This week, contributor Oriana Leckert joins us to discuss the return of Gothamist, the long running hyperlocal news site based in New York that was suddenly shuttered in November of 2017. We’re also joined by Jacqueline Soller to discuss the recently released movie, Annihilation, directed by Alex Garland ad starring Natalie Portman. Along the way, we’ll hear from a woman named Ramya, who told us about how the prospect of winning medals motivates her to compete in different races; Radio Dispatch’s Molly Knefel shares her take on the progress made by the students in Parkland, Florida, with their efforts to bring about gun reform and where responsibility for change really lies; and we take an exclusive early listen to a performance by producer and songwriter Bell’s Roar from their upcoming session for BTR Live Studio.

Music composed by and show edited by Hansdale Hsu.

00:00 - Intro

01:18 - START /// Gothamist Returns (w/ Oriana Leckert)

01:57 - About Gothamist and their 2017 shutdown

07:15 - About the deal for WNYC to reopen Gothamist

11:06 - Is there room for Gothamist’s irreverent tone at WNYC?

15:57 - Anonymous donors, pledge drives, etc.

20:22 - WNYC’s recent troubles

25:59 - Unions

28:00 - Implications for hyperlocal news in NYC and beyond

30:29 - Wrapping up… /// END

34:07 - 1st Person: Ramya // Running For The Medals

36:48 - Movie Review: ‘Annihilation’ w/ Jacqueline Soller

38:08 - Movie Chat: ‘Annihilation’ (spoiler alert)

57:04 - Molly Knefel // Parkland Teens Vs. The NRA

59:54 - “Celebrate” (BTR Live Studio, 2018) - Bell’s Roar

64:51 - Outro / Credits

65:37 - Finish.