Arun Venugopal

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 —

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.

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 —

The Roosevelt Island tram and its failure to run last week were at the center of City Council hearings today. WNYC's Arun Venugopal reports.

REPORTER: The hearings allowed many of the council members to voice their support for the tram's continued existence. Some Roosevelt Island residents ...

New York, NY —

The body of Rabbi Moses Teitelbaum was laid to rest this morning. The spiritual leader of tens of thousands of Satmar Hasidic Jews died last night. He was 91-years old. He was buried in the Orange county community of Kyrias Joel after his a funeral ...

New York, NY —

The latest world trade center rebuilding proposals offered to developer Larry Silverstein represents an effort by New York city, state, and New Jersey to finally work together. It calls for bringing the Freedom Tower under the control of the Port Authority, and allows Silverstein to ...

New York, NY —

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 ...

New York, NY —

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 ...

New York, NY —

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 ...

New York, NY —

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. ...

New York, NY —

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 - ...

New York, NY —

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 ...

New York, NY —

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 ...

New York, NY —

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 ...

New York, NY —

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 ...

New York, NY —

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 ...

New York, NY —

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 ...

New York, NY —

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 ...