WNYC News

New York and New Jersey are entering their peak wildfire season, which runs from mid-March to mid-May. NJ officials say there's a particular concern for the forests in the Garden State, where conditions are dryer and windier than state forest fire officials are comfortable with. Greg McLaughlin is the administrator for Forests and Natural Lands for New Jersey,  which oversees the state's Forest Fire Service. He joins WNYC's Sean Carlson to discuss what to look out for during peak wildfire season.

Cannabis dispensaries are seemingly everywhere in the five boroughs after New York and other states legalized it a few years ago, and with that comes wider access and more research on the drug. But the science around it is still catching up on the actual effects of the drug.

Doctor Timothy Brennan, the chief of clinical services for the Addiction Institute of Mount Sinai, joined WNYC's Sean Carlson more about the effects of the cannabis that's sold today.

As a battle over the state budget continues in Albany and New York City works to close a $5 billion budget gap, we saw some signs of progress this week.

For months, it seemed like Mayor Mamdani and Governor Hochul were hopelessly at odds over taxing the rich. He wants it. She doesn't. But a compromise has emerged. The governor announced a proposal to impose a new tax on second homes in New York City valued at $5 million dollars and above.

WNYC's Elizabeth Kim joins Weekend Edition host David Furst to discuss the latest on the plan and the evolving relationship between Hochul and Mamdani.

The NBA playoffs begin April 18, and once again the New York Knicks are among the teams fighting for those championship rings. But things are different this time. A few years ago, fans were happy just to see this once struggling team back in the post-season. Now, they're facing a new set of expectations. Sports reporter Priya Desai joins Weekend Edition host David Furst with a playoff preview.

NJ Transit officials on Wednesday laid out some of their plans --- and limitations --- for getting people to and from MetLife Stadium for this summer's World Cup games.

Imagine this. You just landed at JFK Airport for the first time in your life. You know you need to make it to the subway next, but there's one problem. You have no idea where that is, and communicating with people may not be straightforward because you're deaf.  

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is attempting to solve this problem by rolling out American Sign Language interpretation technology at its major facilities, like the Port Authority Bus Terminal, PATH Stations, and major airports. 

Keith Armonaitis is the head of the IT Innovation Lab at the Port Authority. He joined WNYC's Michael Hill to discuss how the new ASL technology works. 

A transcript of this interview is available on our news site Gothamist for deaf and hard of hearing readers. 

An April Fool’s post inviting Park Slope parents to a get-together about parenting and pot has generated such high interest that organizers are now considering it for real.