More offshore wind projects are coming to New York by Uptown Radio

Last week, the city broke ground on a coastal resiliency plan to protect lower Manhattan from future storms. The project will level and completely rebuild East River Park, a popular green space on the Lower East Side. Many residents disagree with the plan.

You’re listening to Uptown Radio from Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism. This is an original podcast from the class of 2021.

Meet your hosts: Jon Edelman and Joanna Robin

In this edition: Get all the news and what it means for your weekend right here. You’ll listen to several journalist stories from inside New York communities. Meet preppers who are planning ahead for the world’s disasters, as well as taxi drivers and undocumented workers on strike. Also: the truth about kids’ mental health during the pandemic; and travels along the city’s changing waterfront, from East River Park to Pier 76.

It’s all the conversations important to Columbia University in one place.

SNEAK PEAK: INSIDE THIS EPISODE

News & More

National and local headlines plus conversations on a pandemic newsletter that’s got New Yorkers hooked, and a group of cyclists demanding justice for Daunte Wright.

Special guests include Mitra Kalita, CEO of Epicenter NYC, and Peter Kerre, founder of StreetRiders NYC.

Economics

A first-in-the-nation $2.1 billion relief fund for undocumented workers ends a hunger strike. And a promise of financial aid by Mayor DeBlasio that thousands of taxi drivers say doesn’t go far enough to relieve their debts.

Remote Learning

An inside look at the psychological chaos student’s have endured during this year of remote and hybrid learning. Find out how to effectively teach in times of crisis.

Environment

A construction project to turn East River Park into a flood barrier divides a community; meanwhile, Pier 76’s former NYPD tow pound is being converted into an open park.

Prepping for Disaster

COVID-19 brought doomsday realities into mainstream consciousness. Meet the prepping folks planning for disasters way before they hit—not just for themselves, but for their communities.

Immigrant Workers Score $2.1 Billion in Pandemic Relief by Uptown Radio

When Americans fill out the census, they are asked their race or origin: the list of 15 options includes white, African American, Korean and Filipino. This data guides everything from education and healthcare resources, to what language ballots are printed in. President Biden recently promised to introduce a new category in the next census: Middle Eastern and North African. Meanwhile, many in the MENA community say collecting this information can be critical for providing resources in New York City. Leyla Doss reports.

As vaccination rates rise in the U.S., many Americans are planning long-awaited reunions with family and friends.

In this piece from our commentary series, Megan Zerez reflects on the mixed feelings about her own homecoming.

For Black Americans, Racial Trauma Impacts Mental Health by Uptown Radio

New York Moments by Uptown Radio

This is a weekly Uptown Radio broadcast from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. Uptown Radio is available on iTunes, Soundcloud, and UptownRadio.org on Thursday evenings.

And now, a story from our commentary series. Arcelia Martin reflects on when she started to fear forgetting.