proposal; and more about MRSA.

Enter our Halloween photo contest -- Scary Smart.

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Sex and the Social Security Payments

Friday, October 26, 2007

What does Sex and the City have to do with underfunded pensions? City Journal writer Kay Hymowitz tells guest host Mario Murillo why Carrie Bradshaw might be to blame. Plus, three of New York’s top female chefs; is Merril Lynch moving?; setting bail fairly; no-email Fridays and Hillary turns 60.

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Politics as a Laughing Matter

Thursday, October 25, 2007

Before there was Jon Stewart or Stephen Colbert, there were George Carlin and Lenny Bruce. George Carlin talks about political comedy from the 1950s through today. Also, at least four more New York movies are out this fall, from Clooney’s Michael Clayton to We Own the Night.

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The Business of Bonuses

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

New York’s finance workers are bracing for smaller bonuses this year. Find out how Christmas on Wall Street will affect the rest of the City’s economy. Also, two years after the death of Nixzmary Brown, what’s changed at the City's Administration for Children's Services?

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Going Hungry in the Big Apple

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

More New Yorkers are using food banks, but the federal government’s emergency food donations have been cut in half, according to a study from the Food Bank for New York City. Food Bank’s Áine Duggan talks about the politics of food aid to the poor and how to survive the winter. State Senators Jose Serrano and Frank Padavan debate Governor Spitzer's plan to issue drivers licenses for illegal immigrants. And, just what do women carry around in those giant handbags? We also talk about the outbreak of noose and swastika placements since Jena. And listeners call in: is it ethical to father children in your 60's?

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Should Bike Riders Run Red Lights?

Monday, October 22, 2007

Traffic regulations are largely designed for cars, so what rules should bike riders follow? We talk to a writer and cycling advocate who thinks bikes should ignore them altogether. Also, one of America's leading political analysts gives his take on the presidential race and the Republican candidates at the last debate. Plus, sleep-deprived kids; why the Coors/Miller merger is quenching their thirst for less competition; and whether incentive pay drove Joe Torre to leave the Yankees.

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Policing and Public Space

Friday, October 19, 2007

Public Space Guru Fred Kent works to revitalize shared urban spaces. He’s spent the week reviewing listeners' favorite and least favorite places in the City and returns with his assessments. Plus, a conversation with NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly.

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SCHIPs are Down

Thursday, October 18, 2007

Congress votes today on whether to override the president’s veto of the expanded Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). Whatever happens, New Jersey is one of the states with the most to win or lose, so we talk to Governor Jon Corzine. Also, our weekly conversation with the critics, and another five minutes with the editors of Boing Boing.

Help us dig into the Clinton and Giuliani finance filings in our crowdsourcing project, Hillary, Rudy Money

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Don’t Wait!

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Peter Sagal, host of NPR's "Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me!" weekly news quiz show, talks about his new Book of Vice and tries to help savvy listeners win Brian’s voice on their answering machine during a Brian Lehrer Show News Quiz. Also, take part in our latest crowdsourcing project, "Hillary, Rudy, Money." And more cutting-edge technology from Boing Boing.

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The Rhythm of Life

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Are you a morning person or a night person? Sometimes our bodies dictate when we can and cannot perform, despite what our minds want to do. We look at the body’s natural rhythms when it comes eating, sleeping, and sex. Also, what do the new campaign filings reveal about the presidential candidates? And, the voliatile intersection between the Iraq war, Washington politics, and Turkey's past and present. Finally: tea kettles get high tech.

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All Around the Town

Monday, October 15, 2007

Test your knowledge of New York’s landmarks with father and son tour guides and quiz masters, Mark and Matt Levy. Plus, what does it take for women to get elected to office? And a founder of Draft Gore talks about the chances of the Nobel Peace Prize winner entering the 2008 race.

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Nobel Intentions

Friday, October 12, 2007

All eyes are on Norway to see who will get the most anticipated of the Nobel awards – the peace prize. We look at why they picked Al Gore and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Also, a Brooklyn doctor is practicing medicine 2.0, by using Instant Messaging in his practice.

