NYC's First Female Firefighter Leads The Charge to Build Monuments To Women

Forty years ago, Brenda Berkman paved the way for women to join the FDNY – winning a federal discrimination lawsuit against the City of New York that made it possible for women become New York City firefighters for the first time in history. After serving 25 years in the FDNY and retiring as Captain, a career that included acting as a first responder during 9/11, Berkman decided to take a leap and follow her passion for activism and for art. The trailblazing firefighter joins MetroFocus to discuss her experiences as one of the first and few women on the force, and about her work for the organization Monumental Woman, which in 2020 unveiled the first statue of real women in Central Park: the Women’s Rights Pioneers Monument of Sojourner Truth, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony.

"Five Floors Up: The Heroic Family Story of Four Generations in the FDNY"

For nearly a century the Feehan family has been at the heart of the New York City Fire Department. From the dawn of the motorized fire truck to the September 11th attacks, at least one member of the Feehan family has worn the FDNY patch. First Deputy Commissioner Bill Feehan was the highest-ranking member of the department killed on 9/11 and two decades later his legacy lives on thanks in part to his family. Their extraordinary service and how it reflects the history of the department is the foundation of author Brian McDonald’s new book, “Five Floors Up: The Heroic Family Story of Four Generations in the FDNY,” and the New York Times bestselling writer joins MetroFocus to discuss this New York family’s lasting impact.

Coney Island's amusement parks are open! So MetroFocus is giving an all-access pass inside one of the boardwalk's biggest attractions - The Secret World of the Coney Island Side Show, A MetroFocus Documentary Report

Sword-swallowers, fire-breathers, and “natural-borns” are just a few of the performers who make up the Coney Island Circus Sideshow. MetroFocus has your backstage pass to a community that is filled with a rich history and a legacy dating back nearly one hundred years.

Pulitzer-winning sociologist issues wake-up call to America, urging those with means to fight poverty

Why is there so much poverty in America? Pulitzer Prize-winning sociologist Matthew Desmond answers that complicated question in his latest work, “Poverty, By America,” arguing this suffering persists nationwide because people of means benefit from it often without even realizing. Demond, who serves as chair of sociology at Princeton University, joins MetroFocus to share his wake-up call to affluent Americans and why ending poverty is not as impossible as we might think.

New York City became what it is today through the hard work, innovation, and creativity of a handful of individuals who were willing to challenge the status quo. The new documentary “Gotham: The Fall and Rise of New York” explores New York City’s history and the legacy of its six mayors from 1966-2013. Joining MetroFocus to discuss the findings of the film are the writer and director, Matthew Taylor; producer, Michelle Taylor; and executive producer, Peter Cove.

Special Report: New Alzheimer's Wonder Drug - Are You Eligible?

Nearly 13 million people will have Alzheimer's Disease by 2050. That's 13 million who could eventually no longer remember their families. But finally, a ray of hope in a new FDA approved drug called Leqembi, that has been shown to slow dementia and will one day save lives. So why won't Medicare cover it? Dr. Nicole Purcell, neurologist and Senior Director of Clinical Practice for the Alzheimer's Association joins us.

What is it like to live on the spectrum?

This Autism Awareness Month, Dr. Andy Shih, Chief Science Officer at Autism Speaks delves into what it's like to live on the spectrum, what we know about autism, and what we can do to create a more inclusive and accommodating society.

Re-imagining The Hollywood Classic "Some Like It Hot" For Broadway and a New Audience

The hit 1959 film “Some Like It Hot,” starring Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon, is back, this time as a Broadway musical. The new version, which critics call a “jubilant, oldfangled, crowd-pleasing musical comedy,” tells the story of two Prohibition-era musicians on the run from the mob who pose as women in an all-female traveling band. But it adds fabulous singing and dancing and some modern twists. Joining us to discuss how the iconic movie has been reimagined for the stage are the show’s star performers - Christian Borle, J. Harrison Ghee and Adrianna Hicks.

The Museum of Broadway Opens in NYC

New York’s first ever museum solely dedicated to Broadway is now officially open. The Museum of Broadway, located in Manhattan’s theater district, is a 26,000 square foot, three floor building, honoring Broadway’s rich history, and showcasing props, costumes, and other memorabilia from countless Broadway shows. The museum teamed up with internationally renowned artists, designers, and theatre historians to create an interactive experience that highlights groundbreaking moments in Broadway’s history - the moments that pushed creative boundaries, challenged social norms, and paved the way for those who would follow.

"Pay Up: The Future of Women and Work"

For as long as women have been in the workforce, “having it all” has meant “doing it all”- leaving working mothers burned out, unhealthy, and unsatisfied. Reshma Saujani, the founder and CEO of Girls Who Code, says now is the time for the workplace to “PAY UP” in her book outlining The Future of Women and Work (and Why It’s Different than You Think.) and she joins us tonight.

Democratic DA Claims His Own Party Is Punishing Him For Opposing Bail Reform

New York’s controversial bail reform law, which took effect in January of 2020, eliminated the use of cash bail for most misdemeanors and some nonviolent felony charges, in an attempt to ensure that no one would have to sit in jail, simply because they couldn’t afford to pay their way out. Over the past few years, the law has been harshly criticized by Republicans, and even some Democrats, who argue that these changes to our pretrial system are the main reason we saw a spike in violent crimes in 2020. One such Democrat is Albany County District Attorney David Soares, who says he was uninvited from testifying at a recent state hearing reviewing bail reform, because of his public opposition to the law. He joins MetroFocus to discuss the matter.

Spencer Schneider on "Manhattan Cult Story"

When Spencer Schneider was a 29-year-old Manhattan corporate lawyer, he was invited by an acquaintance to attend a secret meeting of a group known by its members simply as, “School.” Brought in by its charismatic leader, he joined other highly successful New Yorkers but soon found himself trapped in one of the nation’s most secretive and abusive cults. Spencer Schneider joins us tonight to discuss his new book, “Manhattan Cult Story: My Unbelievable True Story of Sex, Crimes, Chaos, and Survival”, in which he tells how and why he joined the cult, and how he got out after 23 years.

Former President Donald Trump pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in Manhattan criminal court on Tuesday. The criminal charges Mr. Trump is facing in New York stem from three separate instances in which he and his associates are accused of making hush money payments during his 2016 campaign. Last night, the former president spoke from Mar-a-Lago in which he vowed to fight the charges and cast himself as the victim of a political witch hunt. Tonight, we have reaction and analysis of this historic moment, joining us are: retired New York Supreme Court Justice Doris Ling-Cohan, who ruled on a previous defamation case involving Donald Trump; former federal prosecutor with the Department of Justice, Duncan Levin; and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and political analyst, Ellis Henican.

Plaintiff in Chief: A Portrait of Donald Trump in 3,500 Lawsuits

Unlike all previous presidents who’ve held distinguished positions in government or the military prior to entering office, Donald Trump's political worldview was molded in the courtroom. Author James Zirin offers a comprehensive analysis of the former president’s legal history that reveals his temperament, character, methods, and morality.

American Oligarchs: The Kushners, The Trumps, and The Marriage of Money and Power

Investigative journalist and author Andrea Bernstein examines “American Oligarchs” and the rise of the Trump and Kushner families to the pinnacle of wealth and power.