WNYC News

A South Bronx high school is looking to unlock the potential of its robotics team -- by locking visitors in a bodega.

Students at University Heights High School in the Bronx have partnered with Andrew Freedman Home, a historic building restored as a community space on the Grand Concourse. They've joined forces to create a bodega-themed escape room that opens later this week.

Robotics teacher Nathan Weber and students Amber Li and Illyanie Valera joined WNYC's Michael Hill in the studio to talk about how their robotics background helped prepare them for escape room success. 

WNYC producer Verónica Del Valle also called in from the escape room to talk about the experience inside. 

Zohran Mamdani's campaign is being praised for pushing the boundaries of political branding.  WNYC's Elizabeth Kim reports on how the mayor-elect and his team of grassroots graphic designers about how Bollywood movies, taxi cabs and more inspired Mamdani's distinct imagery. 

The father of a 12-year-old girl killed subway surfing speaks out about her tragic death. 

A Gothamist analysis found voters under 40 increased their turnout rate more than any other age group compared to four years ago. Many of those voters, the analysis found, did not go to the polls alone. Turnout data shows there were more than 380,000 households that turned out to vote, 64% of which were in Assembly districts Mamdani won.

From taco wasteland to taco wonderland. That's how food critic Robert Sietsema characterizes what has gone on in downtown Manhattan over the last couple of years. A recent column makes the argument that great tacos are now very much on the menu in the neighborhood. 

Robert writes about food for Gothamist and for his Substack, Robert Sietsema's New York. He joins Weekend Edition host David Furst to talk about where the taco action is downtown. 

The Studio Museum in Harlem just underwent a major, seven year, $160-million dollar renovation. The museum is located right on 125th Street, just a block from the neighborhood institution Apollo Theatre. The Studio Museum will reopen its doors to the public on Saturday. Connie Choi is a curator for the museum, and she talks with WNYC's Stephen Nessen more about the newly renovated facility and its exhibits. 

Zohran Mamdani’s victory in the New York City mayor’s race was historic for several reasons. For one, he was able to get many young New Yorkers to cast votes. He also will be the city’s youngest mayor in more than a century and the first South Asian and Muslim mayor.  

Rachel Janfaza is a researcher and writer focused on youth culture and politics, and she has a Substack newsletter called The Up and Up. She talked with WNYC's David Furst about what we can learn about young voters from Mamdani’s win.  

It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s Fan Man!

An amazing stranger has become the talk of the neighborhood in Gravesend, Brooklyn, where locals have been buzzing for months at the sight of a mystery daredevil soaring through the air on a parachute, propelled by a motorized fan strapped to his back. Videos of the man in the sky have circulated on social media in recent weeks, sparking awe and concern over his safety.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is catching the ire of climate activists and lawmakers after a hat trick of fossil fuel-friendly moves, including reaching a deal to delay a law aimed at electrifying new building construction that was set to take effect in January.

A week after federal food aid payments were first halted amid the shutdown, WNYC's Morning Edition checked back in on the state of food security in the region. 

Zac Hall is the Senior Vice President of Programs at Food Bank For New York City. Mark Dinglasan is the Executive Director of the New Jersey Office of the Food Security Advocate. They both joined WNYC's Morning Edition host Michael Hill to talk about what that uncertainty has meant for the 3 million New Yorkers and 800,000 New Jerseyans who depend on SNAP assistance.