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Screening the War

Thursday, October 11, 2007

This fall, a new wave of Hollywood movies takes on issues in the War on Terror. Director Brian De Palma talks about his new film “Redacted” and we’ll review some of the others with film critics Owen Gleiberman and Dana Stevens. Plus, the results of our crowd-sourcing project, “Are You Being Gouged?”.

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Show Me the Money

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Fred Thompson joins his fellow Republican presidential candidates for his first campaign debate – this one focused on the economy. Hear excerpts and analysis and share your opinions. Also, why some critics of the Bush Administration are calling for a one-day general strike; and what are your favorite and least favorite public spaces?

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Are Environmentalism’s Days Numbered?

Tuesday, October 09, 2007

Over the years, environmental advocates have painted a picture of doom and gloom to get their point across. Find out why the authors of a new book on the politics of environmentalism think this approach is doomed. Also, who is responsible for gas leaks that happen inside apartments; why some Fresh Direct works are in a labor dispute; and a plan for dealing with crimes committed by the mentally ill. Also, listeners call in with their heat wave comments about the endless summer.

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League of Extraordinary Gentlemen

Monday, October 08, 2007

George Steinbrenner is a rookie in this league, and Michael Bloomberg is a veteran: learn all about the super-rich with the authors of the new book, All the Money in the World: How the Forbes 400 Make--and Spend--Their Fortunes. Did you know about Bill Gates’s underground guest house?
Also, political analysis of the campaign trail with Donna Brazile. We take a look at accusations that the Bloomberg LP discriminated against women, and ask listeners to call in about sexual harassment and gender discrimination in their workplace. And finally, why is a tobacco company pulling its funding from New York arts groups?

NOTE: We have postponed the results of our crowdsourcing project, "Are You Being Gouged?" to give us a bit more time to analyze the data.

Innocent Bystanders

Friday, October 05, 2007

Last week’s anti-gang and immigration raids are dividing Long Island. Today, we hear from the Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi who says the heavy-handed federal raids harm public safety by destroying community relationships with law enforcement. Also, how Rudy Giuliani's appearances on WABC as mayor will affect his presidential run; how many times will America lose its innocence and we follow up on some of this week's stories.

Showdown in Nassau County

Thursday, October 04, 2007

Nassau County officials say immigration agents endangered residents and police during raids last week. According to the charges, the federal agents were wearing cowboy hats and brandishing shotguns, when they were supposed to be investigating gang activity. Also, two movie critics compare notes on the New York Film Festival; Ayaan Hirsi Ali's security; and a call-in about the proposed redesign of the Marriage Bureau to rival Las Vegas.

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“SCHIP” On His Shoulder

Wednesday, October 03, 2007

President Bush doesn’t veto much, but – of all things – he’s vetoing the expansion of SCHIP, the children’s health insurance program. Both New York and New Jersey are suing him over tightened federal standards for the program. Two guests debate whether more health insurance for children can be a bad thing. Also, is it now legal to scalp Yankee playoff tickets? We’ll clarify Major League Baseball’s new resale rules. We discuss the legal implications of the Isiah Thomas sexual harassment verdict. And, when is it okay to let your children watch television? For the open phones, we talk to people who fish-and sometimes eat what they catch- in the New York City area.

Take part in our crowdsourcing project: Are You Being Gouged?

Mayor Bloomberg’s European Vacation

Tuesday, October 02, 2007

Mayor Bloomberg is in Europe to look at London’s surveillance system and Paris’ bike sharing program. Find out what the mayor does and doesn’t like about those ideas. Andrew Burroughs tells us what you should know about the inner workings of your telephone, and other feats of everyday engineering. Also, the Topps tainted meat recall, Elliot Spitzer courts the Transit Workers Union, and Ruth Wisse talks about Jews in power in America and Israel. Open phones ask the listeners: how will 9/11 affect your vote for President?

How Much is Too Much?

Monday, October 01, 2007

We reveal some preliminary results from our group journalism project “Are You Being Gouged?” comparing the prices of milk, lettuce and beer and look for the reasons for price disparities between neighborhoods and types of stores. Also, Jeffrey Toobin on the opening of the Supreme Court session; Robert Draper on the president’s character; and race and class within the Black middle class. Ted Koppel talks about the burden of California's overcrowded prison system. And, Mets fans share their five stages of grief.