Arun Venugopal

New York, NY —

Homeless advocates say that 20,000 school-age children in the city are homeless. A new report from the group Advocates for Children of New York say the Department of Education undercounts this population, and that city policies contribute to high absenteeism and dropout rates.

REPORTER: The report ...

New York, NY —

9/11 family members and politicians gathered for the opening of the WTC Tribute Center. It's located across from the World Trade Center site and commemorates the events of 9/11 through exhibits and artifacts.

The opening drew the regular dignitaries - the mayor, the governor, Assembly Speaker ...

New York, NY —

A Staten Island-based satellite dish operator and native of Pakistan has been charged with illegally broadcasting Hizbollah's satellite TV channel.

The federal government says 42-year-old Javed Iqbal was providing customers access to al Manar, a channel run by the terrorist group that was itself designated a ...

Queens, NY —

About 75 Residents of Queens gathered at PS 234 in Astoria, to vent their feelings about Con-Ed and its handling of the recent blackout. WNYC's Arun Venugopal has more.

The hearings were organized by the state's Public Service Commission, which itself took criticism for not publicizing the ...

New York, NY —

The oven that is New York City roasted its residents at a slightly higher temperature today, the second day of a heat wave that's not expected to break until Friday. A new record of 101 degrees was reached at Laguardia Airport this afternoon. Newark saw ...

New York, NY —

More than a thousand people gathered at Brooklyn's Grand Army Plaza to rally against the proposed Nets arena high-rise project.

The rally drew Council Member Letitia James, as well as celebrities like Rosie Perez and Steve Buscemi, but for the most part the event was a ...

New York, NY —

Although animal shelters run by the city still destroy tens of thousands of animals each year, city officials aim to have a "no-kill" policy in place by 2015. But the effort recently hit a snag, in the form of higher gas prices. WNYC’s Arun Venugopal ...

New York, NY —

The city is ramping up security after a series of train bombings killed more than 180 people in India. The bombings took place during the evening commute in Mumbai, the city formerly known as Bombay. WNYC's Arun Venugopal has more.

REPORTER: The NYPD is deploying hundreds ...

New York, NY —

State prosecutors have charged Brooklyn State Assembly Member Diane Gordon with bribery. She's accused of accepting an offer for a half-million dollar home. WNYC's Arun Venugopal has more.

Gordon was shown on video, demanding a free house from a developer in exchange for steering a city-owned ...

New York, NY —

Developer Larry Silverstein and the Port Authority went to court today to force World Trade Center insurers to make payments. They say seven companies are not promising to make good on claims, ever since Silverstein and the agency agreed to share in the rebuilding effort. ...

New York, NY —

Governor Pataki and Mayor Bloomberg have signed off on a new World Trade Center memorial design that keeps the signature square voids and waterfalls, but brings the names of 9/11 victims above ground. The redesign by developer Frank Schiame could be approved by the end ...

New York, NY —

The next 25 years of Nicholas Minucci's life are now in the hands of a Queens jury. Yesterday the defense and prosecution presented their closing arguments in his hate crime and assault trial. WNYC's Arun Venugopal was at the courthouse in Queens.

Defense attorney Albert Gaudelli ...

New York, NY —

Defense Attorneys in the hate crime trial of Howard Beach resident Nicholas Minucci called a character witness and a medical expert to the stand today and the results were not favorable to their case.

The defendant called Darron Maxwell, a young black man from Minucci's neighborhood, ...

New York, NY —

The victim in the Howard Beach hate crime trial took the stand yesterday. Glenn Moore told the jury he was hit in the head with a bat by Nicholas Minucci, after Minucci used a racial epithet. WNYC's Arun Venugopal was there.

REPORTER: The 23-year-old Moore remained ...

New York, NY —

Jury members got to hear directly from Nicholas Minucci yesterday. He's the Howard Beach man accused of beating a black man with a bat as part of an alleged hate crime. Queens prosecutors played a videotape of an interview they conducted with Minucci just hours ...

New York, NY —

The major players involved in the World Trade Center's reconstruction answered questions from state assemblymembers about why it's taking so long for buildings to rise at the site. WNYC's Arun Venugopal was there.

The hearings were held on the 25th floor of Tower 7, overlooking Ground ...

New York, NY —

The city is suing gun dealers in five states for allegedly selling guns illegally. The fifteen dealers all have a history of selling weapons that were used in crimes in New York. WNYC's Arun Venugopal has more.

REPORTER: The city hired private investigators to go undercover, ...

New York, NY —

The city is expanding its effort to attract film and TV productions. Funding for its Made in New York tax incentive is being increased to $30 million this year, up from $12.5 million last year.

REPORTER: The tax incentive program requires productions to do three-quarters of ...

New York, NY —

Tomorrow, voters in Newark will elect a new mayor, and for the first time in over 20 years it will not be Sharpe James. Last month, James decided not to pursue a 6th term, making the front-runner in the election his opponent from 2002, attorney ...

New York, NY —

Despite a hard line by the Bloomberg Administration on cell phones in the schools, parents, teachers and students show no signs of giving up on their efforts to end the ban. WNYC's Arun Venugopal reports.