Nassau County Exec Bruce Blakeman joins the gubernatorial fray, setting the stage for a messy GOP primary. That and more in this week's Politics Brief roundup. 

A new study finds pollution has dropped in New York City and the surrounding areas since congestion pricing went into effect in Manhattan.  

The report found in the first six months of the program, air pollution dropped by 22% in the congestion zone below 60th Street. But it also found declines beyond that.

Tim Fraser is an assistant teaching professor at Cornell Systems Engineering at Cornell University. He spoke to WNYC's Morning Edition host Michael Hill about why this has implications not only for the region, but for the world.  

It's a holiday tradition in New York City dating back to 1900. But it's not the Rockefeller tree, or ice skating or caroling. It's the Audubon Christmas Bird Count, where bird lovers, scientists and anyone who is curious can join in to help track bird populations in and around the area. 

Jessica Wilson is the executive director of NYC Bird Alliance, which runs the count. She joined WNYC's Morning Edition host Michael Hill to talk through how -- and why -- to get out in the cold and help count.

Sweet potatoes may be a Thanksgiving staple, but they'll be plentiful at city green markets all throughout the winter.  

Amelia Tarpey, program and publicity manger for GrowNYC Greenmarkets, said the hearty crops can cost between $2,50 to $4 per pound this time of year at city farmers markets. She said sweet potatoes sweet or savory, breakfast or dinner, orange or purple — but they're all delicious. 

A $48 million deficit at The New School has sparked a showdown between administrators planning layoffs and faculty who fear the budget problems are being used to dilute the Greenwich Village institution's leftist identity.

A new program within the Albany Police Department that dispatches unarmed case workers to 911 calls – including for people having mental health issues – offers insight into how a similar effort could be launched at a much larger scale under New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani.

Nonprofits that work with vulnerable New Yorkers say the level of need remains high this holiday season.

J. Antonio Fernández leads Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York. He joined WNYC's Moring Edition host Michael Hill to talk about Catholic Charities' work, how it and other organizations are bracing for cuts to food benefits, and what it's like being the first lay person to lead the group.

Food critic Robert Sietsema joins Weekend Edition host David Furst to talk about his list of the best places to eat in Manhattan's Hell's Kitchen neighborhood. He writes about food for Gothamist and for his Substack, Robert Sietsema's New York. 

After a gubernatorial election that gained plenty of national attention, you might think New Jerseyans would be getting a short news break. But that's not the case. 

Outgoing governor, Phil Murphy, has a lengthy to-do list before he leaves office next month. 13 different candidates are vying to replace incoming governor Mikie Sherrill in Congress. And there were fireworks this week at a state senate committee hearing on a bill that would weaken the power of the state comptroller.

WNYC's Mike Hayes discusses the latest news with Weekend Edition host, David Furst.