New York NOW

Marijuana Legalization Debate & NY's Climate Change Shift

On this week's edition of New York NOW: marijuana could be legalized next year in New York and the chances of that happening are higher than ever. We take a deep dive into the debate on the issue and speak with they key players.
Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt joins us to discuss his party's strategy for making their voice heard in the minority next year, and shares his thoughts on what happened in this year's elections.
Comptroller Tom DiNapoli rolled out a new plan to transition the state's massive public pension fund to a net zero carbon strategy by 2040 - the most ambitious plan in the country. POLITICO's Marie French has details.
And the COVID-19 vaccine is coming to New York. Gov. Andrew Cuomo says the state is ready.
 
Learn more at nynow.org

COVID-19 Surge Continues, Vaccines Coming to NY

On this week's edition of New York NOW: Gov. Andrew Cuomo says New York will receive its first round of COVID-19 vaccines in the coming weeks while the state continues to experience a rise in the virus.
Casey Seiler from the Albany Times Union hosts this week's edition. He's joined by Karen DeWitt from New York State Public Radio and Jon Campbell from the USA Today Network.
We'll discuss the latest COVID-19 trends in the state, New York's plans for distributing a vaccine, and the rest of the week's news.
 
Learn more at nynow.org

Post-Thanksgiving Spike, Sen. Deputy Leader Gianaris, Stock Transfer Tax

On this week's edition of New York NOW: Gov. Andrew Cuomo is predicting a surge of COVID-19 after the Thanksgiving holiday. We'll discuss the latest numbers and what they mean with Anna Gronewold from POLITICO New York.
Senate Deputy Majority Leader Mike Gianaris, D-Queens, joins us to talk about what's ahead for next year's legislative session after Democrats retained control over the entire state Legislature in this year's elections.
New York has a $14 billion budget hole to fill, and some want to do it by taxing stock transactions. Fred Kowal from United University Professions joins us to discuss the Stock Transfer Tax.
And is there an appetite for lawmakers who seek to find common ground with others? Erik Olsen from the Common Ground Committee has the answer.
 
Learn More at nynow.org https://nynow.wmht.org/

New COVID Wave, Post-Election Analysis, Student Experiences

On this week's edition of New York NOW: Gov. Andrew Cuomo says New York is experiencing a new wave of COVID-19, and new restrictions are now in effect.
We'll discuss this latest stage of the pandemic and the results of this year's elections in New York with Jimmy Vielkind from the Wall Street Journal and Marina Villeneuve from the Associated Press.
This year's elections have some calling for changes to local boards of elections. Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone gives us his pitch, and chats about party control over the state's judiciary.
Plus, it's been more than two months since schools reopened in New York, both in-person and virtually. We'll check in on how it's going, and what the long-term impact could look like.
Learn More: nynow.org

Unpacking New York's Election Results (So Far)

On this week's edition of New York NOW: We'll unpack this week's election results in New York, where several close races remain undecided. The future of the state's Congressional delegation and the State Senate hang in the balance.
Karen DeWitt from New York State Public Radio and Bill Mahoney from POLITICO New York join us with the latest updates and analysis on what happened at the polls Tuesday, and what that means for next year in New York.
Political analysts Steve Greenberg and Bob Bellafiore are with us to break down how each major party performed at the polls, what worked, and what didn't.
Plus,we were out at the polls Tuesday to ask voters what was on their mind when they cast their ballot. We'll show you what they said.
 
Learn more at nynow.org

New York Election Day Preview, Future of Minor Parties

On this week's edition of New York NOW: We'll get a preview of what to watch on Election Day from Karen DeWitt from New York State Public Radio and Joe Spector from the USA Today Network.
Then, the future of minor parties in New York hangs in the balance in this year's elections. Parties will now have to get more than double the votes they had to before to automatically qualify for the ballot in the next election cycle.
Conservative Party Chair Gerard Kassar says he's not worried about his party meeting the new threshold, partly because of new energy for the party from President Donald Trump.
But The Working Families Party could have a tougher time meeting the new requirement. Sochie Nnaemeka from the state Working Families Party joins us to discuss the party's future and what they're doing to turn out the vote.
 
Learn More at nynow.org

Special Episode: The Time for Reckoning Preview

On this week's edition of New York NOW: The death of George Floyd in Minneapolis this year renewed discussions on how police and communities of color interact, including here in New York.
This week, we'll bring you a preview of a special conversation between people in power and people in the community on where things stand and how things could change.
It's called The Time for Reckoning. It's a special project produced by WMHT in partnership with the Albany Times Union, the Center for Law and Justice, the New York State Writers Institute, and All of Us.
Join us this week for part of the program, and then catch the whole symposium next week on WMHT or stream it online.

Cuomo's New Book, Restaurants Status, Election Analysis

On this week's edition of New York NOW: Gov. Andrew Cuomo is out with a new book. Bernadette Hogan from the New York Post joins us with details and analysis.
New York's bars and restaurants are struggling to keep afloat as the COVID-19 crisis continues. Melissa Fleischut from the New York State Restaurant Association and Scott Wexler from the Empire State Restaurant and Tavern Association join us to explain.
New York State Democratic Chair Jay Jacobs joins us to talk about how Democrats are trying to reach voters this year, and where they're focusing their efforts.
And the race for the 46th State Senate District is one of the most closely watched in New York politics this year. We'll introduce you to Michelle Hinchey, the Democrat in the race. We've reached out to the Republican candidate for an interview as well.
 
Learn More at nynow.org

Cuomo's Cluster Plan, Gov. David Paterson, Absentee Voting Demo

On this week's edition of New York NOW: Gov. Andrew Cuomo announces a new plan to address the state's COVID-19 clusters. Jesse McKinley from The New York Times joins us to discuss.
Gov. David Paterson is out with a new book about his time in office and his experience as a black, blind man in America. He gives us a sneak peak of the book and chats about some of the state's top issues, like New York's $14 billion budget deficit.
And voting is confusing this year, but also easier than ever. Jennifer Wilson from the League of Women Voters shows us step-by-step what to expect when voting with an absentee ballot, and speaks with Karen DeWitt about this year's elections process.
 
Learn more: nynow.org

COVID-19 Clusters, Shifting SCOTUS, SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras

On this week's edition of New York NOW: A handful of COVID-19 clusters have popped up in New York. We'll discuss where they are, and what the state's doing to keep them from growing.
Karen DeWitt from New York State Public Radio and Bill Mahoney from POLITICO New York are in studio to discuss that and the news of the week.
New SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras joins us to discuss how the statewide university system is responding to COVID-19, and the broader impact the pandemic's had on those institutions.
And President Donald Trump has nominated Judge Amy Coney Barrett to replace Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the Supreme Court. We'll have an analysis of the pick, including details on her record and background, with Vincent Bonventre, a professor from Albany Law School and prolific court watcher.
 
Learn More: nynow.org